Apple's highly anticipated AirPods Pro 3 might soon come equipped with groundbreaking health-tracking capabilities, according to recent insights from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. While the tech giant has already made strides with health features integrated within its AirPods Pro 2, rumors now suggest the new model could see the introduction of heart rate monitoring and possibly even body temperature sensing.
Gurman notes the potential of AirPods Pro 3 to measure users' heart rates—an area where the Apple Watch has previously dominated. Despite the watch's more accurate readings, Apple is reportedly working diligently to refine the earbuds' heart rate tracking technology, with initial tests showing promising results. Gurman writes, "Though the Apple Watch already does this, the feature could be a selling point for people who don’t like wearing watches or just want a backup fitness tracker." This feature could open various new use cases, especially for fitness enthusiasts who prefer ear-worn technology over wristwear.
The development of these health features is still considered to be early-stage, and Gurman’s report emphasizes Apple’s intent not to replace the Apple Watch market. Instead, the goal is to provide broader access to health-tracking functionalities, enhancing the overall wearable experience. Internal testing has revealed the Apple Watch still generates more reliable heart rate metrics, but AirPods Pro 3 is nudging closer to achieving comparable accuracy.
On the health front, the AirPods Pro line has already showcased capability as a clinical-grade hearing aid, which reflects Apple’s commitment to enhancing health-centric features across its devices. Apple’s CEO Tim Cook was quoted previously on this strategic direction, saying: "If you look out to the future and you zoom out, and you look back, and you ask the question, ‘What was Apple’s greatest contribution to mankind?’ It will be about health." This sentiment underlies Apple’s broader agenda of leveraging technology to improve individual health management and accessibility.
Reportedly, the rumored AirPods Pro 3 will also house enhanced audio performance features alongside the intended health functionalities. Expected improvements include audio quality upgrades, active noise cancellation refinements, and potentially the introduction of the new H3 chip, enhancing processing capabilities and durability against elements like water and dust.
What amplifies the intrigue surrounding the AirPods Pro 3 is the speculation around incorporating temperature sensors and perspiration monitoring, as hinted by Gurman's reports. This could theoretically allow users to not only track heart rates but also maintain detailed metrics pertaining to their workouts and overall fitness. Coupled with integration with Apple's Health app, this feature suite could significantly influence how fitness data is collected and interpreted, offering users easy access to their health stats.
The timeline for the AirPods Pro 3’s release is still under speculation, but historical patterns suggest Apple tends to follow roughly three-year upgrade intervals. With the AirPods Pro 2 launched in September 2022 and the first generation appearing back in October 2019, apple enthusiasts could expect their next audio device hit the market as early as autumn 2025.
Despite the lack of concrete release dates or detailed specifications, the anticipation continues to swell as Apple fans and potential users eagerly await definitive insights from the company. Taking another page from the Apple Watch's success, health tracking will likely play a pivotal role not only for brand differentiation but also for enhancing users' everyday lives through technology. Mark Gurman's report suggests the AI-driven ethos behind Apple’s health enhancements is something the company considers foundational, indicating continued investment and innovation will roll out across its product lines.
The future direction of the AirPods lineup resonates with Apple’s broader health initiatives and technological evolution. With consistent reports alluding to camera development as part of future iterations, users can also brace for potentially more innovative applications incorporating AI technology. Given Apple’s aggressive expansion toward creating comprehensive health-tracking ecosystems, it’s apparent the company intends to stay at the forefront of the health and wearables market.
With such ambitious plans, Apple is continuing to reshape how devices are utilized for health monitoring—making the AirPods Pro 3 not just another audio accessory, but potentially, a significant player within the health and fitness arena.
