Apple’s AirPods 2025 plans: In abstract
New AirPods Professional may launch that includes coronary heart‑charge and temperature monitoring and higher ANC sound
Some AirPods to get stay translation function through software program replace
AirPods Max may acquire H2 chip, Adaptive Audio, Dialog consciousness, Voice Isolation, Bluetooth 5.3 and extra
In September 2024, Apple launched the AirPods 4. On the similar time the corporate introduced that listening to help options could be coming to the 2nd era AirPods Professional and the AirPods Max bought a minor replace (Lightning switched for USB-C and a coloration refresh). These hoping that the AirPods Professional 3 and the AirPods Max 2 would launch had been upset.
It’s now nearly three years because the AirPods Professional 2 had been launched in September 2022, and greater than 4 years because the AirPods Max introduction in December 2020. Updates are lengthy overdue.
On this article we’re monitoring all of the rumors concerning the launch date, new options and specs and some other modifications coming to the AirPods Professional and AirPods Max. Learn on for the most recent information concerning the 2025 AirPods.
We’ll look first on the rumours and leaks regarding the AirPods Professional 3 earlier than shifting on to the AirPods Max 2 beneath (click on right here to leap to the AirPods Max part).
AirPods Professional 3 launch date: When will the AirPods Professional 3 be launched?
In abstract
September 2025 launch of AirPods Professional 3 probably…
…However launch could possibly be delayed till 2026
Manufacturing delays indicated
It will be typical to count on a September launch for AirPods Professional, alongside iPhone 17. The unique AirPods Professional had been launched in October 2019, the AirPods 2nd-gen launched in September 2022, and people had been up to date with USB-C in September 2023.
In a February 2025, Bloomberg report Mark Gurman instructed that the AirPods Professional 3 had been “Nonetheless many months away”. That would nonetheless line up with a September (or October) launch although.
Additionally in February an unverified leaker claimed in a tweet that there could be an AirPods Professional launch in Might or June.
Nevertheless, in Might 2025 analyst Ming-Chi Kuo instructed that we would not see an replace to the AirPods till 2026. This might relate to manufacturing delays as a result of a brand new infra-red digicam Apple is alleged to be equipping the AirPods with (extra on that beneath).
AirPods Professional 3 value: How a lot will the AirPods Professional 3 price?
In abstract
Value hike not anticipated…
…However costs could rise as a result of financial elements
We don’t count on the value to alter, though it could improve in sure components of the world and stay the identical in others.
For instance, when Apple launched the AirPods Professional within the U.Okay. the value was £249, that value was later lowered to £229, so it would return as much as £249. The value within the U.S. hasn’t modified since launch. Different elements could have an effect on pricing.
Pricing for the AirPods vary begins at $129/£129 for the AirPods 4, and rises to $499/£549 for the AirPods Max:
Apple Earbuds: $19/£19
AirPods 4: $129/£129
AirPoids 4 with ANC: $179/£179
AirPods Professional 2nd-gen $249/£229
AirPods Max $549/£499
Ignoring the $300 premium for the AirPods Max, that’s an additional $70 between the AirPods 4 with ANC and the AirPods Professional. It will be possible for Apple to extend the value of the AirPods Professional if the brand new options made the improve worthwhile.
We have now a round-up of the Greatest wi-fi earbuds for iPhones and the perfect wired headphones should you’d like to think about alternate options to AirPods. Additionally learn AirPods Professional vs AirPods to learn how the fashions evaluate.
AirPods Professional 3 options: What specs and options will the AirPods Professional 3 have?
In abstract
Coronary heart charge monitoring
Temperature monitoring
Translation
Higher energetic noise cancellation
It’s pretty straightforward to make predictions concerning the new options coming to AirPods Professional 3 simply by wanting on the AirPods 4 and the Beats Powerbeats Professional 2 (Beats is an Apple-owned subsidiary). For instance, Powerbeats Professional 2, which launched in February 2025, consists of coronary heart charge monitoring. Learn our evaluation of the Powerbeats Professional 2 and our AirPods 4 evaluation.
As for the options rumored to be coming to the AirPods Professional 3, right here’s what we’ve heard:
Coronary heart Fee monitoring: In December 2024, Gurman stated Apple is engaged on in-ear coronary heart charge monitoring. This may allow customers to trace coronary heart charge whereas exercising with out having to put on an Apple Watch.
The inclusion of coronary heart charge monitoring within the Powerbeats Professional 2 actually signifies that the identical function can be out there on the AirPods Professional 3, however you’ll be able to count on it to be superior. One challenge with the Powerbeats Professional 2 is that they will’t steam music and seize coronary heart information concurrently. One other challenge is with the interaction between the guts charge monitoring on the Apple Watch and the Powerbeats.
Temperature monitoring: Mark Gurman has additionally stated Apple was researching in-ear temperature sensors, and Apple has a patent on such expertise. In-ear temperature sensing may be sooner and extra dependable than these through the Apple Watch.
Translation: As a part of the iOS 19 replace Apple is alleged to be including a stay translation function to AirPods. It’s unknown which AirPods can be suitable, however the AirPods Professional 3 are certain to be. We count on to listen to extra at WWDC.
Higher energetic noise cancellation: In response to Mark Gurman (in October 2023) the AirPods Professional 3 will function a brand new H3 chip, which may result in higher energetic noise cancellation.
