AirPods are getting better and better: these are the 9 newest features

AirPods have become much better in recent years and have received more and more features. These are the most important new functions!

AirPods are getting better and better: these are the 9 newest features

With the multiple software updates in iOS 18 and iOS 26, Apple has given the AirPods a number of cool new functions. Below you will find the nine most important improvements and on which AirPods they are available.

1. Encourage voice insulation

If you are outside and the wind is very hard, you naturally want to be well understood during a telephone conversation. Then the STEM insulation function will come in handy. Background noise is then filtered out, making your voice clearer. To turn on the function, open the control panel while you are calling. Then tap ‘Regelers’ at the top. Then you switch on the ‘voice insulation’ function.

This function is available at AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods 4.

2. Enable head gestures

One of the latest features for your AirPods are head gestures. You can then perform certain actions in recent versions of iOS by simply moving your head. Handy if, for example, you are just busy with your hands in the garden and don’t feel like making your ears dirty. With this you can take a conversation with your head up and down. By shaking your head from left to right you can refuse a call.

To turn on the option you must connect the AirPods to your iPhone. Then tap the AirPods and scroll down. Turn on the function with ‘Head Gests’.

This function is available at AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods 4.

3. Customize adaptive audio

Adaptive Audio normally combines noise reduction (Noise Cancellation) with transparency mode. Background noise is then filtered out, but not all the sound. With this function you can set yourself how much sound you can still hear.

To adjust this, go to the ‘Settings’. Tap your AirPods and scroll down. Choose ‘adaptive audio’ and adjust the setting as desired with the sliding bar.

This function is available at: AirPods Pro 1, AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods 4 with ANC.

4. Gaming improvements

Personalized spatial audio with main tracking now also works in games. This ensures that the sound moves with your head. To set the option, tap ‘Settings’ and your AirPods. Then scroll down and tap on ‘personalized spatial audio’. Also nice: the earplugs now also have support for 16-bit, 48 kHz audio for chatting while gaming.

This function works on AirPods 3, AirPods 4, AirPods Pro 1, AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods Max.

5. Hearing assistance

For the AirPods Pro 2 and Pro 3 there is now a built -in hearing assistance and hearing protection. The ears then automatically adjust the sound for you so that you can still hear well. Your personal hearing profile is automatically applied to music, videos, games and telephone conversations.

You can find the option by opening the ‘settings’. Choose your AirPods and scroll down. You will find both options under the heading ‘hearing health’.

This function works on AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Pro 3.

6. Live translation

One of the coolest new features for the AirPods is the live translation. With iOS 26 you can translate conversations in real time while wearing your AirPods. But unfortunately, this function is currently not available for Apple users in the European Union. Apple says that you cannot use the function if you are in the EU and the country or region of your iPhone is set to a country from the EU. That means that you cannot use the function in the Netherlands and Belgium either.

Apple says this does this due to laws and regulations in the EU, such as the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) and different rules for AI. They want to be sure that privacy, permission and data processing are all in order before they roll out the function throughout the EU.

This function is available at the AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods 4 with ANC.

7. Keep audio in headphones

In iOS 26 there is an option with which you can prevent other devices (such as speakers and cars) taking over the audio from your AirPods. You set this option to ‘Settings> General’. You then choose ‘AirPlay and continuity’. Turn on the ‘Keep Audio in headphones’ option.

The function is available on all AirPods.

8. Remote control for the camera

You can use your AirPods as a remote control for your camera on your iPhone. You switch on this function in the following way. Go to ‘Settings’ and tap your AirPods. Scroll down and choose the ‘camera remote control’ option under ‘camera control’.

This function is available for the AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods 4.

9. Sleep detection

Do you often fall asleep while wearing your AirPods? No problem, because iOS 26 can now automatically detect that you have fallen asleep and pause your music. You set that as follows.

• Open the ‘settings’ app;
• Tap your AirPods;
• Scroll down and turn on the button at ‘Pause media when you fall asleep’.

This function is available at AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods 4.

Buy AirPods

Do you want to buy new AirPods? And do you want these AirPods to support all the above functions? Then you have to be Pro 3 at the AirPods! The AirPods Pro 3 have a suggested retail price of 249 euros And have been available in stores since 19 September. Check the deals below for the best prices!