AirPods Pro 3 are one of Apple’s most highly anticipated new products. Even though launch timing for the new AirPods is still uncertain, rumors around features have been a little more solid, including a new feature that’s expected to be borrowed directly from Beats: heart rate monitoring.
Heart rate monitoring coming to AirPods Pro 3, following Powerbeats Pro 2
Apple has long offered AirPods integration with health-related software features. For example, the iPhone’s Health app can show you data for Headphone Audio Levels to ensure your noise exposure stays moderate.
Last fall, the AirPods health story got even more compelling with three major new features:
- Hearing Test
- Hearing Aid
- Hearing Protection
These additions were exclusive to AirPods Pro 2, but still relied on existing hardware that’s been around for years.
With AirPods Pro 3 though, Apple is set to introduce brand new sensors into the hardware to power a new feature: heart rate monitoring.
Mark Gurman at Bloomberg has reported that Apple has various health projects in the works for AirPods. But adding a heart rate monitor to AirPods Pro 3 is reportedly the top priority.
Powerbeats Pro 2, interestingly, launched earlier this year with a built-in heart rate monitor as a tentpole feature.
As a result, if AirPods Pro 3 do end up including this new feature, they will be following in the footsteps of a product from the Apple-owned Beats.
It’s curious that a flagship new feature would debut on Beats before AirPods, but that sounds like exactly what’s going to happen.
Perhaps Powerbeats got priority because heart rate monitoring is a core Apple Watch feature today, and many Beats customers aren’t part of the Apple ecosystem—unlike AirPods users.
It’s also possible that Apple plans to offer improved heart rate data when you combine the sensors from both AirPods and Apple Watch. We’ll have to wait until AirPods Pro 3’s arrival to find out.
Why do you think Apple shipped a heart rate monitor in Powerbeats before AirPods Pro 3? Let us know in the comments.
Best AirPods and Beats deals and accessories
- AirPods Pro 2 (now only $159, down from $249)
- Powerbeats Pro 2 (now only $179, 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 Bluetooth earbuds to standard headphone jacks
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