Apple Unveils AirPods Pro 3 with Built‑In Heart‑Rate Sensor and Enhanced Fitness Features
Key Points
- AirPods Pro 3 feature improved noise cancellation and water resistance.
- New infrared heart‑rate sensor captures pulse and calories burned.
- On‑device AI processes heart‑rate data for the Fitness app.
- Workout Buddy uses Apple Intelligence to personalize workouts.
- Apple Fitness+ members see live metrics on the earbuds.
- Preorders open now; shipping begins September 19 at $249.
- Integration may challenge traditional wrist‑only health tracking.
Apple introduced the AirPods Pro 3 at its recent event, adding a new infrared heart‑rate sensor, improved noise cancellation, real‑time language translation, and water resistance. The sensor works with on‑device AI to track heart rate and calories, feeding data into the Fitness app and enabling a new Workout Buddy feature powered by Apple Intelligence. Existing Apple Fitness+ members can see live metrics such as heart rate 8/10 sentiment.
New Hardware Highlights
Apple debuted the AirPods Pro 3, the latest iteration of its premium true‑wireless earbuds. In addition to upgraded noise‑cancellation technology, the earbuds now support real‑time language translation and are water‑resistant, making them suitable for intense workouts.
Heart‑Rate Sensor Integration
The standout addition is an infrared heart‑rate sensor embedded in each earpiece. Paired with a new on‑device artificial‑intelligence model, the sensor captures the wearer’s pulse and estimates calories burned. This data is automatically logged in Apple’s Fitness app, eliminating the need for a wrist‑based device to monitor basic cardio metrics.
Workout Buddy and Apple Intelligence
Apple introduced “Workout Buddy,” a fitness assistant that leverages Apple Intelligence to combine real‑time workout data, personal fitness history, and other contextual information. The feature aims to personalize exercise sessions, offering encouragement and guidance based on the user’s performance and goals.
Integration with Apple Fitness+
Subscribers to Apple Fitness+ can view live performance metrics—including heart‑rate, calories burned, a Burn Bar, and progress toward the Move ring—directly on the AirPods Pro 3. This seamless integration extends the ecosystem’s health‑tracking capabilities beyond the Apple Watch.
Availability and Pricing
The AirPods Pro 3 are now available for preorder and are scheduled to reach stores on September 19. Pricing begins at $249.
Implications for Wearable Landscape
The inclusion of a heart‑rate sensor in earbuds raises questions about accuracy compared with wrist‑worn devices like the Apple Watch. Nonetheless, Apple’s move signals a broader trend of diversifying where health data can be captured, potentially reshaping how consumers approach fitness tracking.