Crash detection: An Apple patent describes a means that movement sensors inside AirPods may help Crash Detection.
AirPods Professional 3 design: Will Apple replace the AirPods Professional design?
In abstract
Adjustments to the charging case doable
Slimmer design instructed
Contact controls may match with gloves
Mahmoud ITani / Foundry
As talked about above, we are able to look to the AirPods 4 for some clues about modifications which will come to the AirPods Professional. One such change associated to the charging case. The AirPod 4 charging case lacks a bodily setup button, as a substitute that includes a sensor beneath the standing mild on the entrance that lights up when energetic.
There could also be extra modifications coming. In response to Mark Gurman (again in October 2023) the AirPods Professional will get a brand new design. We don’t count on new colours, however the buds could slim down additional.
The modifications could also be much less seen, extra tactile: Various Apple patents point out that Apple is trying to enhance the way in which that the contact controls work on the earbuds work when the consumer is carrying gloves. For instance in February 2025 a patent was granted to Apple that might allow this.
AirPods Max 2 launch date: When will the AirPods Max be up to date?
In abstract
Replace lengthy overdue
Might be ready till 2027
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman wrote of the AirPods Max in a December 2023 publication, saying that “The cans don’t promote properly sufficient for the corporate to spend money on solely new {hardware} or software program options”. Nevertheless, it’s now greater than 4 years because the AirPods Max had been launched and with such a premium value Apple owes it to clients to deliver the AirPods Max into line with their competitors and different AirPods Apple sells.
In 2024 Mark Gurman predicted that the AirPods Max would get an up to date on the iPhone occasion. Sadly, the replace included solely a coloration change and a swap from Lightning for USB-C connectivity.
I count on Apple to launch new AirPods Max headphones tomorrow with higher noise cancellation, adaptive audio & USB-C. They’ll launch with the low-end AirPods 4. That is line with my reporting for months however runs counter to lack of low stock in shops. https://t.co/KIJQEwywcp
— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) September 9, 2024
Even worse, the change meant that the AirPods Max may now not be used as wired headphones (a function of the Lightning-based mannequin). This was the case till a software program replace in March 2025 added this skill together with lossless and extremely low latency audio. Because of that software program replace, customers at the moment are capable of play lossless audio and ultra-low-latency audio by way of a wired connection.
Lossless audio is a key function for audio producers, whereas extremely‑low latency audio is essential for gaming and stay streams. Each crucial options for the AirPods Mac.
Regardless of these ‘updates’ the over 4 yr previous headphones are lagging behind the competitors and an replace is lengthy over due.
The dangerous information is that, if analyst Ming-Chi Kuo is appropriate, we could possibly be ready till 2027 for the second era of AirPods Max.
AirPods Max 2 value: How a lot will the AirPods Max 2 price?
In abstract
Value unlikely to alter…
…Though Apple may unify the U.S. and U.Okay. costs
At $549/£499 the AirPods Max are an costly buy. The truth that they’re now greater than 4 years previous makes that value look extremely inflated. It’s no surprise they’re steadily discounted at Amazon and elsewhere.
When the brand new fashions launch we don’t count on a value change although. These are designed to suit on the premium headphones finish of the market, and their competitors has photo voltaic costs.
That stated, the value within the U.S. and U.Okay. could are available to line, with Apple selecting to ‘match’ the value because it normally does (many Apple merchandise share an, e.g. $499/£499 value level) which Apple calculated based mostly on trade charges and native taxes.
AirPods Max 2 specs: What specs and options will the AirPods Max 2 have
In abstract
Obligatory updates to deliver into line with remainder of the AirPods lineup
New chip
Removing of ‘audio howl’
There may be a lot missing from he AirPods Max in comparison with the AirPods Professional that it’s straightforward to imagine that the next can be included:
H1 chip upgraded to H2 (or H3)
Adaptive Audio (which mixes transparency mode and ANC)
Dialog Consciousness
Dialog Enhance
Voice Isolation
Customized Quantity
Choice to activate with ‘Siri’ voice command (not simply ‘Hey Siri’)
Customized excessive dynamic vary amplifier
Bluetooth 5.3 (up from Bluetooth 5.0)
Discover My
Additionally count on higher battery life.
One patent recognized in 2022 signifies Apple is detecting “audio howl”, which is described as distracting audio suggestions.
AirPods Max 2 design: Will Apple replace the AirPods Max design?
In abstract
Extra protecting carry case
Detachable ear cushions
Waterproofing
Jason Cross/IDG
Enhancements to gesture controls that are at present through the Digital Crown. Might Apple forgo the Digital Crown in favor of contact controls on the ear cups?
We may see modifications to the carry case. Ideally it ought to cowl the entire product and be extra protecting. A patent from 2022 instructed that Apple was creating a greater case with magnetic clasps.
The Audio Howl patent talked about above additionally refers to detachable ear cushions which could possibly be reattached utilizing magnets.
We’d additionally prefer to see a foldable design and higher waterproofing.
When you’re eager to listen to the most recent rumors about Apple’s plans, the perfect place to begin is our roundup of New Apple merchandise.
These within the present vary ought to check out our roundup of the perfect AirPods offers for the most recent bargains.
