Apple's AirPods Pro 3, announced on September 9, 2025, represent a significant leap forward in personal audio technology, blending enhanced audio capabilities with advanced health monitoring and seamless communication features. Pre-orders are open now, with the official release date set for September 19, 2025.

Advanced Health Monitoring

A standout feature of the AirPods Pro 3 is the introduction of a heart rate sensor. Utilizing a photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor, similar to those found in fitness trackers and smartwatches, the AirPods Pro 3 shine infrared light into the ear canal to measure blood flow changes and track heart rate during workouts. This allows users to monitor their exertion levels and calorie burn in real-time within the Fitness app, without needing a separate wearable device. Apple Fitness+ users can also view real-time performance metrics directly on screen. While not as comprehensive as the Apple Watch's health tracking capabilities, the inclusion of heart rate monitoring in earbuds is a notable and useful addition.

Beyond heart rate monitoring, the AirPods Pro 3 expand on Apple's existing hearing health features. Building upon the hearing test and hearing aid features introduced in previous models, the AirPods Pro 3 offer a more complete and convenient hearing health experience. The Hearing Aid feature, which has received FDA authorization, provides personalized dynamic adjustments to boost sounds in real-time for individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss. Battery life in Transparency mode has also been improved, offering up to 10 hours on a single charge, a 67% increase compared to the previous generation. The AirPods Pro 3 also provide active Hearing Protection across all listening modes, helping to prevent exposure to loud environmental noise. For users in the EU and UK, Hearing Protection is now available following certification for those regions.

Seamless Communication with Real-Time Translation

The AirPods Pro 3 introduce Live Translation, a groundbreaking feature powered by Apple Intelligence that enables real-time, in-ear translation of conversations. With a simple gesture, users can activate Live Translation, which then leverages Apple Intelligence to process incoming speech and deliver the translation directly to their ears. The user's iPhone displays their reply in the other person's language and can even read it aloud, facilitating seamless two-way communication. When both individuals are wearing AirPods Pro 3, the translation is played privately in each person's ear, while ambient sound is briefly reduced for clarity.

At launch, Live Translation supports English, French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish, with plans to add Italian, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese (Simplified) by the end of the year. It's important to note that Live Translation requires an iPhone with Apple Intelligence capabilities. This feature has the potential to break down language barriers in various settings, whether traveling, collaborating, or simply connecting with people who speak different languages.

Additional Improvements and Features

In addition to health monitoring and live translation, the AirPods Pro 3 boast several other enhancements:

• Improved Active Noise Cancellation (ANC): Apple claims that the AirPods Pro 3 offer twice as effective ANC as the AirPods Pro 2, and up to four times more than the original AirPods Pro.
• Enhanced Sound Quality: A new "multiport acoustic architecture" enhances bass response, widens the soundstage, and improves vocal clarity.
• More Secure Fit: New foam-infused ear tips are available in five sizes (including a new XXS size), providing a more comfortable and secure fit for a wider range of users.
• Increased Durability: The AirPods Pro 3 are now IP57-rated for dust, sweat, and water resistance, making them more suitable for workouts and outdoor activities.
• Better Battery Life: The AirPods Pro 3 offer up to 8 hours of listening time with ANC enabled.

Priced at $249, the AirPods Pro 3 maintain the same price point as their predecessor while offering a host of new features and improvements. With their advanced health monitoring capabilities, seamless communication features, and enhanced audio performance, the AirPods Pro 3 are poised to be a compelling upgrade for existing AirPods users and a strong contender in the wireless earbud market.