Apple is preparing for one of its most highly anticipated events of the year, and speculation is mounting that the company will not only debut the full iPhone 17 lineup but also introduce its next-generation wireless earbuds, the AirPods Pro 3. 
The timing seems deliberate: Apple has often chosen to showcase its latest audio hardware alongside major iPhone launches, and this year may follow the same pattern.
Well-regarded analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who has a strong track record of accurate Apple predictions, recently indicated that the AirPods Pro 3 should arrive in the second half of 2025. Although he stopped short of directly stating that the earbuds will premiere at the iPhone 17 unveiling, Apple’s history offers a strong clue. The AirPods Pro 2, for example, were revealed on the same stage as the iPhone 14. With that precedent in mind, industry watchers are confident that the AirPods Pro 3 will share the spotlight with the iPhone 17 series.
Beyond the Pro 3, Apple is also looking ahead to even more ambitious upgrades. According to Kuo, mass production of AirPods models equipped with infrared cameras is expected to begin in 2026. These advanced earbuds could integrate with Apple’s mixed-reality ecosystem, offering head-tracking and immersive AR/VR experiences. Such innovation may represent a bigger leap forward than the Pro 3 itself, likely carrying a higher price tag to match the expanded capabilities.
Tomorrow’s Apple event, titled “Awe Dropping,” is set to showcase the new iPhone 17 family, including the standard iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max. In addition to the phones, updated Apple Watch models are also expected to take the stage. With all of this on the horizon, Apple fans have plenty to look forward to as the company continues to push its hardware ecosystem into new territory.
3 comments
waiting for iphone 17 pro max, airpods can wait
apple milking us every year 😂
ngl i just bought airpods pro 2, now they drop 3?? lol