Apple’s third-generation AirPods Pro arrive with two headline features: in‑ear heart‑rate sensing and live translation powered by Apple Intelligence. The company is positioning the update as a blend of health tracking and real-time communication, alongside stronger noise control, a refined fit, and a more interactive charging case. The price remains $249.
Heart-rate sensing lands in your ear
For the first time, AirPods can measure heart rate directly from the ear using optical sensors. Ear-based photoplethysmography is well-regarded among researchers for its stable signal compared with the wrist, thanks to better blood perfusion and fewer motion artifacts. Apple says readings sync with the Fitness app, giving users a convenient pulse check during workouts or commutes without looking at a watch.
While Apple hasn’t detailed every metric, the earbud placement opens the door to more reliable during-activity readings than many wrist wearables. Industry tests and academic literature have repeatedly noted that the ear canal is a favorable site for optical heart-rate capture, especially during running or cycling when arm swing can degrade accuracy. Bringing that capability into a mainstream earbud could normalize “passive” health tracking for millions of users.
Live translation with Apple Intelligence
AirPods Pro 3 also tap Apple Intelligence for live translation, turning a paired iPhone and the earbuds into a two-way interpreter. In Apple’s approach, the phone can project one language aloud while the AirPods deliver the other language privately to the wearer, enabling fluid, bilingual conversations without constantly glancing at a screen.
This is Apple’s most practical demonstration yet of on-device AI integrated with everyday hardware. The key variables to watch will be latency, accuracy in noisy settings, and how well the system handles domain-specific jargon. If Apple’s private-cloud fallback and on-device models perform as advertised, the feature could rival established solutions from rivals that blend earbuds with phone-based translation.
Stronger ANC, refined fit, and more interactive case
Apple claims active noise cancellation now scrubs up to twice as much ambient sound compared with the previous Pro model, a significant jump that users should notice on planes, trains, and open-plan offices. Transparency and Adaptive modes work in tandem to keep voices intelligible while suppressing droning background noise, and Spatial Audio continues to be a focus for immersive listening and video.
Comfort and seal are getting attention, too. Apple is introducing foam ear tips across five sizes, aiming for a more personalized fit and better passive isolation. A reliable seal is not just about comfort; it directly improves bass response, noise cancellation efficacy, and the accuracy of any in-ear sensor readings.
The charging case has been downsized and made more interactive, playing a larger role in daily use. While Apple hasn’t listed every change, expect clearer status feedback and tighter integration with findability and controls—continuing a trend that began with case speakers and precision finding in earlier models.
Health data, privacy, and ecosystem fit
Any time health metrics leave a device, privacy matters. Apple’s health framework encrypts data in transit and at rest when iCloud sync is enabled, and Apple Intelligence emphasizes on-device processing with a private-cloud fallback for complex requests. That model should reassure users who want heart-rate insights without handing sensitive data to third parties.
Strategically, the move pushes AirPods deeper into Apple’s wellness stack beside Apple Watch, Health, and Fitness+. It also aligns with broader market trends: hearables continue to dominate wearables shipments, with industry trackers such as IDC regularly reporting that earbuds account for the majority of the category. Adding credible health features gives Apple another reason to keep AirPods at the center of its ecosystem.
Price, availability, and what’s next
AirPods Pro 3 are available for pre-order at $249 and will reach retail channels soon. Apple is positioning them as a direct upgrade path for Pro owners who want better noise control and meaningful new capabilities without a learning curve.
Industry chatter also points to a higher-end variant in development with advanced sensors—potentially geared toward gesture input and enhanced spatial audio when paired with Apple’s mixed-reality hardware. Apple is not commenting on unannounced products, but the direction is clear: AirPods are evolving from premium earbuds into a health-aware, AI-enabled interface for the broader Apple ecosystem.