How translation earbuds and glasses work
The earbuds or glasses are mostly the microphone, the speaker or the display. The translating happens on your phone, in the cloud or on the device itself, and that decides whether it works without data:
- On your phone. Apple Live Translation processes downloaded languages on the iPhone and plays the translation through AirPods, with Active Noise Cancellation lowering the other person’s voice.
- In the cloud. Pixel Buds translate through the Google Translate app, and Google lists an internet connection as a requirement. Even G2 glasses translate in the cloud through the Even Realities app.
- On the device. Timekettle says its T1 handheld is “equipped with an AI edge small model” that translates without an internet connection.
The other person needs a way in too. Pixel Buds show your words on the phone, and Meta’s glasses show your reply as text in the Meta AI app. If both people wear supported AirPods, each hears the conversation in their own language.
Start with what you already own
AirPods Live Translation (iPhone)
Apple labels Live Translation as beta. It needs an iPhone 15 Pro or later on iOS 26 or later, plus AirPods 4 (ANC), AirPods 5, AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3 or AirPods Max 2. It covers nine languages with AirPods, including Japanese, Korean and Mandarin Chinese (not available in mainland China), and someone without AirPods can read a live transcription on your iPhone. Apple Intelligence is not available in every language or region, and Apple does not say whether translation works offline.
Samsung Galaxy
Galaxy AI Interpreter plays translations through Galaxy Buds and shows the transcript on the phone. Samsung’s US page lists 22 languages and Galaxy S24 phones onward, and its support guide says Interpreter translates face-to-face conversations without Wi-Fi or data. It needs a Samsung Account, and Samsung does not list which Buds models work.
Google Pixel and Android
Pixel Buds work with Google Translate on a Gemini-enabled Android phone, in listening, conversation and transcribe modes. Google’s store also advertises a new Live Translate on Pixel Buds Pro 2, marked “Coming September 2026”; whether it has rolled out could not be confirmed. On a Pixel 10 or later, Pixel Voice Translate translates phone calls on the device, without an internet connection, in a voice that mimics your own.
Headphones you already own
Google Translate’s Live translate, powered by Gemini, can play translations through any connected headphones in 70+ languages, a few seconds behind the speaker. It is free, but works offline only on Pixel 9, 10 and 11 phones.
Translation earbuds
- Timekettle W4 and W4 Pro translate conversations and speech around you through the Timekettle app; the W4 Pro adds phone calls, video and online meetings.
- Vasco E1 are built only for translation, not music or calls, and pair with the Vasco Connect app or a Vasco handheld.
- Anfier M3 are low-cost earbuds that also handle music and calls, with an optional offline package.
- Mymanu Orb are open-ear, so you still hear traffic, and translate in person, on phone calls and in apps such as WhatsApp; on iPhone, AI translation needs an iPhone 15 or later.
- Anker soundcore models such as the AeroFit 2 are everyday earbuds that add AI translation through the soundcore app. Anker describes the translation as cloud-based, so plan on a data connection.
Handheld and pocket translators
The Timekettle T1, Vasco Q1 and iFLYTEK Smart Translator carry their own data connection, so they do not depend on your phone’s. All three translate photos of text as well as speech, and the Q1 also translates phone calls (10 free minutes, then paid packages) and explains local customs.
Translation glasses: Ray-Ban Meta, Even G2, Rokid and others
- Ray-Ban Meta and Oakley Meta play translations through open-ear speakers. English, Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese and German work offline once you download packs (Meta names Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3; Ray-Ban Meta Audio does not translate offline), while languages such as Mandarin, Japanese and Korean need a connection.
- Display glasses show translated subtitles in your line of sight: Meta Ray-Ban Display (Meta reports “very limited inventory”), Even G2 (prescription-friendly, no camera), Halliday G2 (original and translated text side by side) and Rokid Glasses. Rokid’s AI Glasses Style play translations through speakers instead.
