AirPods Pro microphone scandal - edit: PROOF

[Phwoar]

Simple thread, basically: Apple AirPods Pro microphone scandal!

Over 4,700 customers have complained about the Apple AirPods Pro microphone cutting out on Apple's own support website:
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/250813242

I've replaced my AirPods Pro over FOUR times now (under warranty, newly manufactured versions have the same problem)!! Same problem every time! It's likely to be a firmware error in all Apple AirPods Pro.

Apple has also implemented a stop-gap replacement scheme (but this does not fix the problem):

AirPods Pro Service Program for Sound Issues - Apple Support

AirPods Pro Service Program for Sound Issues

support.apple.com

So what's the problem?:

• Apple AirPods Pro's firmware detects any background (street) noise or wind noise and immediately lowers the sensitivity of the microphone in response until the external noise stops. This results in the AirPods Pro microphone turning off, on, off, on, cutting off the voice of the AirPods Pro USER on any call they make whenever the external noise is detected by the Airpods Pro. It is likely to be a major firmware problem replicated in all AirPods Pro.
• The glitch means that the AirPods Pro USER can be on any type of voice call (normal phone call, VoIP, FaceTime, Skype, WhatsApp etc) and as soon as the AirPods Pro devices detect external noise, the AirPods Pro user's voice is immediately suppressed on the call for the duration of the external noise.
• The RECIPIENT of the call from the AirPods Pro user hears the following when the AirPods Pro user speaks: "Hi Fred I'm just calling you and a motorcycle is driving past so [muffle muffle muffle] sorry ok the motorcycle has gone you can hear me? Ok good, look I was wanting to ask you if the [muffle muffle muffle] oh wait there's some wind did you hear my question? No? Ok I wanted to [muffle muffle]!"
• UNLESS THE AirPods Pro user switches to the Apple wired headphones/mic, the RECIPIENT cannot hear anything. Under Apple's wired headphones, the RECIPIENT of the call call hears the following: "Hi Fred I'm just calling and a motorcycle is driving past so I hope you can still hear me, sorry ok the motorcycle has gone you can hear me? Ok good, look I was wanting to ask you if the new iPhone 12 case is out oh wait there's some wind did you hear my question? Yes? Ok great!"
• The effect of external noise resulting in AirPods Pro microphone muting (firmware error) can be replicated on Apple's "Voice Memo" app on all MacBooks and on all iPhones, newer generation and older.

It is completely unacceptable that the Apple wired headphones/mic work under all external sound conditions, and the vastly more expensive Apple AirPods Pro microphones cut out as soon as it detects external sounds.

This is in many ways worse than MacBook Pro butterfly keyboard-gate – the core functionality of the Apple AirPods Pro is for use as a headset. The AirPods Pro are sold as a device to carry sound to the ears of the AirPods Pro user, and carry the voice of the AirPods Pro user to the recipients on the other end of a call. This product is sold by Apple to customers as a premium two-way bluetooth headset telephony device.

I've noticed that some of the 4,700 customers on Apple's own support website have also recorded the audio of their microphone experiences (see late 2020 complaints: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/250813242 ).

This is completely unacceptable for a premium expensive product – and it is very likely to be a firmware error, so very fixable.

Apple, you are slipping very badly. Fix it.

 

[Td1970]

Never have I heard about this

 

[Phwoar]

UPDATE & PROOF:

In the days following my above original post, YouTuber Felix von Drigalski (not me) has conducted an audio test making a call outside using two iPhones at the same time, one with AirPods Pro connected, and the other with no headphones connected:

This is proof of exactly what is happening to my AirPods Pro (4 replacement pairs all have this problem) and to date over 4,900 consumers of AirPods Pro have indicated they have this problem too on this Apple Support thread:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/250813242

This is an absolute scandal, it is extremely likely this is a firmware error that needs to be corrected, and I am surprised there is nothing on Macrumors community about it.

Repeating my point above:
Apple, you are slipping very badly. Fix it.
.

