Apple’s September event is almost here, and while the spotlight will be on the new iPhone 17 series, the company is also expected to introduce something exciting on the audio front — the AirPods Pro 3. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, these next-gen earbuds could bring a feature that takes them beyond music and calls: heart rate monitoring.
Heart Rate Tracking Comes to AirPods
The big upgrade this year is health-focused. The Apple AirPods Pro 3 are tipped to include LED optical sensors that pulse hundreds of times per second to track blood flow and measure heart rate. The data can sync directly with the Health app on iPhones, and during workouts, it can also connect with fitness apps to give users more accurate insights.
Apple has already tested this technology in the Powerbeats Pro 2, which launched earlier this year, so it’s not entirely new. The system works in a way similar to heart rate tracking on the Apple Watch. In fact, if you happen to wear both devices together, apps are expected to prioritise the watch’s readings by default.
Apple’s Growing Focus on Health
This move reflects Apple’s bigger strategy — making its wearables more useful for overall well-being. By adding heart rate monitoring to the AirPods Pro 3, Apple is turning them into more than just premium earbuds. They’re slowly becoming part of the same health ecosystem as the Apple Watch, giving users multiple ways to track fitness and wellness.
Other Upgrades to Expect
Of course, Apple won’t stop at health sensors. The AirPods Pro 3 are also rumored to deliver:
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Improved sound quality for a richer listening experience
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More powerful active noise cancellation
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Subtle design changes
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Better battery optimisations for longer use
For comparison, the AirPods Pro 2 were launched back in September 2022 and later updated in 2023 with a USB-C charging case. This year’s version looks like a more meaningful refresh, especially with the addition of health sensors.
What Else Is Coming at Apple’s September Event
The AirPods Pro 3 won’t be the only new hardware. Alongside the iPhone 17 series, Apple is also expected to unveil:
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New Apple Watch models
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Faster Vision Pro headsets
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Updated iPad Pro with M5 processor
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Refreshed HomePod mini smart speakers
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New Apple TV set-top boxes
According to Mark Gurman, while many of these products will get only incremental updates, the AirPods Pro 3 stand out as one of the most exciting announcements, thanks to the health-tracking addition.
With heart rate monitoring, stronger noise cancellation, and potential design tweaks, the Apple AirPods Pro 3 could become one of the most practical wearables in Apple’s lineup. Pair that with the launch of the iPhone 17 series, and Apple’s September event is shaping up to be one of the biggest tech moments of the year.
