New AirPods 2025 launch date: AirPods Professional 3 and AirPods Max 2 rumors

In September 2024, Apple launched the AirPods 4. On the identical time the corporate introduced that listening to assist options can be coming to the 2nd technology AirPods Professional and the AirPods Max bought a minor replace (Lightning switched for USB-C and a coloration refresh). These hoping that the AirPods Professional 3 and the AirPods Max 2 would launch had been dissatisfied.

It’s now nearly three years because the AirPods Professional 2 had been launched in September 2022, and greater than 4 years because the AirPods Max introduction in December 2020. Updates are lengthy overdue.

On this article we’re monitoring all of the rumors concerning the launch date, new options and specs and another modifications coming to the AirPods Professional and AirPods Max. Learn on for the newest information concerning the 2025 AirPods.

We’ll look first on the rumours and leaks referring to the AirPods Professional 3 earlier than transferring on to the AirPods Max 2 beneath (click on right here to leap to the AirPods Max part).

AirPods Professional 3 launch date: When will the AirPods Professional 3 be launched?

It will be typical to anticipate a September launch for AirPods Professional, alongside iPhone 17. The unique AirPods Professional had been launched in October 2019, the AirPods 2nd-gen launched in September 2022, and people had been up to date with USB-C in September 2023.

In a February 2025, Bloomberg report Mark Gurman prompt that the AirPods Professional 3 had been “Nonetheless many months away”. That might nonetheless line up with a September (or October) launch although.

Additionally in February an unverified leaker claimed in a tweet that there can be an AirPods Professional launch in Could or June.

Nonetheless, in Could 2025 analyst Ming-Chi Kuo prompt that we would not see an replace to the AirPods till 2026. This might relate to manufacturing delays resulting from a brand new infra-red digital camera Apple is claimed to be equipping the AirPods with (extra on that beneath).

AirPods Professional 3 value: How a lot will the AirPods Professional 3 price?

We don’t anticipate the value to vary, though it might enhance in sure components of the world and stay the identical in others.

For instance, when Apple launched the AirPods Professional within the U.Ok. the value was £249, that value was later decreased to £229, so it’d return as much as £249. The value within the U.S. hasn’t modified since launch. Different components could have an effect on pricing.

Pricing for the AirPods vary begins at $129/£129 for the AirPods 4, and rises to $499/£549 for the AirPods Max:

• Apple Earbuds: $19/£19
• AirPods 4: $129/£129
• AirPoids 4 with ANC: $179/£179
• AirPods Professional 2nd-gen $249/£229
• AirPods Max $549/£499

Ignoring the $300 premium for the AirPods Max, that’s an additional $70 between the AirPods 4 with ANC and the AirPods Professional. It will be possible for Apple to extend the value of the AirPods Professional if the brand new options made the improve worthwhile.

We’ve got a round-up of the Greatest wi-fi earbuds for iPhones and the most effective wired headphones should you’d like to contemplate options to AirPods. Additionally learn AirPods Professional vs AirPods to learn the way the fashions examine.

AirPods Professional 3 options: What specs and options will the AirPods Professional 3 have?

It’s pretty simple to make predictions concerning the new options coming to AirPods Professional 3 simply by trying on the AirPods 4 and the Beats Powerbeats Professional 2 (Beats is an Apple-owned subsidiary). For instance, Powerbeats Professional 2, which launched in February 2025, consists of coronary heart price monitoring. Learn our evaluation of the Powerbeats Professional 2 and our AirPods 4 evaluation.

As for the options rumored to be coming to the AirPods Professional 3, right here’s what we’ve heard:

Coronary heart Price monitoring: In December 2024, Gurman mentioned Apple is engaged on in-ear coronary heart price monitoring. This can allow customers to trace coronary heart price whereas exercising with out having to put on an Apple Watch.

The inclusion of coronary heart price monitoring within the Powerbeats Professional 2 actually signifies that the identical function might be obtainable on the AirPods Professional 3, however you’ll be able to anticipate it to be superior. One challenge with the Powerbeats Professional 2 is that they’ll’t steam music and seize coronary heart information concurrently. One other challenge is with the interaction between the center price monitoring on the Apple Watch and the Powerbeats.

Temperature monitoring: Mark Gurman has additionally mentioned Apple was researching in-ear temperature sensors, and Apple has a patent on such know-how. In-ear temperature sensing is also quicker and extra dependable than these by way of the Apple Watch.

Translation: As a part of the iOS 19 replace Apple is claimed to be including a stay translation function to AirPods. It’s unknown which AirPods might be suitable, however the AirPods Professional 3 are positive to be. We anticipate to listen to extra at WWDC.

Higher energetic noise cancellation: Based on Mark Gurman (in October 2023) the AirPods Professional 3 will function a brand new H3 chip, which might result in higher energetic noise cancellation.

Crash detection: An Apple patent describes a manner that movement sensors inside AirPods might assist Crash Detection.

AirPods Professional 3 design: Will Apple replace the AirPods Professional design?

Mahmoud ITani / Foundry

As talked about above, we will look to the AirPods 4 for some clues about modifications that will come to the AirPods Professional. One such change associated to the charging case. The AirPod 4 charging case lacks a bodily setup button, as an alternative that includes a sensor beneath the standing mild on the entrance that lights up when energetic.

There could also be extra modifications coming. Based on Mark Gurman (again in October 2023) the AirPods Professional will get a brand new design. We don’t anticipate new colours, however the buds could slim down additional.

The modifications could also be much less seen, extra tactile: Quite a few Apple patents point out that Apple is seeking to enhance the best way that the contact controls work on the earbuds work when the person is carrying gloves. For instance in February 2025 a patent was granted to Apple that might allow this.

AirPods Max 2 launch date: When will the AirPods Max be up to date?

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman wrote of the AirPods Max in a December 2023 e-newsletter, saying that “The cans don’t promote nicely sufficient for the corporate to put money into fully new {hardware} or software program options”. Nonetheless, it’s now greater than 4 years because the AirPods Max had been launched and with such a premium value Apple owes it to clients to convey the AirPods Max into line with their competitors and different AirPods Apple sells.

In 2024 Mark Gurman predicted that the AirPods Max would get an up to date on the iPhone occasion. Sadly, the replace included solely a coloration change and a change from Lightning for USB-C connectivity.

Even worse, the change meant that the AirPods Max might not be used as wired headphones (a function of the Lightning-based mannequin). This was the case till a software program replace in March 2025 added this potential together with lossless and extremely low latency audio. Because of that software program replace, customers at the moment are in a position to play lossless audio and ultra-low-latency audio via a wired connection.

Lossless audio is a key function for audio producers, whereas extremely‑low latency audio is essential for gaming and stay streams. Each crucial options for the AirPods Mac.

Regardless of these ‘updates’ the over 4 12 months previous headphones are lagging behind the competitors and an replace is lengthy over due.

The dangerous information is that, if analyst Ming-Chi Kuo is appropriate, we might be ready till 2027 for the second technology of AirPods Max.

AirPods Max 2 value: How a lot will the AirPods Max 2 price?

At $549/£499 the AirPods Max are an costly buy. The truth that they’re now greater than 4 years previous makes that value look extremely inflated. It’s no marvel they’re steadily discounted at Amazon and elsewhere.

When the brand new fashions launch we don’t anticipate a value change although. These are designed to suit on the premium headphones finish of the market, and their competitors has photo voltaic costs.

That mentioned, the value within the U.S. and U.Ok. could are available to line, with Apple selecting to ‘match’ the value because it normally does (many Apple merchandise share an, e.g. $499/£499 value level) which Apple calculated based mostly on change charges and native taxes.

AirPods Max 2 specs: What specs and options will the AirPods Max 2 have

There may be a lot missing from he AirPods Max in comparison with the AirPods Professional that it’s simple to imagine that the next might be included:

• H1 chip upgraded to H2 (or H3)
• Adaptive Audio (which mixes transparency mode and ANC)
• Dialog Consciousness
• Dialog Increase
• Voice Isolation
• Customized Quantity
• Choice to activate with ‘Siri’ voice command (not simply ‘Hey Siri’)
• Customized excessive dynamic vary amplifier
• Bluetooth 5.3 (up from Bluetooth 5.0)
• Discover My

Additionally anticipate higher battery life.

One patent recognized in 2022 signifies Apple is detecting “audio howl”, which is described as distracting audio suggestions.

AirPods Max 2 design: Will Apple replace the AirPods Max design?

Jason Cross/IDG

Enhancements to gesture controls that are at present by way of the Digital Crown. May Apple forgo the Digital Crown in favor of contact controls on the ear cups?

We might see modifications to the carry case. Ideally it ought to cowl the entire product and be extra protecting. A patent from 2022 prompt that Apple was growing a greater case with magnetic clasps.

The Audio Howl patent talked about above additionally refers to detachable ear cushions which might be reattached utilizing magnets.

We’d additionally prefer to see a foldable design and higher waterproofing.

In the event you’re eager to listen to the newest rumors about Apple’s plans, the most effective place to begin is our roundup of New Apple merchandise.

These within the present vary ought to check out our roundup of the most effective AirPods offers for the newest bargains.