# AirPods Pro 4

The text version of the iDevice Guide at https://idevice.com/earbuds/apple-airpods-pro/roadmap. Same data as the page, last updated 2026-10-04.

> AirPods Pro 4 is expected around August 2028. Buy AirPods Pro 3 at $249 now, or wait? Every Pro 4 report, graded as it lands.

- Status: Reported, not announced
- Est. price: $249
- Expected Around August 2028
- Guide: https://idevice.com/earbuds/apple-airpods-pro/roadmap
- Last updated: 2026-10-04

## Key specs

| Spec | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Unannounced | [macrumors.com](https://www.macrumors.com/2026/08/17/macos-26-7-unreleased-apple-devices/) |
| Software ID | AirPodsPro1,4 reference | [macrumors.com](https://www.macrumors.com/2026/08/17/macos-26-7-unreleased-apple-devices/) |
| B790 branch | Canceled Pro 3 variant | [macrumors.com](https://www.macrumors.com/2026/08/19/airpods-with-cameras-2027-launch/) |
| B798 branch | New Pro camera project | [macrumors.com](https://www.macrumors.com/2026/08/19/airpods-with-cameras-2027-launch/) |

## What will it have? (today's facts are from AirPods Pro 3)

- **Will the battery last longer?** Nothing has been reported yet. AirPods Pro 3 run 8 hours of listening with noise cancelling on, 24 hours with the case, and 10 hours in hearing aid mode. ([on the Guide](https://idevice.com/earbuds/apple-airpods-pro/roadmap#can-will-the-battery-last-longer))
- **Will it cost more?** No price has been reported. AirPods Pro 3 list at $249, and Apple has held that price across several generations. ([on the Guide](https://idevice.com/earbuds/apple-airpods-pro/roadmap#can-will-it-cost-more))
- **Will it still handle a shower or a swim?** Expect the same, which is sweat and rain but not swimming. AirPods Pro 3 are IP57, good for 30 minutes at a metre. ([on the Guide](https://idevice.com/earbuds/apple-airpods-pro/roadmap#can-will-it-still-handle-a-shower-or-a-swim))
- **Will it work with my phone?** Fully with an iPhone, partly with Android, and nothing reported changes that. AirPods Pro 3 pair with an Android phone but the app and the iPhone only features are not there. ([on the Guide](https://idevice.com/earbuds/apple-airpods-pro/roadmap#can-will-it-work-with-my-phone))
- **Will it be lighter?** Nothing has been reported. Each AirPods Pro 3 earbud weighs 5.55g, so that is the weight sitting in each ear rather than shared across the pair. ([on the Guide](https://idevice.com/earbuds/apple-airpods-pro/roadmap#can-will-it-be-lighter))
- **Will it have noise cancelling?** Yes, expect so. It is the whole point of the Pro line, and AirPods Pro 3 cancel about four times as much noise as the original Pro. ([on the Guide](https://idevice.com/earbuds/apple-airpods-pro/roadmap#can-will-it-have-noise-cancelling))
- **Will the camera be better?** There is no camera in AirPods Pro 3 and there may never be one in this model. Ming-Chi Kuo and Instant Digital both describe the camera earbuds as a separate, higher end pair sold alongside rather than as a replacement for the Pro. ([on the Guide](https://idevice.com/earbuds/apple-airpods-pro/roadmap#can-will-the-camera-be-better))
- **Will it connect any differently?** No change has been reported. AirPods Pro 3 connect over Bluetooth 5.3. ([on the Guide](https://idevice.com/earbuds/apple-airpods-pro/roadmap#can-will-it-connect-any-differently))
- **Will it get a new chip?** Mark Gurman reports Apple is developing an H3 for better sound and lower latency, but he did not say which AirPods get it first. AirPods Pro 3 run the H2. ([on the Guide](https://idevice.com/earbuds/apple-airpods-pro/roadmap#can-will-it-get-a-new-chip))
- **Will it translate?** Reported: Heart rate and temperature, on 9to5Mac's reading ([on the Guide](https://idevice.com/earbuds/apple-airpods-pro/roadmap#can-will-it-translate))
- **Will it do spatial audio?** Yes, expect so. AirPods Pro 3 do personalised spatial audio and it runs across the line. ([on the Guide](https://idevice.com/earbuds/apple-airpods-pro/roadmap#can-will-it-do-spatial-audio))
- **Will I control it with gestures?** Yes, expect so. AirPods Pro 3 take a stem press to play, pause and skip, a head nod for Siri, and touch controls. The leaker Asher Dipprey says the physical pairing button gives way to a tap control on the next premium pair. ([on the Guide](https://idevice.com/earbuds/apple-airpods-pro/roadmap#can-will-i-control-it-with-gestures))
- **Will it see and answer questions about what I am looking at?** Not on this model, on the reporting so far. AirPods Pro 3 have no cameras, and the earbuds that can see are described as a separate higher end pair. ([on the Guide](https://idevice.com/earbuds/apple-airpods-pro/roadmap#can-will-it-see-and-answer-questions-about-what-i-am-looking-at))

