iPhone 17 event might bring major AirPods Pro 2 software upgrade

Apple might not be quite up to releasing the much-anticipated AirPods Pro 3 yet, but that does not mean that AirPods enthusiasts will be disappointed during this fall. It is reported that AirPods Pro 2, which is three years old, is on the verge of another significant software update with the next iPhone 17 launch event. The update will be bringing new features that are powerful and will keep the Pro 2 relevant and competitive.

As leaks in the beta of iOS 26 suggest, Apple will add Live Translation to AirPods. It is a feature that was lacking in the WWDC announcements of Apple, but this could soon make real-time conversations across languages a reality, right through AirPods Pro 2. It is the second year in a row that Apple has taken its high-profile iPhone release and then surprised users with important AirPods updates.

The new Live Translation feature was initially detected in iOS 26 beta code and should be released at the iPhone 17 event. Although Apple has already emphasised the translation tools on iOS, it did not release the AirPods version. The feature is expected to operate specifically on AirPods Pro 2 and the next-generation AirPods 4 so that real-time communication can be achieved without language barriers.

Apple used the same tactic last fall, when it rolled out AirPods Pro 2 with three new health-related features without so much as a press release: Hearing Aid, Hearing Test, and Hearing Protection. These were in the form of updates that accompanied iOS 18.1 and offered major functionality to the earbuds. The same tactic may now provide AirPods Pro 2 with another longevity boost.

With AirPods Pro 3 not expected to launch this year, the steady stream of software updates is making Pro 2 owners feel less pressure to upgrade. Live Translation could make AirPods Pro 2 a must-have travel and communication device, which also shows how software innovation can make Apple products last longer.