Will headphones replace smartwatches? Apple's new headphones overtake watches

Apple's newly introduced AirPods Pro 3 are attracting attention with their fitness and health features. The biggest innovation is that the earbuds can now measure heart rate through the ear.

Thanks to the Fitness app updates that came with iOS 26, users will now be able to start newly introduced workouts using just their iPhone and AirPods Pro 3, track their heart rate, calories burned and exercise time, and earn rewards by closing the "Move" ring.

APPLE WATCH REQUIREMENT IS GOING AWAY

AirPods Pro 3 also provides full integration with iPhone's Health and Fitness apps, provides more accurate measurements with more advanced sensors than Powerbeats Pro 2, and offers noise cancellation, a more stable fit, and better audio performance.

While the Apple Watch is still advantageous for those who want advanced health tracking (e.g., continuous measurement, fall detection, detailed sleep tracking), the AirPods Pro 3 seems like a good replacement for users who just want sports and basic fitness tracking.