AirPods May Finally Deliver Real-Time Live Translations Straight to Your Ears

Apple may be on the verge of introducing a groundbreaking new feature for its AirPods: real-time, in-ear translation. The latest iOS 26 developer beta 6, released recently, includes references to a live translation capability that could debut this fall alongside the iPhone 17 lineup and new Apple Watches. If confirmed, this feature would allow users to have natural conversations with people speaking different languages, with translations delivered directly into their ears through AirPods—eliminating the need to open a translation app on a phone. According to 9to5Mac, the developer beta contains visual cues showing AirPods with language labels in English, French, German, and Portuguese—likely the initial languages supported when the feature launches. Apple typically rolls out new language features in phases, so more languages are expected to be added over time. The feature is confirmed to work with the AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) and AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation. Older models, including the AirPods Pro 2 with Lightning and the non-ANC AirPods 4, may not be supported, though Apple has not yet confirmed this. While real-time translation in earbuds isn’t entirely new—Google’s Pixel Buds and Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 3 Pro already offer similar functionality—Apple’s entry could be a game-changer due to the sheer scale of its user base. Apple’s wireless earbuds and headphones, including Beats, captured 23% of the global true wireless stereo (TWS) market in Q1 2025, according to Canalys, far ahead of Xiaomi (11.5%), Samsung (7%), Huawei (6%), and boAt (5%). With such widespread adoption, a feature like live translation could quickly become mainstream. This new capability would build on Apple’s broader AI push, expanding the real-time translation features already rolling out across the Phone, Messages, and FaceTime apps in iOS 26. Unlike some of the more gimmicky AI features—such as Genmoji or the Image Playground app—live translation offers tangible, everyday value, especially for travelers, multilingual families, or anyone navigating cross-cultural conversations. The feature could also serve as a strong selling point for new hardware. Apple might introduce a more powerful version of the AirPods Pro, possibly dubbed AirPods Pro 3, to handle the increased processing demands of on-device AI translation. This would not only justify an upgrade but also position Apple’s earbuds as essential tools in a world increasingly defined by global communication. With holiday shopping season on the horizon, a feature that promises seamless, real-time language translation could be a powerful emotional and practical driver for purchases—making AI in earbuds one of the first truly compelling reasons to upgrade.