# Upgrades for AirPods Pro with iOS 18: An In-Depth Review
With the latest launch of iOS 18, Apple has unveiled a range of new functionalities for AirPods Pro and AirPods 4, greatly improving their performance and user satisfaction. From cutting-edge head movements to enhanced gaming capabilities, these enhancements aim to render your audio experience more seamless and enjoyable. Below, we delve into each new feature thoroughly and offer tips for effective use.
## Fresh AirPods Features: Head Movements
### Available on: AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4
A key feature rolled out in iOS 18 is the integration of head movements to control your AirPods. This hands-free method enables users to handle calls and notifications just by nodding or shaking their heads.
– **Accept a call or respond to notifications**: Nod your head vertically.
– **Decline a call or dismiss notifications**: Shake your head laterally.
To enable head movements, make sure the “Announce Calls” and “Announce Notifications” settings are activated. Here’s how to set it up:
1. Connect your AirPods to your iPhone and open the **Settings** application.
2. Tap on your AirPods at the top of the display.
3. Scroll down and choose **Head Movements**.
4. Activate the feature and designate gestures for accepting/responding and declining/dismissing.
## Voice Clarity
### Available on: AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4
Voice Clarity is a powerful addition that upgrades call performance by separating the caller’s voice from ambient noise, facilitating clearer conversations in loud settings. This function utilizes the sophisticated H2 chip technology.
To activate Voice Clarity during a conversation:
1. During a call, swipe down from the top of your display to open the **Control Center**.
2. Tap the **Controls** icon at the top.
3. Choose **Voice Clarity**.
## Gaming Enhancements
### Available on: AirPods 3, AirPods 4, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max
iOS 18 introduces substantial advancements in gaming audio, featuring Personalized Spatial Audio and dynamic head tracking. This capability enriches the gaming atmosphere by creating a more authentic sound landscape.
To configure Personalized Spatial Audio:
1. Access the **Settings** app and go to your AirPods settings.
2. Scroll down to **Personalized Spatial Audio** and follow the on-screen prompts to finalize the setup.
Furthermore, iOS 18 enhances voice quality for in-game communication, offering 16-bit, 48kHz audio, and lower latency for AirPods Pro 2 users.
## Tailored Adaptive Audio
### Available on: AirPods Pro and AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation
The Adaptive Audio feature has been enhanced in iOS 18, granting users the ability to customize the level of background noise they wish to permit while utilizing their AirPods. This feature skillfully combines Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode based on surrounding noise conditions.
To adjust Adaptive Audio:
1. Connect your AirPods to your iPhone and open the **Settings** app.
2. Tap on your AirPods at the top.
3. Scroll down to **Adaptive Audio** and modify the slider for “Less Noise” or “More Noise.”
## Upcoming Features: Hearing Wellness
Apple is set to introduce additional features aimed at hearing wellness for AirPods Pro 2 users. A new Hearing Test functionality will allow users to evaluate their hearing with their AirPods and iPhone or iPad. In addition, a pioneering over-the-counter Hearing Aid function will be rolled out, tailored for users with mild to moderate hearing impairment.
Apple has secured FDA approval for this hearing aid functionality, which is anticipated to be available in over 100 countries this fall, including the United States, Germany, and Japan. This feature will automatically adjust the user’s custom hearing profile across various audio experiences, enhancing accessibility to hearing assistance.
## Final Thoughts
The updates brought forth by iOS 18 to AirPods Pro and AirPods 4 greatly enhance the user experience, making these devices more adaptable and user-centric. From head movements to enriched audio quality and wellness features, Apple persists in its innovation within the audio domain. As these functionalities become available, users can anticipate a more connected and immersive auditory journey.
