With the WWDC 2025 right around the corner, the attention seems to be on the key announcements Apple will make tomorrow. While the iPhone 17 series would remain the spotlight of the event, this time, the Cupertino giant is also focused on shaking things up regarding its wearables. The company is launching two different versions of the AirPods Pro 3 and pivoting in a different direction for its accessory lineup. One of the variants is said to come alongside the iPhone 17, while the other one, which is claimed to be the more advanced model, is slated for 2026.
Apple's AirPods could come in two versions - a standard model in 2025 and a premium version in 2026
There has been quite the buzz around Apple's upcoming AirPods Pro 3, given that the Pro lineup was due for an upgrade. Not long ago, well-known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claimed that Apple would be unveiling its next-generation AirPods Pro in the second half of 2025, and a latest leak by Instant Digital on Weibo added more clarity to it.
As per the leak, while the claim made by Kuo is accurate, there is an important distinction to be highlighted, and that is Apple's plan to release two different versions of AirPods Pro 3. The standard model will arrive later in the year, and the more advanced variant will likely be unveiled in 2026. The 2025 model is packed with some improvements when it comes to audio performance and health monitoring sensors that are capable of tracking both body temperature and heart rate. The variant coming alongside iPhone 17 would include the new H3 chip with a redesigned charging case and capacitive touch controls.
The 2026 version is said to be taking a bigger leap as the model would allegedly feature a tiny infrared (IR) camera sensor that is built into the earbuds. The addition of the air gesture control would take away the need to touch the earbuds and bring major convenience for users. This feature would also help further push Apple’s goal of integrating the earbuds with the visionOS ecosystem for seamless interactions.
Apple exploring the idea of AirPods Pro being launched in two versions reflects the company's evolving strategy for its wearables, where one version is focused on more tangible and noticeable upgrades, while the other could help fulfill the long-term vision of AirPods acting as the central hub for context-aware and gesture-based computing. The response of the users is yet to be seen, but it is nonetheless refreshing to see Apple experimenting with AirPods Pro 3 and how it can be used in the future in a more useful way.
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