Apple readies an H3 chip for AirPods 5 and Pro 3 with lower latency and AI, while iPad Pro M5 and next-gen Vision Pro target October; broader updates in 2025.
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Apple appears to be gearing up for a major technology refresh. According to Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, the company has already started developing a new H3 chip and AirPods 5. At the same time, production is nearing completion on the iPad Pro M5 and the next-generation Vision Pro headset—both devices are expected to debut in October.
The new H3 chip is set to anchor upcoming AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods 5. It is expected to reduce audio latency, improve transmission quality, and lay the groundwork for artificial intelligence features. Apple’s Cupertino lab is also exploring the idea of integrating a camera into the earbuds for spatial recognition—a move that could nudge AirPods toward becoming a truly personal assistant.
Apple is in no hurry to name a release date for AirPods 5, but a leak points to a 2025 premiere. The earbuds are slated to deliver better sound and, likely, the H3 chip, though without heart-rate sensors—a feature that would remain reserved for higher-end models. The trajectory is hard to miss: AirPods are shifting from simple accessory to a core part of a smart-device ecosystem, where audio, sensors, and AI work in concert.
Beyond audio, Gurman noted that Apple is preparing for 2025 updates to the MacBook Air M5, iPad Air, and the entry-level iPad, as well as new external monitors. Taken together, it looks like a plan for a sweeping refresh across the lineup.