Overview

• Apple has scheduled its next event for September 9, fueling expectations that the new AirPods Pro will be shown alongside the iPhone 17 lineup.
• A claimed design leak from accessory makers, relayed by Majin Bu and reported by MacRumors, points to a slightly smaller case that swaps the rear pairing button for a front capacitive control while keeping the lanyard loop.
• References to “AirPods Pro 3” in the first iOS 26 developer beta were spotted by Steve Moser, suggesting Apple is preparing software support for the model.
• Rumors center on an H3 chip with stronger active noise cancellation, in‑ear heart‑rate sensing, Live Translation features, and a USB‑C charging case.
• Launch timing remains disputed, with Bloomberg signaling a fall debut as some outlets forecast a mid‑September pre‑order and release window while analysts Ming‑Chi Kuo and Jeff Pu flag a possible 2026 timeline.