Just months after the initial launch, rumors suggest Apple may be preparing a second AirPods Pro 3 model for release later this year. According to a 9to5Mac report, this variant is expected to feature a significant hardware upgrade: integrated IR (infrared) cameras. While the current AirPods Pro 3 focuses on audio quality and health tracking, this rumored model could enhance spatial audio experiences or enable new interaction methods with Apple's mixed-reality headsets.

The inclusion of IR sensors suggests Apple is pushing deeper into spatial computing, where earbuds can better track head movement and environmental context. This potential mid-cycle refresh indicates a more aggressive hardware update strategy for the AirPods lineup, offering consumers a choice between the standard model and a premium version with advanced sensing capabilities.