iOS 27 is expected to arrive with a wide range of upgrades, and one AirPods feature could make a noticeable difference to how users play their music.
Apple shared details of its next major iPhone software update during the Worldwide Developers Conference on Monday (June 8), an event that often comes with plenty of technical language aimed at developers and industry watchers.
Although the presentation still included its fair share of corporate tech talk, one AirPods-related announcement quickly caught attention online.
For the first time, AirPods are set to receive a custom EQ option, allowing users to adjust the sound of their earbuds or headphones to better suit their personal listening preferences.
The iOS feature will offer a three-band equalizer, covering low, mid, and high frequencies.
Users will be able to access the tool through the Settings menu on their Apple device. The custom EQ will work with AirPods Max 2, AirPods Pro 3, and AirPods 4.
Apple said in a press release: “AirPods users can now enjoy custom EQ to further personalize how their AirPods sound. And with expanded Apple GymKit functionality, users with AirPods Pro 3 can sync their heart rate data through iPhone while enjoying incredible audio quality.”
The company says listeners will be able to ‘seamlessly switch back and forth to the default AirPods sound tuning’. However, an image released by Apple appears to indicate that users may not be able to save several different custom EQ presets for different listening styles.
Apple has also said the new software will ‘deliver the next generation of Apple Intelligence’, alongside SiriAI, which it describes as ‘is profoundly more intelligent, knowledgeable, and capable’.
Speaking of the update, Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering, said: “Apple products are an essential part of people’s lives, and this year we’re bringing powerful new capabilities to empower our users in even more ways.
“We’re delivering the next generation of Apple Intelligence across our platforms; introducing Siri AI, a profoundly more intelligent, knowledgeable, and capable Siri; expanding child safety features with intuitive new tools for families; and making our software platforms faster, more reliable, and more delightful than ever before.”
Apple has not yet confirmed an exact launch date for iOS 27, but the company has said the update is due to arrive in the Fall.
With the addition of custom EQ and wider software upgrades, the update could meaningfully change how many Apple users experience music through AirPods.