Apple is preparing to unveil AirPods Pro 3 at its “Awe Dropping” event on September 9, alongside the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and Apple Watch Series 11. The next-generation earbuds are expected to deliver a significant expansion of Apple’s health-focused ecosystem with new sensors and capabilities. While the updates mark a meaningful step forward, one of the most anticipated features may not be ready when the product ships.
According to a new report, AirPods Pro 3 will arrive with two health sensors built directly into the earbuds. The first will track heart rate, a feature that has long been rumored and was recently introduced on Beats Powerbeats Pro 2. The second sensor is said to measure in-ear temperature, which can provide a more accurate reading than traditional wrist-based wearables. Together, these additions strengthen Apple’s strategy of transforming AirPods into a health-oriented product, working alongside the Apple Watch and Health app to give users a more complete picture of their well-being.
Apple has already taken steps in this direction with previous updates, adding clinical-grade hearing aid capabilities and hearing test functions to AirPods. These tools expanded the earbuds beyond entertainment and into health management. By integrating temperature and heart rate monitoring, AirPods Pro 3 push this vision further, making them an important companion device for users who want subtle, everyday health tracking without relying solely on a watch.
One feature that may not make the cut at launch is live translation. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has reported that Apple has been working on real-time translation for AirPods, and recent code found in iOS 26 suggests the feature is actively in development. The idea is straightforward: incoming speech would be detected and processed through the iPhone, translated, and then delivered to the user through AirPods. This would be particularly useful for international travelers or anyone who regularly interacts across languages.
However, sources claim the feature is not yet ready for public release. Instead, Apple may choose to introduce it later through a software update, similar to how it has handled other major features in the past. The company has recently delayed several Apple Intelligence upgrades for Siri rather than releasing them prematurely, and live translation could follow the same path. While Apple might still showcase the feature at the “Awe Dropping” event, its actual availability is likely to be pushed back.
The absence of live translation at launch does not take away from the importance of AirPods Pro 3. Health tracking has been a clear priority for Apple across hardware and software, and positioning AirPods within that ecosystem opens new opportunities. The ability to collect heart rate and temperature data directly from the ears could complement Apple Watch readings, offering more context for workouts, sleep, and overall wellness. This integration reflects a growing emphasis on turning everyday devices into health companions.
(via 9to5Mac)
