Compatibility issues between new AirPods and old Apple devices

Apple is actually considered a real role model when it comes to backwards compatibility. However, this does not seem to be the case with its new AirPods. The latest generation of wireless in-ears is probably no longer compatible with some older Apple devices. Without iOS 13, nothing works here.

Not suitable for every Apple user

Should you be interested in the new AirPods, you should think twice about buying them. Especially if you don’t own a current iPhone or iPad, the added value of the practical true-wireless in-ears can be extremely poor. After all, you only benefit from the features of the smart headphones if they are really compatible with the source device. The list of supported devices is shorter than it was for the AirPods 2. Apple itself does not talk about a “non-functioning” of its AirPods. Instead, a footnote on the official website clarifies that the AirPods 3 can only exhaust their wide range of functions when the source device has iOS 13 or iPadOS 13.

https://youtu.be/-5y2YqrlOr4

So what does this mean in practice? Anyone who owns an iPhone 5s, 6 or 6 Plus will not be able to use the new AirPods 3 as Apple designed them. The same applies to the first iPad Air and the second and third generation iPad Minis. It might be possible to use the AirPods in principle, but the lack of the heavily advertised audio sharing feature is likely to annoy many users of older devices. It is not yet known whether and to what extent there are already problems during pairing. However, we assume that it will be possible to connect the headphones to older devices without any problems. Otherwise, Apple would certainly have communicated something to the contrary.

“Conversation Boost” not available

But it’s not just the lack of audio sharing features that will bother many. The so-called Conversation Boost will also not be usable on older models. The Conversation Boost is supposed to make everyday life easier, especially for people with a hearing impairment. Since this feature was only recently added to the first generation of AirPods Pro via an update, this is highly surprising. One does not want to speak badly of Apple, but in view of the compatibility issues, one could already get the feeling that the Californians want to sell their “old” second-generation AirPods to the man as well. In the context of their presentation of the new earbuds, they were still heavily advertised as a low-budget entry into the world of wireless headphones. Since they are of course also compatible with older Apple devices, there is hardly a better reason to buy them.