Why do AirPods discharge differently?

[CoronaOnTap]

The AirPods Pro are my first pair and I've noticed that each Pod would discharge at a different rate. This is understandable in traditional wire-free earphones as the right one would receive the audio and then syncs up with the left one but why would AirPods do it? They each have the exact same hardware and functions and would connect with the device separately. The right Pod seemed to discharge faster than the left Pod. At higher charges the diff is ~1% but when it gets to 20% and below it's as much as 7%.

Anyone has any good explanation as to why this happens?

 

[jdavid_rp]

Well, Im not sure that they both are connected to the device, they have great compatibility with older devices and 2 bluetooth audio connections is something of Bluetooth 5.0, so I think they just can act as master or slave as they need.

And if that's not true, the discharging difference can also be produced by the Hey Siri feature, as one of the AirPods has to be checking for your voice.

 

[IRF]

My guess is that every battery is different and that’s why they varying in a 1-10% window in difference. I’m on my fourth pair due to other issues (clogged vents mostly) and just got one pair with nearly exactly the same battery drainrate. It was nearly 100% the same, maybe 1% deference from time to time. Idk for sure, maybe it was Firmware related or physically due to different battery quality. I’m just guessing here...

 

[Schranke]

I have it on my pair as well, not really something I notice often. As far for "Hey Siri" It might have an impact but as I have it turned off I know its not that.

 

[CoronaOnTap]

I fully charged them and this time the variance is 1% at best. I was sitting in front of my Mac the whole time so the signal is pretty strong.
My theory is if you move far enough from the source like say two rooms away for a minute or two, that could have the Pods try to boost the signal to keep the connection. I'll see if I can figure out a pattern.

 

[Ralfi]

7% difference isn’t too bad. Noise cancelling may be working harder on one bud + the mic may be getting used on one side more than the other.

 

[CoronaOnTap]

7% difference isn’t too bad. Noise cancelling may be working harder on one bud + the mic may be getting used on one side more than the other.

It’s possible!

 

[NoBoMac]

If you read the patent for AirPods, there still is a primary/secondary role for the buds, so one will be doing a little more work than the other. Do not doubt that it's same for Pros (have not seen patent for those).

 

[CoronaOnTap]

If you read the patent for AirPods, there still is a primary/secondary role for the buds, so one will be doing a little more work than the other. Do not doubt that it's same for Pros (have not seen patent for those).

I just read on Reddit that the Pod you insert first will have the active mic so that could mean it serves as a primary too. I’ll test this theory by switching the Pods over the next couple days.