AirPods Pro 3 Release Window Pushes to 2026: Analyst Roadmaps Align

Expectations for the next iteration of Apple’s premium in-ear headphones—the AirPods Pro 3—have shifted following multiple independent analyst reports. The timeline for the launch is now solidly anchored in 2026, rather than the previously rumored 2025 window. This adjustment stands out given Apple’s historical cadence for updating its audio hardware, and carries notable implications for Apple enthusiasts tracking the company’s wearable and health-focused strategies.

Analyst Reports Refine Release Forecasts

Jeff Pu of GF Securities Hong Kong recently published a product roadmap (via a Korean chip industry insider, @jukanlosreve), forecasting mass production of the AirPods Pro 3 in 2026. Pu’s projection corresponds with earlier comments from respected Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who has similarly pointed to significant AirPods hardware updates—potentially including an IR camera—for a 2026 debut. Meanwhile, references to “AirPods Pro