AirPods Pro 3 Said to Gain Two Health Sensors, But Translation Delayed

Apple's upcoming AirPods Pro 3 will indeed feature in-ear temperature sensing as well as heart-rate sensing, but the rumored live translation feature is not ready for launch and will instead arrive in a later software update. That's according to an anonymous tip received by 9to5Mac.

AirPods Pro 3 Thumb 2
Apple is known to have been working on a variety of health features for future AirPods, including heart rate monitoring and temperature sensing – Bloomberg reported as much in December 2024. Since then, heart-rate monitoring has debuted in Apple's Powerbeats Pro, making the feature a dead cert for the company's next-generation AirPods Pro earbuds. In contrast, further details about temperature sensing have been lacking.

As for AirPods live translation, we've already seen hints of its development in Apple imagery found in iOS 26 beta. The AirPods will be able to provide a simpler translation process for people who are speaking different languages, though the process will rely on the Translate app on the iPhone.

For example, if an English speaker with AirPods is talking to someone who is speaking Spanish, the ‌iPhone‌ will detect the audio, translate the speech, and relay it back in English to the person wearing AirPods. The person speaking English will then be able to respond and have their response translated to Spanish and spoken aloud by the ‌iPhone‌. Apple's ‌iPhone‌ Translate app can already be used for conversations like this, but having the function included in the AirPods will streamline the exchange.

Inclusion of new health sensors makes sense – Apple has been pushing AirPods as health accessories for some time now, while iOS 18 added a suite of hearing health capabilities that test for hearing issues and allow the AirPods to be used as a hearing aid if problems are detected.

We should know if the anonymous tipster's information is accurate very soon. Apple is expected to debut AirPods Pro 3 alongside iPhone 17 models at its "Awe dropping" event scheduled for Tuesday, September 9. Other changes likely coming to the new earbuds include design and case tweaks, audio improvements, and additional new features arriving to all AirPods Pro models via a firmware update as part of iOS 26.

Related Roundup: AirPods Pro 3
Buyer's Guide: AirPods Pro (Buy Now)
Related Forum: AirPods

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Top Rated Comments

Kylo83 Avatar
4 weeks ago
Why do we need health sensors in headphones? I’ll want better sound quality. That’s what headphones are made for.
Score: 27 Votes (Like | Disagree)
NicoTRZ Avatar
4 weeks ago

Why do we need health sensors and headphones? I’ll drive a better sound quality. That’s what headphones are made for.
Actually, I think that the temperature sensor make sense. It's pretty hard to have accurate body temperature from the wrist (that's the reason why the Apple Watch only gives a baseline at night), but from the ears, it's pretty common and some external body thermometers works that way.

So, it would be great and actually useful to be able to give body temperature from the AirPods if it's accurate. The same way it is great to have the earring test and aids feature
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
H.E. Pennypacker Avatar
4 weeks ago
Day one acquisition for me. You see, I’m a man about town a trader of men, if you will. Every day I conduct my business buying, selling, negotiating all whilst my AirPods sit snugly in my ears, projecting the very essence of modern commerce.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BelgianChoklit Avatar
4 weeks ago
I buy AirPods for sound, not for health. Just keep improving audio please and no health sensors that make it even more expensive.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
acblue94 Avatar
4 weeks ago
How can something be delayed if it was never officially announced?
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Valve1138 Avatar
4 weeks ago
If they don’t improve the sound quality or battery life over my current AirPods Pro, that I’m very happy with, why would I buy these?
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)