Apple just unveiled the AirPods Pro 3, the latest version of its wildly popular wireless headphones. While Apple packed in plenty of upgrades – including improved sound, stronger noise cancellation, and longer battery life – one new feature could be a travel game changer: live, real-time language translation.

With AirPods Pro 3 in your ears, you can have a back-and-forth conversation with someone in another language without fumbling for a translation app. Powered by Apple’s new on-device AI, the earbuds listen, translate, and play back speech in your preferred language. If the person you’re speaking with doesn’t have AirPods, you can flip your iPhone horizontally to display a live transcription in their language, making it easier to order food, check into a hotel, or navigate public transit while traveling abroad.

At launch, Live Translation will work in English, French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish, with Italian, Japanese, Korean, and simplified Chinese rolling out later this year. Apple notes the feature is still in beta, but for travelers, it could be one of the most practical tech upgrades we’ve seen in years.

And it’s not just for Apple’s newest earbuds. Live Translation is also coming to older models – including the AirPods Pro 2 and the just-announced AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation through a software update with iOS 26 and the latest AirPods firmware. That means many existing AirPods owners will soon get access to this travel-friendly feature without having to upgrade to the AirPods Pro 3.

Of course, Apple didn’t stop there. The AirPods Pro 3 also bring:

  • Noise canceling that’s twice as powerful as AirPods Pro 2 (and four times stronger than the originals).
  • A new, smaller design with five ear tip sizes, including a new XXS option, for a more secure and comfortable fit.
  • Workout-ready performance with a built-in heart rate sensor that syncs directly with Apple’s Fitness app.
  • Battery life of up to 10 hours in Transparency mode, and eight hours with noise cancellation turned on, a 33% jump from the last generation.

It’s clear Apple designed these not just for casual listening but for everyday life and a focus on travel. The stronger active noise cancellation could make a long-haul flight noticeably more comfortable by cutting out more of that constant engine drone. And the longer battery life helps ensure you won’t be hunting for a charger mid-flight.

The AirPods Pro 3 are available to pre-order now for $249, with official availability starting Sept. 19.

 

Bottom Line

Apple’s AirPods Pro have long been a go-to for travelers thanks to their portability and noise cancellation. But with the AirPods Pro 3, Apple may have just solved one of the biggest pain points of traveling abroad: the language barrier. Add in better sound, longer battery life, and workout features, and these could be the most travel-friendly earbuds yet.

The earbuds officially launch on Sept. 19, but are available for pre-order today.

 

Lead photo courtesy of Apple