Apple Releases New AirPods Pro 2 Beta Firmware With Support for iOS 18 Features

Monday August 12, 2024 11:32 am PDT by Juli Clover

Apple today released a third beta firmware for the AirPods Pro 2, including both the Lightning and USB-C versions. The updated firmware has a build number of 7A5266c, up from 7A5244b, and it is available to developers at the current time. This is the third firmware update that Apple has released since announcing new AirPods Pro 2 features in June.

AirPods Pro Beta Firmware
There are multiple features that are coming to the AirPods Pro 2 as part of iOS 18, and these features are included in the firmware update.

With head gestures, users can control Siri on the AirPods Pro with a shake or a nod of the head. If you get a phone call, for example, you can shake your head no if you don't want to answer it, or nod to accept the call. ‌Siri‌ interactions can be used for responding to incoming messages, calls, and notifications.

Apple is adding Voice Isolation to the AirPods Pro to cut down on loud background sounds to make you easier to hear, and there is a new Personalized Spatial Audio feature specific to gaming. Game developers will be able to incorporate spatial audio into their games for a more immersive audio experience.

The new firmware requires a device running iOS 18 to install, and it won't be available to the public until this fall.

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Top Rated Comments

dubvulture

21 months ago

For anyone that has any of these new betas, how's the noise cancellation? Apple did something amazing with the noise cancellation a couple of firmware updates ago (six months ago or so) and the ANC has been incredible since then. I want the voice isolation in these betas but I'm afraid the ANC won't be as effective as it has been ... Has anyone noticed any changes in ANC?

Just got the update. Noise cancellation is excellent. I would say even better than the previous beta.

Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)

iceknyght

21 months ago

If I wear it too long, silicone causes me to get a skin rash. For that reason, I cannot wear earbuds with silicone ear tips. Can you imagine getting a rash INSIDE your ear canal?

Plus, they either fall out (too loose) or they hurt (too tight). Nobody makes the size I need.

On Amazon, I found some memory foam tips that work well for me. You squeeze the foam and insert them and they expand to fill your ears better, without feeling uncomfortable (they also come in different sizes). The noise cancelling is "slightly" worse, but it's worth it for me and still sound great (and still block out the noise on airplanes, which is my main reason for wearing them).

Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

mavis

21 months ago

Just got the update. Noise cancellation is excellent. I would say even better than the previous beta.

Thanks for the feedback. I was able to use my AirPods Pro 2 outdoors a bit and I would agree - the ANC still seems to be stellar. Far superior to my Sony WF-1000XM5s, in any case. It amazes me how almost every review site claimed the Sonys have superior ANC when the AirPods Pro 2 are vastly superior, in my experience (especially in the 20Hz-200Hz range).

Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)