AirPods Pro 3: Health-tracking powerhouse with premium sound — but launch delayed?

The buzz is real: The AirPods Pro 3 are poised for a game-changing launch, and tech enthusiasts are all ears.

These new AirPods come with some compelling bells and whistles: a heart rate monitor, temperature sensor, besides improved active noise cancellation.

It uses high-amplitude drivers, high dynamic range amplifiers, adaptive EQ, and spatial audio with head tracking — basically, a live concert in your ears. 

With upgraded internals and a surprising health twist, these next-gen earbuds are more than just a step forward.

Rewind

To appreciate just how far we’ve come, let’s rewind a bit. Back in 2022, Apple dropped the AirPods Pro 2 with an upgraded H1 chip in a new System-in-Package (SiP) design. 

These buds introduced adaptive active noise cancellation (ANC), better battery life, “Find My” integration, and even early whispers of heart rate tracking and a hearing aid mode. 

They also sported USB-C charging, pressure-sensitive stems, and a speaker built into the case — perfect for when your earbuds decide to play hide-and-seek.

Fast-forward to 2025 (or 2026), and the AirPods Pro 3 are here to make your head (and heart) spin. 

Health sensors

But here’s the real headline: health sensors in your earbuds. So the Pro 3 now comes with heart rate monitoring and temperature tracking, turning your casual listening session into a mini wellness check.

Need more? 

The case joins the party with an onboard microphone, which boosts hearing aid functionality by sending real-time sound enhancements directly to your ears.

H3 chip,

At the core of the AirPods Pro 3 is the powerful new H3 chip, promising faster performance, smarter audio processing, and improved power efficiency. 

Active noise cancellation

Combined with better audio quality and improved Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), users can expect immersive soundscapes and crystal-clear calls, no matter the environment.

But Apple didn’t stop there.

The biggest surprise? 

The health-tracking features embedded in your earbuds are expected to integrate with the Health app, giving users real-time biometric insights during workouts, meditation, or even sleep.

It marks Apple’s most significant push yet to turn AirPods into a wellness companion. 

Design features

Visually, the AirPods Pro 3 sport a refreshed design that remains faithful to Apple’s iconic white stem aesthetic, but with subtle tweaks for better fit and sensor placement.

Comfort and functionality are clearly priorities, as Apple aims to make these earbuds a seamless part of your daily life — whether you’re taking a call, listening to music, or tracking your vitals.

Biometric tracking

The inclusion of biometric tracking in a tiny, wireless form factor reflects a growing trend in wearables — blending health, convenience, and cutting-edge technology. 

And for Apple, it’s a natural extension of its expanding health ecosystem that already includes the Apple Watch and iPhone.

In short, the AirPods Pro 3 are shaping up to be a wellness device, a design refresh, and a sonic upgrade rolled into one. Whether you're an audiophile, a fitness buff, or a loyal Apple user, these may just be the ultimate earbuds to watch.

As anticipation builds, early reports and concept previews suggest this could be Apple’s most innovative AirPods release yet.

Industry insiders predict a possible September 2025 launch (alongside the much-anticipated iPhone 17 series rollout). 

In February, Mark Gurman of Bloomberg speculated the new AirPods with heart rate monitoring were "months away", suggesting a late 2025 launch (at the earliest). Recently, MacRumors contributor Steve Moser also revealed code references to AirPods Pro 3 in the iOS 26 beta.

However, analyst Jeff Pu of GF Securities Hong Kon said Apple may launch the AirPods Pro 3 in 2026, instead of earlier predictions of a much sooner release. Gearrice_com, a Mac leaker also broke on X the alleged "bad news" about the delayed AirPods Pro 3 launch.

Stay tuned for Apple’s official announcement.