AirPods Pro 3 to Feature Heart Rate Monitor, Redesigned Case, and Live Translation [Report]

Apple is planning to launch AirPods Pro 3 as early as this month, a new report from Bloomberg indicates. The new earbuds, the first update to the Pro model in three years, are expected to debut at the company's 'Awe dropping' event on September 9 with new health-tracking hardware and a redesigned charging case.

Apple is reportedly testing a built-in heart rate monitor for the new AirPods Pro, a feature that first appeared in the Powerbeats Pro 2 earlier this year.

The charging case is also set for a significant update. According to the report, it will be smaller than the current version. This aligns with earlier rumors that the case would do away with its physical pairing button in favor of new touch controls. It is also expected to feature lanyard support, which could be designed to work with Apple's new crossbody strap rumored to debut alongside the iPhone 17.


Finally, Apple is also working on a major software upgrade for the new earbuds. The AirPods Pro 3 will reportedly support live conversation translation, using Apple Intelligence features built into iOS 26.

Bloomberg's timeline is earlier than many had expected. Both Jeff Pu and Ming-Chi Kuo previously predicted that AirPods Pro 3 wouldn't arrive until 2026, making a launch this year a surprise.

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