AirPods Pro 3: Apple adds heart rate tracking, stronger ANC, and Live Translation

Apple’s biggest AirPods update in years

Apple’s newest earbuds are more than a refresh. Announced on September 9, 2025, at the company’s “Awe dropping” event, the AirPods Pro 3 push into health and translation while doubling down on noise cancellation. Pre-orders opened immediately, and shipping starts Friday, September 19.

Apple claims these are its strongest in‑ear noise-canceling buds yet, with active noise cancellation (ANC) that removes up to twice as much noise as the previous generation and roughly four times more than the original AirPods Pro. That’s a bold claim in a market where Sony, Bose, and Samsung have set a high bar. If the real-world performance matches the pitch, it could reset expectations for how quiet small earbuds can get in trains, planes, and busy gyms.

The headline addition, though, is health. For the first time, AirPods can monitor heart rate during exercise. Apple says the earbuds work with the Fitness app on iPhone to track more than 50 workout types, from runs and HIIT sessions to yoga. It’s a notable shift: AirPods are no longer just an audio accessory—they’re inching into wearables territory where Apple Watch has reigned for a decade.

There’s also a new Live Translation feature for face-to-face conversations across languages. It’s the kind of tool that could matter most when you’re landing in a new country, ordering food, or navigating a taxi ride. Apple framed it as a one-on-one conversation aid rather than a gimmick, which suggests the company sees translation as a daily utility, not a demo trick.

Design-wise, Apple didn’t rip up the playbook. The familiar white case with its rounded-square shape returns, and charging stays on USB‑C—consistent with the shift Apple made on the second-gen model. The fit has been refined for better stability in motion, and Apple says sound quality has been tuned up with tighter bass. Subtle changes, but they target the pain points users complain about most: seal, comfort, and low-end punch.

Pricing is a mixed bag. US buyers pay $249, the same as before. The UK gets a price cut to £219 (down £30 from the prior launch), while Australia sees a hike to AU$429 (up from AU$399). Price swings like this often reflect currency shifts, taxes, and regional logistics rather than component costs. Either way, Apple is keeping the US price steady—likely a strategic move in a crowded premium earbuds market.

What’s actually new—and why it matters

Apple’s pitch centers on three pillars: better noise cancellation, health tracking in the ear, and translation that helps you talk to someone who doesn’t share your language. Here’s how those pieces fit and what to watch for.

• ANC claims that challenge the category: Apple says ANC is twice as effective as last gen. The practical test will be low-frequency rumbles (subway drones, aircraft cabin noise) and variable wind. If Apple cut more noise without crushing the music’s dynamics, that’s a big win.
• Heart rate sensing for 50+ workouts: Capturing heart rate from the ear isn’t new as a concept, but it’s rare at Apple’s scale. Ear-based sensors can be stable during motion, which helps during runs or intervals. Accuracy versus a chest strap is the looming question. The feature ties into the Fitness app, so your heart rate should sit alongside calories, time, and pace—good for casual athletes who don’t want a watch on every workout.
• Improved fit and stability: Tiny tweaks matter here. If the new shape or tips keep a tighter seal while you move, ANC and bass both benefit. Runners, cyclists, and HIIT fans will notice this most.
• Live Translation for real conversations: Rather than a simple phrasebook, Apple talks up face-to-face use. That means two-person chat, quick back-and-forth, and clear speech pickup. We’ll be watching how fast the responses are and whether the feature depends on an iPhone’s connection or works offline—Apple didn’t detail that on stage.
• Sound quality and bass response: Apple mentions stronger bass. In earbuds, bass often rides on the seal. If the fit is better and the drivers got tuning love, expect punchier drums and more weight at low volumes. The real target is clean bass without crowding vocals.
• Design and charging stay familiar: The case keeps its rounded-square profile and uses USB‑C. For most people, that’s good news—no new cable, and a pocketable case that’s proven durable.
• Availability and price: Pre-orders are live now. Shipping starts September 19. Prices: $249 (US), £219 (UK), AU$429 (Australia).

