The most useful AirPods features to try with iOS 26 are the camera remote, AirPods microphone input for video, higher-quality audio recording, clearer calls and—if your devices and region qualify—Live Translation. Compatibility is model-specific: Apple’s current camera guide lists more AirPods models than its original iOS 26 announcement, while Live Translation also requires an Apple Intelligence-capable iPhone, current software, downloaded languages and supported regional availability.
Which AirPods features are worth trying?
Start with the camera remote if you take group photos or record yourself: a supported AirPods control can trigger the camera without touching the iPhone. For video, selecting AirPods as the microphone can simplify a lightweight recording setup. Apple also describes a creator-focused recording mode and improved call voice quality. Live Translation is useful for nearby conversations, but it has the strictest compatibility and language requirements.
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Apple announced studio-quality audio recording, improved call quality and a camera remote for AirPods 4, AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation, and AirPods Pro 2 alongside iOS 26-related updates. Its current camera support guide includes additional models. The distinction matters: a current support list may reflect later products and software, not just the models named in the original announcement. Apple’s June 2025 announcement and current camera instructions describe the two lists.
Use AirPods as a camera remote
Check camera-remote compatibility
Apple’s current guide lists AirPods 4, AirPods 5, AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods Max 2 for camera remote use with supported camera apps on iOS 26 or later. AirPods Max 2 uses the Digital Crown; the other listed models use the configured stem control. Camera support is app-dependent, so the control may not work in every camera app.
#1 Best Overall
- REBUILT FOR COMFORT — AirPods 4 have been redesigned for exceptional all-day comfort and greater stability. With a refined contour, shorter stem, and quick-press controls for music or calls.
- PERSONALIZED SPATIAL AUDIO — Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking places sound all around you, creating a theater-like listening experience for music, TV shows, movies, games, and more.*
- IMPROVED SOUND AND CALL QUALITY — AirPods 4 feature the Apple-designed H2 chip. Voice Isolation improves the quality of phone calls in loud conditions. Using advanced computational audio, it reduces background noise while isolating and clarifying the sound of your voice for whomever you’re speaking to.*
- MAGICAL EXPERIENCE — Just say “Siri” or “Hey Siri” to play a song, make a call, or check your schedule.* And with Siri Interactions, now you can respond to Siri by simply nodding your head yes or shaking your head no.* Pair AirPods 4 by simply placing them near your device and tapping Connect on your screen.* Easily share a song or show between two sets of AirPods.* An optical in-ear sensor knows to play audio only when you’re wearing AirPods and pauses when you take them off. And you can track down your AirPods and Charging Case with the Find My app.*
- LONG BATTERY LIFE — Get up to 5 hours of listening time on a single charge. And get up to 30 hours of total listening time using the case.*
Set the gesture and take a photo or video
- Connect and wear your AirPods, then open Settings and tap the name of your AirPods.
- Open Camera Remote. If that option is nested, open Controls & Gestures first.
- Choose Press Once or Press and Hold for the camera action.
- Open the iPhone Camera app or another supported camera app. Use the configured control to take a photo or start a video recording; use it again to stop recording.
There is a gesture trade-off while the supported camera app is in use: Press Once temporarily replaces media-control gestures, while Press and Hold temporarily replaces listening-mode and Siri gestures. Apple notes that timer behavior and the feedback tone can vary by region. No feedback tone is heard when the iPhone ringer is off or Live Photos is on. See Apple’s camera-remote guide for current steps and behavior.
Choose AirPods as the video microphone
Apple’s camera guide also lets users select AirPods as the microphone in supported camera apps. To do that from the iPhone, select Video mode, open Control Center, open Camera Controls, tap Input, then select the AirPods. Depending on the app and setup, microphone modes include Automatic, Standard, Voice Isolation and Wide Spectrum. Apple also documents selecting an AirPods input under Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Input.
Rank #2
- WORLD’S BEST IN-EAR ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLATION — Removes up to 2x more unwanted noise than AirPods Pro 2* so you can stay fully immersed in the moment.*
- BREAKTHROUGH AUDIO PERFORMANCE — Experience breathtaking, three-dimensional audio with AirPods Pro 3. A new acoustic architecture delivers transformed bass, detailed clarity so you can hear every instrument, and stunningly vivid vocals.
- HEART RATE SENSING — Built-in heart rate sensing lets you track your heart rate and calories burned for up to 50 different workout types.* With iPhone, you will have access to the Move ring, step count, and the new Workout Buddy,* powered by Apple Intelligence.*
- LIVE TRANSLATION — Communicate across language barriers using Live Translation,* enabled by Apple Intelligence.*
- EXTENDED BATTERY LIFE — Get up to 8 hours of listening time with Active Noise Cancellation on a single charge. Or up to 10 hours in Transparency using the Hearing Aid feature.*
This camera-microphone option is not available in the EU, according to Apple. The option also depends on using a supported AirPods model and camera app; its presence should not be assumed for every country or recording app. Details are in Apple’s camera support guide.
What the new recording mode does—and does not promise
Apple describes the recording feature as a high-quality Bluetooth mode with media tuning for creators such as interviewers, podcasters and singers. It attributes the processing to the H2 chip, beamforming microphones and computational audio. Apple’s WWDC25 developer session describes a high-sample-rate recording option tuned to balance voice and background sound; its presenter compared the intended sound to a lavalier microphone. That is Apple’s description, not an independent measurement or proof that AirPods match or outperform a dedicated microphone. Apple has not published a comparative audio-quality score or test result in the cited materials. Apple’s announcement and WWDC25 developer sessions explain the feature.
