Apple is reportedly working on several new pairs of AirPods, but there’s still no word on one highly anticipated sequel.
The AirPods Pro 3 might still be brand new, but it looks like Apple is already hard at work devising even more wireless earbuds. According to a report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is developing a new pair of Pro earbuds (maybe more AirPods Pro 3.5 than AirPods Pro 4) as well as updates to its non-Pro AirPods lineup.
Let’s start with intel on the Pro. According to Gurman, an upcoming pair of AirPods Pro will feature a new chip, the H3, which could bring benefits including lower latency and improved sound quality. That may not sound like a big deal, but the significance of the H3 addition will likely depend on the latter upgrade. As interesting as the AirPods Pro 3 are from an innovation standpoint, I’ve not seen too many rave reviews about the leap in sound quality from generation to generation. If Apple plans to successfully sell future generations of wireless earbuds, fidelity seems like an obvious area to target.
There’s the possibility, if the H2 chip upgrade from the AirPods Pro 2 is anything to go by, that the H3 will bring other upgrades, including battery life, active noise cancellation (ANC), and—probably the most interesting aspect—health features. In case you missed it: Apple threw a heart rate sensor into the mix with the AirPods Pro 3, signaling that making AirPods part-earbud and part-fitness wearable is a priority.