 

[JasonHB]

UPDATE & PROOF:

In the days following my above original post, YouTuber Felix von Drigalski (not me) has conducted an audio test making a call outside using two iPhones at the same time, one with AirPods Pro connected, and the other with no headphones connected:

This is proof of exactly what is happening to my AirPods Pro (4 replacement pairs all have this problem) and to date over 4,900 consumers of AirPods Pro have indicated they have this problem too on this Apple Support thread:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/250813242

This is an absolute scandal, it is extremely likely this is a firmware error that needs to be corrected, and I am surprised there is nothing on Macrumors community about it.

Repeating my point above:
Apple, you are slipping very badly. Fix it.
.

So, return them, get your money back, buy something else and move on with your life.

It is hardly a scandal. Do you write headlines for third rate websites? Talk about being over-dramatic. Tens of thousands of homeless people is a scandal, Trumps incitement of violence and the storming of the Capitol is a scandal, some perspective would be good.

I appreciate that this is annoying and frustrating but I’m not sure that by having a hissy fit on here, you’re going to have any affect on the issue.

I hope that you manage to chill out and get some peace in your life

Jason

 

[Phwoar]

Hi Jason,

Thank you very much for your reply here and bumping up the issue – I'm glad to see your opinion that US$249.00 AirPods Pro that don't work as advertised for any of the millions of consumers that have bought them is a hissy fit (and hot tip: they are not refundable).

I appreciate your sentiment, but I disagree with your comment to get some perspective, and here is why.

I note this forum is specifically targeted at users of specific Apple products, and users are invited give feedback on these products and discuss them together in this space (indeed, if you look at the URL it is "macrumors" for a reason). The title of this thread is in line with the "macrumors" theme, objectively reasonable.

Which leads to the question: what on EARTH are you doing bringing the topic of Trump into such a thread? That is hilarious!! The thread is not for discussion of politics, it's to discuss AirPods Pro and how they work.

That being said, thank you again for bumping up this consumer issue! It would have been great if you had an opinion about the AirPods Pro headphones, but that's ok, and again, I appreciate your sentiment.

 

[doolar]

I don’t think you know the definition of “scandal”. I’m not saying you’re not experiencing this issue, but even if you and all the 4900 people that potentially have this problem are correct, it’s still not a scandal. Millions and millions of AirPods sold around the world, some defects are expected.

You seem to be very upset. Don’t let something so trivial get to you. Return the airpods and buy something else.

 

[JasonHB]

Hi Jason,

Thank you very much for your reply here and bumping up the issue – I'm glad to see your opinion that US$249.00 AirPods Pro that don't work as advertised for any of the millions of consumers that have bought them is a hissy fit (and hot tip: they are not refundable).

I appreciate your sentiment, but I disagree with your comment to get some perspective, and here is why.

I note this forum is specifically targeted at users of specific Apple products, and users are invited give feedback on these products and discuss them together in this space (indeed, if you look at the URL it is "macrumors" for a reason). The title of this thread is in line with the "macrumors" theme, objectively reasonable.

Which leads to the question: what on EARTH are you doing bringing the topic of Trump into such a thread? That is hilarious!! The thread is not for discussion of politics, it's to discuss AirPods Pro and how they work.

That being said, thank you again for bumping up this consumer issue! It would have been great if you had an opinion about the AirPods Pro headphones, but that's ok, and again, I appreciate your sentiment.

I was merely highlighting your definition of scandal and your lack of perspective

Jason

 

[Phwoar]

I was merely highlighting your definition of scandal and your lack of perspective

Jason

I don’t think you know the definition of “scandal”. I’m not saying you’re not experiencing this issue, but even if you and all the 4900 people that potentially have this problem are correct, it’s still not a scandal. Millions and millions of AirPods sold around the world, some defects are expected.

You seem to be very upset. Don’t let something so trivial get to you. Return the airpods and buy something else.

Thank you both for boosting this topic. I am imagining both of you like the main character on the film the Big Lebowski – if we had time we would have a beer. As "The Dude" on the Big Lebowski likes to say: "This aggression will not stand, man."

I mean you both no disrespect as I appreciate that you seem genuinely worried that this thread is making a "big deal" about something about headphones or somesuch tiny aspect of life and calling it a "scandal".

