New AirPods 2025 publication date: Airpods Pro 3 and Airpods Max 2 rumors

In September 2024, Apple presented Airpods 4. At the same time, the company announced that hearing aid functions for Airpods Pro and the Airpods Max would come a small update (Lightning for USB-C and a color refresher). Those who hope that the Airpods Pro 3 and the Airpods Max 2 would start were disappointed.

It has been almost three years since the Airpods Pro 2 was introduced in September 2022, and more than four years since the introduction of Airpods Max in December 2020. Updates have long been overdue.

In this article we follow all rumors about the start date, the new functions and specifications and all other changes that come to the Airpods Pro and Airpods Max. Read on to get the latest news about the 2025 AirPods.

We will first watch the rumors and leaks in connection with the Airpods Pro 3 before we continue with the Airpods Max 2 below (click here to jump to the Airpods Max section).

Airpods Pro 3 publication date: When will the AirPods Pro 3 be published?

It would be typical to expect a start in September for Airpods Pro in addition to the iPhone 17. The original Airpods Pro was introduced in October 2019. The AirPods 2nd General was launched in September 2022. These were updated with USB-C in September 2023.

In February 2025, Bloomberg report Mark Gurman suggested that the Airpods Pro 3 were “still many months away”. However, this could still match a start in September (or in October).

Also in February, a non -verified tasty in a tweet claimed that there would be an AirPods Pro start in May or June.

In May 2025, however, the analyst Ming-Chi Kuo proposed that we could possibly see an update of the AirPods by 2026. This could relate to production delays due to a new infrared camera, which Apple should equip as AirPods (more on this below).

Airpods per 3 price: How much does the AirPods per 3 cost?

We do not expect the price to change, although it can increase in certain parts of the world and stay the same in others.

For example, when Apple launched the Airpods Pro in Great Britain, the price was £ 24, this price was later reduced to 229 GBP, so that it may go back to 249 GBP. The price in the USA has not changed since the start. Other factors can affect pricing.

The pricing for the AirPods series starts at $ 129/£ 129 for AirPods 4 and increases to $ 499/£ 549 for the AirPods Max:

• Apple earphones: $ 19/£ 19
• AirPods 4: $ 129/£ 129
• Airpoid 4 with ANC: $ 179/£ 179
• Airpods Pro 2. General $ 249/£ 229
• AirPods max. $ 549/£ 499

If the premium of 300 US dollars for the Airpods Max ignores, which are an additional 70 US dollars between the AirPods 4 with ANC and the AirPods Pro. It would be possible for Apple to increase the price of the AirPods Pro if the new functions are worth the upgrade.

We have a summary of the best wireless earphones for iPhones and the best cable headphones if you want to consider alternatives to Airpods. Also read Airpods Pro against Airpods to find out how the models compare.

AirPods Pro 3 functions: What specifications and functions do the AirPods Pro 3 have?

It is pretty easy to make predictions about the new functions that come with Airpods Pro 3, only by looking at the Airpods 4 and Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 (Beats is a subsidiary owned by Apple). For example, Powerbeats Pro 2, which was introduced in February 2025, contains heart rate monitoring. Read our review of Powerbeats Pro 2 and our Airpods 4 Review.

As for the characteristics that are supposed to come to the Airpods Pro 3, we have heard the following:

Heart rate monitoring: In December 2024, Gurman said Apple was working on in-ear heartbreaking monitoring. In this way, users can follow the heart rate during training without having to wear an Apple Watch.

The inclusion of heart rate monitoring in the Powerbeats Pro 2 certainly shows that the same function will be available at Airpods Pro 3, but you can expect it to be superior. A problem with the Powerbeats Pro 2 is that you cannot dampen music data at the same time and cannot capture. Another problem is the interaction of the heart rate monitoring of the Apple Watch and the Powerbeats.

Temperature monitoring: Mark Gurman also said Apple examined in-ear temperature sensors, and Apple has a patent about such technologies. In-ear temperature recording could also be faster and more reliable than that via the Apple Watch.

translation: As part of the iOS 19 update, Apple Airpods should add a live translation function. It is not known which Airpods are compatible, but the Airpods Pro 3 are safe. We expect more at WWDC.

