Just like we have beta versions of iOS 16, macOS Ventura or watchOS 9, Apple also shared the beta version of AirPods firmware.. And after investigating the code for this update, a developer was able to confirm that this beta version could support a higher quality Bluetooth codec.

As it turns out @marajobsessionview You have enabled the LC3 codec on AirPods Max via beta firmware. If you haven’t heard, the LC3 codec is the low-power, high-quality Bluetooth codec of the future, coming soon to wireless headphones. It is a codec that can transmit at much lower bitrates without degrading the sound quality we currently see in the Bluetooth standard.

AirPods are the most popular earphones in the world

It looks like this LC3 codec will improve voice calls and make them sound much better. the true potential of this technology will need Bluetooth 5.2 and next-generation hardware in AirPods. Something that could come with the second generation AirPods Pro and AirPods Max coming next year.

Next AirPods will have Bluetooth 5.2 support

Taking full advantage of this new codec will require updating the AirPods hardware. existing ones do not support Bluetooth 5.2. As it turns out ShrimpAppleProThe new H1 chip used by AirPods Pro is expected to support this technology.

Before WWDC22, I posted a private leak in my telegram group that the 2nd generation AirPods Pro will support lossless codec L3C
And guess what, it can enable LC3 in beta firmware for AirPods Max! thank you so much my member @marajobsession to find it! pic.twitter.com/Ohz8HDvPyo

— ShrimpApplePro 🍤 (@VNchocoTaco) 18 June 2022

In addition, the Bluetooth 5.2 and LC3 codec, Improve the battery life of AirPods Thanks to the low energy standard. this is true not sure if this codec allows lossless audio over bluetoothbut at least it will improve the audio experience of AirPods Pro 2. While we can see Apple’s emphasis on Spatial Audio over lossless audio, in Cupertino this may not be such a worrying thing.

this is expected New AirPods Pro and AirPods Max updates coming through 2023, since AirPods 3 has been updated recently. We’ll see if we can find news about the sound, which is perhaps the only weak point of AirPods.