My AirPods Pro were a gift from my sister-in-law, and initially, they lived up to Apple’s reputation—reliable noise cancellation, good sound quality, and a comfortable fit. But recently, the left AirPod developed a shrill, high-pitched noise, especially when I run. The sound is so sharp that it renders the earbud unusable. I’ve tried all the standard fixes: resetting them, cleaning the contacts, adjusting the ear tips, and switching between noise cancellation modes. Nothing worked. It’s frustrating when a premium product, especially one given as a thoughtful gift, fails unexpectedly.
The issue isn’t just the inconvenience—it’s the lack of durability. I didn’t expect these to last forever, but I assumed they’d hold up longer than they have. For a high-end product, the AirPods Pro should offer better longevity. I’ve used cheaper earbuds (Samsung Earbuds) that lasted years without such problems. The fact that this happened without any physical damage or misuse makes it worse. It feels like a manufacturing defect, something that shouldn’t happen with Apple’s reputation for quality.
I reached out to Apple Support, hoping for a quick resolution or replacement. Their response followed the usual script—troubleshooting steps I’d already tried, then a suggestion to visit an Apple Store. While they weren’t unhelpful, I was surprised that a premium product would fail this soon and that the support process didn’t feel more accommodating. If Apple positions itself as a leader in tech, its products should last, and its service should be more proactive when they don’t.
This experience has made me hesitant about future Apple audio purchases. When a product fails prematurely, especially one that was a gift, it’s disappointing. I’ll likely look at other brands for my next pair of earbuds, prioritizing durability and customer service. For now, I’m left with an expensive pair of AirPods where only one side works properly—a letdown for what was supposed to be a high-quality device.