Apple has had this function in the US since iOS 26 in June, 2025, and just rolled out the functionality in Europe in iOS 26.2.
The idea is to use Gemini 2.5 Flash Native Audio as the base model, to «preserve the tone, emphasis and cadence of each speaker,» according to 9to5Google.
The feature is only available in the USA, Mexico and India so far, and only on Android, but Google says «we’ll be bringing it to iOS and more countries in 2026.»
All you need to do is tap the «Live translate» button in the Google Translate app, point your phone in the direction of the speaker, and it will start translating, with an understanding of slang, idioms and euphemisms.
Apple is a little more quirky than Google, requiring the use of AirPods Pro 2 or 3, or AirPods 4 with ANC to work properly.
Read more: Google’s announcement, writeups on 9to5Google, Ars Technica. MacRumors on Apple’s capabilities.