AirPods Pro 2 are three years old, but rumors indicate they’re not going anywhere just yet. In fact, in the absence of AirPods Pro 3, leaks indicate Apple could debut another big software upgrade for AirPods Pro 2 at its iPhone 17 event. Here’s what’s coming.
Live Translation coming to AirPods soon, per iOS 26 leak
Last week, my colleague Marcus Mendes found an image in the iOS 26 beta that revealed a new AirPods feature coming soon: Live Translation.
This capability had long been anticipated to arrive based on Mark Gurman’s reporting.
But Apple said nothing of the feature at WWDC, despite having a major lineup of other Live Translation features in iOS 26.
Now, it seems Apple plans to debut AirPods Live Translation at its iPhone 17 event—which is coming very soon.
And in doing so, Apple will get to launch a surprise AirPods Pro 2 feature for a second year in a row.
AirPods Pro 2 getting another big iPhone event upgrade
Up until recently, rumors indicated Apple would launch AirPods Pro 3 this fall.
Now, that seems increasingly unlikely.
But in its place, Apple seems set to debut yet another surprise feature upgrade for the three-year-old AirPods Pro 2.
Last fall, AirPods Pro 2 weren’t expected to make an appearance at the iPhone event. We knew AirPods 4 and AirPods Max updates were in the cards, but not AirPods Pro.
Then Apple surprised everyone by revealing three major new health-focused changes:
- Hearing Aid
- Hearing Test
- Hearing Protection
These features were exclusive to AirPods Pro 2 and arrived a month later in iOS 18.1.
Now, based on recent leaks, it seems like Apple plans to return to the same playbook.
All signs indicate Live Translation will be unveiled at the iPhone 17 event. And based on iOS 26 code, it will support only AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4.
Despite going another year with no new hardware, AirPods Pro 2 will get a big software upgrade as part of Apple’s most significant event of the year.
Live Translation should enable having real-time conversations with someone who speaks another language.
This feature alone could break down significant communication barriers in the world, making cross-cultural relationships easier, and of course upgrading global travels too.
Though the arrival of AirPods Pro 3 is taking longer than we thought, thanks to regular upgrades, Apple keeps making that wait pretty painless for AirPods Pro 2 users.
Are you excited to gain Live Translation on your AirPods Pro 2 or AirPods 4? Let us know in the comments.
Best AirPods Pro deals and accessories
- AirPods Pro 2 (now only $169, down from $249)
- Memory foam AirPods Pro eartips for a more comfortable fit
- Magnetic strap neckband for preventing lost AirPods
- AirFly Pro 2 for connecting AirPods to standard headphone jacks
- Belemay leather case for AirPods Pro
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