Apple is preparing to unveil the AirPods Pro 3, and while they might not steal the spotlight from the company’s flagship devices, they are shaping up to be one of the most significant wireless earbud updates in recent years. The timing is right – Apple’s current AirPods Pro 2, despite a small refresh with a USB-C charging case, are nearly three years old. 
That makes the upcoming release feel less like a minor iteration and more like a long-overdue leap forward.
Design-wise, don’t expect dramatic changes. Apple appears to be sticking with the familiar form factor that made the AirPods Pro 2 iconic: compact stems, snug ear tips, and a sleek charging case. But while the exterior remains familiar, the real magic is happening inside. Trusted reports indicate that the AirPods Pro 3 will introduce three standout technologies: heart rate monitoring, a body temperature sensor, and a live translation tool. These are features Apple has been testing for years, and their arrival could redefine what premium earbuds are capable of delivering.
The health-tracking additions bring the AirPods Pro 3 closer to Apple Watch territory. A built-in heart rate monitor could appeal to fitness enthusiasts who want quick, effortless readings during workouts, while the temperature sensor could provide useful wellness insights or even integrate with Apple’s Health app to alert users to changes in their body condition. These features underline Apple’s broader strategy: positioning its ecosystem as not just a tech suite but also a health and lifestyle companion.
Equally fascinating is the live translation feature. Competitors such as Google have offered translation in their earbuds for some time, but Apple’s rumored implementation promises tighter ecosystem integration. Imagine being able to converse with someone in a foreign language on the fly, with your AirPods whispering instant translations into your ear. Unfortunately, according to new insider leaks, this feature won’t be ready at launch. Apple is reportedly planning to roll it out later via a software update, suggesting the company wants to perfect the experience before letting it loose on the market.
For early adopters, this means that when the AirPods Pro 3 hit store shelves, they’ll include fully functional heart rate and temperature sensors, but the translation magic will arrive later. The wait might frustrate some, but given Apple’s track record of refining features through updates, the payoff could be worth it.
Price speculation is swirling as well. With the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 priced around $250 and offering heart rate tracking (but lacking the added depth of temperature sensing or translation), analysts believe Apple will position the AirPods Pro 3 closer to the $300 mark. This keeps them premium but still competitive in a crowded high-end market, especially since Apple’s earbuds offer seamless integration with iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches – a level of ecosystem harmony rivals struggle to match.
For many, the decision to upgrade will come down to how much they value health features in their earbuds and how enticing the promise of future translation support feels. The AirPods Pro 3 may not be the flashiest reveal at Apple’s event, but they could quietly be one of the most transformative everyday gadgets the company has launched in years.