Apple announced AirPods will receive a Custom EQ feature with iOS 27 this fall. Users can manually adjust highs, mids and lows through the AirPods settings menu. This represents Apple's expansion of audio customization options beyond the current automatic Adaptive EQ system that adjusts tuning as needed to maintain audio quality during playback.

The new Custom EQ tool allows manual tuning adjustments not possible before. Apple mentioned only one sentence about the feature on its iOS updates page, leaving many questions unanswered. We don't know which AirPods models will support this feature or how settings will sync across devices, limiting our understanding of its full capabilities.

This customization option gives users more control over their audio experience, potentially addressing long-standing requests from audiophiles and casual listeners alike. We expect Apple will reveal more details before the iOS 27 launch alongside new iPhones and possibly updated AirPods later this year. The feature bridges hardware and software capabilities more tightly.