Not to upset the Apple cart, but people are starting to talk
Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 are some of the best noise-canceling earbuds on the market, while the Cupertino giant’s AirPods Max are some of the best noise-canceling headphones in the game – of this there can be no doubt.
But even when you think you’ve got the best AirPods currently available, it’s only human to wonder when a shiny white new third-gen Pro set is cleared for launch – and whether you should wait for their arrival rather than opt for one of the best AirPods Pro deals live right now.
So without further ado, let’s get to it: the leaks, the sightings in the wild, the possible release dates, and even potential pricing information. If there’s been a tip-off, you’ll find it here – alongside our considered opinion on the viability of any claims and what we’d like to see instead. Apple AirPods Pro 3: Possible release date; pricing
The AirPods Pro 2 arrived on September 23, 2022, priced $249 / £249 / AU$399 – but the inaugural AirPods Pro arrived on October 30, 2019 (also priced $249 / £249 / AU$399). So, if Apple plans on hiking prices for the AirPods Pro 3, they’ll likely come bearing serious upgrades. OK, there was a pandemic to contend with in between iterations, but given the three-year gap between models, we still think it’d be too soon to expect the AirPods Pro 3 this year, just one year after the launch of the AirPods Pro 2.
But it’s not all bad news! What we do have is the clear indication of a USB-C toting AirPods Pro 2 variant – something that was initially claimed by noted analyst Ming Chi-Kuo in August last year. This prediction came as a surprise to many at the time, because most rumors pointed to no new AirPods with charging cases for 2023.
Then again, the European Union has set an autumn 2024 deadline for the adoption of USB-C charging technology across all devices. While Apple has expressed it isn’t happy, claiming such a move can stifle innovation, it seems highly likely the company will comply sooner rather than later, to avoid stiff fines.
Cut to March of this year, when Twitter user @aaronp613, spotted that iOS 16.4 referenced some new AirPods and an AirPods case. Crucially, our same highly respected analyst – Ming-Chi Kuo again – quote-retweeted the post, casually surmising that they’re « likely the USB-C version of the AirPods Pro 2 ».
Any other pearls of wisdom from the noted tipster on all things Apple? Actually, yes. Kuo said that « mass shipments » of the alleged USB-C toting AirPods Pro 2 were « expected in 2Q23-3Q23 », adding that « Apple currently appears to have no plans for USB-C versions of the AirPods 2 & 3. »
Another noted analyst, Mark Gurman, said in his July 2023 Power On newsletter that Apple is likely to release a USB-C charging case for AirPods Pro alongside the launch of the iPhone 15 lineup this fall.
