Apple is poised to split its premium earbuds into two distinct AirPods Pro 3 variants, with a standard model expected first and a higher-end version to follow, according to supply chain reporting and well-known leakers. The move would mark a notable shift in the Pro line, which has typically advanced in single, three‑year leaps.
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has indicated that AirPods Pro 3 will debut ahead of a more feature-packed variant planned to arrive later. A prominent Weibo leaker known as Instant Digital has echoed that timeline and added a key detail: the second model isn’t a full generational overhaul but a pricier, more capable companion that will sit alongside the standard Pro 3.
Two-tier strategy for the Pro lineup
Apple has already tested a split strategy in its non‑Pro line, selling two tiers of AirPods 4, and it refreshed AirPods Pro 2 with a USB‑C case just a year after launch. A Pro split extends that playbook to a more premium audience, letting Apple stage bigger innovations without interrupting the core annual cadence.
It also aligns with broader wearables economics. Counterpoint Research estimates Apple continues to lead the true wireless market with roughly a quarter of global shipments and an outsized share of revenue. Segmenting Pro could help protect that premium share while addressing a wider spectrum of use cases.
Infrared camera model: gesture-first controls
The headline feature for the higher-end variant is expected to be a tiny infrared camera embedded in each earbud. Kuo has previously suggested an IR camera system could detect subtle hand movements, enabling in‑air gesture control without touching the stem, and improve head/hand tracking for more precise spatial audio.
Instant Digital goes further, claiming Apple may lean so heavily into camera-based gestures that it could reduce or even remove the pressure sensors on the premium model. Think pinches, swipes, or directional cues performed in your natural field of motion—adjusting volume, skipping tracks, or muting calls with a flick.
This approach would dovetail with Apple’s spatial computing ambitions. With Vision Pro, the company already blends eye and hand input; earbuds that understand your gestures could become a more fluid accessory for immersive video, gaming, and FaceTime, enhancing spatial audio by anchoring sound to both head and hand position.
What the standard AirPods Pro 3 should bring
The baseline Pro 3 is expected to refine the formula rather than redefine it. Industry chatter points to improved active noise cancellation, better microphones for calls, and tuning changes aimed at cleaner mids and more consistent bass at lower volumes.
Health features are also in the conversation. Apple has been exploring hearing wellness for years, and recent Beats hardware has hinted at onboard sensors; multiple analysts expect Apple to extend at least basic fitness or wellness metrics to the new Pro generation. A smaller, lighter USB‑C case with upgraded Find My and speaker alerts is also likely.
Under the hood, watch for a next‑gen H‑series chip with more on‑device machine learning for Adaptive Audio scenarios, plus improved power management. Incremental battery gains are possible, but the bigger story is smarter sound that adapts faster to changing environments.
Price and timing: what to expect
The standard AirPods Pro 3 should target the current Pro price band, while the camera‑equipped variant is expected to sit above today’s $249 MSRP. Sources suggest the two will coexist rather than replace one another, giving buyers a clear choice between familiar controls and cutting‑edge interaction.
Launch sequencing remains the main open question. The core Pro 3 is widely expected to arrive alongside Apple’s next iPhone lineup, with the gesture‑first variant trailing once production of the infrared module scales in Apple’s supply chain. That staggered rollout would mirror how Apple has introduced more advanced components in stages across devices.
Why a camera earbud makes sense now
Moving input off the stem and into the space around you isn’t just novelty. It frees your hands when running, cooking, or commuting; it reduces mispresses with gloves; and it opens accessibility options for users who find squeeze gestures awkward. It also gives Apple a platform to evolve spatial audio from a passive effect into an interactive layer that responds to what you do.
If Apple executes, the premium AirPods Pro 3 could become the default headphones for Vision Pro owners and a halo product for everyone else. Meanwhile, the standard Pro 3 keeps the price ceiling steady while raising the floor on sound quality and noise suppression. That one‑two punch is classic Apple: broaden the base, then push the frontier.