Apple Unveils AirPods Pro 3 with Heart Rate and Live Translation

Apple debuts AirPods Pro 3 with heart-rate sensing and live translation

At Apple’s “Awe-dropping” event Tuesday, the company introduced the third-generation AirPods Pro. The new model adds heart-rate sensing, significantly improved active noise cancellation, on-device live translation tied to iOS 26, and a smaller, more interactive charging case. Preorders begin today at $249, with in-store availability on September 19.

This is Apple’s first time putting heart-rate sensors in AirPods, using LED-based sensing similar to recent Powerbeats models. Collected metrics will sync to Apple’s Fitness app, opening new possibilities for audio-first health experiences and hands-free fitness tracking.

• Heart-rate sensing that integrates with Apple Fitness
• Active Noise Cancellation that Apple says removes twice the noise versus Pro 2
• Live translation powered by iOS 26, allowing split-device bilingual conversations
• Smaller, more comfortable earbuds with foam tips in five sizes and a redesigned charging case

Beyond hardware specs, the live translation feature is notable for real-world communications: one person can speak into an iPhone while the phone plays one language and the AirPods play the translated audio for the other party. That lowers the friction for travelers, customer-service teams, and remote collaboration across languages.

Apple also hinted at a higher-end Pro 3 variant expected in 2026. Rumors say it could include an infrared camera for hand-gesture detection and enhanced spatial audio integration, particularly when paired with Apple’s Vision Pro headset. If true, that model would target AR/VR use cases and premium audio experiences.

What this means for businesses and developers:

• Health and wellness apps can prototype lightweight, earbud-driven heart-rate features and integrate validated metrics into coaching flows.
• Localization teams and conferencing platforms should test iOS 26 translation APIs to reduce latency and improve conversational UX.
• AR/VR and spatial-audio innovators need to monitor the rumored advanced Pro variant for new input modalities like gesture controls.

Adoption and policy considerations are also critical. Heart-rate data, even when stored in Health or Fitness apps, requires clear consent, secure transmission, and compliance with regional privacy laws. Organizations integrating this sensor data must architect for privacy by design and ensure accurate calibration across ear-tip sizes and use cases.

Bottom line: the AirPods Pro 3 advances Apple’s wearable portfolio by blending health sensing, superior noise cancellation, and smarter conversational features. For developers, product teams, and healthcare organizations, the device represents both new product opportunities and integration responsibilities—especially around data accuracy and user privacy.

Preorders start now at $249 and shipping begins September 19. Watch for the potential premium Pro 3 variant in 2026 if you’re planning longer-term AR or spatial-audio projects.