Translation earbuds, handhelds and glasses compared
Prices are one-off, from each maker’s US store on 15 October 2026 unless marked.
| Option | Works with | Languages (maker's figure) | Offline | Price listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Live Translation (beta) | iPhone 15 Pro or later, supported AirPods | 9 with AirPods | Not stated | No separate charge |
| Samsung Interpreter | Galaxy phone, Samsung Account | 22 (US page) | Yes, per Samsung | No separate charge |
| Pixel Buds Pro 2 | Gemini-enabled Android phone | About 40 | Internet required, per Google | US$229 (Pixel Buds 2a: US$129) |
| Pixel Voice Translate (calls) | Pixel 10 or later | English and 10 others | Yes | No separate charge |
| Google Translate Live translate | Any connected headphones | 70+ | Pixel 9, 10 and 11 only | Free |
| Timekettle W4 Pro / W4 | Timekettle app | 52 | 13 language pairs | US$449 / US$279.20 on sale (regular US$349) |
| Vasco E1 | Vasco Connect app or a Vasco handheld | 51 | Not stated | US$389, showing "Notify me" |
| Anfier M3 | Anfier app | 144 languages and accents | 8 languages, with offline package | US$89.98; US$99.98 with offline package |
| Mymanu Orb | Android 10 or later, or iPhone 15 or later for AI translation | 40+ | Not stated | US$179.99 |
| Anker soundcore (AeroFit 2, AeroClip 2, Liberty 5 Pro Max) | soundcore app (iPhone or Android) | 100 | Cloud-based; offline not described | US$129.99 to US$229.99 |
| Timekettle T1 (handheld) | Own mobile data | 52 | Downloaded packs | US$299.99 |
| Vasco Q1 (handheld) | Built-in SIM | 95 spoken | Downloaded pairs | US$549 |
| iFLYTEK Smart Translator (handheld) | Own data | 60 spoken | Yes; languages not listed | A$599 on sale (regular A$739), Australian store |
| Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 3) | Meta AI app | Not totalled | 6 languages | From US$449 |
| Oakley Meta HSTN / Vanguard | Meta AI app | Not totalled | 6 languages; per model not stated | From US$399 / US$499 |
| Meta Ray-Ban Display | Meta AI app | Not broken out | Not stated | From US$799 (US$999 with prescription) |
| Even G2 | Even Realities app (iOS, Android) | 35+ (its FAQ says 33) | No | From US$599 |
| Halliday G2 | Not stated | 45+ | Not stated | US$599 before a US$50 launch discount |
| Rokid Glasses / AI Glasses Style | Rokid AI app | 89 / up to 76 | Not stated | US$699, sold out / US$329 on sale (regular US$399) |
What to check before buying
- Your phone. Apple needs an iPhone 15 Pro or later, Pixel Buds a Gemini-enabled Android phone, Mymanu’s AI translation an iPhone 15 or later on iPhone, and Samsung’s US page lists Galaxy S24 phones onward.
- Your languages, offline too. Offline lists are much shorter, and several need language packs downloaded in advance, so do that before you fly.
- Ongoing costs. Timekettle’s W4 Pro page mentions a US$14.99-a-month plan for audio-video translation on one model, Vasco sells extra call minutes for the Q1, full access to Rokid’s AR navigation needs a subscription, and what the T1’s data costs after two years is not stated.
- Stock and shipping. Vasco’s E1 showed “Notify me” rather than “Add to cart”, the Rokid display model was sold out, and Halliday ships prescription orders 4 to 6 weeks after ordering.
- Your region. Apple Intelligence is not available in every region, Samsung says Galaxy AI varies by country, carrier and model, and Google says the new Pixel Buds Pro 2 Live Translate is not available in all languages or countries.
Which suits your trip
If you have a supported iPhone and AirPods or a recent Galaxy phone, try the built-in feature first: it costs nothing extra. Dedicated earbuds suit offline language pairs or translated phone calls, a handheld suits travel without relying on your phone’s data, and glasses keep your hands free. The guide to AI translation for travel covers translation apps too, Google Translate vs DeepL compares two of them, and AI tour guides and in-trip help covers glasses and camera tools that answer questions about what you see.
Common questions
Can AirPods translate conversations?
Yes, with Live Translation, which Apple still labels beta. It needs an iPhone 15 Pro or later on iOS 26 or later and supported AirPods: AirPods 4 (ANC), AirPods 5, AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3 or AirPods Max 2. It works in nine languages with AirPods, and someone without AirPods can read a live transcription on your iPhone. Apple does not say whether it works with no internet connection.
Do translation earbuds work offline?
Some do, in far fewer languages than online. Timekettle's W4 earbuds list 13 offline language pairs, Anfier's M3 has an optional offline package for 8 languages, and Samsung says Galaxy AI Interpreter works without Wi-Fi or data. Google lists an internet connection as a requirement for Pixel Buds, and Apple, Vasco (for the E1) and Mymanu do not say. Download any offline languages before you fly.