Rank #3
- REBUILT FOR COMFORT — AirPods 4 have been redesigned for exceptional all-day comfort and greater stability. With a refined contour, shorter stem, and quick-press controls for music or calls.
- ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLATION — AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation help reduce outside noise before it reaches your ears, so you can immerse yourself in what you’re listening to.*
- HEAR THE WORLD AROUND YOU — The powerful H2 chip comes to AirPods 4. Adaptive Audio seamlessly blends ANC and Transparency mode — which lets you comfortably hear and interact with the world around you exactly as it sounds — to provide the best listening experience in any environment.* And when you’re speaking with someone nearby, Conversation Awareness automatically lowers the volume of what’s playing.*
- IMPROVED SOUND AND CALL QUALITY — Voice Isolation improves the quality of calls in loud conditions. Using advanced computational audio, it reduces background noise while isolating and clarifying the sound of your voice for whomever you’re speaking to.*
- MAGICAL EXPERIENCE — Just say “Siri” or “Hey Siri” to play a song, make a call, or check your schedule.* And with Siri Interactions, now you can respond to Siri by simply nodding your head yes or shaking your head no.* Pair AirPods 4 by simply placing them near your device and tapping Connect on your screen.* Easily share a song or show between two sets of AirPods.* An optical in-ear sensor knows to play audio only when you’re wearing AirPods and pauses when you take them off. And you can track down your AirPods and Charging Case with the Find My app.*
Apple says the recording and call-quality improvements apply across iPhone, iPad and Mac, with use cases including Camera, Voice Memos, Messages dictation, video-conferencing apps such as Webex, and compatible third-party camera apps. Improved voice quality is also described for calls in iPhone, FaceTime and CallKit-enabled apps. Availability depends on compatible devices, software and apps; the cited sources do not establish a measured improvement for every app or environment.
Live Translation has the strictest compatibility checklist
Confirm your AirPods and iPhone
Apple’s current support guide lists AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation, AirPods 5, AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3 or AirPods Max 2 paired with an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, or iPhone 16 model or later. Current iOS and AirPods firmware are also required. A compatible AirPods model alone is not enough. Apple cautions that language and regional availability and usage limits apply. Check the current Live Translation support guide for your setup.
Rank #4
- Automatically on, automatically connected
- Easy setup for all your Apple devices
- Quick access to Siri by saying “Hey Siri”
- Double-tap to play or skip forward
- New Apple H1 headphone chip delivers faster wireless connection to your devices
Download both languages before using it
Live Translation can play a translation of nearby speech in the listener’s preferred language, and the translated dialogue also appears on the iPhone. Download the language being spoken and the language you want to hear. Apple says processing takes place on the iPhone after those language models are downloaded. A reply can appear as a transcript or play through the iPhone speaker. If both people have supported AirPods and have started Live Translation, each can hear the conversation translated into their chosen language.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Treat the published language list as dated
Apple’s September 2025 iOS 26 feature guide listed English (US and UK), French (France), German, Portuguese (Brazil) and Spanish (Spain) for AirPods Live Translation. That is a dated list, not a guarantee that every language or locale is available now. Because Apple’s current support information warns that language and regional availability can vary, check the live support page for the language pair and country you plan to use. Apple’s iOS 26 feature guide provides the September 2025 list; the current support guide covers requirements and availability.
Best Value
- Active Noise Cancellation blocks outside noise, so you can immerse yourself in music
- Transparency mode for hearing and interacting with the world around you
- Spatial audio with dynamic head tracking places sound all around you
- Adaptive EQ automatically tunes music to your ears
- Three sizes of soft, tapered silicone tips for a customizable fit
Quick compatibility reference
| AirPods model | Camera remote | Camera microphone | Live Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| AirPods 4 | Listed by Apple’s current camera guide | Listed for supported camera use; unavailable in the EU | No; the Live Translation guide specifies AirPods 4 with ANC |
| AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation | Listed by Apple’s current camera guide | Listed for supported camera use; unavailable in the EU | Listed, with a supported Apple Intelligence iPhone, current software and downloaded languages |
| AirPods 5 | Listed by Apple’s current camera guide | Listed for supported camera use; unavailable in the EU | Listed, with a supported Apple Intelligence iPhone, current software and downloaded languages |
| AirPods Pro 2 | Listed by Apple’s current camera guide | Listed for supported camera use; unavailable in the EU | Listed, with a supported Apple Intelligence iPhone, current software and downloaded languages |
| AirPods Pro 3 | Listed by Apple’s current camera guide | Listed for supported camera use; unavailable in the EU | Listed, with a supported Apple Intelligence iPhone, current software and downloaded languages |
| AirPods Max 2 | Listed; use the Digital Crown for the camera control | Listed for supported camera use; unavailable in the EU | Listed, with a supported Apple Intelligence iPhone, current software and downloaded languages |
Camera model support and setup are from Apple’s camera guide; Live Translation eligibility is from Apple’s translation guide. For all features, verify that the iPhone, iOS release, AirPods firmware, app and regional availability meet the relevant requirement.
Quick Recap
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