Apple AirPods Pro 3 release news appears online, but don't get your hopes up yet

If you're a fan of top quality audio, a solid pair of earbuds is a must have. Not only will they help to block out the world around you, a good pair will offer a level of audio fidelity which defies belief for the size of the units.

If you're an iPhone user, the Apple AirPods Pro range is a great buy. These are Apple's most premium in-ear options, and are widely regarded as one of the top picks if you happen to use the brand's phones.

The current-gen Apple AirPods Pro 2 have been on the market for a few years already, with many starting to ask about the arrival of a successor. And according to respected industry analyst Jeff Pu (via Jukan Choi), those wanting a pair might have quite a wait on their hands.

According to a product timeline shared on Twitter, the AirPods Pro 3 won't be arriving until 2026. That would spell a four-year gap between product generations, which is sizable in Apple terms.

There's good reason why users are getting antsy. With such a seismic gulf between releases, some of the lesser models in the brand's collection are starting to offer a more compelling case than the current flagship.

The recently unveiled Apple AirPods 4 utilises the same processor as the AirPods Pro 2, introduced similar gesture control and offered active noise cancellation. That's left a lot of users scratching their heads about why you'd opt for the pricier Pro model.

There's no word on exactly when in 2026 the AirPods Pro 3 will arrive, either. While they usually come in September alongside new iPhones, that does seem like a really long way away.

With rumours suggesting that Apple's release timelines could shift in the coming years, it may well end up being slightly earlier in the year.