Making Sense of the AirPods Pro 4 Rumors

Apple AirPods Pro 4 rumors are starting to pick up. We haven’t uncovered a lot this early, but we are seeing hints about when it might arrive and the major changes that could set it apart from the AirPods Pro 3.

When Could the AirPods Pro 4 Be Released?

Apple tends to keep new product releases quiet, so we don’t really know when the next AirPods Pro will drop. That means the official AirPods Pro 4 release date is still up in the air. But industry experts think 2026 is a good guess for when they might launch.

Here’s why the rumors are growing:

• Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reports that the “more significant” AirPods update (i.e., the Pro line) is planned for 2026.
• A piece from Mark Gurman mentions that Apple is working on the H3 chip for future AirPods Pro models, which hints at a 2026 rollout.

Is Apple Even Considering the Release of Any Kind of Earbuds?

Apple keeps updating its headphones on a steady schedule. This tells us that the company still sees earbuds as an important product.

Additionally, we keep seeing reports that Apple is testing new parts for future models. These are often indicators that show up long before a product is announced, so it makes sense that another AirPods Pro update is being worked on behind the scenes.

Our Thoughts on Potential AirPods Pro 4 Features

As always, when talking about upcoming devices, these features are not guaranteed to show up in the AirPods Pro 4, but here’s what keeps coming up in the rumors:

• Cameras: The Pro 4 might have tiny infrared cameras that can determine your proximity to the earbuds. A 2023 patent filed by Apple supports this idea, explaining that a sensor system could recognize hand motions and determine whether the earbuds are in the user’s ear or lying on a table, as well as measure factors such as air quality and biometric data.
• H3 chip: Apple is reportedly working on a successor to the H2 chip that could improve audio quality and enable on-device processing.
• Improved spatial audio: If the cameras and chip upgrade arrive, they could help enhance spatial audio when paired with the Vision Pro.
• AI features: The AirPod Pro 4 cameras and local processing should let Apple turn on special Apple Intelligence features. Things like head tracking and gesture control might let you control your phone or Vision Pro in new ways.