According to AppleInsider, Apple plans to roll out Live Translation on AirPods to European Union users before the end of 2025, specifically with the iOS 26.2 update expected in mid-December. The feature was originally delayed due to Digital Markets Act compliance issues that held up its EU launch. To use it, you’ll need an iPhone 15 Pro or newer capable of running Apple Intelligence, plus AirPods Pro 2, AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation, or newer models. AirPods Max users are unfortunately excluded from the feature. The translation currently supports Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish languages.
The DMA Strikes Again
Here’s the thing about the Digital Markets Act – it’s basically forcing Apple to rethink how it rolls out features globally. The EU wanted this feature just as much as anyone else, but regulatory compliance created this weird situation where Europeans got left behind initially. And honestly? This isn’t the first time we’ve seen this dance. Apple’s been playing catch-up with EU regulations for a while now.
What’s interesting is how these regional delays are becoming more common. We used to get features simultaneously worldwide, but now? Different markets mean different rules. It creates this fragmented experience that’s kind of frustrating for users who just want the cool new stuff everyone’s talking about.
The Gear You Actually Need
Let’s talk about those hardware requirements for a second. iPhone 15 Pro or newer? That’s a pretty steep barrier for something that feels like it should be more accessible. And AirPods Pro 2 or the upcoming AirPods 4 with ANC? Basically, if you bought into the Apple ecosystem more than a year or two ago, you might be out of luck.
I get that advanced features need newer hardware, but doesn’t this feel like another push to upgrade? The translation processing happens on the iPhone anyway, so why the strict AirPods requirements? It makes you wonder how much of this is technical necessity versus product segmentation.
Speaking Your Language
The current language support is… limited. Eight languages might sound like a lot, but we’re talking about a global feature here. No Arabic, no Hindi, no Russian? That’s leaving out some massive language groups. Apple will probably expand this over time, but launching with such a narrow selection feels like they’re playing it safe.
And think about the EU specifically – with 24 official languages across member states, eight supported languages barely scratches the surface. Will we see rapid expansion, or is this going to be another slow Apple rollout where we’re waiting years for broader language support?
Where This Is Headed
Live Translation on AirPods could be huge for travel and business, but we’re still in the early days. The real test will be how well it works in noisy environments and whether the translations feel natural. If Apple gets this right, it could make those expensive AirPods feel almost essential for frequent travelers.
But here’s my question: when does this become a standard feature rather than a premium one? Translation tech is getting better and cheaper across the industry. In a few years, will we look back and wonder why this was ever locked behind such high-end hardware? Probably. For now though, if you’re in the EU and meet the requirements, according to Macerkopf, your wait is almost over.
