Waiting on AirPods Pro 3 ?

[StrollerEd]

What to expect as upgrade and when might it arrive ?

I have the first gen and they work fine, although battery doesn't seem to last as long. The hearing test/aid option in the second generation has arrived in the UK and I'd like to try that. I don't have too much trouble in that regard, but it might add something to the quality of music given that age will doubtless have some affect.

However, paying full price for the 3 year old AirPods Pro 2 does not seem sensible - and getting a genuine set at an attractive price is not so easy.

So I sit here waiting on what Apple might deliver in the AirPods Pro 3?

I've read about some of the rumours, such as

"The AirPods Pro 3 are expected to receive a redesign with a smaller case and updated stems, potentially retaining MagSafe and Qi2 support. Rumors suggest improved battery life, heart rate monitoring, and possibly temperature tracking, all powered by Apple’s new H3 chip."

Now that, plus the hearing test/aid facility, would represent a real step up on my first generation set.

What are your thoughts on what to expect & when? I'm expecting visitors from the US in July, so the opportunity to secure the $ price rather than the UK £ up tick would be nice.

 

[Night Spring]

I don't know how it is in the UK, but in the US, Amazon has had the AirPods Pro 2 at a more than 25% discount for months now.

I bought the APP2 the moment the hearing aid feature was released in the US, because I knew I would use the feature, and the price was right for the way I would use it. It sounds like for you, it's a more "nice to have" than totally change your hearing experience kind of thing. In that case, I'd be inclined to wait. But on the other hand, with Apple, you never know. There's always the chance we'd still be waiting for the APP3 a year from now. So, yeah, tricky question!

 

[SnowCrocodile]

Do they have Costco at the UK?
I lost my original APPs (had them for about 4.5 years) and had to get APP2 - Costco has them for just $10 more than Amazon ($179 vs $169) but this comes with 2 years of Apple Care.

 

[TimothyL]

I’m in the same situation as you. My AirPods Pro 1 still work but the battery isn’t what it used to be and one ear crackles occasionally. I missed a set of refurbished Pro 2s from the Best Buy website for $125 the other day. You could keep a watch on that and wait for another set to come up.
Amazon currently has a refurbished pair for $139. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP4CG1Z...379M7RXK4E1?linkCode=ml2&tag=timothylindbl-20

 

[StrollerEd]

Do they have Costco at the UK?
I lost my original APPs (had them for about 4.5 years) and had to get APP2 - Costco has them for just $10 more than Amazon ($179 vs $169) but this comes with 2 years of Apple Care.

Yes, there is Costco in the UK, but the price is still £220 - £35 = £185

 

[StrollerEd]

Thanks for all the comments.

No sign of any UK prices tumbling so I think I'll wait it out until July and then reconsider buying from a US site to deliver to friends in NYC who will then be visiting me. I've not had need of AppleCare for my APP1 but $10 probably a good investment if bought from Costco.

 

[SnowCrocodile]

Yes, there is Costco in the UK, but the price is still £220 - £35 = £185

That’s with tax included? Or do you still pay VAT on that?

 

[SnowCrocodile]

Thanks for all the comments.

No sign of any UK prices tumbling so I think I'll wait it out until July and then reconsider buying from a US site to deliver to friends in NYC who will then be visiting me. I've not had need of AppleCare for my APP1 but $10 probably a good investment if bought from Costco.

It’s for two years, too. I believe the regular price is $29 per year. (Which is a highway robbery).

 

[sunapple]

I bought mine last January because the old ones made the crackling noises. It's a very nice upgrade in ANC and sound quality, I was impressed after five years with the old ones. Volume control is finicky but nice to have.

Don't know what else to say, I bought them because I needed them. If a new gen came out this year it wouldn't bother me as I'm hoping to be using these for another five years.

 

[SnowCrocodile]

I bought mine last January because the old ones made the crackling noises. It's a very nice upgrade in ANC and sound quality, I was impressed after five years with the old ones. Volume control is finicky but nice to have.

Don't know what else to say, I bought them because I needed them. If a new gen came out this year it wouldn't bother me as I'm hoping to be using these for another five years.

Out of all the rumors about the new ones, the only one I would be interested in is better sound quality.

 

[StrollerEd]

That’s with tax included? Or do you still pay VAT on that?

that includes the 20% VAT . I forgot that US habit of adding on the tax

 

[SnowCrocodile]

that includes the 20% VAT . I forgot that US habit of adding on the tax

That’s because every state and even many localities have different taxes. Imagine trying to do a nationwide advertising campaign when you have to adjust the price for probably a couple hundred different tax rates.

So with 20% removed, that comes to $200 before tax, so only about 11% more expensive than in the US. That’s not a significant difference, imo.

 

[StrollerEd]

That’s because every state and even many localities have different taxes. Imagine trying to do a nationwide advertising campaign when you have to adjust the price for probably a couple hundred different tax rates.

So with 20% removed, that comes to $200 before tax, so only about 11% more expensive than in the US. That’s not a significant difference, imo.

Good point. I'll have to see whether there are other reasons I should shell out the £42 to join Costco

 

[H_D]

Waiting for this after Sony actively killed my XM4 with a firmware upgrade and refused to repair them. I have the APP2 which I love so getting the 3 is a nobrainer.

 

[rasg]

If you buy via the Apple Store on Amazon you can return them if you don't like them for up to 30 days. Even at £229 they are a bargain in comparison to buying hearing aids.

FYI they released the original AirPod Pros in October 2019 and the AirPod Pro 2s in September 2022. If they are working on a three year cycle, maybe the AirPod Pro 3s will be announced around the same time as the iPhone 17?

Apple announced the hearing aid feature for the Pro 2s at the same time as the iPhone 16. What surprised me was that the Pro 2s were two years old at the time.

I have really high hopes for the Pro 3s.

 

[digimc]

My guess is that if Apple releases new AirPods Pro 3 it would be in September alongside the new iPhone lineup, as that would be an easy suggestible add on for apple to hit you with at checkout. That would just be a guess as to the timeline. I just hope they can eliminate the buzzing issue mine have fresh out of the charger.