AirPods Pro 3 Won't Get 'Major' Audio or Active Noise Cancellation Improvements - MacRumors
Skip to Content

AirPods Pro 3 Won't Get 'Major' Audio or Active Noise Cancellation Improvements

The upcoming AirPods Pro 3 that Apple is expected to unveil tomorrow will not include notable improvements to audio quality or Active Noise Cancellation, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

AirPods Pro 3 Mock Feature
Apple's new earbuds will have heart rate tracking, a health-related feature that Apple first introduced with the Powerbeats Pro 2. LED optical sensors will pulse to measure heart rate using blood flow, and if the ‌AirPods Pro 3‌ work like the Powerbeats Pro 2, the data will sync with popular fitness apps.

The ‌AirPods Pro 3‌ will also feature an updated design for a better fit, though there are no details on what exactly is going to change. The case is also going to be slimmed down, and it will be smaller like the AirPods 4 case.

News of no significant changes to ANC or audio quality is disappointing. There were some rumors of "much better" Active Noise Cancellation and Gurman himself said the AirPods would include a new H3 chip. New chips typically mean improvements to audio quality and ANC, and we could still get some small boosts, but it sounds like most of the focus will be on the new health feature.

Popular Stories

Apple Event Logo

Apple's Next Era Begins September 1

Thursday May 7, 2026 10:36 am PDT by
Apple recently announced that Tim Cook will be stepping down as CEO later this year, after 15 years of leading the company. Effective September 1, Apple's hardware engineering chief John Ternus will become the company's next CEO, while Cook will become executive chairman of Apple's board of directors. In his new role, Apple said Cook will assist with "certain aspects" of the company,...
Four iPhone 18 Pro Colors Mock Feature

iPhone 18 Pro Launching in September With These 10 New Features

Saturday May 9, 2026 6:03 am PDT by
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are not launching until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. It was initially reported that the iPhone 18 Pro models would have fully under-screen Face ID, with only a front camera visible in the top-left corner of the screen. However, the latest rumors indicate that only one Face ID component will be moved under the...
Apple Watch Series 10 Jet Black Touch ID

Apple Watch Series 12 and watchOS 27: What to Expect Later This Year

Friday May 8, 2026 2:07 pm PDT by
While not too much has been reported about the next Apple Watch models, there are a few rumors about potential design changes and watchOS 27 features. Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 models are expected to be released in September, and we have outlined some of the key rumored hardware and software changes below. A new Apple Watch SE is not expected this year, as that model was...

Top Rated Comments

9 months ago
It makes absolutely no sense to have no audio improvements with new tech that has been available over the last three years.

If true, what was a day one purchase for me is now not. Don’t drop the ball Tim Apple.
Score: 76 Votes (Like | Disagree)
9 months ago
Do people really need their headphones to measure their heart rate? I’d expect that most folks interested in that data already have a fitness tracker of some kind. Why can’t AirPods just be great headphones?!
Score: 60 Votes (Like | Disagree)
9 months ago
I sure hope there's something else left unrevealed, cause absent audio / ANC improvements, that is a pitiful upgrade for a full new generation.
Score: 41 Votes (Like | Disagree)
9 months ago
Wow, that's really pathetic if true.
Score: 33 Votes (Like | Disagree)
gleepskip Avatar
9 months ago
Iterate, not innovate. I'm glad I was able to experience Apple when there were great moments.
Score: 31 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jz0309 Avatar
9 months ago
"upgrading" earphones without upgrading audio quality and ANC - why upgrade in the first place? I get the USB-C update on the APP2, but this? to add a heart rate sensor? quite odd at best ...
Score: 27 Votes (Like | Disagree)