Observe ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.
The AirPods Professional 3 are confirmed to function in-ear coronary heart charge sensing. Alongside iOS 26 updates to the iPhone’s Health app, customers can now begin a exercise session within the app and use the Professional 3 earbuds to trace coronary heart charge, time spent exercising, and energy burned. They will shut their Transfer ring, and earn rewards within the app — no Watch wanted.
Additionally: Is Apple Watch Series 11 worth the upgrade? Here’s how it compares to older models
It is a huge improve for individuals who habitually use the free Health app tier. It is an much more welcomed improve should you’re like me and health monitoring is the one purpose you are tethered to your Apple Watch. If the AirPods Professional 3’s health monitoring options work in addition to Apple says they may, this is why they will make me retire my Apple Look ahead to good.
One much less gadget to contemplate
After I go to the gymnasium, my tech arsenal consists of my iPhone 16, Apple Watch SE 2, and AirPods Professional 2. I admire my Apple Watch just for its health and sleep monitoring capabilities, so I opted for the no-frills SE 2 mannequin. My AirPods function a vessel for listening to music, canceling the noise from the busy gymnasium, and taking a hands-free name on my means house.
Additionally: You can preorder Apple’s new devices this week: iPhone 17, Watch 11, AirPods Pro 3 and more
The AirPods Professional 3’s new coronary heart charge sensing function will permit me to mix what I really like most about my Apple Watch with my AirPods, that are undoubtedly my favourite iOS satellite tv for pc gadget. Combining each units will allow me to solely fear about remembering to carry, cost, and clear the sweat from one gadget — I contemplate {that a} game-changer.
Different important options from my Watch, like Crash Detection and primary sleep monitoring metrics, can be found on my iPhone.
Upgraded native compatibility
Apple previewed in-ear coronary heart charge monitoring within the Beats Powerbeats Professional 2, however the function was a flop, characterised by app subscription limitations, connectivity points, and inaccurate readings. Not like the Powerbeats Professional 2, that are optimized to carry out with iOS and Android, the iOS-exclusive AirPods Professional 3 function significantly higher native integration within the iPhone’s Well being and Health apps.
The Powerbeats Professional 2’s stay coronary heart charge monitoring outcomes have been buried within the Well being app, with one of the best options reserved for these with a paid subscription for choose health apps. Its paywalled performance remoted customers like me, who monitor their exercises within the free Apple Health app. I might solely monitor exercises, shut my rings, and monitor my coronary heart charge and burned energy within the Health app when my Watch was linked to my telephone.
Additionally: Why I’m sticking with my iPhone 12 for another year – and I’m not alone
With AirPods Professional 3, I will solely want my AirPods and iPhone. Upcoming iOS 26 upgrades to Health, mixed with the AirPods Professional 3’s well being monitoring options, will permit customers to begin exercises with Exercise Buddy. This AI-powered health companion makes use of your earlier health information to create private insights throughout a exercise session.
The AirPods preserve their audio options, offering audio out of your iPhone and noise cancellation, a function lacking within the Powerbeats Professional 2. When the Powerbeats Professional 2 have been linked to health tools to trace your coronary heart charge, they could not play audio.
Additionally: Apple just launched new watches, but these are our favorite deals on existing Apple Watch models
With improved acoustic constructions, noise cancellation efficiency, a extra steady match, and additional integration with the iPhone’s Well being and Health apps, the AirPods Professional 3 might get rid of the Watch because the intermediary.
Potential for extra correct information
The AirPods Professional 3, Powerbeats Professional 2, and Apple Watch monitor coronary heart charge with the identical know-how: photoplethysmography (PPG). Every wearable makes use of optical sensors that deploy a inexperienced mild to detect blood circulation. Upgraded Apple Watch fashions have extra subtle well being know-how for extra correct readings, however that know-how will not be used throughout a exercise.
Nonetheless, the Beats Powerbeats Professional 2’s PPG sensors pulse 100 instances per second to observe blood circulation, whereas Apple says the AirPods Professional 3’s sensors pulse 256 instances per second.
Additionally: I replaced my Apple Watch with the Oura Ring 4 for sleep tracking (and it did some things better)
Suppose it is extra vital to obtain extra particular well being metrics with a wearable that regularly displays you within the background. In that case, it is extra probably that you’re going to maintain onto your Apple Watch. However should you’re like me, you might not need one other gadget to trouble you about texts, calls, and notifications, particularly if the purpose of buying it was to trace your train.
Moreover, should you discover it tense when your Watch reminds you of intervals of inactivity, that you just’re not getting sufficient sleep, or that you could be be experiencing anxiousness, it could possibly be useful to take it off. Even when I am the one particular person in it, there is a small demographic of AirPods lovers and Apple Watch tolerators that Apple is merging collectively.
Additionally: I’ve used my AirPods Pro 2 since their 2022 release – here’s why they’re still legit in 2025
With the AirPods Professional 2’s listening to support function and the Professional 3’s health integration, it is clear the subsequent ceiling Apple goals to take earbuds by way of is well being and health, against quite a lot of Bluetooth codecs or a number of generative AI options. I am excited to see what’s subsequent.
Wish to observe my work? Add ZDNET as a trusted source on Google.
