Users can soon expect better quality audio while using their mic.
Apple is fixing the call quality problems with AirPods through a firmware update. This solves long-time issues by maintaining the audio quality even when the microphone is on, greatly improving the Bluetooth call experience for millions of users.
Firmware Update Details and Impact
Roland, a computer engineer, first spotted the update in the latest Mac and AirPods firmware beta and shared his findings on his X account. He said Apple has managed to maintain a 48000kHz sampling rate while the microphone is in use—a feat akin to “black magic.”
The update shows Apple’s novel approach to manage the codec switching that occurs when a microphone is activated, which some users think might involve proprietary hardware.
Yet, one user said it’s more about smart engineering.
“Clever design, not black magic. They swapped the stereo inputs for a mono input, reducing the total channels from 3 (2in, 1out) to 2 (1in, 1out),” said wik-æ — e/acc.
“This is a good decision, and for voice calls this makes perfect sense. Mono (and centered) sounds more natural for human voices (this is why film dialogue is mixed this way). It does contradict some of the Spatial Audio decisions they’ve made previously to go this new direction, but it is a better direction imo.”
While the update has been tested on AirPods, Roland said there are still a few kinks in the update.
Nevertheless, this update is expected to be a game changer if extended to iPhones and other Apple devices.
How Bluetooth Limitations Affect Sound Quality
Bluetooth’s inherent limitations, particularly in its A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile) and HFP (Hands-Free Profile) standards, have long dictated the quality of wireless audio devices.
Wireless headphone users have expressed frustration with audio quality degradation during voice calls. This is due to the need to switch Bluetooth profiles since Bluetooth headphones can only use one profile at any given time.
Community Feedback and Technical Insights
The reaction from the AirPods user community over the new update has been very positive. Many shared their experiences and discussed the technical details of the update.
Some users noted that similar technologies have existed on platforms like Linux, a claim that Roland was quick to correct.
Others discussed how this update affects them. One commenter asked if the improved quality affected both the audio heard by the user and the caller, while another said that this would likely improve the audio quality for the user.
X user, Marek, confirmed that the update could allow people to use AirPods when recording vocals on professional software like Ableton or Logic Pro. Others surmised that the update could be related to Apple’s new voice isolation feature in iOS 18, which improves call quality even more.