The AirPods have gone a long way. When the first iteration was launched in 2016, it presented a coarse construction and mediocre specifications. Since then, Apple has actively developed its wireless headphones, introducing several levels, more compact conceptions, a longer battery life and advanced integration with the wider Apple ecosystem. Today, customers can choose from the models that start at $ 129 and go up to $ 549, which is aimed at different budgets and expectations.
Airpod Pro 2 is my favorite model. They are the perfect balance between portability and immersion, providing support to ANC and Dolby Atmos in a miniature shell. And they regularly receive increases in software updates, such as recently introduced auditory health features. However, there are shortcomings that I would like to see Apple address when launching the Airpod Pro 3, probably in September.
Here are the seven upgrades that I hope we will see in the next version of the AirPods Pro.
1. Real intelligence
At a time dominated by AI, the most precious technological company in the world still has trouble delivering a reliable personal assistant. In this spirit, Apple cooked the Chatppt in iOS 18, improving the experience of users until he discovers how to repair Siri.
Although I can ask Siri to ask a chatgpt question using my AirPod Pro 2, the task fails most of the time. He asks either the OpenAi chatbot, a completely different question or ignores my explicit request from Chatppt and offers generic web results. Curiously, I only encounter this problem when Siri's invocation with my AirPods – Chatgpt integration works very well when I introduce my iPhone.
With the AirPods Pro 3, I want Apple to integrate the vocal mode of Chatgpt, allowing users to start audio conversations in real time via their headphones. Google pixel buds already offer a similar gemini experience, which allows users to find out about more complex questions using natural language. The action button for my iPhone is currently defined to start a Chatgpt vocal fashion session, but that forces me to remove my phone and unlock it on the go.
Mahmoud Itani / Foundry
2. Automatic translation
Another capacity Handy Google Pixel Buds is live translation, and I would like to see it on AirPods Pro 3.
For the past five years, I have moved between countries where English is not widely spoken or a viable French lingua. Although the Translate application offers a shortcut of action button and can manage the task, communicating directly via the headphones would be more intuitive outside. Fortunately, rumors suggest that iOS 19 will adopt such a functionality, so we could see it when the next AirPods are launched in the fall.
3. Go on the dark side
Rumors of Airpod Pro 3 would be a narrowed look that removes the stem. But even if I always find exciting design revisions, size is not the only aspect that counts.
Since their initial beginnings, all AirPods and AirPods Pro models have come exclusively in white. With the release of New Generation, I hope that Apple publishes a black variant for these opposite to light color gadgets. After all, the magic mouse and the magic keyboard have already adopted this formula.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
4. Cancellation of amplified noise
Active noise cancellation is one of my most precious AirPods Pro 2 advantages, letting me close the world in public spaces. While the functionality effectively blocks most external distractions, the loud noise always manages to take place. With the next airpods pro iteration, it would be great if we could get an ancute stronger that stifles more sounds.
5. smells of rhythm
PowerBeats Pro 2 were the first Apple audio product to incorporate a heart rate sensor, and the AirPods Pro 3 could and should follow suit. But it should also go further.
In particular, Beats brand earphones are delivered with a ton of restrictions that dictate how users can measure their heart rate. For example, only a handful of fitness applications, excluding the Apple, take care of the instructor. In addition, there is no option to choose a default heart rate monitoring accessory when you simultaneously wear an Apple Watch and PowerBeats Pro 2. With the AirPods Pro 3, I want Apple to approach these limits so that users can rely on technology when using fitness + and choose the data.
Mahmoud Itani / Foundry
6. Firmware updates in a turn
If you are passionate about technology, you probably know the process of updating Airpod software (or its absence). Apple specifies that you can update the firmware of your headphones by bringing them closer to your iDevice and by connecting them to a power source. The process, however, occurs randomly in the background, without any means of forcing it or monitoring its progress.
When iOS 19 and the launch of AirPods Pro 3 this fall, I want Apple to add a dedicated button in the Settings application to check, download and easily install the latest firmware available. This would make more practical for dedicated users to try new features from their start.
7. More life per load
One thing I don't like at My Airpods Pro 2 is the lifespan of their battery. According to Apple, the headphones can last 5 to 6 hours in a single load with activated ANC. It is much shorter than a work session or full hiking, often forcing me to hang my music and my recharge. The PowerBeats Pro 2, on the other hand, offers up to 8 hours of listening time with anc. A similar battery life on the next Pro AirPods would be ideal.
Mahmoud Itani / Foundry
A professional device that lives up to its name
Airpod Pro 2 are already one of my most used Apple products. Whether I run in the city, that I hike in the middle of nowhere, whether I work from a coffee, or that I move, the headphones entertain me by minimizing external noise and by delivering space audio tracks. Despite this, Apple could improve them more by addressing imperfections above.
The AirPods Pro 3 must catch up with time and provide smarter features, powered by AI and otherwise. With competing brands also offering several colors, a new finish would make airpods more attractive to a certain category of customers. Not to mention other quality of life adjustments that would only make more transparent product consumption.
In the end, we must discover what awaits us in just four months. Consult our new superguid airpods regularly updated for the latest news and rumors.
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