Before Apple released the AirPods Pro 2 headphones, they released firmware updates to the first generation AirPods Pro headphones. Apple customers reported worse noise isolation after at least two of these updates, and, as an AirPods Pro owner, I noticed it was less effective as well. However, we didn’t have much proof. Then, headphones website RTings, which does detailed reviews of headphones, running them through actual tests, found that Apple’s 4A400 firmware version actually did reduce the effectiveness of the active noise cancellation (ANC) in the headphones. When Apple introduced the AirPods Pro 2 headphones, one of the best new features was the improved ANC over the old models. Reviewers were likely comparing their headphones to the new pair for testing, not a pair that had been exempt from the updates. How much did Apple really improve the active noise cancellation over the previous generation if, out of the box, those old headphones were better than they are now?
Did Apple cripple their old device before releasing a new one, just to improve reviews?
Now a new firmware update for the AirPods Max is out, and RTings did the same test again, seeing if noise isolation changed between firmware versions, they found another troubling discovery: Apple made the active noise cancellation slightly worse again.
So, good news for anyone holding out for the AirPods Max 2: those headphones might be just around the corner! Kidding aside, Apple may have simply tweaked a few settings and—by chance—worsened a feature on an older product. It’s not like Apple has ever been accused of worsening an old product to sell a new one, right?
But could Apple actually make devices worse just to sell the new versions? It’s a disturbing pattern, for sure.
RTing’s Findings
RTing does a number of incredibly detailed testing. They use stereo microphones in a head-shaped stand, which allows them to get accurate readings of how headphones will actually sound in use. Thanks to this, they can measure things like sound isolation and active noise cancellation by measuring the volume of particular sounds both outside the headphones as well as inside them.
With the more recent 4E71 firmware, RTings noticed that the ANC “blocks out a bit less noise between the mid-bass to high-bass range than the previous firmware.” They go on to explain this is the specific area of noise cancellation many test devices against: the “low rumble of bus and plane engines.” RTings notes that the active noise cancellation is still very good, just a little worse in this key area.
It seems as though the AirPods Pro suffered from updates more. RTings found that the 4A400 firmware update caused a slight decline over the previous firmware, 2C54. Their previous tests of the 2C54 firmware also showed a slight decline in performance. That’s two updates that reduced ANC on the original AirPods Pro.
Planned Obsolescence?
https://twitter.com/SnazzyQ/status/1583711316497248256?s=20&t=0GkNUPFV-wjhORSf1gycZg
There are reasons that Apple could reduce active noise cancellation that aren’t illegal manipulation of their customers’ products. For example, Apple could be responding to flaws in the ANC that could cause spikes in sounds, or could create discomfort with loud external noises. The reductions could help improve battery life as your AirPods battery ages. However, Apple never tells users what feature updates will change. They also don’t allow users to opt-out of these updates if they don’t find the changes beneficial. By using your AirPods, you “agree” to allow Apple to make the ANC worse, without them telling you why.
We can’t be sure that Apple intentionally reduced ANC performance in the AirPods Pro and AirPods Max to make newer products look better. It would take an investigation and, likely, a court ruling to determine that. However, it’s certainly suspicious that Apple touts improved ANC performance as a reason to get their new product, while updates worsen ANC performance in their older models. When iPhone owners accused Apple of throttling their devices, Apple responded by allowing users to unlock the full power of their older iPhones in Settings > Battery > Battery Health and Charging. There users can either allow Apple’s throttling or block it, which could hurt battery life. Apple admitted what they were doing and gave users an option. So far, they haven’t done this for their AirPods.
Sources:
- Dagobiet Morales Alfaro, Vanessa McCuaig, Yannick Khong, RTings
- Malcolm Owen, AppleInsider
- Jake Thauvette, Vanessa McCuaig, Yannick Kong, Rtings