The AirPods Pro 3 are scheduled to be released later this year and will feature an important health feature for the first time. In addition to traditional improvements in sound, design, and noise cancellation, the focus will be on integrated heart rate monitoring. With this, Apple is significantly expanding the role of these wireless in-ear headphones beyond pure music enjoyment.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports in his latest "Power On" newsletter that Apple is planning several new products this fall. In addition to a new Apple Watch, faster Vision Pro headsets, and iPad Pros with the M5 processor, new AirPods Pro are also expected to be launched. Earlier this year, Gurman reported on testing a model with heart rate monitoring. Now it's likely that this very feature will be introduced with the AirPods Pro 3.
Heart rate measurement in the AirPods Pro 3
The AirPods Pro 3 are expected to be equipped with sensors that can measure heart rate directly in the ear. Apple uses optical LED sensors that measure blood flow more than 100 times per second. A similar system was already introduced in the Powerbeats Pro 2, which also support heart rate monitoring. The new feature is based on Apple Watch technology. If an Apple Watch is worn at the same time, apps will use its measurements by default. In all other cases, the AirPods Pro 3 themselves provide the data.
Use in fitness and health apps
The collected data shouldn't remain isolated, but can be integrated directly into fitness apps. The Apple Health app on the iPhone plays a particularly central role in this. Training statistics, heart rate profiles, and stress levels can be seamlessly stored and analyzed. The AirPods Pro 3 could therefore also be of interest to people who don't use an Apple Watch but still want to record health data.
Further expected innovations
In addition to heart rate monitoring, further improvements are planned. These include improved sound quality, optimized active noise cancellation, and possible design changes for greater comfort and a better fit. The AirPods Pro 3 are expected to evolve not only technically but also ergonomically. This development fits in with Apple's previous strategy. The AirPods Pro 2 launched in September 2022 and were updated a year later with a USB-C charging case and minor improvements for Apple Vision Pro. The third generation could now represent the biggest leap yet.
Competition within the Apple ecosystem
Apple already introduced heart rate-monitoring earbuds, the Powerbeats Pro 2, earlier this year. Nevertheless, the AirPods Pro 3 are likely to have greater impact, as they are more closely integrated with other Apple devices like the iPhone, Apple Watch, and iPad, and are considered the flagship headphone model.
AirPods Pro 3 as a bridge between technology and health
The AirPods Pro 3 mark the entry into a new product phase for Apple. With heart rate monitoring, they expand their features into the health area, taking on a role previously reserved for the Apple Watch. At the same time, improved sound quality, a refined design, and stronger noise cancellation ensure that traditional user needs are also met. With a planned market launch this fall, the AirPods Pro 3 are expected to be one of Apple's most important products of the year, appealing to both tech and fitness enthusiasts. (Image: Shutterstock / Stas Malyarevsky)
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