AirPods Pro 3 Live Translation Features Available on Select iPhones; Other Models Limited to Basic Functions and Missing Upgrades

Apple’s latest innovation, the Live Translation feature, was unveiled alongside the AirPods Pro 3, marking a significant leap in how we engage in multilingual conversations. This innovative functionality allows users to communicate without the need to focus on their phones, transforming the way we interact across language barriers. While the feature is compatible with the new AirPods Pro 3, as well as the previous generations—AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4—it is essential to note that it is only accessible on select iPhone models equipped with Apple Intelligence.

Limited Access to Live Translation: Compatibility with iPhones

The Live Translation feature operates by utilizing the advanced microphones in the AirPods Pro 3 to recognize foreign languages, transmitting the audio directly to your iPhone. Here, Apple’s cutting-edge AI, known as Apple Intelligence, processes the spoken words instantly, delivering a real-time translation directly to the user’s ears. Users can respond verbally, and the iPhone can transcribe and translate their speech, either displaying the text on the screen or vocalizing it in the other person’s language. When both conversational participants are equipped with compatible AirPods enabled for Live Translation, they can each receive translations in their preferred languages, facilitating smoother interactions.

However, a critical limitation exists for users of older iPhones. The Live Translation feature is restricted to iPhone models that integrate Apple Intelligence, which means you need at least an iPhone 15 Pro or any models released thereafter. This requirement stems from the deep reliance on on-device translation and the advanced processing capabilities that only newer devices can support. Apple has clearly stated that only iPhone models running iOS 26 or higher with Apple Intelligence functionalities are eligible to utilize Live Translation.

If you’re considering acquiring the AirPods Pro 3 exclusively for the Live Translation capability, it may be prudent to reconsider, especially if you own an older iPhone. Without a compatible device, you would be investing in earbuds with features that remain inaccessible. Yet, if you are contemplating an upgrade to the latest iPhone 17 or another model that supports Apple Intelligence, the AirPods Pro 3 could prove to be a worthy investment—particularly for their superior audio quality and twice the noise cancellation efficiency compared to previous iterations. We invite your thoughts on the Live Translation feature and its potential impact on your communication needs.

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