AirPods Pro 3 at $189: Buy Now or Wait for AirPods Ultra in September 2026?

Apple's AirPods Pro 3 have dropped to $189.99 on Amazon — nearly 25% off and the best non-Prime Day price of 2026. But with Apple's September event weeks away and rumors of a new AirPods Ultra with infrared cameras, the timing creates a classic dilemma: buy a known great product at a great price, or gamble on something better around the corner? Here's our analysis.

How Good Is the $189.99 Deal?

To put this price in context, here's every time AirPods Pro 3 have dropped below $200 in 2026:

• $184 — February 2026 flash sale on Amazon (lasted a few hours)
• $169 — Prime Day 2026, June 23–26 (all-time low)
• $179 — Pre-Prime Day sale, early June
• $189.99 — Current deal (active as of August 10)
• $199 — Black Friday in July at Best Buy; also a recurring sale price at Amazon, Verizon, and Costco

At $189.99, you're paying just $5.99 more than the cheapest non-Prime Day price ever. That's not a reason to wait. Amazon deal prices fluctuate — this could jump back to $249 at any moment.

What Do We Know About AirPods Ultra?

Multiple reports suggest Apple is developing a premium AirPods model — potentially branded AirPods Ultra rather than AirPods Pro 4 — featuring infrared cameras in each earbud. Here's where the rumors stand as of August 2026:

• Supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo called it a "more significant hardware upgrade" targeting September 2026
• iOS 27 beta code references a device codenamed 'B790' that processes dual camera images
• However: A July 2026 report from Notebookcheck states the camera-equipped model will not ship this September
• No FCC filing exists for a new AirPods Pro model — unusual this close to a supposed launch
• Estimated price: $349–$399, significantly above AirPods Pro 3's $249 list price

Read our full AirPods Pro 4 / AirPods Ultra analysis for the complete picture.

Will AirPods Pro 3 Get Cheaper After a New Model Launches?

History says no — at least not right away. When AirPods Pro 3 launched in September 2025, Apple kept the AirPods Pro 2 at its $249 list price for months. Third-party retailers discounted the Pro 2, but it took until the following Prime Day to see significant drops. If Apple launches AirPods Ultra at $349+, the Pro 3 will likely stay at $249 retail as the mid-range option.

That means today's $189.99 deal could be the lowest price you'll see until Black Friday in November or Prime Day 2027 — regardless of what Apple announces in September.

How Do AirPods Pro 3 Compare to the Competition Right Now?

At $189.99, the AirPods Pro 3's value proposition shifts significantly against its closest rivals:

• Sony WF-1000XM6 — $248.95: Better sound quality and multipoint Bluetooth. But $59 more than the Pro 3 deal.
• Bose QC Ultra Earbuds 2nd Gen — $152.50 (refurb) / $249 (new): Best noise cancellation. The refurb is cheaper but new is $60 more.
• Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro — $140.49: Cheapest option with good ANC, but Samsung-ecosystem only for best features.
• Sennheiser Momentum TW 4 — $157.95: Audiophile favorite at a lower price, but lacks health features.

For iPhone users, the AirPods Pro 3 at $189.99 is the clear winner — no other earbud matches its combination of clinical-grade hearing health features (hearing test, hearing aid mode, hearing protection), seamless Apple ecosystem integration, and adaptive transparency.

Our Recommendation: Buy AirPods Pro 3 Now

Unless you specifically need infrared cameras for Apple Vision Pro spatial computing, the AirPods Pro 3 at $189.99 is a buy-now deal. The reasons:

• AirPods Ultra may not arrive in September — conflicting reports and no FCC filing suggest a delay
• If it does arrive, it'll be $349+ — a completely different price tier
• AirPods Pro 3 won't get cheaper soon — this deal could vanish any day, and the next sub-$190 price may not come until November
• AirPods Pro 3 are already outstanding — the hearing health features alone justify the purchase