Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has just said that he does not expect Apple to launch any major upgrades to the AirPods line this year. Instead, he emphasized that the new generation of AirPods Pro, integrated with infrared cameras, will be launched in 2026.
This assessment controversy many previous sources, which predict AirPods Pro 3 will appear in 2025 with improvements such as better active noise cancellation and heart rate measurement sensors - features already available on Powerbeats Pro 4. The new information has made many people skeptical, as AirPods Pro 2 is about to enter its third year and is still Apple's best-selling, most profitable headphone model.
Leaving such a famous product unupgraded for a long time is a rare thing in Apple's product development strategy.
In addition, the AirPods 4 launched at the end of last year has made the Pro line lose its appeal when it brought the active noise cancellation feature down to just $179.
Although it won't launch new hardware, Apple is still expanding the AirPods Pro 2 feature through software updates. Most recently, this product has been licensed for use as a hearing aid, suitable for people with mild to moderate hearing loss.
The situation is even gloomy for AirPods Max users, as according to Kuo, this high-end ear ear ear ear ear model may not be upgraded before 2027.
