'AirPods Pro 3' Referenced in iOS 26 Code

iOS 26 suggests that Apple is indeed working on a new version of the AirPods Pro that could be coming in the not too distant future. Code in ‌iOS 26‌ discovered by MacRumors contributor Steve Moser references the "AirPods Pro 3" alongside the "AirPods Pro" and the "AirPods Pro 2."

AirPods Pro 3 Mock Feature
There is no ‌AirPods Pro 3‌ at the current time, but rumors suggest that Apple plans to introduce a new model this fall. The reference is buried in a headphone-related UI framework, so Apple appears to be preparing for the upcoming product launch behind the scenes.

This isn't actually the first time Apple has hinted at ‌AirPods Pro 3‌. Last month, Apple changed a reference to the second-generation AirPods Pro to the "AirPods Pro 2 or later," even though there is no "later" right now.

The ‌AirPods Pro 3‌ will have a new look for the earbuds and the case, with Apple perhaps slimming down the case like it did for the AirPods 4. We're also counting on a faster audio chip that brings improved Active Noise Cancellation and audio quality, plus the updated earbuds might offer heart rate monitoring functionality and temperature sensing.

For more on what's expected for the ‌AirPods Pro 3‌, we have a dedicated guide that's updated with new rumors regularly.

Related Roundup: AirPods Pro 3
Buyer's Guide: AirPods Pro (Buy Now)
Related Forum: AirPods

Popular Stories

ios 26 1 slide to stop

iOS 26.1 Brings Back 2007 Feature in New Way

Friday October 31, 2025 1:40 pm PDT by
The upcoming iOS 26.1 update includes a small but helpful change for iPhones, and it could prevent you from running late to something important. Specifically, when an alarm goes off in the Clock app, there is a new "slide to stop" control on the screen for turning off the alarm. On previous iOS 26 versions, there is simply a large "stop" button, which could be accidentally tapped. The new ...
M5 MacBook Pro

Waiting for New Macs? Apple Just Shared Bad News

Friday October 31, 2025 7:32 am PDT by
Apple has just given a strong indication that it will not be releasing any additional new Macs for the remainder of the year. Apple's CFO Kevan Parekh dropped the hint during the company's earnings call on Thursday:On Mac, keep in mind, we expect to face a very difficult compare against the M4 MacBook Pro, Mac mini, and iMac launches in the year-ago quarter.Parekh essentially gave a heads up ...
Apple Foldable Thumb

iPhone Fold: Launch, Pricing, and What to Expect From Apple's Foldable

Friday October 31, 2025 8:52 am PDT by
Apple is expected to launch a new foldable iPhone next year, based on multiple rumors and credible sources. The long-awaited device has been rumored for years now, but signs increasingly suggest that 2026 could indeed be the year that Apple releases its first foldable device. Below, we've collated an updated set of key details that have been leaked about Apple's foldable iPhone so far. Ove...
Apple Logo Spotlight

Report: Apple to Launch These New Products in 2026

Sunday November 2, 2025 5:34 am PST by
Apple is planning to launch at least 15 new products in 2026, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Gurman outlined what to expect from Apple in 2026 in the latest edition of his "Power On" newsletter. He said the company is heading "into one of its most pivotal years in recent memory," with the rollout of major new Apple Intelligence features, intense regulatory pressure on the App Store,...
Coffee Burgundy and Purple iPhone 18 Pro Mock 1

Leaker Outlines Potential New Colors for iPhone 18 Pro

Friday October 31, 2025 8:28 am PDT by
Apple's iPhone 18 Pro models could be available in new rich and warm color option, according to a known leaker. The Weibo user known as "Instant Digital" today suggested that next-year's iPhone 18 Pro models will be available in at least one of the following color options: Coffee, purple, and burgundy. The iPhone XR, iPhone 11, iPhone 12, iPhone 14, and iPhone 14 Pro were all available in ...
Apple Intelligence General Feature 2

New Version of Siri to 'Lean' on Google Gemini

Sunday November 2, 2025 6:06 am PST by
In his "Power On" newsletter, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today provided an update on the status of Apple Intelligence and the plans for it in 2026. Apple is still planning to roll out its revamped version of Siri around March of next year. The release should be accompanied by the release of a new smart home display product with speaker-base and wall-mount options. A new Apple TV and HomePod...
HomePod mini and Apple TV

New Apple TV and HomePod Mini Likely Launching Soon

Sunday November 2, 2025 5:49 am PST by
A new Apple TV and HomePod mini could launch as soon as this month, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today suggested. In today's "Power On" newsletter, Gurman said that Apple retail stores are planning an overnight refresh on the evening of November 11, where changes will be made after closing, such as refreshing displays and placing new products for the following day. The timing of the overnight...
iPhone 17 Pro Cosmic Orange

8 Reasons to Wait for Next Year's iPhone 18 Pro

Thursday October 30, 2025 4:42 am PDT by
Apple's iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models at the same time, which is why we often get rumored features months ahead of launch. The iPhone 18 series is no different, and we already have a good idea of what to expect for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. One thing worth...
iOS 26

6 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 26.1

Wednesday October 29, 2025 4:22 am PDT by
Apple is about to drop iOS 26.1, the first major point release since iOS 26 was rolled out in September, and there are at least six notable changes and improvements to look forward to. We've rounded them up below. Apple has already provided developers and public beta testers with the release candidate version of iOS 26.1, which means Apple will likely roll out the update to all compatible...

Top Rated Comments

ab2c4 Avatar
21 weeks ago
Bring them on, I hope the music sound quality is noticeably improved.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mr. Jenkins Avatar
21 weeks ago
The AirPods Pros are the one Apple products I’ve never had any complaints about.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
goonie4life9 Avatar
21 weeks ago
Wooo, it's time to get stoked for the ALL NEW AirPods Pro 3. They are a game changer and the BEST AirPod Pros that Apple has ever released. They are truly the AirPods for ultra pros!
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ultratiem Avatar
21 weeks ago
Double the battery life. It’s possible, do it. Do it. Just do it. Do it. Yo, do it. Do it.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
KurtWilde Avatar
21 weeks ago
They didn’t update the AirPods menu to not say iOS 19 though

Attachment Image
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
aUniqueName Avatar
21 weeks ago
I have Gen 1 AirPods Pro, they crackle/have static now when using transparency mode - it's unusable. They work fine with that turned off though. I'll probably get the Gen 3's whenever they come out.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)