A new report from Bloomberg suggests Apple AirPods are about to get a big, game-changing new feature: real-time language translation.
According to anonymous sources familiar with the project, Apple plans to roll out a live-translation feature later this year alongside iOS 19, effectively turning AirPods into a modern-day Babel fish for cross-language conversations.
Reportedly, the feature will require both people on either side of a call to be wearing AirPods connected to an iPhone. For instance, imagine chatting with someone who speaks Spanish while you only know English. With both parties wearing AirPods linked to iPhones, the system would kick in automatically. The Spanish speaker’s words would get translated into English and piped directly into your AirPods. When you reply in English, your iPhone converts it back to Spanish through its speakers, creating a fluid back-and-forth.
The feature leverages Apple’s existing Translate app but integrates it deeper into the AirPods experience, eliminating the need to manually open apps or tap screens.
While Apple’s upcoming new real-time language feature might seem like a breakthrough, it’s not at all the first of its kind. Google’s Pixel Buds have offered live translation since 2017, and Meta’s smart glasses added similar functionality in late 2024. Even Samsung’s Galaxy devices boast a “Live Translate” mode. What sets Apple apart is its ecosystem loyalty. For iPhone users, the feature will feel native—so there won’t be any third-party apps or clunky workarounds required.
Also, the rumor is that translations will occur on-device where possible, with complex tasks routed through its encrypted Private Cloud Compute system, but as Johns Hopkins researcher Matthew Green cautions, “Anything that leaves your device is inherently less secure.” For now, Apple’s balance of convenience and security could win over privacy skeptics.
Ultimately, Apple’s rumored upcoming live-translation feature is a classic case of the company refining existing tech rather than inventing it—but that’s often where it thrives. If executed well, this could become a killer feature for travelers and multicultural workplaces.