Apple's upcoming AirPods Pro 3 may look a little different, with rumors pointing to a smaller charging case and the removal of the pairing button.

Leaker Asher Dipprey claimed on X that Apple's next premium earbuds will feature a downsized case. The familiar physical pairing button is allegedly gone too, replaced with tap-based pairing controls on the case itself.

Asher Dipprey is a 3D render artist known for collaborating with Front Page Tech to create visuals for Jon Prosser's leak reports. His work, based on secondhand information, adds color to the conversation but little else.

Apple has consistently streamlined its products by reducing features and simplifying controls. In 2016, the iPhone was released without a headphone jack.

Additionally, MacBook Pro models replaced function keys with the Touch Bar, and the original iPod gradually lost its buttons. The AirPods lineup isn't exempt.

Possible impact on the earbuds

AirPods rumors already flagged that the Pro case would shrink and drop the button. The alleged reason is uniformity across models, which likely means easier design and manufacturing.

The rumored smaller case may force Apple to resize AirPods Pro 3 themselves. That could mean slightly shorter stems or smaller buds, a tricky move given the need to maintain space for microphones, batteries, and sensors.

Shrinking the hardware without cutting functionality would require Apple's usual engineering gymnastics. The company already redesigned AirPods Pro 2 in 2022 with better noise cancellation, improved battery life, and Adaptive Transparency.

If AirPods Pro 3 is indeed smaller, Apple will need to demonstrate that it is not a downgrade disguised as progress. The challenge will test Apple's ability to maintain functionality while reducing size.

Concerns over usability

Not everyone will cheer losing a physical button. A dedicated pairing button can be a lifesaver when Bluetooth acts up. Switching to taps alone could frustrate users who already complain about AirPods' finicky gesture system.

Apple could argue that software improvements in iOS 26 make pairing simpler. Yet the track record of "trust us, it just works" is mixed at best. Anyone who's tried to switch AirPods between multiple Apple devices knows that promise doesn't always hold.

With AirPods Pro 2 debuting in September 2022, the three-year cycle makes October 2025 a likely window for the new release.

That schedule also lines up with Apple's typical fall product blitz, when iPhones, Apple Watches, and audio accessories tend to share the spotlight. The company has released a new AirPods model nearly every fall since 2016.

Apple's habit of simplifying hardware has always walked a fine line between innovation and inconvenience. AirPods Pro 3 will test how much users value design purity over practical utility.

If Apple improves sound, battery life, and connectivity, the missing button will be forgotten. However, if the redesign prioritizes looks over utility, the smaller case might be seen as Apple cutting too much.