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AirPods Pro 3's Static and Noise Issues Haven't Been Resolved

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Since the AirPods Pro 3 launched, there have been complaints from users who have noticed a static-like sound or a crackling issue when using the earbuds, particularly when Active Noise Cancellation is on but no media is playing. Users have also run into strange high-pitched whistling sounds that happen intermittently.

airpods-pro-3-new-blue.jpeg

We shared the issues back in late October, and despite two subsequent firmware updates, the problems haven't been solved. Apple released AirPods Pro 3 firmware version 8B25 in November, and firmware version 8B30 on December 10.

Feedback from users who have installed the firmware updates indicate that the noise issues have not been addressed. Affected users are hearing static noises with Active Noise Cancellation on, sometimes with media playing and sometimes without. There have also been reports of problems with latency and sound syncing when watching videos.

Some AirPods Pro 3 users have had their AirPods replaced by Apple, but replacement earbuds have had the same issue, so it's not clear if there is a hardware fix for the problem.

Apple's latest firmware updates have not provided details on what's included, specifying only "bug fixes and other improvements."

Article Link: AirPods Pro 3's Static and Noise Issues Haven't Been Resolved
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2025/12/18/airpods-pro-3-static-issues/
  • Haha
Reactions: antiprotest and sinoka56
2nd gen’s wouldn’t feedback and squeal if i palmed them as i am walking to put them into their charger case - the 3rd gen’s do this always. i’m guessing it has to do with the extra sensors that i still don’t know why they’re there.

the health stuff? i see no benefit from heart rate from my ears unless its not activated yet due to lawsuits still pending.

transparency mode also feels more muted. which the 2’s don’t. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
 
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Reactions: dracobdn, sinbad21, Stormshadow and 3 others
Again, this kind of noise floor is to be expected with ANC BT devices

My edifier stax spirit S3 are even worse in that regard in spite of their lack of ANC. In terms of sound though, they make app3 and max sound like a joke
 
Love-hate 🍏 relationship said:
Again, this kind of noise floor is to be expected with ANC BT devices

My edifier stax spirit S3 are even worse in that regard in spite of their lack of ANC. In terms of sound though, they make app3 and max sound like a joke
Click to expand...
I’ve had every version of the AirPod Pros, and have never had this issue until now. So I’m not sure this is totally accurate
 
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Reactions: Olz and CocktailHour
Second gen usb C AirPods Pro seem to be the best ones they’ve made out of the entire lineup. I had the first gen with the same issue, even after the free replacement.

Hopefully we won’t have to wait terribly long for APP4 where they have a good generation again…
 
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Reactions: Jovijoker
This is happening to me. Apple looked at them in store, said they "couldn't replicate the problem", sent them in, the techs also "couldn't replicate the problem", and they sent them back as is
 
  • Wow
Reactions: decypher44
danny1305 said:
Have had this issue since they released. Very annoying that there is still not a fix or resolution yet
Click to expand...

Why didn’t you take it back and exchange them for a pair without the problem just in case it’s actually a hardware issue? Apple fights acknowledging and fixing hardware issues because that costs them a hell of a lot more $$$ than a software based fix.
 
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Reactions: AppleFan78 and whoknows2597
My AirPods Pro 3 had the static noise problem. So far it didn’t appear again after the new firmware
 
My Airpods Pro 3 are from the first batch (first day when I received my iPhone 17 PM), no static noise or cracking like the first pro, just this high-pitched whistling sounds that happen everytime I touch some of the sensors when I take out / or put them in the case.
 
Mine let the sound of motorcycles revving their engines bleed through the ANC. Anyone else notice this? I have two sets and both have this issue.
 
I noticed those crackling and high pitched whistling noises on my old WH-1000XM4 as they were aging, perhaps it is a common occurrence with noise cancelling headphones. On the Sony side people were commenting about issues with one of the microphones getting clogged or not working (I mean one of the microphones used to drive the noise cancellation). I was getting around some of this issues disabling the noise cancelling. However a thief decided to burglarize my car and steal the headphones together with other things, so I no longer have a WH-1000XM4 cracking and whistling noise issue :mad: I hope Apple figures out a software fix for this airpod issue.
 
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