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OMG after one week of ownership I had to exchange my AirPods Pro 3. During a flight from NYC to Chicago I had a whistling/wind noise on my right Airpod the whole time. I reset, repaired, cleaned them and same thing. Hopefully this is not a widespread issue.
 
For me it has only occurred in noisy environments with ANC on. In quiet environments with ANC on it doesn't happen. It feels like a firmware issue but if it doesn't improve then it could be enough to start a return and wait as I have never had it on my APP2s.
 
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I’m hearing the same thing. I narrowed it down to the right AirPod (or it was at least a lot more obvious on the right side), so I figured it was a hardware issue. I ended up returning them and just getting a new pair. Unfortunately I’m experiencing the same thing with the new pair.

To me this means it’s a firmware issue, specifically in the algorithm used for ANC/transparency.

I really only hear it in ANC mode. It is very obvious when nothing is playing, but I can also hear the white noise even when something is playing but it is quiet.

I think for now, even though the AP3’s ANC is unequivocally better than they AP2, I’m going to return them and stick with my AirPods Pro 2 until Apple can (hopefully) refine the firmware to reduce or eliminate the noise.
 
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I’m hearing the same thing. I narrowed it down to the right AirPod (or it was at least a lot more obvious on the right side), so I figured it was a hardware issue. I ended up returning them and just getting a new pair. Unfortunately I’m experiencing the same thing with the new pair.

To me this means it’s a firmware issue, specifically in the algorithm used for ANC/transparency.

I really only hear it in ANC mode. It is very obvious when nothing is playing, but I can also hear the white noise even when something is playing but it is quiet.

I think for now, even though the AP3’s ANC is unequivocally better than they AP2, I’m going to return them and stick with my AirPods Pro 2 until Apple can (hopefully) refine the firmware to reduce or eliminate the noise.
try the new 26.1 and check if it continues
 
My replacement pair arrived today and these new ones exhibit the same static issue as my earlier pair — most prominently in the left one (again), and only in Adaptive/Transparency modes. (Strange how for other people it's mainly the right one, or mainly in ANC mode …)

I also noticed a disappointing flaw on the AirPods case this time — a visible seam running directly along the bottom edge, through the speaker holes etc., as if two halves of the case were sandwiched together. Can feel it when I run a finger along it, too. Didn't notice that on the earlier pair of APP3, or on my current APP2 case. Feels like maybe a cheaper manufacturing process was used? Interestingly this pair of APP3 were assembled in China, whereas the earlier pair were Vietnam. Would be interested to hear if other people's cases have this seam on theirs.

Considering both my pairs — which were manufactured in different countries — exhibit the same static issue, in the same AirPod, I'm guessing this must be a firmware problem, or a necessary downside to make ANC/Transparency work the way they want them to.

Expect I'm gonna send this pair back too, and wait a couple of months to buy another pair, when they may have refined the manufacturing on them and/or solved the static noise through a firmware update. Disappointing stuff from Apple though tbh, they've had three years to perfect these.
 
I’m hearing the same thing. I narrowed it down to the right AirPod (or it was at least a lot more obvious on the right side), so I figured it was a hardware issue. I ended up returning them and just getting a new pair. Unfortunately I’m experiencing the same thing with the new pair.

To me this means it’s a firmware issue, specifically in the algorithm used for ANC/transparency.

I really only hear it in ANC mode. It is very obvious when nothing is playing, but I can also hear the white noise even when something is playing but it is quiet.

I think for now, even though the AP3’s ANC is unequivocally better than they AP2, I’m going to return them and stick with my AirPods Pro 2 until Apple can (hopefully) refine the firmware to reduce or eliminate the noise.


I also returned my AirPods Pro 3. After getting a replacement pair from the Apple Store, I experienced the same issue, so I suspect it's a firmware problem.

I'm sticking with the AirPods Pro 2.
 
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I have the same problem as well. It’s a constant digital noise, like heavy rain or a waterfall, occurs on both buds only when the noise cancellation, adaptive audio or transparency mode is on. It’s quite noticeable and makes them feel like cheap 10$ buds.

Mine were made in China if we are keeping track.
 
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Mine were made in China if we are keeping track.
I thought they were all assembled at the same location?

Or is it China for just non-US distribution?

This noise isn’t an issue for me 95% of the time because there are fans whirring in the background where I work & I have music going. I only notice it at home when things are dead silent.
 
I thought they were all assembled at the same location?

Or is it China for just non-US distribution?

This noise isn’t an issue for me 95% of the time because there are fans whirring in the background where I work & I have music going. I only notice it at home when things are dead silent.
I’ve read somewhere that some of them are made in Vietnam so I thought I’d mention it in case that matters. I brought them in Europe.

I use them to cut out noise at work where I’m usually not listening to music so for me it’s very noticeable unfortunately. With music it’s not that’s noticeable.

