Your existing AirPods could gain a new live translation feature in iOS 19

Apple's iconic AirPods are rumored to receive an entirely new feature that translates in-person conversations from one language to another.

The rumored live translation capability will make it significantly easier for speakers of two different languages to communicate. The feature is expected to roll out in 2025 alongside the iOS 19 and macOS 16 updates. Beyond that, both operating systems are said to feature major design changes.

If an English speaker with AirPods is listening to a person speaking in another language, such as Spanish, the iPhone will detect the audio of the Spanish speaker and translate it into English. The English translation will then be played via the AirPods.

The English speaker's response is said to be translated and played in Spanish via the iPhone speakers. The process allegedly utilizes the Translate app and is tied to the iOS 19 update, according to a Bloomberg report.

Samsung already has a similar Live Translate feature, which is available with OneUI version 6.1 or later. Google's Pixel Buds offer virtually the same functionality through a dedicated Conversation Mode.

If you're looking for new hardware, Apple is also said to be working on a new generation of AirPods Pro, as well as an AirPods model with built-in cameras. The latter will reportedly be able to analyze the surrounding environment with the help of artificial intelligence.