Mysterious New Bluetooth ID Suggests AirPods Pro 3 Are Coming Soon
Credit: Konstantin Milenin / Twitter
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Apple’s AirPods Pro are one of the most excellent sets of true wireless earbuds on the market, but it’s hard to argue they’re not getting a bit long in the tooth. The current AirPods Pro, the second generation of the family, debuted nearly three years ago, in September 2022.
It’s fair to say that we’re due for an update. Maybe not overdue, but certainly on schedule. Apple’s first AirPods Pro were released in October 2019, so the company appears to be on a three-year cycle for its higher-end earbuds. Even the standard AirPods tend to run about 2.5 years between updates, with the first ones released in December 2016, followed by updated models in March 2019, October 2021, and September 2024.
After all, there’s only so much that needs to be added to a set of earbuds, and much of what Apple has done with its AirPods has come through software improvements. The 2022 AirPods Pro have undergone significant enhancements through iOS updates, adding features such as ?Adaptive Audio, Hands-Free Siri interactions, and Voice Isolation.
Still, Apple likes to keep things fresh, and reports have been gaining steam that new AirPods Pro are in the works. While some have suggested we might not see them until 2026, new code references suggest they could be closer than we think.
Yesterday, the folks at MacRumors found a new Bluetooth ID in Apple’s codebase that doesn’t match any of the company’s existing products. In other words, it’s been added in preparation for something yet to be released.
All of Apple’s AirPods and Beats headphones have specific Bluetooth ID numbers, such as 0x2024 (8228) for the AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C. Apple recently updated code related to device syncing, and that code included a list of all current audio devices, plus one extra Bluetooth ID.
Juli Clover, MacRumors
The new ID, 8239, isn’t used for any device that’s ever been seen by anyone outside the walls of Apple Park. There’s no information to go on here other than a four-digit number, but the fact that it’s a Bluetooth ID rules out something like a HomePod, so the only other possibility is a new set of Beats headphones.
However, the timing makes the AirPods Pro 3 a much more likely option, especially since it’s also joined by references to “AirPods Pro 2 or later” found in a May public software release, plus explicit references to “AirPods Pro 3” in the first iOS 26 betas.
Nevertheless, while reliable sources like Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman have also predicted a late 2025 launch, many reputable supply chain analysts are still predicting a 2026 launch, which means Apple might announce the AirPods Pro 3 this fall with more limited availability. It might also opt to skip the announcement during its September iPhone event and slip them out more quietly via a press release, as it did with the original AirPods Pro in 2019.
What to Expect from the Next AirPods Pro
If Apple is going to the trouble of releasing a new set of AirPods Pro, we have to assume they’ll have some meaningful changes over the current version. After all, Apple has been able to improve the AirPods Pro 2 several times with software updates alone, so a new version of the high-end earbuds should bring features that can only be achieved through hardware upgrades.
At one time, Apple was reportedly working on a stemless design for the AirPods Pro. Those rumors cooled down after the AirPods Pro 2 arrived with no design changes, but that doesn’t mean Apple shelved those plans. At the very least, the AirPods Pro 3 will likely feature a reduced stem size, but it’s possible that Apple could achieve something more bud-like. The open question is whether it wants to, as the current brand has become somewhat iconic, and seemingly everyone else is doing stemless buds, including Apple’s own Beats division.
Since the H2 chip has now become standard across most of the AirPods family (with the exception of the AirPods Max), the AirPods Pro 3 are likely to usher in a next-generation “H3” chip. Little is known about this, but it will likely improve efficiency and power more advanced Active Noise Cancellation and Adaptive Audio features. This could also result in slight but noticeable improvements to battery life. The possibility of Bluetooth 5.4 support might help further reduce audio latency for gaming.
Sadly, Apple isn’t likely to adopt any higher-quality lossless codecs found on rival earbuds. Instead, it’s expected to continue using computational audio to deliver a better audio experience in other ways, as it’s done with features like Adaptive EQ and Spatial Audio.
The AirPods Pro 3 case is expected to feature Apple’s latest second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, enabling more precise location tracking in the Find My app. It will undoubtedly adopt some of the design changes seen in last year’s AirPods 4 case, which had a slimmer profile, a more discreetly concealed LED, and a capacitive button for pairing. There have also been rumors that the case could feature an interactive touchscreen display, similar to the JBL Tour Pro 2.
However, if Apple goes down this road, many believe it will take this to the next level, effectively turning the AirPods Pro into a “micro iPod.” Still, we wouldn’t suggest holding your breath on this one, as these rumors are entirely speculative and appear to be based on an Apple patent filed in 2022 rather than any concrete information from sources within Apple or its supply chain.
New Health Features
The H3 chip may also power two new health sensors that are expected to be introduced with the third-generation Pro earbuds. Apple has been working on in-ear heart rate monitoring for years, and recently unveiled the feature through its Beats division with the Powerbeats Pro 2. While it makes sense for those sports-focused earbuds to receive the feature first, and it allows Apple to use them as a test bed, it would be surprising if this sensor didn’t make its way into the AirPods Pro 3.
There have also been reliable reports of Apple’s work on an in-ear body temperature sensor. While Apple added a temperature sensor to the 2022 Apple Watch Series 8, this can only measure skin temperature at the wearer’s wrist, and therefore only logs differential temperatures from an established baseline. A temperature sensor inside the ear canal could provide a significantly more accurate reading of the user’s core body temperature.
This sensor would allow the AirPods Pro 3 to leapfrog the Powerbeats Pro. While there has been evidence to suggest that Apple is working on it, there’s no guarantee it’s ready yet. However, with Apple’s AirPods updates spaced so far apart, it’s more likely that the AirPods Pro 3 will be delayed to ensure it can include the sensor than skip it and wait three more years to introduce it.
We’ve also seen reports of health features for the AirPods Pro that are unlikely to be included in the next model. These are longer-term projects, such as advanced cardiac monitoring, brainwave (EEG) sensors, and gait and biomechanical analysis to measure walking steadiness.
[The information provided in this article has NOT been confirmed by Apple and may be speculation. Provided details may not be factual. Take all rumors, tech or otherwise, with a grain of salt.]