## Questions

### How much will AirPods Pro 4 cost?

Unknown. AirPods Pro 3 launched at $249. If Pro 4 adds cameras, it could be $299 and sold alongside Pro 3 at $249. If cameras go to AirPods Ultra only, Pro 4 would likely stay at $249. Source: [Headphonesty](https://www.headphonesty.com/2026/03/airpods-pro-4-release/). ([on the Guide](https://idevice.com/earbuds/apple-airpods-pro/roadmap#faq-how-much-will-airpods-pro-4-cost))

### When does AirPods Pro 4 come out?

Uncertain. Gurman said in June that a camera-equipped model, code-named B798, was delayed to a 2027 launch. In early August he said a related version, B790, was progressing and could ship sooner, but after references to B790 turned up in code in mid-August, Gurman said the AirPods were no longer on Apple's release schedule, and Apple has no plans to release camera-equipped AirPods before 2027. Nothing is confirmed. Source: [MacRumors](https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/airpods-ultra/). ([on the Guide](https://idevice.com/earbuds/apple-airpods-pro/roadmap#faq-when-does-airpods-pro-4-come-out))

### Should I buy AirPods Pro 3 now or wait for Pro 4?

Buy AirPods Pro 3 now. It's excellent already: heart rate sensing, the FDA-authorized Hearing Aid feature, up to 8 hours of ANC battery life, and Live Translation. Almost nothing specific is confirmed yet about the next AirPods Pro, so there's no clear feature to wait for. Source: [Apple](https://www.apple.com/shop/buy-airpods/airpods-pro-3). ([on the Guide](https://idevice.com/earbuds/apple-airpods-pro/roadmap#faq-should-i-buy-airpods-pro-3-now-or-wait-for-pro-4))

### Does AirPods Pro 4 have cameras?

Unclear. Some reports describe a camera model similar to AirPods Ultra, and it's possible the two are actually the same reported device with an unsettled name. Nothing is confirmed either way. Source: [MacRumors](https://www.macrumors.com/2026/04/22/airpods-pro-cameras-2026/). ([on the Guide](https://idevice.com/earbuds/apple-airpods-pro/roadmap#faqs-does-airpods-pro-4-have-cameras))

## Top reports

- **AirPods Pro 3 were expected in autumn 2025 with heart-rate monitoring** (Right.) Heart-rate monitoring is expected to arrive in autumn 2025. First reported by [Bloomberg](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2025-08-24/apple-to-launch-iphone-17-pro-iphone-17-air-in-september-iphone-fold-next-year-mepmzpcj) on Aug 24, 2025.
- **The physical pairing button was expected to give way to a tap control** (Right.) The same leaker described a smaller charging case alongside it. First reported by [X](https://x.com/asherdipps/status/1960281930441626017) on Aug 26, 2025.
- **A temperature sensor was expected alongside heart-rate tracking** (Wrong.) Live translation, reported separately, was not expected to be ready at launch. First reported by [9to5Mac AirPods](https://9to5mac.com/2025/09/01/airpods-pro-3-sensors-live-translation/) on Sep 1, 2025.
- **Audio quality and noise cancellation were expected to stay roughly where they were** (Wrong.) Gurman placed the update elsewhere in the product. First reported by [X](https://x.com/markgurman/status/1965183342518870323) on Sep 8, 2025.

---

Source: iDevice (https://idevice.com). Every spec, rumor and grade above links to where it came from. Full Guide: https://idevice.com/earbuds/apple-airpods-pro/roadmap. This file: https://idevice.com/guide-text/apple-airpods-pro.md.

