AirPods 3 release date, features: Launch next week eyed for new wireless headphones per information leaks

The possible release date window, specs, and features of AirPods 3 have been circulating in the rumor mill in the previous months even though the AirPods 2 was only launched earlier this year. Now, even wilder claims via supposed information leaks suggest that Apple could be announcing a new and improved pair of headphones next week.

AirPods 3 release date: Will Apple announce new AirPods this month?

The second-generation of AirPods was released last March with a list of significant improvements compared to its predecessor. It is powered by the H1 chip that enabled Apple to add Siri’s voice-activated features to the wireless headphones. So it may still sound bizarre to some tech fans that there are already rumors pointing to a 2019 release date for AirPods 3.

However, it is understandable why such AirPods 3 rumors would keep popping up online because various sources have been claiming that Apple’s annual October event would be focusing on a new pair of AirPods. With a little over a week left this month, the supposed product launch should happen sometime next week.

Over the past years, Apple has regularly held an exclusive event in the fall season. The company usually uses this time to announce refreshed models of MacBooks. So it is not too far-fetched to speculate that the company has other products to unveil, possibly even the rumored AirPods 3.

AirPods 3’s new design and features leaked by Apple and other sources?

Information is leaking from industry sources and even inadvertently from Apple through iOS 13 updates. For one, a supposed rendered icon of new headphones was discovered in the iOS 13.2 beta in September. It further ignited rumors that the release of AirPods 3 is coming sooner. There have also been reports that the new AirPods will introduce a noise-canceling option.

More recently, accessory maker ESR has also posted new designs of AirPods holders (via MacRumors). But what is interesting about this one is that the cases were not labeled for AirPods 3. It was reportedly a match for an upcoming AirPods Pro leading to another speculation that what’s going to be announced next week is not a next-generation headphone but just an upgraded version.