Apple just launched AirPods Pro 3 this fall, but rumors for the next model of AirPods Pro are already coming, highlighting three unique changes Apple may have on the horizon.
Rumors indicate Apple is breaking from its norm with next AirPods Pro launch
All signs indicate Apple is about to get experimental with AirPods Pro.
There’s a new model coming with IR cameras, which Bloomberg says will enable Apple Intelligence capabilities.
But outside of the actual features of this new AirPods model, there are three broader changes the model will represent for Apple.
Rumors about the new AirPods Pro show Apple making pivots in three key areas:
- Timing
- Lineup
- Price
With timing, current expectations are that this new AirPods Pro model will launch in 2026—likely in the fall.
This would represent the first time Apple shipped new AirPods Pro in back-to-back years. Before now, the company has consistently had three-year gaps between new models.
The lineup is also changing like never before, since these new AirPods are expected to be billed not as AirPods Pro 4, but rather a higher-end version of AirPods Pro 3.
Similar to how AirPods 4 (the non-‘Pro’ product) comes in two versions, one with ANC and one without, it seems there will soon be two AirPods Pro 3 models: one with cameras and one without.
This leads to the pricing change.
The new AirPods Pro with cameras are also, unsurprisingly, rumored to launch at a higher price point than the standard AirPods Pro 3.
While AirPods Pro 3 will continue to be sold at $249, rumors indicate this new model will cost more than $279. Perhaps they’ll go as high as $299, or even higher.
Together, these three changes will represent a big strategy shift for Apple. Where the company has previously offered consistency in AirPods Pro’s launch timing, lineup, and pricing, next year it sounds like that’s all changing.
What do you think of Apple’s plans to launch new AirPods Pro so soon, as a separate high-end option? Let us know in the comments.
Best AirPods Pro accessories
- AirFly Pro 2 for connecting AirPods to standard headphone jacks
- Belemay leather case for AirPods Pro
- Magnetic strap neckband for preventing lost AirPods
- Memory foam AirPods Pro eartips for a more comfortable fit
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