The AirPods Pro “Rattlegate” (annoying.technology)

Article summary

The author of the article experienced a recurring issue with their AirPods Pro, where one or both earbuds would produce a rattling or buzzing noise, particularly when moving their head or in windy conditions. Despite multiple replacements by Apple Support, the issue persisted. The author believes this is a widespread problem with the product line. The issue seems to be related to the noise-cancelling feature and may be a hardware or microphone problem.

Main themes

• AirPods Pro issues
• Noise-cancelling problems
• Bluetooth limitations
• Apple customer support
• Hardware vs software problem
• Product design and manufacturing flaws

What commenters say

• The AirPods Pro rattling issue is a hardware problem that can be caused by a deteriorating component or ear wax getting into the earbuds.
• The issue can be mitigated by disabling noise cancellation or switching to a different mode.
• The problem is not limited to the AirPods Pro and can occur with other Bluetooth headphones due to Bluetooth limitations.
• Apple's replacement process for faulty AirPods can be inconvenient and may require a credit card hold as a deposit.
• Some users have found workarounds to the issue, such as using a different microphone or creating an aggregate device.
• The problem may be related to a microphone failure causing erratic noise-cancelling behavior.
• The issue is not isolated and has been experienced by multiple users, suggesting a potential design or manufacturing flaw.
• Apple's customer support has been helpful in replacing faulty AirPods, but the frequent need for replacements is not sustainable or convenient for users.