There is a high possibility that 'AirPods Ultra' will be released in the second half of 2026.

Apple is planning to release new AirPods in the second half of 2026, and this new model has been referred to as the 'high-end AirPods Pro.' It is now becoming increasingly likely that this 'high-end AirPods Pro' will be called 'AirPods Ultra.'

'AirPods Ultra' launching later this year sounds more likely than ever - 9to5Mac
https://9to5mac.com/2026/04/28/airpods-ultra-launching-later-this-year-sounds-more-likely-than-ever/

Apple's 'Ultra' roadmap confirmed: iPhone, MacBook, and more on the way | Macworld
https://www.macworld.com/article/3124481/apples-ultra-roadmap-confirmed-iphone-macbook-and-more-on-the-way.html

In September 2025, Apple announced the AirPods Pro 3. The AirPods Pro 3 features significant improvements to active noise cancellation and audio quality, as well as various other advancements such as a heart rate sensor and the second-generation H2 chip, an ultra-wideband chip.

Apple's noise-canceling wireless earphones, 'AirPods Pro 3,' can finally measure heart rate: A review of their appearance and how they differ from the previous generation - GIGAZINE

How have Apple's AirPods Pro 3, which boast twice the noise-canceling performance of the previous generation, evolved? We compared them to AirPods Pro 2 - GIGAZINE

Apple has released a new AirPods Pro every three years. The first generation was released in 2019, the second generation in 2022, and the third generation (AirPods Pro 3) in 2025.

However, there have long been rumors of a different, more powerful AirPods Pro coming. One of the new features that has been mentioned for this new AirPods Pro is an 'infrared camera.' 9to5Mac points out that an infrared camera in AirPods would enable a variety of AI experiences that utilize visual intelligence. This could potentially allow AirPods Pro to support hand gestures. Furthermore, the high-end AirPods Pro may also be equipped with the next-generation H3 chip, which is expected to power the camera function.

Apple is developing 'AirPods with camera sensors' and aims to mass-produce them by 2026 - GIGAZINE

Apple sells the AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation for $179 (approximately 28,000 yen) and the model without active noise cancellation for $129 (approximately 20,000 yen). Therefore, 9to5Mac has pointed out that Apple may position the AirPods Pro with an infrared camera as a high-end model of the AirPods Pro and sell it for $299 (approximately 48,000 yen), which is $50 (approximately 8,000 yen) more than the AirPods Pro 3.

However, according to Apple-related media outlet Macworld, Apple will be using the 'Ultra' designation for multiple product lines, such as calling the long-rumored foldable iPhone 'iPhone Ultra' and the touchscreen MacBook 'MacBook Ultra.' Following this report, 9to5Mac pointed out that there is a high possibility that 'AirPods Ultra' will also be released.

Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman, who is well-versed in Apple leaks, has also reported that a new type of AirPods, equipped with a computer vision camera to provide visual information data to Siri, may be released as AirPods Ultra.

Apple may release three new 'Ultra' devices in 2026 - GIGAZINE

9to5Mac points out that 'While they might use a name like 'AirPods Pro 3 with AI,' considering that Apple uses the name 'Ultra' for other products, 'AirPods Ultra' is a more fitting name.'