Apple is preparing to release a new, higher-end version of AirPods Pro later this year, according to multiple supply chain reports. The product will sit alongside the current AirPods Pro 3, rather than replacing it, marking a shift in Apple’s usual update strategy.
Supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says the new model will arrive in 2026 with a more advanced hardware upgrade. The most notable change is the expected addition of a small infrared camera built into the earbuds. This feature could enable hand gesture controls and improve spatial audio, especially when used with Apple’s Vision Pro headset.
Leaks suggest this new product is not a full generational upgrade. Instead, it will be a premium variant of AirPods Pro 3, which launched in 2025. This means Apple could sell two AirPods Pro models at the same time, similar to how it offers multiple versions of AirPods 4 at different prices.
Industry watchers believe the infrared camera will be the key differentiator. Apple may remove traditional pressure sensors on the premium model and rely fully on gesture-based controls. This would represent a major change in how users interact with AirPods.
Another possible upgrade is the introduction of Apple’s next-generation H3 audio chip. Bloomberg reports that the chip is in development, though it is not yet confirmed which AirPods model will receive it first. The current AirPods Pro 3 still use the H2 chip first released in 2022.
Apple’s current AirPods lineup ranges from $129 to $549. A higher-end AirPods Pro model priced above $249 but below AirPods Max would give Apple a stronger position in the premium earbud market, where competitors like Bose, Bang & Olufsen, and Bowers & Wilkins are gaining ground.
Apple has not confirmed a launch date, but it typically unveils new AirPods at its annual iPhone event in September. If the pattern holds, the new high-end AirPods Pro could debut in the second half of 2026.
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