Apple AirPods Pro 3: H3 Chip Is Reportedly Ready to Follow Up With New Features to Succeed the H2

Over the years, Apple has not been keen to bring new H-series chips for its audio wearables unlike its focus on the A-series for the iPhones and iPads, as well as the M-series for the iPads and Mac.

However, for this year, reports are now claiming that Apple is ready to deliver the H3 chip, its next-generation chipset that will power its rumored upcoming audio wearable, the AirPods Pro 3.

Apple AirPods Pro 3: H3 Chip Is Reportedly Ready

A new report by 9to5Mac is detailing the expectations from the upcoming AirPods Pro 3 that is rumored to be coming later this year, possibly joining the iPhone 17 series in its launch event.

Specifically, it has been reported that Apple is already set with the development of the H3 chip, the next generation processor that will power its new audio wearables that will be first introduced with the AirPods Pro 3.

There are still no exact details on what the H3 chip would bring apart from earlier rumors about Apple adding a Live Translation feature to the AirPods, but this feature is known to be part of the iOS 19 update.

That being said, it is expected that the H3 chip will help improve Apple's excellent active noise cancelation (ANC) feature, as well as other enhancements to its connectivity, latency, and sound quality.

H3 Is Succeeding the Feature-Packed H2 Chip

The H3 chip has big shoes to fill especially as it follows the long-used H2 chipset that was introduced with the AirPods Pro 2. This specific chipset is known for introducing Adaptive Audio, Automatic Switching upgrades, Conversational Awareness, Hearing Aid and Hearing Test, and more features for the AirPods Pro 2.

It has been tried and tested for almost three years now, making it the premier chip to power Apple's top wireless in-ear headset.

Apple's AirPods Pro 3 Rumors: Coming This 2025

There have been different releases for the AirPods lineup in the past years, but there was only one new device from Apple that the company introduced in 2022, and this was the AirPods Pro 2. The company has updated the AirPods Pro 2 in 2023 with a USB-C charging case, which signals its adoption of the universal charging standard as part of the EU's crackdown.

Moreover, its base AirPods also last saw a new release four years ago, when the company brought the third-generation AirPods to the world in 2021, but this device only featured the H1 chip from the company.

That being said, last year's reports speculated that Apple is gearing up for two new AirPods releases for fall 2024 which did not happen. The reports claimed that there would be two devices, with the first being a new base AirPods that would be part of the fourth-generation release, and the other would also be a non-Pro AirPods 4 with active noise cancelation (ANC).

It was not until later in 2024 and earlier this year when talks about the next generation AirPods Pro began, claiming that it is slated for a 2025 release.