Overview

• Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports Apple plans to unveil new AirPods Pro this fall, likely around the early September iPhone event, though Apple has not announced the product.
• The next model is widely expected to add optical heart‑rate monitoring similar to Powerbeats Pro 2, which uses LED sensors to read blood flow and syncs data to the Health app, with Apple Watch remaining the primary source when worn together.
• Coverage points to upgrades in sound quality, stronger active noise cancellation and design tweaks, with recent reports anticipating a smaller case, a hidden front capacitive pairing control and a more discreet status light.
• Software clues reinforce the hardware rumors, including iOS 26 code that references “AirPods Pro 2 or later” and a new Bluetooth identifier discovered in June.
• Analysts Jeff Pu and Ming‑Chi Kuo have projected a 2026 timeframe, highlighting ongoing uncertainty about when the third‑generation AirPods Pro will ship.