AirPods Pro 3 Coming Soon With Smaller Case and Capacitive Button

The AirPods Pro 3 will feature a slightly smaller charging case and a capacitive pairing button, according to the leaker known as Majin Bu.

airpods pro 2
Citing discussions with a prominent accessory manufacturer, the leaker says that the charging case of the ‌AirPods Pro 3‌ could be slightly smaller than that of the current model, but will otherwise will be "almost identical" with no major changes. Other reports similarly indicate that the charging case may be marginally smaller.

The rear pairing button is to be removed and replaced with a capacitive button on the front of the case, just like the AirPods 4. As a result, accessory makers no longer need to make allowances for the physical rear pairing button. Additional functionality for the new capacitive button, such as playback controls, is also possible. The lanyard loop continues to be present.

Majin By says that the launch of the ‌AirPods Pro 3‌ is imminent, with announcement likely at Apple's September "Awe Dropping" event. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman recently reiterated that the ‌AirPods Pro 3‌ are still expected to launch this year.

Related Roundup: AirPods Pro 3
Buyer's Guide: AirPods Pro (Buy Now)
Related Forum: AirPods

Popular Stories

Apple Wallet ID Illinois

Apple Plans to Expand iPhone Driver's Licenses to These 7 U.S. States

Wednesday December 24, 2025 8:40 am PST by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, and then use it to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. The feature is currently available in 13 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, and it is expected to launch in at least seven more in the future. To set up the...
iPhone Top Left Hole Punch Face ID Feature Purple

iPhone 18 Pro Launching Next Year With These 12 New Features

Tuesday December 23, 2025 8:36 am PST by
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are not expected to launch for another nine months, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we have recapped 12 features rumored for the iPhone 18 Pro models. The same overall design is expected, with 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch display sizes, and a "plateau" housing three rear cameras Under-screen Face ID Front camera in...
maxresdefault

Where's the New Apple TV?

Monday December 22, 2025 11:30 am PST by
Apple hasn't updated the Apple TV 4K since 2022, and 2025 was supposed to be the year that we got a refresh. There were rumors suggesting Apple would release the new Apple TV before the end of 2025, but it looks like that's not going to happen now. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said several times across 2024 and 2025 that Apple would...
maxresdefault

10 Mac Apps Worth Trying in 2026

Wednesday December 24, 2025 9:27 am PST by
2026 is almost upon us, and a new year is a good time to try out some new apps. We've rounded up 10 excellent Mac apps that are worth checking out. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Alt-Tab (Free) - Alt-Tab brings a Windows-style alt + tab thumbnail preview option to the Mac. You can see a full window preview of open apps and app windows. One Thing (Free) -...
iOS 26

iOS 26.2 Adds These 8 New Features to Your iPhone

Monday December 22, 2025 8:47 am PST by
Earlier this month, Apple released iOS 26.2, following more than a month of beta testing. It is a big update, with many new features and changes for iPhones. iOS 26.2 adds a Liquid Glass slider for the Lock Screen's clock, offline lyrics in Apple Music, and more. Below, we have highlighted a total of eight new features. Liquid Glass Slider on Lock Screen A new slider in the Lock...
airpods color prototypes

Apple Tested AirPods in Bright Colors

Saturday December 27, 2025 6:06 am PST by
Apple reportedly tested a version of the first-generation AirPods with bright, iPhone 5c-like colored charging cases. The images, shared by the Apple leaker and prototype collector known as "Kosutami," claim to show first-generation AirPods prototypes with pink and yellow exterior casings. The interior of the charging case and the earbuds themselves remain white. They seem close to some...
iPhone Fold Vertical Feature

Why Apple's Foldable iPhone May Be Smaller Than Expected

Tuesday December 23, 2025 5:21 am PST by
Apple's first foldable iPhone, rumored for release next year, may turn out to be smaller than most people imagine, if a recent report is anything to go by. According to The Information, the outer display on the book-style device will measure just 5.3 inches – that's smaller than the 5.4-inch screen on the ‌iPhone‌ mini, a line Apple discontinued in 2022 due to poor sales. The report has led ...
iPhone SE Cosmopolitan Clean

Apple Discontinued These 25 Products This Year

Wednesday December 24, 2025 7:24 am PST by
With the end of 2025 near, the time has come to look back at the devices and accessories that Apple discontinued throughout the year. Most of the products that were discontinued this year were simply replaced by a new model with an updated chip. However, the iPhone SE line was entirely discontinued when the iPhone 16e launched, and the iPhone Plus line is being phased out. Below, we have...
Foldable iPhone 2023 Feature Iridescent Search

Samsung Developing 'Wide Fold' With iPhone Fold-Like Design Ahead of Apple's 2026 Launch

Tuesday December 23, 2025 11:55 am PST by
Samsung is working on a new foldable smartphone that's wider and shorter than the models that it's released before, according to Korean news site ETNews. The "Wide Fold" will compete with Apple's iPhone Fold that's set to launch in September 2026. Samsung's existing Galaxy Z Fold7 display is 6.5 inches when closed, and 8 inches when open, with a 21:9 aspect ratio when folded and a 20:18...

Top Rated Comments

Kylo83 Avatar
17 weeks ago
Is that it, I want better sound quality and lossless support
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Kylo83 Avatar
17 weeks ago
The leaks said the next AirPods Pro would be a major re design, but this is the new apple, only minor changes
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BelgianChoklit Avatar
17 weeks ago
I don't get why AirPods can't be locked to your Apple account the way that an iPhone is so that you can disable them when lost or stolen. Imagine buying 550€ AirPods Max, someone could very easily steal them while wearing and there goes your hard earned money. When it comes to the earbuds, just lock the case with the Apple account so that a simple reset won't unlock them.

If only they could change that, and also keep improving audio.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
hugogogo2003 Avatar
17 weeks ago
The case's size is perfect as it is to me, I would prefer an improved battery and keep the same size.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sunapple Avatar
17 weeks ago

I bought APP as a convenience, used them like once. They just sit there, I don’t even plug them in to charge. They are so bad in every conceivable sense
What is the point of criticising something without providing any arguments.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Apple.Fanatic Avatar
17 weeks ago
The Apple we all know now. All the major redesigns and new features being rumored are just clickbait. Apple's innovations these days are what was written in this article of "almost identical".
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)