Apple unveiled the third-generation AirPods Pro during its “Awe-dropping” event on Tuesday, introducing a major refresh to its premium earbuds line. The new model features heart-rate tracking, upgraded audio performance, and a redesigned, more interactive charging case.
This marks the first update to the AirPods Pro family since the Pro 2 launched in 2022. The AirPods Pro 3 are available for preorder today at $249, with in-store availability beginning September 19.
A major addition with the iOS 26 is live translation support. The feature will allow two people speaking different languages to converse seamlessly, with translations routed through the iPhone while each listener hears their language in the AirPods.
Another standout upgrade is a built-in heart-rate sensor, a first for AirPods. Similar to the Powerbeats Pro 2, the feature uses LED sensors to capture accurate heart-rate data, which then syncs directly with Apple’s Fitness app.
Apple has also doubled the power of its active noise cancellation (ANC), promising twice the external noise reduction compared to the Pro 2. Meanwhile, comfort has been enhanced with smaller, lighter earbuds and a new range of five foam ear tip sizes, which Apple calls its “best-fitting AirPods yet.”
Speculation ahead of the event also hinted at a higher-end version of AirPods Pro 3. Reports suggest this premium model will feature an infrared camera to enable hand-gesture controls and richer spatial audio for use with Apple’s Vision Pro headset. Expected to carry a higher price tag, this second Pro 3 variant is rumored for release in 2026.
For now, the standard AirPods Pro 3 deliver Apple’s strongest push yet into both health and communication, blending fitness tracking, smarter audio, and next-generation language features into its iconic earbuds.