Better active noise suppression: According to Mark Gurman (in October 2023), the Airpods Pro 3 has a new H3 chip that could lead to better active noise reduction.

Crash recognition: An Apple patent describes a way of how movement sensors in Airpods can support the fall detection.

Airpods Pro 3 Design: Will Apple update the AirPods Pro design?

As mentioned above, we can look at the AirPods 4 after some information on changes that can be reached by the AirPods Pro. Such a change in connection with the loading case. The AirPod 4 charging case is missing a physical setup button, which instead contains a sensor under the status light on the front, which lights up when active light.

There can be more changes. According to Mark Gurman (already in October 2023), the AirPods Pro receive a new design. We don't expect new colors, but the buds can continue to be directed downwards.

The changes can be less visible and more tactical: A number of Apple patents show that Apple improves the functioning of the touch control on the earphones if the user carries gloves. For example, in February 2025, Apple was granted a patent that could enable this.

AirPods Max 2 publication date: When are the AirPods Max updated?

Mark Gurman von Bloomberg wrote about the Airpods Max in a newsletter in December 2023 and said that “the cans do not sell well enough so that the company invests in completely new hardware or software functions”. However, it has been more than four years since the Airpods Max was introduced, and with such a premium price, Apple owes the customers to sell Airpods Max with its competition and other Airpods Apple.

In 2024, Mark Gurman predicted that the Airpods Max would receive an update of the iPhone event. Unfortunately, the update contained only a change in color and a switch from flash for USB-C connectivity.

Even worse, the change meant that the Airpods Max could no longer be used as wired headphones (a feature of the flash -based model). This was the case for a software update in March 2025 to add this ability together with a loss -free and ultra -low latency audio. As a result of this software update, users can now play loss-free audio and ultra latency audio audio via a wired connection.

Listless Audio is an important function for audio producers, while Ultra latency -Audio for games and live streams is the key. Both very important features for the AirPods Mac.

Despite these “updates”, the over four years old headphones have stayed behind the competition and an update is due for a long time.

The bad news is that if analyst Ming-Chi Kuo is correct, we could wait for the second generation of Airpods Max by 2027.

Airpods Max 2 Price: How much does the Airpods Max 2 cost?

At $ 549/£ 499 the Airpods Max are an expensive purchase. The fact that you are now older than four years makes this price look incredibly inflated. No wonder that they are often reduced to Amazon and elsewhere.

If the new models start, we do not expect a price change. These are designed in such a way that they fit the premium headphones at the end of the market, and their competition has solar prices.

However, the price in the USA and Great Britain can come into the line, whereby Apple decides the price as it usually does (many Apple products are split, e.g.

Airpods Max 2 specifications: What specifications and features do the AirPods have Max 2

So much of He Airpods Max is missing compared to Airpods Pro that it is easy to go that the following is included:

• H1 chip was updated to H2 (or H3)
• Adaptive audio (the transparency mode and ANC combined)
• Awareness of the conversation
• Boost
• Language isolation
• Personalized volume
• Option to activate voice command with 'siri' (not just 'Hey siri')
• User -defined amplifier with a high dynamic range
• Bluetooth 5.3 (Up from Bluetooth 5.0)
• Find mine

Also expect a better battery life.

A patent identified in 2022 indicates that Apple captures the recognition of “Audio -Eyons”, which is described as a distracting audio feedback.

Airpods Max 2 Design: Will Apple update the AirPods Max design?

Jason Cross/IDG

Improvements to gesture controls that are currently being carried out via the digital crown. Could Apple do without the digital crown in favor of touch controls on the ear cups?

We could see changes to the Carry case. Ideally, it should cover the entire product and be more protected. A patent from 2022 indicated that Apple developed a better case with magnetic closures.

The Audio -Howl patent mentioned above also refers to removable ear pillows that could be restored with magnets.

We also want to see a foldable design and a better seal.

If you want to hear the latest rumors about Apple's plans, our summary of new Apple products is best.

Those who are interested in the current range should look at our summary of the best AirPods offers for the latest bargains.