Apple is developing its own H3 chip and a new AirPods model, both of which could debut as early as 2026
The AirPods Pro 3 includes a range of upgrades and enhancements compared to the AirPods Pro 2, and it surprised many people when Apple revealed that the new earbuds feature the older H2 chip, which replaces the expected H3.
Although the absence of a more advanced silicon might disappoint some users who were hoping for a next-generation chipset, a recent report indicates that Apple is actively developing its own H3 chip, which is expected to offer better performance, and is also working on a new version of AirPods that could launch alongside it.
What Are The Features Of Apple’s New H3 Model?
In addition to using the new H3 chip to reduce latency and enhance audio quality and Active Noise Cancellation on the AirPods Pro, Apple is also working on integrating cameras into its higher-end wireless earbuds. Mark Gurman’s latest ‘Power On’ newsletter does not reveal many details about the H3 chip, apart from stating that Apple aims to improve audio quality and decrease latency, although the new silicon will almost certainly deliver many additional advantages.
If Apple managed to double the noise cancellation performance on the AirPods Pro 3 without introducing a new chip, it is exciting to imagine how much more impressive the next AirPods could become when they launch with the H3 chip included.
Apple Is Developing The AirPods 5!
The question that still needs to be answered is which specific AirPods model will receive the new H3 chip. According to the report, Apple is developing the AirPods 5, which will directly replace the AirPods 4 and which is expected to launch in both a standard version and another version that supports Active Noise Cancellation. Both of these models are likely to be equipped with the H3 chip, but the AirPods Pro 4, which is also in development, is expected to receive an additional upgrade in the form of integrated cameras.
With the introduction of Apple Intelligence, the sensors that are built into the AirPods Pro 4 will collect various types of data, which will then be transmitted to either an iPhone or the Vision Pro. Interestingly, the AirPods Pro 3 is not mentioned as receiving any health-oriented capabilities, which suggests that users may not get anything beyond a basic heart-rate sensor.
