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- AirPods Pro 3 can measure your heart rate during exercise.
- The Apple Watch offers a variety of other health-related tools.
- I’ll buy AirPods Pro 3, but the Apple Watch is my go-to device.
I’ve been using the Apple Watch for years and have always found it a useful and convenient device. I particularly like the health-related features, especially the heart rate monitor, which can not only measure my current rate, but also track my resting heart rate, walking speed, and range over time.
I don’t always wear my watch around the house. But I do put it on when I go outside, especially if I’m walking on a trail, going for a bike ride, working out at the gym, or taking a yoga class. I appreciate how my heart rate is automatically recorded when I exercise or do another physical activity captured using the workout app.
Now we hear that the AirPods Pro 3 will come with its own heart rate monitor. This feature will work by using a custom photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor that shines infrared light at a rate of 256 times per second to measure the absorption of light by your bloodstream, according to Apple. In short, this means that the AirPods will shine light into the blood vessels in your ears. By determining how much light your blood absorbs and how much is reflected back, the sensor can determine your heart rate.
Also: Did AirPods Pro just make the Apple Watch obsolete? This new feature tells me yes
There is one potential drawback. Based on Apple’s description, the heart rate monitor is only for use during workouts. By selecting a specific workout from your iPhone’s Fitness app or a compatible third-party app, or presumably your Apple Watch’s Workout app, you can track your heart rate, calories burned, and other metrics. But apparently, you can’t manually activate the heart rate monitor like you can on the Apple Watch. Still, it’s a handy new feature, especially if you’re just checking your heart rate during your workout.
Although I have AirPods Pro 2, I plan to buy AirPods Pro 3, not only for the heart rate tool, but also for other unique features like improved active noise cancellation, better in-ear fit, better water resistance, and extended battery life. I’ve also wanted an extra pair of AirPods to take to the gym and other places.
Why I’m holding my Apple Watch
So, does this new heart rate monitor negate my need for an Apple Watch? Does that mean I’ll leave my watch at home when I go to the gym, go for a walk, or do anything else I want to measure and monitor? No, not really. While I won’t fully know how the AirPods’ heart rate sensor will work until I try it out, my Apple Watch is much more than just a heart rate tracker, even at the gym.
With my Apple Watch 10, I can view my activity levels throughout the day, measure my blood oxygen levels, track my sleep patterns, check for signs of atrial fibrillation, view my medication records, alert someone if I fall, determine if I’m getting sick, take a break with some mindfulness and deep breathing, and measure ambient noise levels. And those are just the health-related features.
Also: The Apple Watch is this close to replacing my Ring — it just needs this feature
At the gym and elsewhere, I can use my watch to listen to music, podcasts, or audiobooks. On the go, I can use it to make and receive phone calls, respond to texts and emails, access my calendar, and check the latest weather forecasts.
While Apple’s AirPods are becoming a more versatile device, my Apple Watch is still my go-to gadget for a variety of activities, especially when my iPhone isn’t handy. Yes, I may be adding AirPods Pro 3 to my shopping cart, but my Apple Watch will still have an essential and lasting place on my wrist.
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