But dudes.... RIGHTEOUS DUDES....DEEEWDS...have you both looked at this website? Looked at the title? Looked at the sub-forum area? Then looked hard at your lives and internet reading habits? Dudes, this is literally a thread on a sub-forum about wearable Apple Products, relating to AirPods Pro, on a website called "Macrumors". That's why I find (in a non-mean way) your reactions to this niche thread about an AirPods Pro microphone scandal absolutely hilarious (NB: your caring sentiment is actually appreciated, you both seem like nice people).

Not to feed any (inadvertent, extremely well-meaning) trolls because I do appreciate the sentiment, but getting the purpose of this thread back on topic:

1. It appears that every single AirPods Pro ever sold has and still has the described defect. That is shocking from a possible consumer law point of view, especially when Apple has advertised "Designed to keep up with you, AirPods Pro are sweat and water resistant, and they feature an expanded mesh microphone port that improves call clarity in windy situations." – citation at time of writing: https://www.apple.com/airpods-pro/
2. Apple Dictionary: scandal | ˈskand(ə)l | noun an action or event regarded as morally or legally wrong and causing general public outrage.
3. Sample of general public outrage from Apple's own support thread with at time of writing 4,956 people indicating they have this microphone problem: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/250813242

• "I've got approx. 10 friends with the Airpod Pros and all of them have serious issues using them. Apples brand is about just making stuff work. But these don't work. The Apple Airpods Pro are ****."
• "It's a huge design flaw and needs to be addressed by Apple and Airpods Pro should be recalled and compensate users. I spent a lot of time dealing with support, going to the Apple Store and now having to go and return the replacement pods because the problem has not changed at all. A HUGE disappointment on quality control."
• "And I tried everything that you can find on the internet from cleaning the AirPods Pro, the case, to disconnecting, to rebooting, e v e r y t h i n g. After days of trying I finally went to the Apple store. They gave me a replacement for both AirPods left n right. I come back home and the mic STILL SOUNDS STATIC N MUFFLED. I did the testing with voice memos but sound so bad I rather just not use them for calls. What’s the point of having expensive pair of AirPods Pro if they are all faulty?"
• "I am on my THIRD pair of replacement Pros with zero improvement. Purchased April 2020 and latest pair received here in NYC just this week. "
• "But during my first test call with the one new and one old AirPod Pro I realized: the problems still exist! Nobody could hear me. .... Unbelievable !"
• "I'm really disappointed with them, to be honest. For listening only, they are fine, but the horrible microphone quality when outdoors means I now do not trust them at all so in case I need to answer the phone while out, I resort to using the phone without AirPods."
• "Yes, my airpods pro are horrible with phone calls. Callers cant hear me it is beyond frustration to pay this much for earbuds and have this issue. Also they will not update to latest firmware."
• "The worst part is the noise cancellation works for me amazing but others can hear every **** sound every noise around me everything is boosted up for them and they cannot hear anything unless I am a no vacuum chamber or something. "
• "It is ridiculous to see apple still selling the product with problem affecting each pair of pro being sold. That is fraud. "

So in a consumer protection framework (say, in the US regulatory framework) it's possible we have all the following ingredients, and make of this what you will:

1. Apple advertising something and charging top of the market price for a "Pro" (ie "Premium") product that should be better than "Apple AirPods". In the advertisement for Apple AirPods Pro Apple states (at time of writing) "expanded mesh microphone port that improves call clarity in windy situations".
2. However, on Apple's own support website, over 4,900 people (and counting, every week it goes up by several hundred) are indicating they are getting a problem with microphone clarity dropping out with external noise including wind.
3. Several days after my original post, a YouTuber has identified exactly the same issue these literally thousands of people are having so that non-owners of AirPods Pro like the Two Dudes commenting above can hear what is going on:

So heck yeah!! Right on – let's get the scandal started! Yeww! What do people think about this? Let's ride the mechanical bull!!
.

 

[doolar]

It is just, well, I. No. Ok. So my APPs do not do this, nor my colleagues. I use mine for calls outside, in the wind (I live in a very windy area btw), and nobody, absolutely nobody's ever complained about the sound from my mic. It must be well over 50 hours of phone calls over the APPs, granted not all of them outside.

I did have the strange thing with my right bud though, but it never affected the mic, and since it was replaced (they replaced both at the same time), it's been good.

What don't sit right with me about your post and statement is this:

"It appears that every single AirPods Pro ever sold has and still has the described defect."

