Apple launched limited edition Year of the Horse AirPods Pro 3 today, marking Lunar New Year 2026 with custom horse emoji engraving available only in select Asian markets.
The special edition earbuds feature unique horse character engraving not available on standard models, according to Apple's announcement. Customers in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Singapore can purchase the limited edition AirPods Pro 3 starting January 5, with shipping beginning January 8.
Apple maintains identical pricing and specifications to the standard AirPods Pro 3, which originally launched in 2025. The third-generation Pro model introduced improved sound quality, enhanced Active Noise Cancellation, updated fit design, and built-in heart rate sensing capabilities.
Limited availability follows Apple's established Lunar New Year tradition, with previous editions celebrating the Year of the Dragon, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, and Snake. The company will sell the Year of the Horse edition only while supplies last, without disclosing production quantities.
Alongside the special edition AirPods, Apple expanded its Lunar New Year collection with Year of the Horse-themed accessories. The lineup includes iPhone cases, power banks, AirTag covers, organizers, and travel chargers matching the holiday theme.
Lunar New Year 2026 officially begins February 17, with the horse representing the seventh animal in the Chinese zodiac cycle. Apple's limited edition products typically sell out quickly, with no restocks planned once inventory depletes.
The AirPods Pro 3 maintain their 2025 technical specifications despite the special edition branding. Reviewers noted significant audio improvements over previous generations, with one Amazon reviewer describing "awesome sound improvement" compared to earlier models.
Apple's regional approach targets key Asian markets where Lunar New Year celebrations hold cultural significance. The company continues its annual tradition of symbolic engravings rather than hardware modifications for holiday editions.
Third-party retailers like Amazon Canada currently offer 35 percent discounts on standard AirPods models, though the limited edition Year of the Horse version remains exclusive to Apple's direct sales channels in designated regions.
