Report: A higher-end AirPods Pro 3 is coming next year

Apple is expected to reveal the AirPods Pro 3 at its “Awe Dropping” event on Tuesday. For months now, we’ve heard rumors about its new features, which include heart-rate and temperature sensors, as well as a rumors of a future release with IR cameras that facilitate support for gesture controls. A recent report by a Chinese leaker who goes by Setsuna Digital on Weibo states that Apple’s plans for the AirPods Pro 3 actually include both rumors.

The report states that there will be two versions of the AirPods Pro 3. The first will likely be announced at Tuesday’s event, while the higher-end version with IR cameras could make its way into the earphones next year. Setsuna Digital’s report follows one made by Ming-Chi Kuo with similar information: AirPods Pro with IR cameras are coming in 2026 with gesture controls to replace the touch controls. However, Kuo’s report implied that it would be the feature would be part of an AirPods 4 update.

However, Setsuna Digital claims that Apple will offer both models next year at different price points (over 2,000 yuan likely means $299). Personally, I would prefer the camera-equipped ones because I have never gotten the hang of using the touch controls. I never seem to touch the proper spot, or I end up knocking the earbud out of place. If the camera and gestures work as well as they should, it would be a better option for me. Plus, I’d be an unhappy customer if I bought AirPods Pro 3 next week and then IR camera-equipped ones were announced a few months later, so I’m curious to see how Apple handles the two releases.

The AirPods Pro 3 are expected to also feature heart rate and temperature sensors, improved sound quality, better battery life, and Live Translation.