We haven’t heard much about a potential third-generation Apple AirPods Pro model in recent months.
The brilliant AirPods Pro 2 – which remain among our best wireless earbuds list – have been around since September 2022. And we’re not counting the version with a USB-C charging case as a proper upgrade.
However, recent Apple launches have come and gone without AirPods Pro 3, while two versions of the AirPods 4, including one with active noise cancelling have arrived in the meantime. We were starting to worry whether Apple had hit a snag.
However, we can always trust in the code-trawling community to come up with the goods and we’ve just had the clearest hint yet that AirPods Pro 3 are coming soon.
Aaron Perris posted to X (via 9to5Mac) saying a change to a string of code that could reveal the next-gen is on the horizon.
In “a recent software release from Apple”, Perris spotted a string saying “This task requires Apple AirPods Pro 2 or later.”
The “or later” bit is new. Previously the code string said: “This task requires AirPods Pro 2nd Generation.” Interesting. Very interesting.
The smart money is surely on Apple launching AirPods Pro 3 alongside the iPhone 17 range in September this year.
However, the optimist in me just wonders whether Apple might spring a WWDC surprise next month? Hardware isn’t often the order of the day during the software-focused developer conference, but it’s not unheard of either. Fingers crossed.
Opinion
I really hope the wait for AirPods Pro 3 is for one reason only: for Apple to master Apple Music Lossless over a wireless connection. That would be an instant upgrade for me.
We’ve seen other manufacturers manage an approximation over Bluetooth, with tools like aptX Adaptive and LDAC. Sony and Bowers & Wilkins, for example, have done a great job on this front.
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