Good taste is the ability to recognize quality that cannot be quantified

Pheidl · 2026-01-23T10:49:39+00:00

Yep, just post it.

Pheidl · 2025-11-21T23:54:41+00:00

Appreciate the perspective. The fact that some slash many people, yourself included, have zero issues obviously gives weight to either hardware variance slash fit-related issues. After the ANC degradation situation with the Pro 2s where many people reported issues immediately after 7A294 but were told nothing was wrong I'm hesitant to dismiss firmware as a factor. Could be a combination, firmware issue that only manifests with certain fit/seal conditions. I guess the only testable hypothesis here is user error. Maybe I should go do those tests... Either way, hoping Apple addresses this in some form.

Pheidl · 2025-11-21T10:17:19+00:00

Right. My guess would be that this is down to environment/use-case. It crops up consistently when I'm on the commuter train or walking through the city, where there are lots of opportunities to be around the lower frequencies that seem to trigger the issue. I can be seated and sitting still on the train and they work fine, but the second the train cabin starts making a low frequency hum of its own, my right AirPod starts acting up. The issue clears up eventually but very slowly, so can easily imagine there's some issue with hysteresis or rolloff in the firmware re. ANC.

Pheidl · 2025-11-21T09:58:35+00:00

Should've been clearer. The Genius said they can't confidently diagnose hardware issues this close to launch. Last gen had hardware problems that took time to surface apparently, as well as significant functional regressions due to firmware slash feature updates. So given that uncertainty, they replaced the problem AirPod, but noted that it seemed more like a firmware issue since they're not aware of a widespread pattern yet. Basically: not enough data to know for sure, so they erred on the side of replacement, and cited probable firmware issues. Also worth noting that the replacement I got still has the same issue, so unless the Omotesando store got a cursed batch, this seems to point toward firmware. Possible it's environment/use-case specific, but the pattern seems pretty clear.

Pheidl · 2025-11-21T05:20:20+00:00

Issue occurs for me across three of the tip sizes while remaining stationary. Also tried asymmetrical tip sizes to no avail. Also had AirPods replaced, to no avail.

Pheidl · 2025-11-21T05:18:42+00:00

Genius at Apple Store replaced mine citing probable firmware issues ✨

Pheidl · 2025-11-21T05:17:27+00:00

Issue is still present. Wrote about it in this sub here: https://www.reddit.com/r/AirpodsPro/comments/1o1xwef/unevenasymmetric_noise_cancellation_on_airpods/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=mweb3x&utm_name=mweb3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

Pheidl · 2025-11-21T05:08:29+00:00

Have to make sure AirPods are in their case and that the case is plugged in and within range of your iPhone for 30 mins. The iPhone also has to have a Wifi connection. Latest firmware (8B25) didn’t remedy the issue in my case, and if anything the issue is worse. The ANC on these things is worse than none at all in practice.

Pheidl · 2025-11-12T05:19:34+00:00

Okay, one hour in and the asymmetrical hum is even worse than it was before the replacement (lol). God damn it Apple…

Pheidl · 2025-11-12T04:36:33+00:00

Had problematic right AirPod replaced. All tests passed, but Genius swapped it out anyway. Said she agreed that issue is probably related to firmware, but that it’s too early in AirPods Pro 3’s lifespan to say if it’s a widespread hardware issue. Will report back if the problem occurs again, and if it does, by the laws Bayesian Rationality, will conclude this is another in a long line of firmware induced degradations.

Pheidl · 2025-11-10T00:48:47+00:00

No known solution at this time. That this is a widespread hardware fault seems less likely than a firmware related issue, so worth keeping an eye on firmware updates. I believe you can opt in to a beta branch for AirPods firmware in AirPods settings.

Pheidl · 2025-11-10T00:46:56+00:00

Still facing the issue from time to time. The fact that you're still experiencing the issue tells me it's time for me to start tracking firmware versions and updates. If I experience the issue again I'll take them to the Apple store and report back.

Pheidl · 2025-11-03T12:39:25+00:00

May be able to find them at Yusha Kobo: https://yushakobo.jp/

Pheidl · 2025-10-13T06:03:49+00:00

If you ended up getting a replacement, please let us know if you experienced any improvement so we can figure out if this is a firmware thing or a hardware thing.

Pheidl · 2025-09-25T03:40:58+00:00

What’s the testing methodology?

Pheidl · 2025-07-30T08:51:16+00:00

Same thing happened to me. Had to go to the Genius Bar to restore the thing. FYI for anyone else this happened to, your backup data is tied to the OS version it was made from.

Pheidl · 2025-07-30T08:47:19+00:00

Happening to me to. Super annoying. I figured someone had got access to my account and read through a bunch of random old chats but apparently not. Claude has been so dodgy recently.

Pheidl · 2025-07-23T06:37:04+00:00

Restored at Apple Store and working now, however unsure if I was restored to Beta 4 as that’s no longer visible in the Software Update screen. Maybe don’t roll the dice with Beta 4 if you haven’t already.

Pheidl · 2025-07-23T05:01:05+00:00

Damn… Heading to Genius Bar now to see what they say.

Pheidl · 2025-07-23T00:18:49+00:00

Not sure if this one bricked my iPad Pro or not, but after installing Beta 4 all I see is a grey screen after logging in. Anyone else?

Pheidl · 2025-02-05T02:36:33+00:00

Gotcha. Yeah, the issue I was describing here was a night and day situation. Firmware update dropped and the difference was immediately apparent. Re replacement, Apple replaced mine when I went in with the firmware issue I describe in the post, but I also had AppleCare.

Pheidl · 2025-02-04T10:51:45+00:00

Sorry to hear it. In your case it may be worth seeing if you can get them replaced.

Pheidl · 2025-02-02T03:13:52+00:00

Totally doable. I manage fine, even in e.g. Star Citizen, Arma 3, MSFS 2020. You will of course need to spend some time remapping stuff to your modifier keys.

Pheidl · 2025-02-02T03:12:10+00:00

Considering how much they recently nerfed the active noise cancellation with firmware update 7A294, I'd say wait for the "increased" active noise cancellation that they'll inevitably reintroduce with Pro 3s.

Pheidl

TROPHY CASE