As predicted, Apple has announced the AirPods Pro 3, and they come with a slew of new and enhanced features.
If you’re looking to upgrade from the AirPods Pro 2, what can you expect from the latest generation?
When are the AirPods Pro 3 coming out?
The AirPods Pro 3 will be available for the same price as the previous models at $249 / £219, with pre-orders starting and the headphones going on sale from September 19th at Apple stores and selected retailers.
New AirPods, new heartbeat sensor
The AirPods Pro 3 have received a notable design upgrade with the IP rating boosted from IPX4 to IP57. That ensures better waterproofing (though the new earbuds are not fully waterproof), and improved protection against dust and other smaller particles.
But it’s the heartbeat sensor that will have many interested in this new pair. Borrowing the same technology from the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2, the new AirPods will be able to track your heart-rate as you work out.
There’s also a new custom photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor (try saying that quickly) that can shine “invisible infrared light pulsed at 256 times per second to measure light absorption in blood flow.”
Of course, iOS users will have access to exclusive features such as Workout Buddy. Powered by Apple Intelligence, it incorporates your workout data and fitness history to create personalised insights into your workouts. With the Fitness+ subscription, you’ll also be able to bew real-time metrics such as heart-rate and calories burnt.
Longer battery life
Finally, Apple has moved to increase the battery life of its AirPods Pro series. Previously, they were only capable of lasting for six hours before they conked out. Now, they can last for eight hours with ANC enabled.
The Hearing Aid mode has also been stretched out, with the Transparency Mode/Hearing Aid extended to 10 hours.
AirPods Pro 3 Live Translation
With iOS devices powered by Apple Intelligence, you can now experience Live Translation in certain languages (currently English, French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish)
The Live Translation feature will help people to understand others in different languages, with the option to use an iPhone as a horizontal display to show a live transcription of what the person is saying in the “other person’s preferred language”. According to Apple, when the other person responds, “their speech is translated into the user’s preferred language” with the AirPods Pro 3.
Other languages will be coming by the end of the year, with Italian, Japanese, Korean, and simplified Chinese set to be added.