That is a very bold statement, and that is what makes your post (that and the "shouty" deliverance) quite hilarious, which I know was not your intent at all.

I feel you - you're salty, salty like hell. This passion is way better spent toward something important in your or your loved ones life. A pair of earbuds? Even million pairs of earbuds? Not worth it.

On the other hand, maybe you are on to something - and I will be the one mocked for not listening. I'll say my sorries then, no problem.

All the best

 

[Phwoar]

It is just, well, I. No. Ok. So my APPs do not do this, nor my colleagues. I use mine for calls outside, in the wind (I live in a very windy area btw), and nobody, absolutely nobody's ever complained about the sound from my mic. It must be well over 50 hours of phone calls over the APPs, granted not all of them outside.

That's great input – thank you!

Try using iOS "Voice Memo" app to record yourself through the microphones of your APPs while in the wind (has to especially be in wind outside), then play it back to yourself. I wonder if you get the noise cancellation effect cutting the microphone off! Could be a pretty cool experiment. You would want to make sure your call recipients aren't getting this happening to them and simply not telling you!

And salty? Hehe only partially, the tongue is firmly in my cheek my friend in the writing above, just trying to get this topic some views. Thank you very much for replying on topic, that's really cool.

 

[doolar]

That's great input – thank you!

Try using iOS "Voice Memo" app to record yourself through the microphones of your APPs while in the wind (has to especially be in wind outside), then play it back to yourself. I wonder if you get the noise cancellation effect cutting the microphone off! Could be a pretty cool experiment. You would want to make sure your call recipients aren't getting this happening to them and simply not telling you!

And salty? Hehe only partially, the tongue is firmly in my cheek my friend in the writing above, just trying to get this topic some views. Thank you very much for replying on topic, that's really cool.

Cool, will do - when I have one single complaint. So far and over many hours of calls - what I usually hear from the callee is "you sound great" because I often ask of habit when talking outside in windy conditions. And my wife is really picky - she'd just hang up. 😂

 

[Phwoar]

Updates on this thread: how awesome is the growing scandal about Apple AirPods Pro microphones not working??

So updates: there are now 5,336 people who have indicated they have this problem with AirPods Pro microphones at Apple's own support forum:
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/250813242?page=27
That is up from the 4,700 people with the problem, when this thread was first created only a few weeks ago.

This is phenomenal – the complaints are growing, and could eventually attract remedial action from Apple on the scale of the butterfly keyboard disaster. Let's see what the coming months bring.

It is unlikely to be simply one or two faulty pairs causing the microphone defect, as people are replacing, and replacing, and replacing their pairs numerous times (my experience too), and the same problem with the microphone and background noise just keeps happening. Over and over again. Replacement pair, after replacement pair.

It could well be a firmware issue, let's hope so as that's easily resolved with a firmware update for Apple AirPods Pro.

Also the support forum on Apple's own website is weighing in at a WHOPPING 27 pages of complaints about Apple AirPods Pro microphones not working properly, that's gotta be some kind of record!!

It's interesting to read the new feedback from Apple AirPods Pro users on Apple's forum. It adds to the growing pile of evidence that AirPods Pro microphones likely have a serious firmware flaw in them for every single AirPods Pro manufactured, which Apple is failing to fix. Some select examples:
(Source here: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/250813242?page=27)

• 11 March 2021: "I have tried everything suggested in this thread and I still get complaints of background noise. This is unacceptable. I don't have time to monkey around with returning them for it not to improve. It's bad enough that I have to listen to household noise while I am trying to work. My boss certainly doesn't want to hear it."
• 11 March 2021: "Same issue. My sister called me today with while using her airpods pro and I could hardly understand her. Then the same happened when my daughter called using her airpods pro. Their voices were muffled and it sounded like they had their phones in their pockets. In both cases we had to end the call because we could not communicate. So disappointing. @Apple fix this, pronto!!!!!!!"
• 6 March 2021: "I called Apple support few days ago and they change my AirPods Pro for a new ones. At the beggining I’ve spoken well with it but one day after they has updated to the last firmware and the call background noise returns. I have test using voice memos app and it’s incredible the difference to a worse sound. I hope an update soon"

It is such a wonderful thing to see Apple AirPods Pro users getting online and providing their feedback about this premium product that literally thousands of consumers are saying doesn't work and cannot be used for the advertised purpose. It would be hard for anyone to argue that there isn't a problem happening and be taken seriously.

