Custom EQ: A long-awaited feature for personalized sound
In iOS 27, Apple AirPods users are getting a long-awaited feature: the ability to adjust their own sound profile. Custom EQ allows users to tweak the bass, mids, and treble of their audio experience. This setting can be found under the AirPods’ Settings app, specifically in the Audio & Routing section. Available to owners of AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Max 2, and AirPods 4, this is the first time Apple has offered full custom EQ control in its wireless earbuds. Many users had long hoped for this feature, and its inclusion marks a big step for personalization.
The Custom EQ setting is designed to be user-friendly. Users can navigate through a set of sliders to boost or cut low, mid, and high frequencies according to their preferences. This feature doesn’t replace Apple’s spatial audio or dynamic EQ but adds another layer of personalization. According to Apple, the sound is still engineered to accurately represent media. However, now users have the option to change the audio to their liking. This feature gives them more control while maintaining the overall quality and design intent of the audio experience.
GymKit expands to include AirPods Pro 3 heart rate monitoring
Apple’s GymKit, previously limited to the Apple Watch, now supports iPhone using AirPods Pro 3’s heart rate sensor in iOS 27. The heart rate sensor in the AirPods Pro 3 feeds real-time data to treadmills and ellipticals, which in turn relay back distance, pace, and other metrics to the iPhone. This expansion of GymKit opens new possibilities for users to track their workouts more effectively using their existing Apple devices.
During a test, the AirPods Pro 3 paired with a treadmill, sending heart rate data in real time. The treadmill, in turn, shared its data back with the iPhone, updating the Fitness app with metrics like incline and speed. The process is automatic and privacy-focused—data stays on the user’s device and does not sync back to the gym equipment. This ensures that personal workout data is kept secure and private, enhancing the overall experience.
Siri AI turns AirPods into a conversational assistant
One of the most significant upgrades in iOS 27 for AirPods users is the introduction of Siri AI. This new version of Siri is not just about basic voice commands; it adds conversational intelligence and access to personal data. Users can ask open-ended questions, search through old emails or photos, and even brainstorm ideas on the go. The AI assistant knows the user’s calendar, messages, and files. With AirPods, it’s like carrying around a wearable assistant that can handle a wide range of tasks.
Unlike the older version of Siri, the new AI version can reference online information. This means users can ask for recent news, event updates, or restaurant recommendations directly from their earbuds. The integration of AI makes the assistant more capable and responsive. It’s the first time Siri has been expanded so fully onto AirPods, transforming them into a powerful conversational tool.
Apple also added Precision Finding support for AirPods Pro 3 cases. Using a second-gen UWB chip, the Apple Watch can guide users to the exact location of their earbuds. Previously available only for AirTag 2, this feature is now built into AirPods themselves. The inclusion of this technology makes it easier for users to locate their AirPods and their charging case with step-by-step guidance right from their wrist.
The Settings app has also undergone a visual overhaul. AirPods settings are now grouped into more intuitive categories, each with a colorful icon. The redesign helps users find EQ settings, microphone options, and location tracking more easily. This update makes navigating the settings more user-friendly and visually engaging, improving the overall experience of using AirPods.