Altitude Triggers Unexpected Feedback
Users board planes with fresh AirPods Pro 3, expecting the upgraded active noise cancellation to block engine drone. Apple claims the system cuts twice the noise of the previous model. Independent tests from RTings confirm a significant overall improvement, with record-setting isolation scores. At cruising heights around 35,000 feet, cabin pressure drops to the equivalent of 7,000 feet above sea level. That shift expands air trapped in the ear canal. The new foam-infused tips form a tighter seal than silicone alone, yet they flex less under pressure changes. Microphones detect the mismatch and overcompensate, generating a high-pitched whistle that builds into screeching, often in the left bud.
BasicAppleGuy detailed the pattern across transatlantic trips. The noise starts during climb, eases briefly after yawning equalizes pressure, then returns. Covering an external microphone with a finger replicates the loop on the ground, showing sensitivity to occlusion. Early firmware 8A358 addressed other bugs but left this untouched. Replacements show the same behavior, pointing to design rather than defects.
Ground Performance Shines in Tests
On land, the earbuds excel. RTings measured airplane noise attenuation at 26.78 decibels, up 3.3 from AirPods Pro 2. Street noise drops to 30.01 decibels. Reviewers from The Verge flew with early units and heard only faint hums. The H2 chip processes signals faster, pairing with repositioned drivers for stable cancellation. Apple scanned over 10,000 ears to refine fit, adding an XXS tip size. Passive isolation from foam microspheres blocks more before electronics engage.
Daily use reveals strengths. Conversation Awareness lowers volume when someone speaks. Personalized Volume adjusts based on habits. The heart rate sensor tracks workouts, syncing to iPhone Fitness app. Battery life holds through long sessions.
Vibration Issues Appear in Motion
Walking or running introduces new artifacts. The foam layer conducts footfall vibrations into the ear, creating pops with each step. Running amplifies this into thumping. Loud Sound Reduction mistakes heel strikes for ambient noise and tries to cancel them, worsening the effect. Third-party memory foam tips from earlier models transmitted less. Users switch to over-ear headphones for exercise, abandoning the Pro 3 as daily drivers.
One person filed a bug report after three pairs showed identical thumps. Apple support offered no timeline for resolution. The denser material retains heat, loosening seal over time and inviting sweat-related slips.
Case Study: Blogger Flights Versus Reviewer Trips
BasicAppleGuy tested multiple tip sizes from medium to extra small on launch-day and October flights. Screeching persisted at 35,000 feet regardless of fit. Yawning provided minutes of relief before recurrence. Professional reviewers flew shorter routes or at different pressures during embargo periods. Their reports noted cabin quiet without feedback. The gap highlights how edge conditions escape controlled tests. Reddit threads from September 23 onward match the blogger's timeline, with left-bud dominance.
Case Study: Runner Reverts to Older Model
A frequent runner who relied on AirPods Pro 2 for years found the third generation introduced unbearable thumping with each footfall, disrupting music and focus. Attempts to switch to silicone tips reduced but did not eliminate the issue. After cycling through three replacement pairs with identical behavior, the user concluded the problem was systemic. With no response to a filed bug report, the runner now uses the older Pro 2 model for workouts and reserves the Pro 3 for desk use. This split setup undermines the promise of a single, versatile earbud for all scenarios.
The experience reflects a broader pattern among active users who once considered the Pro 2 a reliable daily driver. Now, many are forced to maintain older models or invest in competing brands for fitness use, diminishing the value proposition of the new release.
Paths to Resolution Remain Open
A firmware update could recalibrate the ANC algorithm to reduce aggression in high-noise, low-pressure environments, prioritizing stability over peak cancellation. Given Apple's history with ANC issues, such as the Pro 1 rattling service program, software fixes are plausible. However, if the root cause lies in the physical properties of the foam-infused tips or internal vent design, a hardware revision may be necessary, potentially delayed until a future model.
Third-party accessory makers like Comply Foam are already working on compatible hybrid tips that may offer better vibration damping and pressure adaptation. Apple could quietly update the ear tip formulation in future production runs, as it has done with past product issues, without public acknowledgment. Until then, frequent flyers and active users remain in limbo, while competitors highlight flight-tested reliability in their marketing.