Apple's hidden AirPods Pro 3 code in iOS 26 Beta tells us when to expect it to arrive
Code found in iOS 26 Beta 1 hints at the imminent release of the AirPods Pro 3.
Code discovered in the iOS 26 Developer Beta 1 released after the WWDC Keynote on Monday mentions the AirPods Pro 3. This was discovered by Steve Moser, a contributor to MacRumors. Moser says that with the reference to the next top-of-the-line AirPods Pro model spotted in iOS 26 Beta 1, we should expect the next Pro version of Apple's wireless Bluetooth earbuds to launch soon.
The next version of the AirPods Pro could feature new health features such as the ability to track the user's heart rate and temperature. The one question that everyone wants to know is that with Apple reported to be looking at adding cameras to its AirPods, could we see that in AirPods Pro 3? Unfortunately, if the latter model is released this year, it will probably not include a camera. In fact, TF International's Hall of Fame Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says not to expect major changes to AirPods until next year.
Steve Moser discovered code about the AirPods Pro 3 in the iOS 26 Beta 1 release. | Image credit-X
Kuo says that in 2026 Apple will start building its wireless earbuds with an infrared camera similar to what is used for Face ID. The camera could allow users to enable some kind of in-air gesture controls allowing users to control the device through hand gestures. The camera could also allow AirPods to give users an AI experience similar to Visual Intelligence. This could allow users to hear more about a restaurant they are standing in front of, or hear about a landmark that they are looking at. In other words, the AirPods camera could help to give a user contextual information through the earbud.
I really can't see Apple releasing an AirPods Pro 3 this year and coming back next year with an AirPods Pro 4 with a camera. The AirPods Pro 2 was released in 2022 so if we do get a sequel this year, a version with a camera might not show up until 2028. Perhaps that's not a bad thing for Apple. Even though a Visual Intelligence feature for AirPods Pro could be dynamite, the extra time could help the tech giant perfect it. Considering the delays and underwhelming response to Apple Intelligence, Apple's best bet is to roll out the AirPods Pro 3 this year with no camera and come back in 2028 with the AirPods Pro 4 featuring a camera and Visual Intelligence.
Unlike those guys that Tim pays millions of dollars to each year for advice like this, he is getting my plan for nothing.
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