Google has announced the integration of the most powerful Gemini AI features into its Google Translate service. This development significantly improves text translation quality, launches a beta experience for real-time speech-to-speech translation via headphones, and adds new language learning tools to the app.

Google Translate Renewed

Powered by Gemini, Google Translate now offers smarter, more natural, and more accurate text translations for more nuanced expressions like idioms, vernaculars, and slang. For example, instead of translating the English idiom “stealing my thunder” word for word, Gemini analyzes the context to produce a more appropriate translation that captures the true meaning of the idiom.

This improvement in text translation quality is rolling out in the US and India across approximately twenty languages, including English, Spanish, Hindi, Chinese, Japanese, and German. The new feature is available in the Translate app on Android and iOS devices, and on the web version.

A new beta experience, building on Gemini’s native speech-to-speech translation capabilities, allows users to listen to real-time translations directly in their headphones. This system makes translations more natural by preserving the speaker’s tone, emphasis, and rhythm, making it easier to follow who is saying what.

Users can plug in their headphones, open the Translate app, tap the “Live Translation” option, and engage in conversation, listen to lectures, or watch movies in a different language. The beta version is currently available on Android devices in the US, Mexico, and India, with support for any type of headphones and over seventy languages. Google plans to bring this feature to iOS devices and more countries in 2026.

Additionally, the language learning tools within the Translate app have been improved. Users now receive more helpful feedback based on their speaking practice. A series system tracks how long they practice consecutively, allowing users to challenge themselves towards achieving their learning goals and clearly see their progress and consistency.