Apple is poised to release a new high‑end earbud later this year, likely branded AirPods Ultra. The device would follow the AirPods Pro 3 launch last fall, which added better ANC, a heart‑rate sensor and a second‑gen UWB chip. Rumors suggest the upcoming model will incorporate infrared cameras and hand‑gesture controls, marking a shift toward AI‑driven audio.

Integrating an IR sensor would enable visual intelligence features, while a next‑gen H3 processor is expected to handle the added workload. Pricing rumors place the Ultra at $299, roughly $50 more than the Pro 3, positioning it above the standard AirPods 4 tier that starts at $129. This price gap reflects the premium hardware and software stack Apple plans to ship.

Apple’s broader ‘Ultra’ strategy already includes an iPhone Ultra and a forthcoming MacBook Ultra, signaling a branding push for its most experimental products. By labeling the earbuds Ultra, the company aligns them with other flagship experiments rather than claiming they are simply the best in class. Consumers can anticipate a distinctly different user experience that leverages cameras and gestures.