AirPods Pro’s New Feature: Is the Apple Watch Obsolete?
▼ Summary
– AirPods Pro 3 feature in-ear heart rate sensing and can track workouts, calories, and activity rings through the iPhone’s Fitness app without requiring an Apple Watch.
– The author plans to retire their Apple Watch because the AirPods Pro 3 combine fitness tracking with audio features, reducing the need to manage multiple devices.
– Unlike the problematic Beats Powerbeats Pro 2, the AirPods Pro 3 offer better native integration with iOS Health and Fitness apps and do not require paid subscriptions for key features.
– The AirPods Pro 3 use photoplethysmography (PPG) sensors that pulse 256 times per second, potentially offering more accurate heart rate data than some other wearables.
– Apple is focusing on advancing health and fitness capabilities in earbuds, moving beyond traditional audio features like noise cancellation and Bluetooth codecs.
The latest AirPods Pro 3 introduce a groundbreaking in-ear heart rate monitoring capability, allowing users to engage in workouts directly through the iPhone’s Fitness app without needing an Apple Watch. This integration enables tracking of heart rate, exercise duration, and calories burned, offering a streamlined fitness experience for those who prefer fewer devices. For many, this development could signal a shift away from relying on a smartwatch for health metrics.
For individuals like myself, whose primary use for the Apple Watch revolves around fitness and sleep tracking, the AirPods Pro 3 present a compelling alternative. Carrying multiple gadgets to the gym, iPhone, Watch, and earbuds, can feel cumbersome. The ability to consolidate key functions into just the iPhone and AirPods simplifies preparation, reduces charging needs, and minimizes maintenance. Crash Detection and basic sleep metrics are already handled by the iPhone, further reducing dependence on the Watch.
Apple’s earlier attempt at in-ear heart rate sensing with the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 fell short due to app restrictions, connectivity problems, and unreliable data. In contrast, the AirPods Pro 3 are designed exclusively for iOS, ensuring deeper integration with native Health and Fitness applications. Users won’t face paywalls or third-party app requirements to access full functionality. The upcoming iOS 26 update will also introduce Workout Buddy, an AI fitness assistant that provides personalized feedback during exercise sessions.
Beyond fitness, the AirPods Pro 3 retain their core audio strengths, noise cancellation and high-quality sound playback, features absent in the Powerbeats Pro 2 when used for heart rate monitoring. This dual functionality makes them a versatile choice for both entertainment and health tracking.
All three devices, AirPods Pro 3, Powerbeats Pro 2, and Apple Watch, use photoplethysmography (PPG) to measure heart rate via green light sensors. However, the AirPods Pro 3 sample data at 256 times per second, significantly higher than the Powerbeats Pro 2’s 100 times per second. While high-end Apple Watches include advanced health sensors, these are typically not engaged during workouts, placing the new AirPods on competitive footing for exercise metrics.
Those who value continuous background health monitoring may still prefer an Apple Watch. But for users who find constant notifications, inactivity alerts, or sleep reminders disruptive, the AirPods Pro 3 offer a focused, minimalist approach to fitness tracking. This move aligns with Apple’s broader strategy to position its earbuds as central health and wellness tools, moving beyond audio quality and AI features to integrate deeply into users’ daily routines.
(Source: ZDNET)
