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Most AirPods models recharge via their case using a wired or wireless charger, while the AirPods Max charges directly. Apple's Optimized Battery Charging feature, found in newer models, learns usage patterns to time full charges and reduce battery wear, and users can enable charging notifications through Settings on iPhone or Apple Watch.
Retailers are running early Black Friday discounts on headphones and earbuds, including markdowns of up to 50 percent on older Sony headphone models and a 20 percent discount on Apple's AirPods Pro 3. WIRED compiled a list of ten tested headphone and earbud deals it recommends, covering both new and older generation products.
Standard AirPods lack ear tips, relying only on insertion and rotation for fit, which can be difficult for people with small ear canals. Options include third-party ear hooks from brands like KeyBudz and AhaStyle priced $10-$15, or switching to AirPods Pro, which come with multiple ear tip sizes ranging from XXS to L depending on generation.
Apple does not let users manually trigger AirPods firmware installs, but it has published steps to prepare devices so updates install automatically. Users can check their current firmware version via iPhone, iPad or Mac settings and compare it against Apple's published list of latest versions. To update, AirPods must be paired, connected to Wi-Fi, placed in their closed charging case near the paired device, and left for about 30 minutes.
Apple's AirPods, including the AirPods Pro 2 and Pro 3, can emit chirps or chimes for reasons beyond battery level, such as power fluctuations, Bluetooth disconnection, or physical contact between the earbuds. Apple's website notes that Pro models with the clinical-grade Hearing Aid feature periodically play a quiet chime while charging to verify their microphones and speakers are functioning properly. Louder or harsher sounds can indicate a triggered Find My alert, water damage, debris buildup, or a poor-fitting ear tip seal.
Apple has outlined a method for determining the exact generation of AirPods a user owns by checking the model or serial number, rather than relying on visual design cues. The company notes that several AirPods and AirPods Pro models share nearly identical designs and charging cases, making appearance alone an unreliable way to tell them apart.
Apple-focused troubleshooting guidance identifies drained batteries, dirty charging contacts, automatic device-switching between Apple devices, and outdated firmware as the main reasons AirPods fail to connect to an iPhone. The guidance recommends charging and cleaning the earbuds and case, checking iOS software updates, and verifying AirPods firmware version against Apple's published list to resolve the issue.
Nothing's Headphone (1) Pro keeps the brand's signature square, two-tone transparent design but swaps plastic for aluminum cans, titanium arms and a glass window, while weighing 2 grams less than the original Headphone (1). The headphones ship with a hard-shell case resembling Apple's AirPods Max 2 case, and feature softer padding, a wider headband and reduced clamping force for added comfort, along with noise canceling and transparency modes powered by extra microphones.
Apple is said to be working on a new version of AirPods that includes built-in cameras, expected to launch next year. The report frames this as part of a broader industry push toward wearable devices with embedded imaging and sensing capabilities, following similar moves by Meta and Google.
This holiday season, Americans are spending less on tech products, with average expenditures dropping from $931 to $808 compared to last year. Despite the release of new devices like the iPhone Duo and Switch 2, higher living costs and minimal innovation have led consumers to be more cautious with their budgets. Many are questioning whether new tech is worth the expense given the current economic pressures.
During Amazon Prime Day, significant discounts have been applied to the Apple AirPods Pro 3, renowned for their noise cancellation and additional features such as a heart rate sensor and live translation. The earbuds provide up to eight hours of use per charge and are highlighted as a top choice for iPhone users. The sale is part of a broader event featuring various tech deals, including headphones and sound systems.
Amazon's October Prime Day sale is live, and WIRED's Reviews team has compiled a list of tech deals it says have been tested in staff members' own homes. Among the highlighted discounts is the Apple AirPods Pro 3, now priced at its lowest point since June. WIRED notes the roundup was last updated October 7 with additional products added.