How much do translation earbuds cost?
On the US stores checked, dedicated translation earbuds were listed from US$89.98 (Anfier M3) to US$449 (Timekettle W4 Pro), and Google's Pixel Buds Pro 2 at US$229. Apple's Live Translation and Samsung's Interpreter have no separate charge, but need a compatible phone and earbuds. Timekettle's W4 Pro page also mentions a US$14.99-a-month plan for audio-video translation on one model.
Can Ray-Ban Meta glasses translate?
Yes. They play live translations through their open-ear speakers, and your reply appears as text in the Meta AI app for the other person. Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 3) translates English, Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese and German offline once you download the packs; other languages need a connection. Saying 'Hey Meta, look and…' asks Meta AI about what you see, such as a sign, and that photo is processed in Meta's cloud.
Do I need special earbuds to hear translations?
Not necessarily. Google Translate's Live translate, powered by Gemini, can play translations through any connected headphones in 70+ languages, a few seconds behind the speaker. It is free, but works offline only on Pixel 9, 10 and 11 phones, for English paired with ten languages.
Sources
- Translate in-person conversations with AirPods (AirPods User Guide)support.apple.com, checked
- Live Translation on AirPods expands to the EU (Apple Newsroom, Nov 4, 2025)apple.com, checked
- iOS feature availability (Apple)apple.com, checked
- AirPods Pro 3 (Apple)apple.com, checked
- Discover Samsung Galaxy AI Features (US)samsung.com, checked
- Galaxy AI languages & usage guide (Samsung UAE support, updated 2026-07-01)samsung.com, checked
- Translate with Google Pixel Buds - Google Pixel Buds Helpsupport.google.com, checked
- Pixel Buds Pro 2: AI-powered with Comfortable Fitstore.google.com, checked
- Google Pixel Buds 2astore.google.com, checked
- Use Live Translate for phone calls (Pixel Phone Help)support.google.com, checked
- New AI-powered live translation and language learning tools in Google Translate (Aug 26, 2025)blog.google, checked
- Fluid, natural voice translation with Gemini 3.5 Live Translate (June 9, 2026)blog.google, checked
- Hear live speech to speech translations with live translate (Google Translate Help)support.google.com, checked
- W4 Pro AI Interpreter Earbuds (Timekettle store)timekettle.co, checked
- W4 AI Interpreter Earbuds (Timekettle store)timekettle.co, checked
- Vasco E1 | Translator Earbudsvasco-translator.com, checked
- Anfier M3 Offline AI Translator Earbuds | No Subscriptionanfier.com, checked
- Mymanu Orb | Open-Ear AI Translation Earbuds for Calls & Music – Mymanu®mymanu.com, checked
- NEW T1 Handheld Translator Device – Timekettletimekettle.co, checked
- Automatic Translator for Business | Vasco Translator Q1vasco-translator.com, checked
- Smart Translator-iFLYTEKiflytek.com, checked
- AI Translator 4.0 – iFLYTEKiflytekau.com, checked
- How to use live translation on AI glasses (Meta Help Center)meta.com, checked
- AI glasses with real-time translation (Meta, UK)meta.com, checked
- Ask Meta AI about what you see on AI glasses (Meta Help Center)meta.com, checked
- Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses (Meta store, US)meta.com, checked
- Oakley Meta HSTN Sports AI Glasses (Meta Store)meta.com, checked
- Oakley Meta Vanguard AI glasses (Meta Store)meta.com, checked
- New Meta Ray-Ban AI-Powered Display Glasses and Neural Band | Meta Storemeta.com, checked
- Translation glasses: Real-time AI translation | Meta Storemeta.com, checked
- Live Translation Glasses | 35 Languages Displayed | Even G2evenrealities.com, checked
- Smart Glasses with Display & Ambient AI Prompts | Even G2evenrealities.com, checked
- Shop Smart Glasses & Accessories | Even Realitiesevenrealities.com, checked
- Halliday G2 | Display AI Glasses Built to Enhance Every Momenthallidayglobal.com, checked
- Order Halliday G2hallidayglobal.com, checked
- Rokid AI Glasses Style | Smart AI Glasses with AI Assistanceglobal.rokid.com, checked
- Rokid Glasses | World's Lightest AI & AR Glassesglobal.rokid.com, checked
- Rokid global storeglobal.rokid.com, checked