Apple Introduces AirPods Pro 3 With New Design, Heart Rate Sensor, Live Translation, and Better Noise Cancellation

Apple today announced AirPods Pro 3, its next-generation wireless earbuds, introducing a new design, health sensors, and features powered by Apple Intelligence. The updated earbuds deliver improved sound quality, a more stable in-ear fit, real-time language translation, and what Apple calls the world's best in-ear Active Noise Cancellation.

Customers can pre-order AirPods Pro 3 today for $249, with availability in stores beginning Friday, September 19.




New Design and Audio Upgrades
AirPods Pro 3 feature a smaller form factor and a multiport acoustic architecture designed to control airflow and enhance spatial listening. Apple says the new hardware widens the soundstage, improves bass, and sharpens vocal clarity across music, video, and calls. An updated Adaptive EQ automatically tunes audio, while personalized Transparency makes voices sound more natural when users need to stay aware of their surroundings.

The new foam-infused ear tips come in five sizes, including a new XXS option, providing a better fit for more people. Using data from over 10,000 ear scans and 300 million data points, Apple redesigned the internal architecture to increase stability during workouts and other activities. The earbuds are also IP57-rated for sweat and water resistance.



Industry-Leading Noise Cancellation
The updated design and hardware enable a significant boost in Active Noise Cancellation, removing up to twice as much noise as AirPods Pro 2 and four times as much as the original model. Ultra-low noise microphones and advanced computational audio combine with the new foam tips for greater passive isolation. With ANC enabled, AirPods Pro 3 offer up to eight hours of listening time — a 33 percent increase over the previous generation. In Transparency mode, battery life now extends up to 10 hours, a 67 percent improvement.


Health and Fitness Tracking
For the first time, AirPods Pro include health-tracking sensors. A new photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor uses infrared light to measure heart rate during workouts. Apple says the earbuds integrate with the Fitness app to track over 50 workout types and metrics like calories burned.

AirPods Pro 3 also introduce Workout Buddy, an Apple Intelligence feature that offers real-time spoken motivation based on heart rate and fitness history. Fitness+ subscribers can now view on-screen performance metrics such as heart rate, calories, Move ring progress, and the Burn Bar when using AirPods Pro 3.



Live Translation Powered by Apple Intelligence
AirPods Pro 3 debut Live Translation, enabling real-time conversations across languages. Users can speak naturally while wearing AirPods, with translations heard through the earbuds and displayed as text on a paired iPhone. When both participants wear AirPods with the feature enabled, translations can flow in both directions.

The feature launches in beta with support for English, French, German, Portuguese (Brazil), and Spanish, with Italian, Japanese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese coming later this year.

Hearing Health Features
Building on Apple's existing hearing tools, AirPods Pro 3 expand support for Hearing Tests and Conversation Boost, which now activates automatically in noisy environments to help amplify voices. In the EU and UK, Hearing Protection has been certified to meet regional standards. AirPods Pro 3 also support Apple's Hearing Aid features when paired with compatible devices.

Battery, Durability, and Environment
AirPods Pro 3 extend listening times across modes, offering up to 8 hours with ANC and 10 hours in Transparency mode. They are built with 40 percent recycled content, including 100 percent recycled cobalt in the battery and 65 percent recycled plastic in the case. Manufacturing uses 40 percent renewable electricity, and packaging is entirely fiber-based and recyclable.

Pricing, Services, and Availability
AirPods Pro 3 are priced at $249 (U.S.). Customers in the U.S. and more than 50 countries can pre-order today, with availability starting Friday, September 19.

New subscribers may receive three free months of Apple Music and Apple Fitness+ with purchase. AppleCare+ and AppleCare One are available for coverage that includes accidental damage, battery replacement, and loss/theft protection.