Making apple accountable

[jakey rolling]

Not necessary to add off-hand insults. You don't have to be an "Apple fan" to have a different view.

It would probably be in your best interest to pause for a second and think about why you might feel insulted by someone who simply calls out irrational consumer behavior as being irrational. It is pretty much the textbook definition of "fan" if you are so loyal to a single brand that you would continue to buy their products knowing full well that those products are going to fail you.

 

[Unami]

I recently encountered a disappointing experience with Apple’s customer service, both in-store and over the phone. My AirPods Pro began producing a crackling noise—a well-documented manufacturing defect acknowledged by Apple.

Try blowing on them or cleaning the vents with compressed air or blue tac. Works for me most of the time (until I have to do it again).

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/airpods-pro-crackling-rattling-issues-troubleshooting.2238729/page-2?post=32937838#post-32937838

And, yeah, apple customer service often blows as well - for every time I got something from them (long time ago) due to a defect there are now countless times where you're met with a revolting wall of smiles and "sorry, not sorry,, we don't repair/acknowledge that, but you could buy a new one?". Computer says no.

 

[trip1ex]

Caveat Emptor.

I had a Samsung 60" plasma hdtv and it went bust after 5 years.

 

[Tyler O'Bannon]

Things like this happen, and out of warrantycisnoutnof warranty the rest is simply faith in the manufacturer. Apple is probably by far the best longevity of all devices, this just happens to be a low point on the left side of the bell curve. Their average across all things is still very high.

 

[5167767]

Caveat Emptor.

I had a Samsung 60" plasma hdtv and it went bust after 5 years.

Yeah, I’ve had a few phones defective new out of the box. Got offered a refurbished phone for replacement. From both google and Apple.

 

[TechnoMonk]

i thought the warranty is only 1 year, did you have apple care ?

It was out of warranty/AC when the issue started. Apple had free replacement program for the issue for AirPods Pro before Oct 2020. They replaced mine free out of Warranty/AC.

 

[Howard2k]

I recently encountered a disappointing experience with Apple’s customer service, both in-store and over the phone. My AirPods Pro began producing a crackling noise—a well-documented manufacturing defect acknowledged by Apple. However, because this issue surfaced more than three years after my purchase, Apple’s only recommendation was to buy a new pair for over $250, plus tax.



It’s disheartening that a company can overlook a known manufacturing defect and suggest that customers simply purchase a replacement. This approach seems unjust and uncharacteristic of a reputable American company. When a defect is known, failing to provide a solution to affected customers borders on negligence. I urge any law firms willing to address this issue to take action; consumers would greatly appreciate it. We must hold Apple accountable and prevent such practices from continuing.

Did you say 3 years?

 

[Tig_one]

We must hold Apple accountable and prevent such practices from continuing.

The only way to hold them accountable is to stop buying their stuff.

 

[surfzen21]

As a shareholder, please buy a new pair at full price. It is your civic duty.

 

[ThomasJL]

High-end third-party wired headphones or earbuds offer much better sound quality at the same or lower price.

 

[philstubbington]

I recently encountered a disappointing experience with Apple’s customer service, both in-store and over the phone. My AirPods Pro began producing a crackling noise—a well-documented manufacturing defect acknowledged by Apple. However, because this issue surfaced more than three years after my purchase, Apple’s only recommendation was to buy a new pair for over $250, plus tax.



It’s disheartening that a company can overlook a known manufacturing defect and suggest that customers simply purchase a replacement. This approach seems unjust and uncharacteristic of a reputable American company. When a defect is known, failing to provide a solution to affected customers borders on negligence. I urge any law firms willing to address this issue to take action; consumers would greatly appreciate it. We must hold Apple accountable and prevent such practices from continuing.

Take it to another Apple Store and get them to clean them, I’ve had mine replaced once and cleaned twice. The second time I couldn’t see much improvement initially but weirdly they’re better now. If you look under a magnifying glass at the section on the outer top region that seems to be where dust accumulates and is part of the noise cancelling technology.

Do yours have problems in all 3 modes?

 

[fenderbass146]

I recently encountered a disappointing experience with Apple’s customer service, both in-store and over the phone. My AirPods Pro began producing a crackling noise—a well-documented manufacturing defect acknowledged by Apple. However, because this issue surfaced more than three years after my purchase, Apple’s only recommendation was to buy a new pair for over $250, plus tax.



It’s disheartening that a company can overlook a known manufacturing defect and suggest that customers simply purchase a replacement. This approach seems unjust and uncharacteristic of a reputable American company. When a defect is known, failing to provide a solution to affected customers borders on negligence. I urge any law firms willing to address this issue to take action; consumers would greatly appreciate it. We must hold Apple accountable and prevent such practices from continuing.

the entitlement of this generation is insane...I don't doubt Apples customer service may not be as good as it used too, but your product failed outside of warranty...it sucks, but it is what it is...

 

[Rychiar]

I recently encountered a disappointing experience with Apple’s customer service, both in-store and over the phone. My AirPods Pro began producing a crackling noise—a well-documented manufacturing defect acknowledged by Apple. However, because this issue surfaced more than three years after my purchase, Apple’s only recommendation was to buy a new pair for over $250, plus tax.



It’s disheartening that a company can overlook a known manufacturing defect and suggest that customers simply purchase a replacement. This approach seems unjust and uncharacteristic of a reputable American company. When a defect is known, failing to provide a solution to affected customers borders on negligence. I urge any law firms willing to address this issue to take action; consumers would greatly appreciate it. We must hold Apple accountable and prevent such practices from continuing.

