Apple did not unveil any new hardware at WWDC 2025, yet the iOS 26 beta appears to have substantiated the presence of a device that hasn’t been officially announced. As per MacRumors contributor Steve Moser, there are mentions of “AirPods Pro 3” in the iOS 26 developer beta 1 code, which is significant given that Apple has yet to reveal them.
Has Apple inadvertently exposed its upcoming AirPods?
Apple was once a stronghold of confidentiality in safeguarding information, but now its operations are as transparent as Samsung or Google. Almost every Apple product makes its way online weeks or months ahead of the company’s formal announcement. At times, Apple even plays a role in those leaks, as seems to be the case with the AirPods Pro 3.
Moser also mentioned that he “couldn’t find any additional references or clues about what new features” the AirPods Pro 3 might possess. While Apple may have revealed the name, we’ll need to explore elsewhere to uncover what to anticipate from its forthcoming set of high-end earbuds.
Previous leaks regarding AirPods Pro 3
Fortunately, informants have been diligently following these earbuds for several months. Although none of the specifics have received official confirmation, we do have a general sense of what the AirPods Pro 3 might entail when they eventually launch.
Indeed, our own José Adorno compiled all the most thrilling speculation about the new earbuds earlier this year. The most prominent rumored enhancements include improved active noise cancellation (ANC), heart rate and body temperature sensors, along with the new H3 chip.
Regarding the design, rumors suggest that the earbuds will sport a new appearance, with a strong likelihood that Apple will implement the sleeker case of the AirPods 4.
There’s still a lot we remain unaware of concerning the AirPods Pro 3, but we will be vigilant for additional leaks leading up to the anticipated release at the close of 2025.
