Apple Adds Heart Rate Sensors to Earbuds, Now You Can't Hide Laziness from Yourself

KEY POINTS

•Apple released four AirPods models in 2025, including the $239.95 AirPods Pro 3 with heart rate tracking.
•The AirPods Pro 3 improved noise cancellation and fit, but lacked multipoint Bluetooth and traditional foam tips.
•The AirPods 4 come in two versions, with noise cancellation optional, and remain lacking in wireless charging features.

Apple's AirPods universe expanded frustratingly well in 2025 with four models, including the AirPods Pro 3 priced at an eyebrow-raising $239.95 on Amazon and Walmart, barely budging from the original $249. The star of the show throws in a heart rate sensor so your ears can judge your fitness too, plus live translation, because nothing says 'globetrotting polyglot' like earbuds that can do the talking. Despite sporting IP57 water resistance, these buds won’t actually survive the emotional dunking after Apple arrogantly removed multipoint Bluetooth and traditional foam-only tips. Meanwhile, the AirPods 4 split the difference with two models—one ANC-enabled at $148.99, shockingly still without wireless charging or an annoying case speaker. And crowning the absurdity, Apple's one true headphone option, the Max, remains the lone wolf in that aisle, proving ecosystem lock-in isn’t for the faint-hearted.