Apple Excludes Live Translation Feature from AirPods Pro 3 in Europe

Revealed during The “AWE Dropping” event (Wow in sight “) on Tuesday, alongside the new iPhone 17the AirPods Pro 3, are enriched by a health tracking function thanks to the introduction of a heart rate sensor, as well as an active noise reduction system twice as efficient than that of the AirPods Pro 2.. More fine and ergonomic, the new high -end headphones of Apple also offer a flagship functionality intended to slaughter linguistic barriers: Live Translation. It is a real -time translation function, which is based on Apple Intelligence AI, and which requires a recent iPhone (from the iPhone 15 Pro under iOS 26).

Problem: Old Continent users will not be able to benefit from it. Apple specifies it on a support page: “Live translation with the AirPods is not available if you are in the European Union and the country or the region associated with your Apple account is also in the European Union.”

Note that the owners ofAirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 with active noise reduction may also benefit from this function in the supported regions, since it will be deployed via a software update.

At the launch, the translation live will be compatible with English, French, German, Portuguese and Spanish. Apple, which catches up with a delay in competition already active in this field (Google Pixel Buds, Samsung Galaxy Buds, among others), plans to add other languages ​​during the year, such as Italian, Japanese, Korean and simplified Chinese, reports Macrumors.

What are the specific stipulations of the Digital Markets Act that lead to Apple’s decision?

The highly anticipated AirPods Pro 3 are almost here, but European customers will be facing a notable difference compared to those in other regions: the absence of the new live translation feature. This decision by Apple has sparked considerable discussion,and here’s a breakdown of what we certainly know,why its happening,and what it means for potential buyers of the latest AirPods Pro.

Why the Exclusion? Digital Markets Act (DMA) Compliance

The core reason for removing the live translation capability in Europe centers around compliance with the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). the DMA, which came into full effect in may 2024, aims to prevent “gatekeeper” companies – those with significant market power – from unfairly controlling digital markets.

Specifically, the DMA restricts gatekeepers from favoring their own services over those of competitors. Apple’s live translation feature, powered by its own AI and perhaps integrated deeply within the AirPods pro 3 ecosystem, is believed to fall under scrutiny. Allowing users to seamlessly translate languages within the AirPods could be seen as leveraging Apple’s control over the device to promote its translation services over alternatives like Google Translate or Microsoft Translator.

How Does Live Translation Work (Outside of Europe)?

For users outside the EU, the live translation feature promises real-time, two-way translation during conversations. Here’s how it’s expected to function:

Language Detection: The AirPods Pro 3 will automatically detect the languages being spoken.

real-Time Translation: Utilizing on-device processing and cloud-based AI, the feature will translate speech in near real-time.

Audio Output: Translated audio will be delivered directly to the user’s ears thru the AirPods Pro.

Supported Languages: Initial reports suggest support for a range of popular languages, including English, Spanish, French, German, Chinese (Mandarin), and Japanese. Expect Apple to expand this list post-launch.

This feature positions the AirPods Pro 3 as a powerful tool for international travelers and individuals frequently engaging in multilingual conversations.

What Does This Mean for European Consumers?

European buyers of the AirPods Pro 3 will still receive a premium listening experience with expected improvements in noise cancellation,sound quality,and battery life. However, they will miss out on the convenience of the integrated live translation feature.

here’s a swift comparison:

| Feature | Europe | Rest of World |

|——————-|——–|—————|

| Live Translation | No | Yes |

| Noise Cancellation| Yes | Yes |

| Sound Quality | Yes | Yes |

| Battery Life | Yes | Yes |

Users in Europe will still be able to utilize translation apps on their iPhones or other devices, but it won’t be a seamless, hands-free experience integrated directly into their AirPods.

Alternatives to Live Translation in Europe

While the native feature is unavailable, European users have several alternatives:

1. Third-Party Translation Apps: Google Translate, Microsoft Translator, and iTranslate offer real-time translation capabilities on iPhones.
2. Live Transcribe Apps: Apps designed for live transcription can also provide a form of real-time translation.
3. Bluetooth Headsets with Translation Support: Some third-party Bluetooth headsets do offer integrated translation features and are available in Europe. However, the quality and integration may vary.

Impact on the Wider Wireless Earbuds Market

Apple’s decision highlights the growing impact of the DMA on the tech industry. other companies are also adjusting their services and products to comply with the new regulations. This could lead to:

Increased Competition: A more level playing field for smaller translation service providers.

Innovation in Interoperability: Greater emphasis on allowing different services to work together seamlessly.

* Regional Feature Variations: More products offering different features based on geographical location to adhere to local laws.

AirPods Max Considerations (2025 update)

interestingly, recent reports (as of September 10, 2025) suggest that the next generation of AirPods Max is also facing potential delays and may not offer significant upgrades. As noted by sources like Zhihu [https://www.zhihu.com/tardis/zm/art/692639110](