Why add heart rate to earbuds now? Health features sell hardware and lock people into ecosystems. For Apple, AirPods plus iPhone—and often Watch—form a triangle. If heart rate from the ear is “good enough” for most workouts, you might skip a watch on short runs. If it’s not, the feature still adds value by confirming effort zones and feeding the Fitness app with more data.

There’s a broader privacy angle, too. Health signals, even basic ones like heart rate, are sensitive. Apple has built its reputation on local processing and secure storage, especially around Health data on iPhone. The company didn’t dig into privacy specifics for AirPods Pro 3 on stage, but expect scrutiny over how heart rate data is handled, synced, and shared with apps.

The translation play is just as strategic. Google has long tied real-time translation to Android and Pixel Buds, and travel is a sticky use case. If Apple makes Live Translation fast, reliable, and simple—think tap, talk, listen—it becomes a “why wouldn’t I use AirPods?” moment for international travelers, exchange students, and anyone in multilingual cities.

Then there’s the competitive landscape. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds have set a high bar for ANC and comfort. Sony’s WF‑1000XM5 are known for detail and a wide soundstage. Samsung keeps pushing Galaxy Buds deeper into Galaxy phones. Apple’s edge is vertical integration: hardware, software, and services tuned together. That often shows up in tiny things—faster switching between Apple devices, spatial audio that lines up with your iPhone or iPad, cleaner voice pickup on calls. With Pro 3, Apple is betting it can stack those small wins on top of bolder features.

On hardware cadence, this release breaks the old rhythm. Apple typically waits around three years between big AirPods updates. After chatter from analyst Ming‑Chi Kuo about a possible slip to 2026, Apple hit its September 2025 window. At the same time, the company is already seeding expectations for what comes next. Industry rumors point to a pricier AirPods Pro variant in 2026 with infrared cameras—potentially for gesture control and tighter spatial audio alignment with Apple’s Vision Pro headset. That would be an unusual step: a premium tier above Pro. It also fits Apple’s recent habit of creating “ultra” layers in key product lines.

What didn’t change? Apple didn’t talk battery life, driver size, or new chips on stage. That silence doesn’t mean there are no changes under the hood—it just means Apple chose to sell the experience (quieter commutes, guided workouts, smoother travel) over component specs. For many buyers, that story is enough. For audiophiles, the proof will be in A/B tests against top rivals and whether Apple’s tuning keeps mids and highs clear while boosting bass.

For people deciding whether to upgrade from the second-gen Pro, the decision hinges on three questions: Do you want heart rate in your ears? Do you need stronger ANC for flights or open-plan offices? And will you use translation enough to make it a daily tool? If you answer yes to two of those, Pro 3 makes a strong case.

Regionally, the pricing shifts tell their own story. A lower UK price is rare and eye-catching; it may reflect currency movements and Apple’s push to keep volume steady in Europe. The Australian increase suggests shipping and currency pressures are still very real. Holding the US price at $249 helps Apple compete directly with best-sellers that regularly discount—expect holiday sales to be a battleground.

In practice, the feature that will shape day-to-day satisfaction might be the fit tweaks. A better seal means better sound, better ANC, and less fiddling during workouts. If Pro 3 feels more secure on a sprint or in a HIIT class, that alone can make them feel like a different product.

As for translation, the magic is in the friction—how many taps, how fast the response, how well the mics pick up speech in a loud cafe. If Apple nailed those details, Live Translation could become as natural as starting a timer with your voice.

Apple also left room for ecosystem synergy. Heart rate during workouts pairs neatly with Apple Fitness+, and Live Translation could tie into system features on iPhone or iPad. Even without new chip talk, software integration is where Apple usually finds momentum.

The bottom line for early adopters: this is the most ambitious AirPods Pro update since the line debuted. The claims are big, the features are practical, and the timing lands ahead of the holiday rush. Real-world testing will sort out accuracy, comfort, and translation speed, but Apple has planted the flag: Pro 3 isn’t just about sound anymore—it’s about how you move, focus, and talk in the real world.