Apple’s next software cycle is shaping up to be a big one for AirPods users, especially for anyone who wants more control, cleaner settings, and a few smart quality-of-life upgrades. The biggest wins appear to be a long-awaited custom equalizer, a more organized AirPods menu, better Siri handling, and a handful of extra features that could make the earbuds feel a lot more capable.
iOS 27 is expected to arrive later this fall after a busy beta run, and while the update leans hard into polish and performance, it is also carrying some real AirPods changes. A few of them will be reserved for newer models with Apple’s H2 chip, while others should spread across a broader range of earbuds. That mix matters, because it means the update will have something to offer both recent buyers and people still hanging onto older pairs.
The most eye-catching addition is the custom EQ option. For years, AirPods listeners have mostly been stuck with Adaptive EQ or Apple Music presets, which have always felt a little restrictive for anyone who cares about dialing in sound just right. With iOS 27, supported AirPods are set to get a three-band custom equalizer with separate controls for bass, mids, and highs, all tucked into the Settings app.
That feature should land on AirPods that use the H2 audio chip, which means models like AirPods 4, AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, and AirPods Max 2 are the ones to watch. It is the sort of upgrade that sounds small on paper but can completely change how people feel about a pair of earbuds. If the tuning is flexible and easy to use, it could become one of the most talked-about parts of the update.
Apple is also giving the AirPods settings area a much-needed cleanup. Instead of digging through a cluttered menu, users should see controls grouped in a more sensible way, with new categories making the whole thing easier to scan. A built-in volume slider for Transparency, Noise Cancellation, and Adaptive modes is also on the way, which should make quick adjustments feel far less annoying.
That cleaner setup is more than a cosmetic tweak. AirPods have become packed with features over time, and the current interface has started to feel like it is doing too much at once. A smarter menu could make the earbuds feel more premium simply because people can actually find the settings they want without hunting around.
Siri is getting a more visible role too, especially when AirPods are connected to an Apple Intelligence-capable device. The idea is that users will be able to speak to the new Siri through their earbuds with less friction, which fits neatly into Apple’s broader push toward a more personal and more capable assistant. It also hints at tighter integration with future AirPods hardware down the road.
There are also a few gesture and lifestyle upgrades in the mix. Apple is adding the ability to take a photo by using the AirPods stems, which builds on the head-gesture controls introduced earlier. For people who like hands-free shortcuts, that is the kind of feature that starts as a novelty and quickly becomes part of the routine.
Fitness and accessibility are getting attention too. AirPods 3 owners may see expanded GymKit support tied to the heart rate sensor, while Precision Finding is also expected to improve when paired with an Apple Watch running watchOS 27. On top of that, Name Recognition is aimed at helping deaf or hard-of-hearing users by alerting them when their name is spoken, which gives the update a more meaningful edge than the usual spec-sheet hype.
The big question is whether any of this should push people toward upgrading. For anyone who wants the custom EQ, the answer could be pretty simple, since that feature alone may be enough to make newer H2-based AirPods feel worth it. Even without a fresh hardware purchase, though, iOS 27 looks set to give Apple’s earbuds a more polished, more flexible, and more competitive feel across the board.
