Apple Releases New Firmware for AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, and AirPods 4

[Astuces iOS]

Clearly the update is for firmware on an H2 chip.

Yeah tho why they stop making updates for h1? They still sell the AirPods Max no? boom

 

[Happy_John]

Yeah tho why they stop making updates for h1? They still sell the AirPods Max no? boom

Because it’s a different chip.

You’re posted these types of things before. I don’t think you’ve really thought about this. The person you remington me of most is Spinał Tap’s Nigel Tufnel ( maybe Google him).

It’s not a game, where H2 is “level Up” from H1.

When you look at a lot of what the H2 actually can do, your (and my) AirPods Max would NOT benefit from having a H2 chip.

The “extra stuff” in the H2 chip is all to do with processing sound to small drivers (i.e. speakers) and functionality that simply doesn’t apply to APM.

APM are a beautiful set of over-ear headphones, generally to be used at home fir listening to music and watching video content, and have the ecosystem connectivity of AirPods.

It is NOT cheaper for Aple to make H1 chips than H2 chips. In fact, if they are still making both, that adds to production cost.

Air Ods Max might be called „AirPods”, but beyond the brand named, they are completely different. Specifically, in their internals.

Would you have expected that, back in the day, an iPod Classic and an iPod Touch would recieve the same updates? Bu your login, because they’re both called „iPod”, of course they should. And that completely ignores how dissimiliar they were.

You want functionality in a product that was never designed to be that product.

Stop being naive with this “H2 is a higher number than H1, so I want the highest number” silliness. The AirPods Max wouldn’t benefit from these updates or from having a H2 chip. Because it is a chip designed for earbuds and only for earbuds.

 

[macmac30]

Apple today released new firmware designed for the AirPods Pro 3, the AirPods 4, and the prior-generation AirPods Pro 2. The AirPods Pro 3 firmware is 8B25, while the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 firmware is 8B21, all up from the prior 8A358 firmware released in October.

There's no word on what's include in the updated firmware, but the AirPods Pro 2, AirPods 4 with ANC, and AirPods Pro 3 are both set to get expanded support for Live Translation in the European Union in iOS 26.2, which is being beta tested.

The firmware could be related to that upcoming functionality, or it could add bug fixes and performance improvements.

To install the new firmware, make sure your AirPods are in range of your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. From there, put your AirPods in the Charging Case and connect the Charging Case to power. Keep the case closed and wait at least 30 minutes for the firmware update to install.

Article Link: Apple Releases New Firmware for AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, and AirPods 4

Hey Author - regarding: "The AirPods Pro 3 firmware is 8B25, while the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 firmware is 8B21, all up from the prior 8A358 firmware released in October. "

AP3 new firmware version is 8B25 while the CASE firmware version is 8A358 (not sure if this is new or unchanged).

But these are two different firmwares...

 

[Kylo83]

why is the app3 a higher build number, they both have the same h2 chip so wonder whats changed with pro 3 than the 2 didnt get

 

[dsherh5]

Yeah the bigger tips are better anc but in one ear it caused so much ear pain so had to downside and now it’s worse, I couldn’t find the perfect balance, it’s a shame, the pro 2 just worked fine for fit and anc, I can’t use bigger tips in one ear as my ear is smaller inside lol so it’s rather better anc or better comfort

In that case, let me fix your first post where you said, "ANC is the exact same, and still worse than AirPods Pro 2, sound quality is the exact same". What you meant to say is "ANC is the exact same, and still worse than AirPods Pro 2 FOR ME, sound quality is the exact same"

 

[msackey]

Does the iPhone need to be also on a charger and/or does it need to be on? It has always been hit or miss with these updates landing on my AirPods.

What I end up doing is this:
- put on Airpods, unlock iPhone and play audio for a minute.
- Return AirPods to case and make sure iPhone is plugged in.

 

[Hammerd]

AirPods Pro 1 deadass or what?

It is just materially limited

 

[amancalledsun]

AirPods Pro 1 deadass or what?

Yep. Apple knows they all crackle by now, so you just use them without NR and there's no point in putting out updates.

 

[9Jooey]

AirPods Pro 3 8B25 Deterioration of anc.

 

[whcchief]

If your ANC is worse than on the AirPods Pro 2, it’s almost definitely the fit. Try adjusting how you insert the Pro 3s or switch to different tips.

When I first got them at launch, I was underwhelmed too. It took a couple of weeks and some tip swapping to get used to them and figure out the right placement. Now the difference is almost night and day, I’ve never had earbuds with ANC this good.

As we all know, not the first nerf of the ANC.

 

[Astuces iOS]

Because it’s a different chip.

You’re posted these types of things before. I don’t think you’ve really thought about this. The person you remington me of most is Spinał Tap’s Nigel Tufnel ( maybe Google him).

It’s not a game, where H2 is “level Up” from H1.

When you look at a lot of what the H2 actually can do, your (and my) AirPods Max would NOT benefit from having a H2 chip.

The “extra stuff” in the H2 chip is all to do with processing sound to small drivers (i.e. speakers) and functionality that simply doesn’t apply to APM.

APM are a beautiful set of over-ear headphones, generally to be used at home fir listening to music and watching video content, and have the ecosystem connectivity of AirPods.

It is NOT cheaper for Aple to make H1 chips than H2 chips. In fact, if they are still making both, that adds to production cost.

Air Ods Max might be called „AirPods”, but beyond the brand named, they are completely different. Specifically, in their internals.

Would you have expected that, back in the day, an iPod Classic and an iPod Touch would recieve the same updates? Bu your login, because they’re both called „iPod”, of course they should. And that completely ignores how dissimiliar they were.