AirPods Pro 2 have been like $100 off lately and would have a solid battery. yours are gonna be in a landfill pretty soon anyways.

 

[Andy_2341]

High-end third-party wired headphones or earbuds offer much better sound quality at the same or lower price.

Indeed, but that misses most of the point of airpods. The benefit is no wire, but this is also the downfall longterm.

 

[fatTribble]

I understand being disappointed that they didn’t last longer, but I would never expect Apple or any company to replace something that’s out of warranty. Most warranties have a time limit and that’s the deal you make when you buy a product.

 

[jakey rolling]

the entitlement of this generation is insane...I don't doubt Apples customer service may not be as good as it used too, but your product failed outside of warranty...it sucks, but it is what it is...

My gosh. "Entitled". For expecting a product that is advertised as "premium" (and priced as such) to last longer than a couple of years.

Perhaps if your generation actually complained when you were getting hosed by corporations with shoddy products and customer service, instead of just kissing the ring and living with it, we wouldn't have these kinds of problems nowadays.

 

[ProbablyDylan]

I had this same issue and resolved to never buy a pair of airpods again. I understand batteries and such are consumable, but lasting barely over a year before the device begins to fail is unacceptable.

No such issue with the Galaxy Buds Pro or whatever Sony calls theirs. Only Apple's noise cancelling buds fail this spectacularly.

 

[Leading_Top_7001]

I had this same issue and resolved to never buy a pair of airpods again. I understand batteries and such are consumable, but lasting barely over a year before the device begins to fail is unacceptable.

No such issue with the Galaxy Buds Pro or whatever Sony calls theirs. Only Apple's noise cancelling buds fail this spectacularly.

will that because of the batch errors? I have mine for 3 years, nothing happened.
i just do not like the sound quality ata all

 

[Lift Bar]

AirPods Pro lawsuit says Apple didn't fix the crackles and ANC faults - 9to5Mac

Back in 2020, Apple admitted that some AirPods Pro units suffered from both crackling sounds, and faults in the Active...

9to5mac.com

Seems like it’s ongoing.

Apple AirPods Lawsuit Filed Over Pro Gen 1 Headphones Plagued by Sound Issues

A proposed class action lawsuit alleges Apple has falsely advertised the supposedly superior-sounding AirPods Pro Gen 1, which suffer from known audio defects that can cause the headphones to exhibit crackling or static sounds.

www.classaction.org

 

[ProbablyDylan]

will that because of the batch errors? I have mine for 3 years, nothing happened.
i just do not like the sound quality ata all

No, the issue actually persisted across 2 pairs of AirPods Pro (1st gen, 1+ year apart). Same loud crackling issue when using ANC or transparency modes - which are the headlining feature of AirPods Pro.

I do not have faith in Apple to produce quality, lasting ANC buds.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

There are dozens of manufacturers making hundreds of earphones and headphones in a massive variety of shapes, sizes, audio qualities and features. And yet you couldn't find a single one among that group that were "to your liking" that were a better option than the ones that actually failed you and your family multiple times?

Exactly what is the criteria for "to your liking?" A white shell on the outside and crispy crackly center?

Obviously, it’s the Apple ecosystem integration that you really only get with AirPods and Beats products.
That’s what keeps me coming back at least. Automatic device switching, spatial audio profile syncing, automatic connection, no Bluetooth menus to deal with.
There are tons of benefits to the AirPod pros that you really only get with the AirPod pros, just because they aren’t important to you doesn’t mean they aren’t important to others.
Also more objectively the AirPod pros are just known as being best in class, just looking through several reviews of the product you’ll find that the audio quality, different noise modes and ease of use all almost get universal praise.

 

[dotzero123]

It's a product with a finite lifecycle. I believe 3 or 4 years is average for AirPods. Sorry for your loss, but believe you will be hard pressed to find small electronics with a warranty that lasts more than 3 years.

 

[russell_314]

High-end third-party wired headphones or earbuds offer much better sound quality at the same or lower price.

I would hope wired headphones at a similar price to Bluetooth headphones would sound better.

Two components, wire and speaker versus a whole bunch of electronic crap and batteries. I suspect the wire is not that expensive so they can spend the majority of the money on the speaker.

 

[Newton1701]

Expecting perfect performance after more than three years usage of a wearable device 🤣 Get them replaced as battery service for less than $99 or just trade them in for AirPods Pro 2, on sale all over the place from $169

 

[AlaskaMoose]

I understand being disappointed that they didn’t last longer, but I would never expect Apple or any company to replace something that’s out of warranty. Most warranties have a time limit and that’s the deal you make when you buy a product.

If you read some of the responses you will notice that Apple acknowledged the problem, and then extended the warranty. But if the user was not aware of the new policy, it is not his or her fault for being displaced with Apple. It is different in the automobile business when a problem with a car that affects the safety of the car itself, or the driver, passengers and so on. In this case the recall remains active for quite a lot of years, not only for the original buyer, but for the new buyer as well. See... in this forum a lot of posters take Apple's side or defend Apple instead of guiding the OP toward a possible solution, something that Apple's customer service should have done.

Now, this is directed to the OP. : Just watch one of several YouTube videos about the AirPods crackling noises and how to 'fix" it. Here is one of those: