AirPods Pro 3 Static Complaints Renew Scrutiny

Owners of Apple's new AirPods Pro 3, launched in September, are reporting audible static, hiss and high‑pitched screeches across ANC, Adaptive and Transparency modes, often during cabin pressure changes on flights. Complaints on Reddit, X and other forums say the noises can occur with no audio playing, are sometimes worse in one bud, and may be affected by ear‑tip seal or covering external microphones, suggesting an interaction between pressure, mic feedback and ANC. The issue is not universal but persistent enough that some users received replacements while others report replacement units show the same problems. Apple is reportedly testing a firmware update as a potential fix, but it remains unclear whether the root cause is hardware, software (including iOS interactions), or both. The reports have renewed scrutiny of Apple’s ANC claims and follow earlier litigation over crackling in first‑generation AirPods Pro, in which Apple recently won a partial dismissal but plaintiffs may proceed with omission and false‑advertising claims. Given the product’s premium positioning and the legal backdrop, Apple is likely to face pressure to identify and remediate the defect via firmware, replacements or a service program.