It is great to see these kind of complaints about the defective Apple AirPods Pro product, because this consumer action helps holds a company to account for producing what seems to be extremely expensive products (upper market range) that have apparently universal defects; the world saw the same with the MacBook butterfly keyboard disaster, and so on.

It is also unsuprising that Macrumors has users who frequently deny that there are problems with Apple's products, and even in many cases will make excuses for the premium products not working, as if it were a problem with the mindset of the consumer.

This is likely to be in major part due to a lot of brand loyalty among users of Macrumors. It's a tight knit community of long-term users who have deeply invested in Apple products. This is probably the outcome of immensely successful brand loyalty along with top-level marketing, and why not: Apple is a company that in the past has produced excellent products, with a keen eye for detail and UX.

That is, until the last few years it seems: butterfly keyboard, Apple AirPods Pro microphone scandal, and so on.

And to provide the counter argument: who among us hasn't had the odd year as a multi-billion dollar company where you simply don't get around to re-issuing a firmware fix for a premium product so it works as advertised? I mean, what with the kids to pick up after school, medical bills, and a mortgage, it's amazing Apple manages to get everything done by dinner time right, surely it's ok for some things to just fall off the radar, right?

So far two Macrumors users have responded in this thread, indicating they are not getting the problem with the AirPods Pro microphones, with one user being unwilling to test their AirPods Pro because they haven't had any call recipient complain so far. That's fair enough and we should respect this valuable input. But perhaps we should be more focused on the 5,336 people who indicate they do have this problem with Apple AirPods Pro microphones. That's too many for this to be just a few defective units, let's face it. It's too large to ignore.

See also: the YouTuber demonstrating (in audio and video) the microphone defect appearing to affecting all Apple AirPods Pro, which you can catch in the embedded YouTube video in the earlier posts above. Same issue the world over, user report after user report. This is unlikely to be a coincidence given this repeated evidence from thousands of users.

Let's also remember: Apple AirPods (ordinary version that are less expensive) do not have this problem with the microphones. However, Apple AirPods Pro are marketed as a premium product that claims to have better microphone quality cutting wind noise in the advertisements.

Lastly, and this is meant with no ill intent: please feel free to disagree. As posters have done above, you are welcome to accuse this thread of being a waste of time, that's cool and free speech. You are also free to jump to the defence of the product out of loyalty to the brand and the corporation, and defend what is overwhelmingly being called out on Apple's own support forums as a defective product, that's fine too and really a tribute to the power of Apple's brand loyalty. And finally: remember, it's "Macrumors", so tongue is firmly in cheek!!

 

[oneMadRssn]

I get this issue from time to time. It is indeed super annoying. It doesn't even require that much noice for the mic issue to kick in.

 

[nickdalzell1]

I don't get it--are all of you using your AirPods to make voice calls in a hurricane or something?

 

[Phwoar]

I don't get it--are all of you using your AirPods to make voice calls in a hurricane or something?

No no what everyone (5000+ people on Apple's support forum and rising) is experiencing is simply shown in this example video by a YouTuber, have a watch so you can hear and see what this thread is about:

 

[hwojtek]

What "everyone" is experiencing is how this works. "Everyone" expects the sudden wind noise to be muted and simultaneously the voice still to be heard? I don't think "everyone" actually realizes how it works. While the feature is activated, a sudden peak in outside noise will always cause the input gain to suddenly drop, be it even to zero. Get Bose 700 and you will see similar pattern.
Too often people confuse the meaning of "noise canceling", the microphone (input) noise canceling in AirPods can not work the way earphone (output) active noise canceling does for lack of reference noise pattern (ambient without users' voice). It does it using software with a smart input from the inward microphone, but it's ML, in other words: a guess game. Improving with firmware updates (wonder how many members of "everyone" actually know how to update APP firmware). There is already a thread here, there are useful tips regarding factoring in the NC mode APPs are in to the resulting call quality, no need to get overexcited with "scandal".

 

[Phwoar]

Hi @hwojtek thank you for your response – it's really good to hear your feedback (if you pardon the pun).

So firstly, thanks for showing me the other Macrumors thread you linked, very interesting. That thread appears to be not about the Apple support page blowing up with user complaints (https://discussions.apple.com/thread/250813242?page=27) i.e. scandal – and appears also not to be about the actual external growing pile of evidence (as per YouTube video I linked above) showing the problem for all to see and hear.

So this thread is different: it raises consumer issue based on mounting external evidence, and it is not a Macrumors debate about whether Macrumors users are telling the truth.

There is clearly a global problem with the Apple AirPods Pro product with its microphone quality malfunctioning in response to even slight external noise, there is less and less room for debate about that, given the mounting pile of external evidence. Unfortunately the most recent firmware update 3A283 did not fix this issue, meaning Apple isn't paying attention.

The second thing to comment on, you make some excellent and valid points about the "noise cancelling" elements of how the system in such headphones works – however this doesn't make sense because with noise cancelling switched off on the Apple AirPods Pro, the microphone problem still occurs in the event of external noise.

Indeed, the YouTuber in the YouTube video I link above, specifically tells us in his YouTube comments that he records his examples in that video with Noise Cancelling switched off.

And the hundreds of consumers complaining on Apple's support page (https://discussions.apple.com/thread/250813242?page=27) about this problem have stated they are getting this problem with noise cancellation switched off, they have tried all settings and are evidently still getting this problem.

The final comment on your comment about input gain is: with Apple AirPods Pro noise cancelling switched to "off", why is the input gain to dropping to zero, when Apple's standard lightning wired headphones do not drop to zero in the event of background noise? And why do Apple AirPods (normal version) not have this problem in the event of background noise?

The only answer can be that this is extremely likely not how Apple AirPods Pro are intended or designed to work, and most importantly this appears not to be how Apple AirPods Pro were advertised to the consumer as being how they were intended to work.

In fact, the product was held out to consumers by Apple as follows: "expanded mesh microphone port that improves call clarity in windy situations" (verbatim apple.com).

In this circumstance, @hwojtek you are approaching this issue exactly the same as I initially mistakenly did when I first had this problem (as had thousands like me, until people started finding out that they are not the only one with the problem): "Apple must have designed it this way".

The growing mountain of evidence in the observations of users worldwide shows us, Apple almost certainly did not design it this way and this is very likely not what consumers believed they were getting, which lines up with Apple's marketing of the product promising improved microphone clarity with external wind noise (indeed from all user reports and all external evidence, the opposite is likely true for Apple AirPods Pro microphone clarity!).

This is also evident in the fact of AirPods (standard version) not having this microphone problem. But the AirPods "Pro" are marketed and priced as being superior to the AirPods standard version – consumers would expect this "Pro" product to contain the features of the standard product, in addition to the premium features, and the product is indeed marketed in this way.

For these reasons I argue we should not accept any arguments that this is "just how the product is", it is in likely truth an error made by the vendor of a product who is selling the product and making claims about the performance of the product (Apple AirPods Pro) when those claims are evidently increasingly looking likely to be incorrect.

This likely is a manufacturing and/or firmware error that Apple should fix, for no further charge to the consumer.

Apple should also fix this swiftly, as all AirPods Pro have been sold during a time period where Apple claimed (globally) the following features in its marketing materials designed to induce a consumer to purchase the product: "expanded mesh microphone port that improves call clarity in windy situations" (verbatim apple.com).

We know from all this user feedback cited above that this claim appears likely to be untrue and possibly misleading at best.

In order to meet the functionality that Apple has advertised about Apple AirPods Pro (better clarity in calls during wind interference and external noise), Apple ought to be acting to fix this.

Thanks again @hwojtek for your input and engagement with this difficult issue, it is greatly appreciated.

 

[hwojtek]

This is exactly the case. Apple has actually designed it like this. There is tons of proof in YouTube that they have indeed designed this feature this way. Furthermore, the sole fact that the box says "Designed by Apple in California" is further proof Apple has designed the APP and designed it in a way that does not suit all the environments.

On the other hand, it is beyond any discussion that a fine mesh contributes to overall ability to suppress wind noise. That's what mesh is used in microphones for.

The actual problem - no doubt it may be annoying to some users - is the firmware which jumps the input gain too quickly on wind-caused input overload. If it is annoying enough for Apple - I doubt it. Your "everyone" is a couple of thousands of users that happen to employ borderline scenarios or unfounded, attenuated expectations into their usage. Apple sells 100 MILLION AirPods per year. Even if we assumed there are 1000 times more affected users who didn't write on the forums, it's still some 0.5% of the customer base. You do not dedicate engineers to fix something for such a percentage of users. You tell users "go somewhere less windy".

It's not my actual 'input'. I'm just looking into your attempts to raise attention here on forums and find it bordering on hysterical. While you have a point with finding a critical scenario the APP fails, this is a stillborn campaign. Maybe Apple will fix it in the new firmware, maybe not. Live with it.

For reference, I dare you to call "scandal" once you realize - say - a convertible BMW of yours (and thousands of other owners living in the mountains) is useless in carrying a roof rack, despite the fact it was pictured driving top-down through a mountain valley in the TV commercial.

 

[MecPro]

I’ve been getting told the same thing for a while regarding the APP noice cancellation whilst on a call.

I thought they would have been a lot more robust in regards to simple NC like walking next to a road or in a windy location but I’ve literally been told “call me back later”.

I don’t expect much from tiny ear buds, but I do expect better from £250 devices which are meant to perform well in NC situations.

It’s kinda typical to have people batting for Apple like everything they do is correct. As the consumer we have fair right to complain.

 

[Mac... nificent]

what on EARTH are you doing bringing the topic of Trump into such a thread? That is hilarious!! The thread is not for discussion of politics, it's to discuss AirPods Pro and how they work.

I believe he was trying to show you examples of what would be real scandals. This issue is hardly a scandal. Yes, Apple should look into it, and they probably are, but no reason to over exaggerate the issue either. That just makes you look silly

 

[Phuz01]

In the past year, I've made a lot of phone calls from the streets of NYC while wearing AirPods Pro. And yeah, people do complain that my voice drops if it's windy, cars are honking, or sirens are blaring in the background. I just assumed the AirPods Pro have omnidirectional mics that focus on the loudest nearby sound, which will usually be your voice. If I pull up the hood on my jacket, 90% of the time the issue is resolved. If I don't want my voice cutting out, I use a wired pair of headphones with a microphone I can pull up to my mouth. Apple might be able to make the experience better, but it's never going to find a catch-all solution; sound is too unpredictable.

 

[nickdalzell1]

I believe he was trying to show you examples of what would be real scandals. This issue is hardly a scandal. Yes, Apple should look into it, and they probably are, but no reason to over exaggerate the issue either. That just makes you look silly

I guess calling it a 'scandal' is better than adding yet another 'gate' suffix to a word, such as "Windgate"

On that note, did the more detrimental AirPod Pro glitch ever get resolved? Rattlegate?

 

[Telesmurfen]

Thanks for bringing up this subject. I bought a pair of AirPods Pro when it first launched. Unfortunately I dropped them on the ground and after that, I experienced microphone issues, as the person I was talking to could hardly hear me when I was out and about and there was any background noise.
I blamed this on myself and the fact that I had dropped my AirPods, so I went and bought a new pair last year. It’s worked perfectly up until a few weeks ago, when I started getting complaints that the person I was talking with, could hardly hear me if there was any wind or traffic near me. The people I’ve spoken to, has described it as if the microphone prioritizes the external noise and mutes my voice. If a car passes, they have to keep their phone away from their ear, because of the loud noise.
This time I have not dropped my AirPods, and both my APPs and my iPhone is on its latest firmware.
I’ve tried every “solution” suggested.. cleaned the grills with Blue-Tac, sucked on them, making sure that the grills are totally clean. I’ve re-paired them with my phone, tried every rubber tip and every combination of tips (from Small to Large). I have also tried with noise cancellation on and off and forced the AirPods to use only the left or right microphone instead of the default “automatic”, but to no avail.
I was just about to buy me a third pair (this is getting expensive), as I prefer the sound and, style and functionality of the APPs more than the regular 2nd generation AirPods. But if Apple still hasn’t fixed this problem, I have better things to spend my money on.
On a final note, I have used my 2’nd generation AirPods in the same environments, and while the person on the other end can still hear some noise, it’s nowhere as bad as when I use my APPs and my voice is not drowned out by the background noise..

