Apple has officially announced the AirPods Pro 3, marking a significant upgrade to its popular wireless earbuds. The new model boasts a range of enhancements, including advanced health monitoring, substantially improved active noise cancellation (ANC), and a groundbreaking live translation feature, all while maintaining the previous generation's price point of $249.
The most notable new addition is the integration of a heart rate sensor, allowing users to track their heart rate during workouts directly through the Fitness app on their iPhone. This feature, combined with other sensors, enables the AirPods Pro 3 to track over 50 different workout types, offering a more comprehensive fitness tracking experience without the need for an Apple Watch. Additionally, the earbuds feature a custom photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor that uses infrared light to measure blood flow for heart rate monitoring.
Active noise cancellation has also seen a substantial upgrade, with Apple claiming the AirPods Pro 3 offer up to twice the ANC performance of the AirPods Pro 2 and four times that of the original AirPods Pro. This enhanced ANC, coupled with new foam-infused ear tips available in five sizes (including an extra-extra small option), is designed to provide a more secure and immersive listening experience. The earbuds also feature a refined design with smaller buds and an updated geometry for improved in-ear stability.
A significant new software feature is Live Translation, powered by Apple Intelligence. This capability allows for real-time translation during face-to-face conversations, making it easier for users to communicate across language barriers. Initially supporting languages like English, French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish, Apple plans to expand this feature to include Italian, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese (simplified) by the end of the year.
Battery life has also been extended, with the AirPods Pro 3 offering up to eight hours of listening time on a single charge with ANC enabled, an increase from the previous generation's six hours. In transparency mode, users can expect up to 10 hours of battery life. The new earbuds also come with an IP57 sweat and water resistance rating, a first for any AirPods model, enhancing their durability for workouts and various environmental conditions. The AirPods Pro 3 are available for pre-order starting today, September 9, and will begin shipping on September 19.
