I tested Apple’s new Live Translation on AirPods Pro 3 – our review

We knew we’d get a new iPhone at the Apple Event last week, and we also had solid bets on Apple Watch, but the odds were not as tight on new AirPods. But – we got them – AirPods Pro 3 and the headline feature was the new Live Translation.

This weekend, I worked out how to put that to the test – sadly it did not involve a flight to the other side of the world.

At launch it appears Live Translation is only available in a limited language set – French, German, Spanish and Portuguese. Would have come in handy two weeks ago in Berlin! Thanks Apple!

Anyway, enough about my woes.

Before I get to the test, a bit more about AirPods Pro 3. In this limited test time I can’t vouch for the 8 hour battery life, other than to say it’s been bullet proof for me, but no, I didn’t push it that hard – again, I need a long haul flight for that.

The fit is better, way better – now no two ears are the same, but for my big ears, these feel more snug. Not just down in the ear canal where the new foam infused silicon tip gets jammed in, but in the main bulk of the ear where the large rounder part of the AirPod sits. It feels like this is bigger and more comfortable, but I’d challenge you to spot the actual change.

Interestingly I did notice that the stem was thicker – ever so much, but definitely bigger. And there are now more sizes for those silicone tips than ever too.

Is the music quality any better? Sure, but can I quantify how – no. Apple says so, I believe them.

However, if I was picking headphones JUST on music and sound quality, I’d choose JBL, Sony and many others before these, purely because you can customise the EQ to your preferences – that Apple doesn’t do that is still mind-blowing to me.

If it comes down to in-ear headphones and Noise Cancelling, then good luck beating these.

Again, not tested in the most critical environment (a plane), but with ambient noise testing in the studio here, plus general at home testing – I was blown away by these. I think for sure they are cutting out more than just white noise or jet engine style sounds, I had a noticeable lowering of general “talk” sound just sitting at the kitchen table.

Big wins.

Those who know me won’t be shocked to find out I did not test the heart-rate feature in Apple Fitness either. For another day perhaps, once I re-build the Peloton Tread we moved downstairs:)

How does Live Translation work on AirPods Pro 3?

The reality is, this is the feature you’re buying these for.

It took me a few goes to get this working. Languages needed downloading, when downloaded it didn’t work, I needed to delete the downloads and reboot. I got there in the end. Uniquely I was also using multiple phones and older AirPods too, so I think that might have confused the issue also.

Once working, a breeze – push and hold the stems of both AirPods and Live Translate starts.

To test this, I sat down with a YouTube Spanish lesson that was Spanish only, no English component.

She spoke Spanish, I heard English.

I spoke English, my phone showed the Spanish Translation which I could play out loud if needed.

Works a charm!

This is not new technology, neither was 5G when Apple did it. Wireless charging had been around years before Apple did it. But yeah, attention on Apple is high so it highlights technology to a vast audience. Samsung and Google have this already, welcome to the team Apple.

Game changer for travellers I reckon.

Who’s buying AirPods Pro 3?

If you fly a LOT – get these, for sure.

And that also means you probably visit other countries – again – get these.

But if your just a lover of music, then calm down, get these when your current pair give up the ghost.

At $429 they’re more expensive than ever too, but, hard to argue they aren’t worth it.

It should also be noted, that your buying them for the new fit, sound and ANC – because Live Translation is also coming to AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 with ANC.