Apple gears up for phased rollout of AirPods Pro 3, according to insider

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Upcoming Launch of AirPods Pro 3: What to Expect

As anticipation builds for Apple’s upcoming ‘Awe Dropping’ event, new leaks provide intriguing insights regarding the highly awaited AirPods Pro 3. Reports indicate that Apple may be pursuing a multi-year strategy for the release of its flagship wireless earbuds, hinting at exciting developments ahead.

Release Timeline and Features

A notable Weibo leaker, known as Instant Digital, has revealed that the AirPods Pro 3 are set to debut in the latter half of this year. Furthermore, this source suggests that Apple plans to unveil a second version of the AirPods Pro 3 next year, distinguished by an innovative feature: an integrated infrared camera.

This rumor aligns with remarks from prominent supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who anticipates a “notable hardware upgrade with the IR camera-equipped model”by 2026. Interestingly, the newly enhanced version is not expected to be branded as AirPods Pro 4, reflecting Apple’s ongoing evolution of its product naming conventions.

Historical Context and Upgrades

Looking back at Apple’s product strategy, it seems unlikely they will maintain a one-year gap between the AirPods Pro 3 and a subsequent model. The original AirPods Pro launched in 2019, followed by the AirPods Pro 2 in 2022. Since then, Apple has introduced various enhancements, including USB-C compatibility, dust resistance, a Hearing Aid feature, and the ability to utilize AirPods as a camera remote.

Innovative Gesture Controls

Rumored features of the upcoming AirPods Pro suggest that the infrared cameras may enable users to perform air gestures, offering a notable upgrade from the head gestures available with the AirPods Pro 2. If true, this innovation could significantly enhance the user experience, making it more intuitive and fluid.

Potential Price and Model Strategy

According to the Weibo leaker, Apple may also transition away from the current pressure-based controls in favor of the new air gesture system. This change, alongside the advanced features, suggests that Apple could place a premium price on the upgraded model, potentially exceeding $280.

It’s also uncertain whether Apple will offer both versions of the AirPods Pro simultaneously, a strategy it has utilized before with the AirPods 4, which were released in multiple variants last year.

As the launch event approaches, all eyes will be on Apple to see how these developments play out and what innovative features the tech giant will bring to its loyal customer base.

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