According to Apple, Adaptive Transparency in AirPods Pro 2 employs the new H2 chip (not found in older AirPods) to “minimize the intensity of harsh sounds like sirens or power tools.” However, those who have upgraded their smartphones to iOS 16.1 beta 3 (which was provided to developers last week) may now activate Adaptive Transparency for the previous AirPods Pro.
According to some Reddit users, the most recent iOS beta also includes a new AirPods beta firmware (version 5A304a) that allows Adaptive Transparency for the first-generation AirPods Pro. However, it’s unclear if the functionality genuinely works or whether it’s a problem at this time.
