Have you noticed that one AirPod always seems to run out before the other?
It always feels a little unsettling when one Apple AirPod dies before the other, and we've often wondered why this happens, considering they're charged in exactly the same way, for the same amount of time.
Sometimes, it's actually possible for one AirPod to fully charge, while the other barely charges at all.
In fact, over on Reddit, there's heaps of threads from people noticing the same problem.
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On one particular post, one person wrote: "Why do my airpods’ batteries deplete so differently even though I always use them together?"
While another said: "My left airpod tends to die way faster than my right, have they just gotten old?"
But, turns out there is a reason for it and there's a way of stopping it from happening, too.
So, whats going on?
Why does one AirPod run out before the other?
Over on the YouTube channel 'Apple Explained', they revealed it's most likely to do with a contact issue inside the case of your AirPods.
"When placing your AirPods inside, it’s possible that one may not make full contact with the charging pins," the clip explains.
If the AirPod isn't making full contact, it will inevitably drain instead of charging.
However, there is a way of boosting the chances and it's a pretty simple trick.
"To prevent this, use a cotton swab to clean the metal pins deep inside the case," the video explains.
"Even if there's no visible dirt or debris. The same goes for the AirPods themselves - wiping down the metal area on the stem will prevent charging issues inside the case."
Are there any other reasons?
The video goes on to explain that there are other potential reasons, too, such as if one AirPod is set to use Siri.
"It will likely drain faster than the other since it's using the microphone to listen for your requests. You can check and adjust your AirPods configuration details in Bluetooth settings," the clip explains.
"Similarly, when you're wearing AirPods and someone starts talking to you, pay attention to which AirPod you remove.
"Even though AirPods have transparency mode, most users remove one AirPod when they have to talk to someone, and it's typically the same one each time. This causes the AirPod in your ear to stay active, while the one you remove goes into a deeper power saving mode."
The clip explains that eventually, uneven degradation can occur in the long-term and can significantly impact the AirPods' lifespan.
If you need to, you can also ask Apple to replace the batteries in your AirPods for a fee.
Topics: Apple, Technology, Phones, YouTube
Lucy Devine