Next-Gen AirPods: Apple Developing H3 Chip and Camera-Equipped Pro Model for Vision Pro Integration

With the official launch of AirPods Pro 3 last month, the market had widely anticipated that Apple would debut a next-generation audio chip in this model. Instead, the company opted to retain the H2 chip, first introduced in 2022, focusing its upgrades on a larger battery, new foam ear tips, and enhanced noise-cancellation algorithms. However, recent reports suggest that Apple has already shifted its internal development efforts toward the next-generation chip and an entirely new AirPods lineup.

In his Power On newsletter, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman revealed that Apple is developing an all-new H3 chip, expected to power future high-end in-ear headphones — likely the next iteration of AirPods Pro. This chip will reportedly focus on reducing audio latency, improving sound fidelity, and shortening response times for real-time interactions such as voice commands and instant translation.

Apple is also said to be planning a special edition of AirPods Pro 3, slated for release next year, featuring an infrared (IR) camera capable of capturing environmental data for integrated use with the iPhone and Vision Pro.

Analysts speculate that processing such visual input will require greater computational power, making it likely that the H3 chip will make its debut in this version.

The roots of this concept trace back to 2024, when analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted that Apple was exploring camera-equipped AirPods designed to enhance Spatial Audio and deepen the immersive experience of Vision Pro. In June of this year, Apple further filed a related patent describing camera-enabled AirPods capable of gesture recognition, distance sensing, and wear detection.

When paired with the Apple Intelligence framework recently introduced across Vision Pro and iPhone, future AirPods could evolve beyond audio accessories to become intelligent environmental sensors — devices that actively perceive surroundings and assist with contextual interactions.

Alongside its premium models, Gurman also disclosed that Apple is simultaneously developing AirPods 5, which will include both a standard version and a mid-tier model featuring active noise cancellation. While these models are not expected to include the heart rate monitoring function rumored for AirPods Pro 3, Apple reportedly intends to integrate additional health-tracking components such as a body temperature sensor in future generations.

Although the release date for AirPods 5 remains uncertain, product-cycle trends suggest that the lineup could debut in 2026, coinciding with the launch of the camera-equipped AirPods Pro.

Reflecting on the evolution of the AirPods series, Apple appears to be transitioning from traditional Bluetooth earbuds to intelligent, sensor-driven wearables that merge connectivity, computation, and contextual awareness. If the H3 chip can successfully balance power efficiency and low latency, AirPods may well become a sensory extension of the Apple Intelligence ecosystem — working in concert with Vision Pro, Apple Watch, and iPhone to form a deeply integrated, multi-layered network of interaction.

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