You Don’t Need AirPods Pro 3: Your Headphones Get Their Cool Features Too!

No need to splurge on AirPods Pro 3 — your current AirPods can enjoy their smartest new tricks, including Live Translation powered by Apple Intelligence.

Unlocking the Magic of Live Translation Without New AirPods

When I first caught wind of the Live Translation feature during Apple’s recent AirPods Pro 3 announcement, my mind immediately raced. "Wait," I thought, "does this mean that if I want to chat with someone speaking a different language, both of us need to shell out for those $249 AirPods Pro 3 earbuds?" Spoiler alert: the answer is a big, satisfying no.

Digging a little deeper and browsing Apple’s support pages, I found out that you don’t both need the newest hardware. Whether you’re rocking AirPods 4 or the AirPods Pro 2, you can jump into this futuristic conversation without breaking the bank or scrambling for headphones that sound like a fancy Spanish dish you can’t pronounce.

How Does This Tech Wizardry Actually Work?

Here's the juicy bit: the entire Live Translation feature leans on the power of your iPhone's artificial intelligence. That means the magic isn’t happening inside your AirPods Pro 3 — it’s all about the phone doing the heavy lifting. So, as long as you have a compatible iPhone supporting Apple Intelligence, you’re good to go.

And it gets better — AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 already sync beautifully with this new AI-powered feature. Imagine being in a café in Paris, meeting someone who only speaks French, and effortlessly chatting away in English while your trusty AirPods translate in real time. The languages covered include English, French, German, Brazilian Portuguese, and Spanish, so your global gab is pretty well covered.

Even if your new friend doesn’t have AirPods, no worries. You can use Live Translation just with your phone. Your AirPods handle the translated audio, while your phone displays your translated words for the other person. It’s like having a personal interpreter tucked in your pocket — or rather, your ear.

Where Can You Try This?

If you’re itching to try out this fantastic feature, Live Translation is already available for testing within Apple Intelligence — provided you have the right software. That means running iOS 18.1 or later, iPadOS 18.1 or newer, or macOS Sequoia 15.1 and above.

Keep in mind, though, this feature won’t be available everywhere. If you’re outside the European Union, the Live Translation service remains inaccessible for now — Apple’s policies and legal frameworks inch along at their own pace.

AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 will work with Apple’s newest AI feature—no need to rush for the latest model.

So, Should You Upgrade or Not?

Honestly, if you’ve already got AirPods Pro 2 or AirPods 4, there’s no pressing need to upgrade just for Live Translation. Apple has brilliantly democratized this slick feature, proving it’s more about smart software than flashy new hardware. But if you’re eyeing the AirPods Pro 3 for other reasons—maybe the enhanced sound or improved fit—that’s a different story.

FAQ

• Can I use Live Translation with any AirPods model?
  Live Translation works with AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4. Older models won’t support this feature.
• Do both people need AirPods to use Live Translation?
  No. Only the user with AirPods needs them. The other person can read translations on your phone.
• Which languages does Live Translation support?
  Currently, English, French, German, Brazilian Portuguese, and Spanish.
• Do I need the latest iPhone to use this?
  You need an iPhone that supports Apple Intelligence and is running iOS 18.1 or later.
• Is Live Translation available worldwide?
  Not yet. It’s currently limited to EU regions.

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