In a festive move, Apple has announced a special limited edition of its popular AirPods Pro 3 to celebrate the upcoming Lunar New Year. This exclusive release, dubbed the Year of the Horse Special Edition, is designed to honour the cultural significance of the occasion and is marked by a unique horse emoji engraved on the charging case.
Availability and Launch Details
The celebratory AirPods Pro 3 will be available for purchase in key Asian markets starting January 5, 2026. Customers in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Singapore will have the first opportunity to buy this special set. The Lunar New Year, which this edition commemorates, officially begins on February 17, 2026.
This launch continues Apple's tradition of releasing themed audio gear for the Lunar New Year. The tech giant has previously launched special editions for the Year of the Dragon, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, and Snake, making this Horse edition the latest in a growing collectible series.
Advanced Health and Fitness Features
The AirPods Pro 3 generation introduces a groundbreaking health monitoring capability. At its core is a new heart rate sensor, which Apple claims is its smallest sensor ever. This custom photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor operates by pulsing invisible infrared light 256 times per second to measure blood flow.
When this sensor works alongside the AirPods' existing accelerometers, gyroscope, and GPS, it enables comprehensive fitness tracking. Users can monitor their heart rate, calories burned, and activity levels for up to 50 different workout types. All this data syncs with Apple Intelligence on the iPhone and is displayed in the familiar Fitness app, much like data from an Apple Watch.
Apple Intelligence and Enhanced Usability
Two key features leverage the power of Apple Intelligence in these new earbuds. The first is Workout Buddy, an iOS 26 feature that optimally uses the sensor data to enhance exercise sessions. The second is Live Translation, designed to facilitate natural conversations between people speaking different languages.
During a Live Translation session, the AirPods Pro 3's noise cancellation actively lowers the volume of the speaker's voice, allowing the user to hear the translation clearly. This also demonstrates an improved Transparency mode. To complete the interaction, a live transcription can be displayed on an iPhone placed horizontally, functioning like a heads-up display so the other person can follow the conversation.
Apple has also improved battery life. With Active Noise Cancellation enabled, the AirPods Pro 3 will last for 8 hours, a significant jump from the 6 hours offered by the previous model. For users employing them as hearing aids, the battery can extend up to 10 hours on a single charge.
The special edition AirPods Pro 3 carries a price tag of $249. Pre-orders for the standard model opened earlier in September.