Also the lid doesn’t sit properly on the case, it sits a bit backwards on the case such that there is a ridge you can see and feel. These are my first set so I don’t know if they have always been this way.

 
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I use them to cut out noise at work where I’m usually not listening to music so for me it’s very noticeable unfortunately
Understandable. I’d assume those who wear them in their sleep would also find it irritating.
Also the lid doesn’t sit properly on the case, it sits a bit backwards on the case such that there is a ridge you can see and feel. These are my first set so I don’t know if they have always been this way.
Can’t see that picture. It’s all white to me?
 
I thought they were all assembled at the same location?

Or is it China for just non-US distribution?

This noise isn’t an issue for me 95% of the time because there are fans whirring in the background where I work & I have music going. I only notice it at home when things are dead silent.
I don’t think you will see any “made in China” APP3 in the US. I looked at 3 pairs (apple, BB, Amazon) and all made in Vietnam. Made in china probably going to more tariff friendly countries. That being said - issue is present on mine as well.
 
Can’t see that picture. It’s all white to me?
I tried linking an imgur pic but it’s not working for some reason. Here’s the URL: imgur<dot>com/a/mdaYods

It’s like the top is misaligned with the case. You peeps have the same misalignment or is it just me?
 
I bought mine in Sweden yesterday and I've experienced the same thing, A small noise like a quiet fan in the distance or rain outside. (Only when you're in a quiet room) Mine is in both left and right. My son's APP3 have the same issue. I tested with my old APP2 and experienced no noise in those.
Curios if you've had heard anything else regarding a firmware update?
 
Same for me. AirPods Pro 3 bought yesterday. Made in Vietnam. White noise in both the left and right earbuds. Clearly audible in a quiet room, clearly audible with quiet music or a podcast. The first time I noticed white noise was in the AirPods Pro 2, but it was much quieter compared to the third generation. The first-generation AirPods Pro were completely free of noise; when I bought the AirPods Pro 2, I noticed white noise for the first time. In the AirPods Pro 3, the noise is the loudest of all three generations. So loud that it’s disturbing when listening to podcasts in a quiet room. I am very dissatisfied with this!
 
Refer to my post here:



Assembly locations include Vietnam, China, and India for APP3. Can those of you who hear this background noise confirm where yours were assembled? All three of mine are Vietnam.
From my experience, some people either don’t hear it or are simply not bothered by it. I had a friend try my AirPods Pro 3 and he didn’t hear the white noise, while I very very much did. It could be a combination of ear shape, sound sensitivity to the point that they don’t hear the white noise, or just certain sounds not bothering people enough for them to notice.

I got mine at Best Buy, and I have 60 days to return them. I’m gonna wait a little bit longer to see if Apple releases any firmware updates. Otherwise, I will return them and stick to my AirPods Pro 2. It’s a shame, because that AirPods Pro 3 really does have significantly better active noise cancellation.
 
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From my experience, some people either don’t hear it or are simply not bothered by it. I had a friend try my AirPods Pro 3 and he didn’t hear the white noise, while I very very much did. It could be a combination of ear shape, sound sensitivity to the point that they don’t hear the white noise, or just certain sounds not bothering people enough for them to notice.

I got mine at Best Buy, and I have 60 days to return them. I’m gonna wait a little bit longer to see if Apple releases any firmware updates. Otherwise, I will return them and stick to my AirPods Pro 2. It’s a shame, because that AirPods Pro 3 really does have significantly better active noise cancellation.

This made me think. Is it the AirPods, or are the AirPods picking up outside sounds better and something you ordinarily wouldn’t hear without them is being heard with them.

I got mine at Costco early morning on launch day and haven’t had this issue at all.
 
Refer to my post here:



Assembly locations include Vietnam, China, and India for APP3. Can those of you who hear this background noise confirm where yours were assembled? All three of mine are Vietnam.
I had one pair from Vietnam and one from China, both had the issue in the same way in the same AirPod. I think it's an ear shape thing (combined with probably more aggressive mic. usage for ANC/transparency compared to APP2), seeing as it's different ears for different people.

The issue wasn't a dealbreaker for me, so I'm gonna stick with my second pair of 3s 'cause I enjoy the sound quality so much. (Even if the case does have an ugly seam on it on this China pair, tut tut.)
 
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Well, unfortunately, the just released firmware update didn’t change anything in regards to the white noise, at least not for me. Looks like I’ll be returning them at this point 😕
 
I think it’s firmware related but I think they won’t address it. If you try to perform an hearing test the white noise disappears.
 
I think it’s firmware related but I think they won’t address it. If you try to perform an hearing test the white noise disappears.
I believe that's because ANC gets turned off for the hearing tests. ANC could inadvertently affect the tones played during the tests. That's also why the hearing tests requires a super quiet environment.
 
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