BasicAppleGuyAirPods Pro 3 Flight Problem ✈️
At 39,000 feet, Apple’s latest noise-cancelling earbuds expose an issue you’d never notice on the ground.
https://basicappleguy.com/basicappleblog/the-airpods-pro-3-flight-problem
David Smith@BasicAppleGuy I returned my AirPods Pro 3 because I'd get the painful whistling with any of the ear tip sizes just around the house. I tried it on a plane trip out of curiosity before I actually sent them back and had a similar experience to you where the constant hum of the plane meant that it happened very regularly.
Ryan Ashcraft@_Davidsmith @BasicAppleGuy I have never had an issue with any AirPods until AirPods Pro 3. The right earbud has a constant low static noise. It’s worst with noise cancellation but sometimes noticeable with transparency.
Looking on Reddit, it seems I’m not alone with this issue. I’m hoping it’s something that can be fixed with a firmware update, because otherwise I really like these.
Now I’m thinking I need to bring a backup pair for an upcoming flight…
@_Davidsmith it can be quite horribly. My ear was in pain last night from how piercing the feedback was. Horrible to hear it was happening for you even around the houses
Stephen Hackett@BasicAppleGuy @_Davidsmith I bought a backup pair of Pro 2s.
@ismh86 @_Davidsmith You and me both - especially when the Pro 2 were heavily discounted at Costco a while back
Ian Williamson@BasicAppleGuy @_Davidsmith The first time this happened to me I was riding a bicycle! Fortunately I ride with only one in one ear, so I wasn’t completely disoriented. I suspect it might be a software bug as most of the time mine are fine.
Jake@_Davidsmith @BasicAppleGuy I get this with my airpod max when my head is in a certain angle. however, they work well in flights
Stefan Kranz@BasicAppleGuy Interesting, I bought a pair yesterday after my previous headphones died. So far I really like them, but do have to get used to the different kind of fit. I've only been on a plane twice in my life before, so don't think I can test to replicate your issue soon.
@skranz0 not a bad thing. They are great day to day although the fit takes a minute to get used to
@BasicAppleGuy I think what irritates me is that my former earbuds were more pushed in the ear canal while the AirPods more like hang on the outer ear. So they feel like the old ones would when they were about to fall out. Long term that’s more comfortable though.
Edward Munn@BasicAppleGuy I was planning on upgrading my Pro first-gen… but they’re fine and just keep on going! Perhaps I’ll wait for the fourth-gen now!
@edmn I love the Pro 3 and still use them daily (on the ground). Worth a shot but keep the reciept and return window in mind
Brendan Thompson@BasicAppleGuy I really want to see if this happens to me. Last time I flew I forgot the APP3, only had the Max’s with me!
Alex Mabe@BasicAppleGuy Same on transatlantic, coincidentally in the left ear too. But what is interesting I'm not getting this on US coast to coast flights. Flying with a backup set of PRO 2s...
Daniel Gomes@BasicAppleGuy That is a very serious issue and it doesn’t sound like it’s just you. Ok, just turn off ANC while flying and there is no issue. Presumably.
I don’t own these but knowing this I would think twice about buying them. I reckon Apple needs to book their technicians some flight tickets… 😊
philmehew@BasicAppleGuy nice article, and so refreshing to read something on such a clean site.
Aleks Ivic@BasicAppleGuy Damn not what I wanted to hear as I have an upcoming long 6 hour flight and just upgraded to the 3s. I might try explore if there’s some custom eartips for a better seal.
Tuomas Hämäläinen 🇺🇦@BasicAppleGuy If it truly is mic feedback due to a poor eartip seal, it’s entirely preventable in software. Either it’s a bug or they really didn’t test the product properly to know to account for it (which I would find hard to believe – that would be real amateur hour from Apple).