 

[TheSynchronizer]

I've had airpod pros from launch, and I've had to replace them a few times for other issues with AppleCare, but I've never experienced the issue described here. Whenever my APPs are connected to my phone I'll use them for the phone call, whether outside or wherever, and I've never had complaints of any sort. And I live right by the sea so you can imagine I'd experience this issue a lot But I don't. At all. So yeah, there are those 5000+ people that have reported it, but I am living proof that not everyone is affected by this 'issue'.

And my latest pair of APPs has been working perfectly for a very long time now.

 

[Phwoar]

And my latest pair of APPs has been working perfectly for a very long time now.

Hey thanks for this @TheSynchronizer – I remember reading your post last month on Macrumors before I created this thread!! Aren't you the guy on the other thread that has put tape permanently on the mesh of your AirPods Pro (APPs) to make them work? If that is you (apologies if not), I wonder if you putting the sticky tape on each grill of your APPs has fixed the external noise problem? Maybe you could test it out (ie with tape, without tape) and let us know?

But if Apple still hasn’t fixed this problem, I have better things to spend my money on.

Great post thank you @Telesmurfen, me too – I was thinking of seeing if they would replace my 4th faulty pair of AirPods Pro with just the AirPods (normal version) next time I go into the Apple Store with this issue (5th time wooo!)...I don't think they would, as it isn't likely to meet the warranty aspects of "like for like" but maybe I might get lucky if there's something like store credit applicable.

On that note, did the more detrimental AirPod Pro glitch ever get resolved? Rattlegate?

@nickdalzell1 thanks for the post, I agree with you that the Rattlegate would have been worse to get than this microphone ridiculousness, as Rattlegate apparently messed with the user's perception of their own voice and external sounds. Super dangerous for using when bicycling or crossing the street and oncoming traffic noise etc, a user might react to sounds they think they perceive but that aren't really there!

If I don't want my voice cutting out, I use a wired pair of headphones with a microphone I can pull up to my mouth.

@Phuz01 Great post, and yeah I do the same as you now, it's like $25 for the wired pair of Apple lightning headphones. I feel like an idiot for buying AirPods Pro every time someone from work calls and I'm outside and grab out the long white headphones, pull the APP out, plug the wired ones in and take the call (lol a messy tangle of headphone cords under your chin but hey, it's trusted and the caller can hear me just fine in any traffic or wind!).

This issue is hardly a scandal.

@Mac... nificent You have a great username thanks for the post. It's a "hardly" kind of scandal, true, though inasmuch as the caller can hardly hear us when we use Apple AirPods Pro, and this is hardly acceptable from one of the corporate monoliths of the modern age, and hardly qualifies as fair advertising for a product that doesn't work as stated.

Remember: even a prince stating he has not spoken to his father for a year is categorised as a scandal. This microphone issue is very much a scandal, and if you disagree sir then it's a glove to the face followed swiftly by Apple Magic Keyboards, 20 paces, at dawn.

I thought they would have been a lot more robust in regards to simple NC like walking next to a road or in a windy location but I’ve literally been told “call me back later”.

@MecPro Thanks for the post, yes me too – I dislike that occasional social transferrance between the technology not working, and the user of the AirPods Pro sounding completely unprofessional to the person on the other end of the call. It is so bad that you really do have to switch to the wired headphones, or to the phone itself...which is often hard to do when you're outside and your phone is tucked away which is why you had the Apple AirPods Pro in your ears in the first place!!

The actual problem - no doubt it may be annoying to some users - is the firmware which jumps the input gain too quickly on wind-caused input overload. If it is annoying enough for Apple - I doubt it. Your "everyone" is a couple of thousands of users that happen to employ borderline scenarios or unfounded, attenuated expectations into their usage.

@hwojtek bingo you are exactly on the money – this is my theory too. The firmware says to the input gain: "Hey AirPods Pro, OnExternalNoise4 is happening, how much would you like the microphone reduced?" AirPods Pro: "yes".

Also, my "everyone" is, at 5000+ users, statistically so large and globally sampled that we can confidently say it's all users, all batches of Apple AirPods Pro ever produced. Not going to explain that as it is already evident you are an intellectual person and you will catch my drift