Can earbuds translate a conversation live?
Short answer
Yes, with the right phone. AirPods Pro 3, Pixel Buds Pro 2 and Galaxy Buds4 Pro play a translation of the other person in your ear and show your reply on your phone.
Which products can do it?
- Apple AirPods Pro 3Yes
With Live Translation, AirPods Pro 3 translate what the other person says into your language; your reply shows as text or audio on your iPhone.
Good to know: Labeled beta. Apple warns translations may be inaccurate; availability varies by region and language.
- Samsung Galaxy Buds4 ProYes
Galaxy Buds4 Pro with Interpreter translate face-to-face conversations in 22 languages: you hear the other person, and your words appear on your phone.
Good to know: Needs a Galaxy phone with Galaxy AI.
- Google Pixel Buds Pro 2Yes
Pixel Buds Pro 2 stream translated speech into your ear in listening mode; in conversation mode your words are translated on the phone.
Good to know: Google says translation may not be instantaneous and isn't available in all languages or countries.
Why it matters
Travelers and mixed-language families want to understand each other without passing a phone back and forth.
Not proven yet
How accurate each is in noisy places and fast conversation; we haven't found an independent side-by-side test yet.
How we know (4 sources)
Apple support article on Live Translation with AirPods: works with AirPods 4 (ANC), AirPods 5, AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3 or AirPods Max 2 and an iPhone 15 Pro or later on iOS 26 with Apple Intelligence on. After both languages are downloaded, all processing happens on the iPhone. Start it in the Translate app, by holding both stems, or by saying "Siri, start Live Translation"; it also works on Phone and FaceTime calls. Labeled beta; Apple warns outputs may be inaccurate and features vary by region and language.
Read the sourcePixel Buds help article on translation (read Oct 22, 2026): Live Translate in listening mode (translated audio streamed into your ear) and conversation mode (your words translated on the phone, the other person's played in your earbud). Needs a Gemini-compatible Android phone with Gemini as default assistant, the latest Google and Google Translate apps, and an internet connection.
Read the sourceGoogle Store page for Pixel Buds Pro 2 (read Oct 22, 2026): $229; up to 30 hours of listening with the case; hands-free Gemini Live, which needs a compatible Android phone with the Gemini app, a Google Account and an internet connection. Pairing via Fast Pair needs Android 9 or newer. Translation isn't available in all languages or countries and may not be instantaneous.
Read the sourceUS Galaxy Buds4 Pro page (read Oct 22, 2026): from $249.99. Interpreter and Live Translate in 22 languages: real-time translation in your ear on calls through the Samsung Phone app on a Galaxy S26, or face-to-face with your words shown on the phone for the other person. Interpreter needs a Galaxy AI phone on One UI 6.1.1 or later; basic Galaxy AI features are free.
Read the source
Status timeline
No status has changed since we started tracking. Every entry is dated and backed by the sources on this page.
- First recorded: In storesSamsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro
Galaxy Buds4 Pro with Interpreter translate face-to-face conversations in 22 languages: you hear the other person, and your words appear on your phone.
- First recorded: In storesGoogle Pixel Buds Pro 2
Pixel Buds Pro 2 stream translated speech into your ear in listening mode; in conversation mode your words are translated on the phone.
- First recorded: In storesApple AirPods Pro 3
With Live Translation, AirPods Pro 3 translate what the other person says into your language; your reply shows as text or audio on your iPhone.