Apple has officially unveiled its next-generation earbuds, the AirPods Pro 3, at the “Awe Dropping” event on September 9. These new earbuds include several enhancements, with one feature standing out — the introduction of the U2 chip. This second-generation Ultra WideBand (UWB) technology follows the U1 chip in the AirPods Pro 2. Initially introduced with the iPhone 15 series in 2023, the U2 chip enhances the tracking experience for users. This means that locating lost AirPods is now much simpler. With the U2-enabled case, tracking range extends up to 60 meters (about 200 feet), nearly tripling the range of the previous U1-equipped AirPods Pro 2.
Users can utilize Apple’s Find My app, which includes Precision Finding to guide them accurately if the earbuds are misplaced nearby. However, it’s important to note that this increased range applies only to the charging case, not the earbuds themselves, as the U2 chip is embedded in the case for this advantage. Apple is also expected to extend the U2 chip’s capabilities to the upcoming AirTag 2, enhancing tracking for personal items and bolstering Apple’s ecosystem of findable devices. Beyond location tracking, the AirPods Pro 3 feature a built-in heart-rate monitor, allowing wearers to monitor their heart rate in real time, making these earbuds an appealing option for fitness enthusiasts who prefer not to rely solely on an Apple Watch.
Additionally, the Live Translation capability enables real-time multilingual conversations when both parties are using AirPods. Even if only one person has AirPods, translations can be displayed as transcriptions on an iPhone. However, Apple has indicated that this feature will not be available to customers in the European Union at the time of launch. In India, the AirPods Pro 3 are priced at ₹25,900, with pre-orders already available on Apple’s official website. The earbuds will officially be released on Friday, September 19, coinciding with the launch of the new iPhone 17 series, iPhone Air, and the latest Apple Watch lineup.
With improved tracking, fitness-oriented features, and language translation, the AirPods Pro 3 represent one of Apple’s most ambitious advancements in the wearable audio space.