You want functionality in a product that was never designed to be that product.

Stop being naive with this “H2 is a higher number than H1, so I want the highest number” silliness. The AirPods Max wouldn’t benefit from these updates or from having a H2 chip. Because it is a chip designed for earbuds and only for earbuds.

Chill, I'm not asking for the H2 chip on the AirPods Max... I just want updates on H1 devices... JUST SOMETHING !!! I'm not asking for any feature! Just bug fixes or anything...

 

[svish]

Don't think it will be for an upcoming feature. Most probably it will be fixing some bugs and/or improving audio quality.

 

[puzzler.dyes9s]

Apple today released new firmware designed for the AirPods Pro 3, the AirPods 4, and the prior-generation AirPods Pro 2. The AirPods Pro 3 firmware is 8B25, while the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 firmware is 8B21, all up from the prior 8A358 firmware released in October.

There's no word on what's include in the updated firmware, but the AirPods Pro 2, AirPods 4 with ANC, and AirPods Pro 3 are both set to get expanded support for Live Translation in the European Union in iOS 26.2, which is being beta tested.

The firmware could be related to that upcoming functionality, or it could add bug fixes and performance improvements.

To install the new firmware, make sure your AirPods are in range of your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. From there, put your AirPods in the Charging Case and connect the Charging Case to power. Keep the case closed and wait at least 30 minutes for the firmware update to install.

Article Link: Apple Releases New Firmware for AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, and AirPods 4

For me, iOS version 26.1 had a big impact on AirPods Pro 3:
– Stopped the whistling during workouts with Transparency mode (that left them unusable for the rest of the day),
– Enabled Hearing Aids support in Romania (not interested),
– Removed the low battery warning — now I find myself talking alone mid-call.
Very likely, others experienced completely different changes.
So now, I just wait… and hope that Santa (a.k.a. 8B25) brings the battery warning back.

 

[W2u7Yw4HaD]

It's not correct to say you need to leave on a charger for 30min and then it will happen. I had a good charge level in mine (and phone) and just left the phone and AirPods beside each other all night, update happened overnight without either plugged in.

 

[9Jooey]

Can bring back the whistling sound (whistle tone) like before? And please revert the ANC to its previous state. I have been using the ANC in the office for almost a month now without playing any audio. Today, after the firmware update, the office ambient noise (chatter/clutter) is back. Although it's slightly quieter than usual, it was definitely much quieter before the update."

 

[svkrzn]

LOL my APP2 usb c are still on 8b14

Mine are on 8B21, usb c

 

[Happy_John]

Chill, I'm not asking for the H2 chip on the AirPods Max... I just want updates on H1 devices... JUST SOMETHING !!! I'm not asking for any feature! Just bug fixes or anything...

What bugs?

It’s a psir of over-Ear headphones with very good anc and transparency mode. That’s what it does.

How do you think new firmware. would change that. New firmware won’t fix the issues with the mest canopy or lack of an on/off button, and those are the two flaws that are conistantly mentioned by a product.

Would you be happy with a new firmware number, just to be able to say your APM “goes up to 11”?

Do you want a firmware upgrade for the strip of your Apple Watch too?

 

[Nomax2000]

AirPods AND Case shall be on 8B21? My wife's AirPods Pro 2 and my AirPods 4 ANC are only updating the AirPods, not the cases.

 

[Jutah]

AirPods AND Case shall be on 8B21? My wife's AirPods Pro 2 and my AirPods 4 ANC are only updating the AirPods, not the cases.

APP3

Initially I got the update on the buds, some hours later also the case had the update.

 

[McNoise]

Static noise still there

A certain amount of noise is normal with ANC – this is known as ‘ANC noise floors’. With very good active noise cancellation, it is difficult to create complete silence. The APP2 also produced noise, but it was very subtle – with the 3s, it is now slightly more noticeable... but still less than with many other ANC headphones. How noticeable the noise is certainly also depends on how well the user can still hear. It is well known that high frequencies are less easily perceived with age.

 

[DeftwillP]

If you're saying that apple is nerfing the ANC on the app3.....why? Why would apple intentionally degrade ANC on their flagship product? They release the series 4 THEN start to nerf the previous models, this is the way.

 

[Jutah]

A certain amount of noise is normal with ANC – this is known as ‘ANC noise floors’. With very good active noise cancellation, it is difficult to create complete silence. The APP2 also produced noise, but it was very subtle – with the 3s, it is now slightly more noticeable... but still less than with many other ANC headphones. How noticeable the noise is certainly also depends on how well the user can still hear. It is well known that high frequencies are less easily perceived with age.

it make sense. The thing i do not understand is why the noise is also present in the transparency mode and not only in the ANC. It goes away in "off" mode.

 

[Astuces iOS]

What bugs?

It’s a psir of over-Ear headphones with very good anc and transparency mode. That’s what it does.

How do you think new firmware. would change that. New firmware won’t fix the issues with the mest canopy or lack of an on/off button, and those are the two flaws that are conistantly mentioned by a product.

Would you be happy with a new firmware number, just to be able to say your APM “goes up to 11”?

Do you want a firmware upgrade for the strip of your Apple Watch too?

Well the bugs that got fixed on this update and the three previous ones ! No way that the AirPods Pro 1, AirPods 3 and AirPods Max don't have those bugs !

Also I have AirPods Pro 1, I never said that I had Maxes...

 

[symonsl]

The new firmware fixed a problem I had using APP3 with Apple Vision Pro, where the audio sounded like it was coming through a metal can.

 

[Jakbe12]

Zero improvement.

I can have a full conversation with my wife with ANC on 😂