Rafomac News, Tech & Trends That MatterApple’s iOS 27 update is about to transform the experience for AirPods Pro 3 owners in ways we’ve waited years for. From a built-in equalizer to gym equipment syncing without an Apple Watch, the latest firmware unleashes fresh potential for your earbuds.
Which AirPods Models Will See the New Features?
The iOS 27 update is focused on AirPods sporting the H2 chip. This includes AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, AirPods 4 with and without active noise cancellation, and AirPods Max 2. Older AirPods models and the original AirPods Max miss out on most of these upgrades. Notably, some features are exclusive to the AirPods Pro 3, which we’ll get to shortly.
Upon connecting your AirPods Pro 3, the first change you’ll notice is that your earbuds appear right at the top of the iPhone settings menu, making access simpler than ever. Inside the revamped settings, Apple has reshuffled options into logical categories—listening modes, controls, audio settings, calls, and accessibility—each with vibrant icons. It feels much closer to a dedicated app for AirPods, though Apple hasn’t launched one yet.
Finally, a Custom Equalizer Built into AirPods Pro 3
One of the most sought-after updates arriving with iOS 27 is the integrated equalizer. Hidden inside the Audio menu of your AirPods settings, the EQ lets you tailor your listening experience with live adjustment of lows, mids, and highs—basically bass, midrange, and treble. This works system-wide on any media, whether it’s Spotify, Apple Music, or podcasts.
Right now, there’s only one EQ setup you can save, so there aren’t different presets for different types of audio. That might evolve with future updates, but for now you can customize it live while watching a waveform signal reflecting your audio, then reset or tweak as you please. For example, you could boost bass-heavy tracks or keep vocals crystal clear for podcasts.
AirPods Pro 3 Can Now Track Workouts Without an Apple Watch
A feature reserved exclusively for the AirPods Pro 3 taps into the heart rate sensors built right into the buds. In gyms, treadmills often let you tap an Apple Watch to sync biometric data, but with the Pro 3, your AirPods can do this directly. Pair them with your iPhone, and the Fitness app recognizes them as a tracked device, letting you monitor your workout stats without needing a watch.
It’s a neat shortcut for workout tracking that could save you money or hassle if you don’t own an Apple Watch. With just your phone and these AirPods, gym equipment can share heart rate, distance, and other data seamlessly.
Lost Your AirPods Pro 3 Case? Wayfinding in Find My Has You Covered
Another Pro 3 exclusive uses ultra-wideband technology to help you find your AirPods case with precision navigation. It’s the same ultra-accurate directional experience you get when locating AirTags. Simply use your iPhone or Apple Watch to locate the case with more detail than ever before—great news if you’re prone to misplacing small accessories.
Siri AI Gets Smarter and More Accessible with AirPods Pro 3
While not limited to the AirPods, the integration of Siri with iOS 27 opens a new conversational layer inside your earbuds. Unlike traditional command-driven use, the upgraded Siri AI handles flowing, contextual conversations and can tap into your apps for personal context, such as retrieving emails or contacts. It makes the AirPods Pro 3 a powerful, always-available assistant that feels more natural than before.
This positions AirPods as a prime gateway for Apple’s vision of voice-first, on-the-go computing, especially as wearables and AR devices start to marry with everyday life.
Putting It All Together
In short, iOS 27 unlocks a level of customisation and functionality AirPods users have eagerly awaited. The Pro 3 doesn’t just get the standard set of enhancements alongside AirPods Pro 2, AirPods 4, and AirPods Max 2—it steps ahead with gym tracking and precise Find My wayfinding. And across all supported models, the arrival of a universal equalizer and smarter Siri unlocks new ways to enjoy your earbuds.
The update is a reminder that true innovation sometimes arrives in the details—and sometimes your trusty earbuds are more powerful than you realise.
