Quick Summary
Code has been found in the latest AirPods Pro firmware beta that suggests a new ANC mode is coming.
You will be able to customise the strength of noise cancellation if the code ends up in the final release.
Apple AirPods Pro and AirPods Pro 2 are to get a new, useful feature this autumn, according to code found in the latest firmware.
The latest beta build includes includes a mode for owners to manually adjust the strength of noise cancellation on Apple's best ANC earbuds.
AirPods Pro models already offer an adaptive audio mode, which allows them to automatically adjust noise cancellation based on your surroundings – much like rivals such as the Sony WF-1000XM5.
However, bar activating the mode, you can't currently tailor it to suit your own tastes.
That's what's coming with a new "customisable adaptive audio mode" found in the latest beta. It enables you to further adjust the level of cancellation and/or transparency yourself. Options to "remove more noise" and "remove less noise" have been spotted (by Headphonesty) and could therefore appear in a full firmware release later this year.
Considering Apple plans to launch iOS 18 in a few months time, it would come as a major surprise to learn that the new mode is part of the full public release.
It is likely that you'll be able to access the additional controls through the AirPods Pro menu in settings, which is where you can currently find the other "Noise Control" modes when the earbuds are paired.
Upgrade to smarter living
Get the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products straight to your inbox.
It is here that you can also change the touch activations for each AirPod, and turn on or off personalised spatial audio.
Other new features coming to AirPods Pro later this year include voice isolation, which will use better algorithms to counter background noise, such as the wind, to present your voice more clearly during a call. There will also be new gesture controls, such as the ability to answer or refuse a Siri request by nodding or shaking your head.
These were detailed by Apple during WWDC 2024 earlier in June. There are a number of new AI technologies coming to multiple devices later this year, all under the new banner of Apple Intelligence.
Rik is T3’s news editor, which means he looks after the news team and the up-to-the-minute coverage of all the hottest gadgets and products you’ll definitely want to read about. And, with more than 35 years of experience in tech and entertainment journalism, including editing and writing for numerous websites, magazines, and newspapers, he’s always got an eye on the next big thing.
Rik also has extensive knowledge of AV, TV streaming and smart home kit, plus just about everything to do with games since the late 80s. Prior to T3, he spent 13 years at Pocket-lint heading up its news team, and was a TV producer and presenter on such shows as Channel 4's GamesMaster, plus Sky's Games World, Game Over, and Virtual World of Sport.
-
No gym necessary – this 30-minute dumbbell workout builds muscle fast from home
Save time and develop muscle all over without leaving the house
By Bryony Firth-Bernard Published
-
Frederique Constant gives its Classic Worldtimer a forest green upgrade
Frederique Constant expands its Worldtimer line with forest green colourway
By Bethan Girdler-Maslen Published
-
These dummies allegedly show the iPhone 4 SE – and there's a big surprise
Could Apple be working on two different versions of the iPhone SE 4?
By Carrie Marshall Published
-
I tried the iPhone 16 Pro on safari – now I want one for the huge camera upgrade
The iPhone 16 Pro's zoom boost is a game-changer
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
Apple’s now delivering big discounts on its best iPads
The fastest M1 iPad Pro and Air models are now appearing in the Apple refurb store
By Carrie Marshall Published
-
iPhone 17 Pro and entire iPhone 18 series tipped for a very important upgrade
The next iPhone Pro / Pro Max is expected to boost speeds through extra RAM
By Carrie Marshall Published
-
All-new Apple iPad mini 7 gets a surprise announcement – pre-orders now open
Apple isn't waiting for its next event to give us the news we've been waiting for
By Rik Henderson Published
-
This iPhone SE 4 feature may be missing in action
The iPhone SE 4 may resemble the most recent iPhones, but it looks like it'll be lacking one key feature
By Carrie Marshall Published
-
Your iPhone could soon be the perfect partner for sports events, gigs and shows
Digital concert tickets could soon include everything from playlists to the location of your pals
By Carrie Marshall Published
-
Apple’s slowing down its schedule for everything other than iPhones, says insider
The iPhone will remain an annual upgrade, but a new report says Apple plans to slow down its release schedule from 2025
By Carrie Marshall Published