## Questions and answers

### Using it

**Subscription required?** AirPods Pro 3, the current model: a subscription is required for Apple Fitness+. Source: [Apple](https://www.apple.com/shop/buy-airpods/airpods-pro-3)

**Does it have noise cancelling?** AirPods Pro 3, the current model: yes, it cancels noise. Source: AirPods

**What does it cost?** AirPods Pro 3, the current model: it costs $249. That is the list price. Source: AirPods

**Does it work with my phone?** AirPods Pro 3, the current model: it works fully with an iPhone and partly with Android. It pairs with Android, but the app and the iPhone-only features are not there. Source: AirPods

**How heavy is it?** AirPods Pro 3, the current model: it weighs 5.55g. Source: AirPods

**How good is the camera?** AirPods Pro 3, the current model: it has no camera. Source: AirPods

**How does it connect?** AirPods Pro 3, the current model: it connects over Bluetooth 5.3. Source: AirPods

**What chip is inside?** AirPods Pro 3, the current model: it runs on Apple H2. Source: AirPods

**Does it do spatial audio?** AirPods Pro 3, the current model: yes, it does spatial audio. Source: AirPods

**Can I control it with gestures?** AirPods Pro 3, the current model: yes, you can control it with gestures. Source: AirPods

**Can it see and answer questions about what I am looking at?** AirPods Pro 3, the current model: no, it cannot see what you are looking at. Source: AirPods

### Sizing and fit

**How do I pick the right size?** If the ear tip feels too large in your ear or is uncomfortable, try a smaller ear tip. Source: [Apple](https://support.apple.com/en-us/119849)

### Battery and charging

**How do I charge it?** AirPods Pro 3, the current model: airPods shut down and charge whenever they're in the case with the lid closed. Put your AirPods in their case. Source: [Apple](https://support.apple.com/guide/airpods/charge-airpods-devde25a4bbe/web)

**How do I reset it?** AirPods Pro 3, the current model: put your AirPods in their charging case, close the lid, and wait 30 seconds. Double-tap the front of the case while the status light is on. Double-tap again when the status light flashes white. Double-tap a third time when the status light flashes faster. When the status light flashes amber, then flashes white, you can follow the steps on your device's screen to reconnect your AirPods. Source: [Apple](https://support.apple.com/en-us/118531)

**How do I set it up?** AirPods Pro 3, the current model: with your AirPods in the charging case, open the charging case, and hold it next to your iPhone. For AirPods Pro 3, AirPods 4 (both models), and AirPods 5 (both models), double-tap the front of the case until the status light flashes white. Source: [Apple](https://support.apple.com/en-us/104989)

**How do I update it?** AirPods Pro 3, the current model: firmware updates are delivered automatically while your AirPods are charging and in Bluetooth range of your iPhone, iPad, or Mac that's connected to Wi-Fi. Make sure that your iPhone, iPad, or Mac is updated to the latest version of iOS, iPadOS, or macOS, and that Bluetooth is on. Source: [Apple](https://support.apple.com/en-us/106340)

**How do I look after the battery?** AirPods Pro 3, the current model: airPods Pro 3 learn from your daily usage and determine when to charge to an optimized limit and when to allow for a full charge. The limit adapts to your daily usage and preserves your battery lifespan over time. To fully charge your AirPods Pro 3, turn off Optimize Charge Limit, then tap Turn Off Until Tomorrow, or tap Turn Off to turn off the setting entirely. Source: [Apple](https://support.apple.com/guide/airpods/charge-airpods-devde25a4bbe/web)

**Is it water resistant?** AirPods Pro 3, the current model: dust, sweat, and water resistant (IP57): AirPods Pro and charging case Source: [Apple](https://www.apple.com/airpods-pro/specs/)

**How long does the battery last?** AirPods Pro 3, the current model: it runs 24 hours with the case and noise cancelling on. That is 10 hours in hearing aid mode, and 8 hours of listening with noise cancelling on. Source: AirPods

### Water

**How do I clean it?** AirPods Pro 3, the current model: you can clean the encircled meshes on your AirPods Pro 3, including the bottom mic. Place your thumb or index finger over the ear tip hole of each AirPod to seal it. Don't run your AirPods Pro under water, and don't use sharp objects or abrasive materials to clean your AirPods Pro. Source: [Apple](https://support.apple.com/en-us/120409)

**Can it get wet — shower, pool, swimming?** AirPods Pro 3, the current model: yes, it survives a shower and a soaking. Its rating is IP57. It holds up for thirty minutes at one metre. Swimming laps and diving need a different rating, and it does not carry one. Source: AirPods

### Price and models

**When will the AirPods Pro 4 come out?** Expected around August 2028. It has not been announced. Basis: cadence estimate. Source: iDevice