Apple’s Live Translation feature was introduced alongside the AirPods Pro 3. It promises to change how we talk across languages, letting users carry on conversations without needing to stare at their phones. While the feature is available on the new AirPods Pro 3 as well as the older AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4, it can only be used with iPhone models that support Apple Intelligence.
Apple’s Live Translation in AirPods Pro 3 is restricted to select iPhones, leaving older models with basic listening features
Live Translation uses the AirPods Pro 3’s microphones to detect foreign speech and sends the audio to the user’s iPhone. On the iPhone, Apple Intelligence, the company’s next-gen AI and translation system, processes the speech in real time and sends back a translated version straight to your ears. If you speak back, your iPhone can transcribe and translate your words, displaying them on the screen or even speaking them aloud in another language so the other person hears it. When both people in the conversation are using compatible AirPods with Live Translation enabled, each one hears the translation in their own language.
As mentioned, while the feature is available on older AirPods and AirPods Pro, compatibility issues still exist, as you can only use Live Translation on iPhone models that support Apple Intelligence. What this means is that you should have at least an iPhone 15 Pro or any newer model launched after it. This is because Live Translation relies heavily on on-device translation and Apple Intelligence capabilities that require powerful processing and neural engine support. Apple has made it clear that only iPhone models with Apple Intelligence support in iOS 26 can use Live Translation.
If you have an older iPhone and are considering buying the AirPods Pro 3 just for translation purposes, it is probably not worth it unless you are planning to upgrade your phone to the latest iPhone 17 models or any other that supports Apple Intelligence. This is because you would be buying highly capable earbuds with advanced features that you would not be able to use. However, upgrading for their audio quality and 2x better noise cancellation is another story altogether. Let us know what you think about the Live Translation feature and if you are planning to use it.
About the author: Ali Salman is a technology reporter for Wccftech mobile section with a specialized focus on Apple and the intellectual property that drives mobile innovation. He has cultivated a unique expertise in analyzing and deconstructing complex technology patents, translating dense legal and technical documents into clear, insightful reports on future products.
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