The wait for Apple’s next-gen AirPods Pro might stretch out longer than anticipated. According to a respected supply chain analyst, Apple won’t refresh its flagship earbuds until 2026.
AirPods Pro refresh could be a year away
Apple dropped the last major AirPods Pro refresh in September 2022. The second-gen noise-canceling earbuds brought major upgrades, including a new H2 chip, better active noise cancellation and improved audio quality. A year later, the company updated the earbuds, replacing the Lightning connector with USB-C.
Multiple rumors pointed to the AirPods Pro getting a refresh later this year. But it seems that might not be the case. TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo wrote Sunday on X that Apple likely won’t refresh its high-end earbuds this year.
“AirPods may not see significant updates until 2026 (aligning with my earlier prediction that IR camera-equipped AirPods would enter mass production in 2026),” he wrote.
Previous rumors indicated the next-gen earbuds will feature an IR-equipped camera, likely for in-air hand gesture support.
Kuo first predicted nearly two years ago that Apple would launch AirPods with built-in IR cameras in 2026. However, rumors suggested that the company could refresh the current model with other changes before that. It seems that might not happen, though. The lack of rumors regarding a potential AirPods Pro 3 unveiling later this year adds credence to Kuo’s theory.
Despite the earbuds’ age, Apple keeps improving the AirPods Pro. With iOS 18 last year, it added features like voice isolation, head gestures, personalized spatial audio for gaming, lower latency, etc. It also turned the AirPods Pro into surprisingly capable hearing aids.
This year, iOS 19 might turn AirPods Pro into real-time translators.
Lighter AirPods Max might arrive in 2027
Apple is also working on an AirPods Max refresh, according to Kuo. “A lighter version of the AirPods Max is expected to enter mass production in 2027,” he wrote.
Apple’s flagship headphones received a minor update in September 2024, with new color options and a USB-C port. A software update in April added support for 24-bit, 48 kHz lossless audio and ultra-low-latency audio when connected by a USB-C cable. Otherwise, the $549 headphones remain largely unchanged from their initial launch in December 2020.
