Our conversation with Kirk McElhearn about his new Take Control of AirPods continues, exploring the advanced capabilities of AirPods beyond simple audio playback, explaining listening modes, Conversation Awareness, head gestures, and how the Apple ecosystem enhances the experience. He also discusses why AirPods perform poorly as phone microphones, examines rumors of camera-equipped AirPods, and reflects […]
Kirk McElhearn discusses his new guide to getting the most from Apple’s AirPods, Take Control of AirPods for Take Control Books, explaining why the deceptively simple earbuds deserve a dedicated manual. The conversation explores hearing assistance, noise cancellation, audio quality, controls, battery management, charging options, Bluetooth limitations, and choosing the right model. Kirk offers tips that unlock features many owners never realize are available.
The panel examines a Bluetooth-related earbuds vulnerability, debating whether the issue lies in the protocol or Apple’s proprietary pairing approach, and why the implications feel unsettling. Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Eric Bolden, Ben Roethig, Marty Jencius, Jim Rea, Jeff Gamet, and Guy Serle also touch on a useful tool born from a creator’s own workflow before turning to another LastPass incident and where it puts them on the trust spectrum.
Samsung announced that its Hearing Aid feature for the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro and 4 Pro has been FDA-cleared.
It states this will work alongside its Hearing Test, which lets users use "clinical-grade, pure-tone audiometry" to test their hearing and see clear results.
Samsung says Hearing Test and Hearing Aid will arrive on the Buds 3 Pro and 4 Pro in the U.S. and other approved markets in Q4 2026.
Samsung announces that a major accessibility feature for its Galaxy Buds has cleared a key governmental hurdle.
The company announced this morning (Aug 11) that its Hearing Aid feature for the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro and 4 Pro has been FDA-cleared. Samsung says this enables the previously mentioned devices "to serve as an over-the-counter hearing aid for adults (18 or older) with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss."
For users, this means you'll have access to the Galaxy Buds' Hearing Test, alongside this Hearing Aid feature. Hearing Test is self-administered from the Galaxy Buds menu in your Settings. Samsung says it uses "clinical-grade, pure-tone audiometry" to test your hearing in each ear. Hearing Test is also said to highlight any "hearing deficits." Your Galaxy Buds will generate an "audiogram" that Samsung says mirrors what you'd receive from a professional test.
Once completed, your test will categorize your results in one of the following categories: mild, moderate, severe, or profound.
Your Galaxy Buds will then use your Hearing Test results to fine-tune its Hearing Aid feature. It might boost "high frequencies, surrounding whispers, or distant voices." The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro and 4 Pro benefit from familiar true hearing aid features, such as "noise elimination and beamforming." Hearing Test and the Hearing Aid feature for the Buds 3 Pro and 4 Pro will arrive on Galaxy devices in Q4 2026 in the U.S. and other approved markets.
Hear the world around you
(Image credit: Samsung)
Samsung has continued to focus on the user's hearing health ever since its huge Health app update in June. In the spirit of being proactive, Samsung announced Hearing Health. It will leverage your Galaxy Watch, phone, and Buds to monitor the noise level around you. If loud noises are a constant, your Galaxy Watch would let you know and urge you to make changes. The idea is to help users better preserve their hearing for the long term.
This capability was announced for the revamped app, which includes a lot of new health features for current and upcoming Galaxy devices. For example, the Galaxy Watch 9 and Watch Ultra 2 feature this new Hearing Health feature right out of the box. Samsung reiterates that users can keep tabs on their Hearing Health from the Health app, and now these new features are on the way for the Galaxy Buds to take things further.
Android Central's Take
Preserving your hearing is incredibly important. It's one of those things that if you lose it, it's hard to get back. This is even more important, given that we love earbuds. It's easy to pop those in and start listening while working, reading, or walking. But we've got to be conscious about our noise level. You never want those earbuds too loud. That's something we all learned when we were kids, right?
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The SOUNDPEATS UU2 combine a comfortable open-ear design, strong bass, LDAC, Bluetooth 6.0, multipoint connectivity, and up to 42 hours of battery life in an affordable package.
I recently just started a new workout regimen, and while I love my AirPods Pro, they tend to work their way out of my ears when I’m active. There’s nothing quite as distracting as having to stop in the middle of a workout to push an earbud back into place, especially when I’m trying to stay focused on what I’m doing.
That got me looking at open-ear earbuds, particularly the clip-on style that doesn’t rely on an ear tip staying securely inside the ear canal. The SOUNDPEATSU@ UU2 caught my attention because they take that approach while still offering features I typically look for in a pair of wireless earbuds, including Bluetooth 6.0, LDAC support, multipoint connectivity, and a claimed 10 hours of battery life.
I’ve also been curious about how well this style of earbud actually performs in everyday use. Leaving the ear canal open sounds appealing for workouts and other situations where I want to remain aware of my surroundings, but that design also raises some questions. How do they sound? Is there enough bass? How secure are they during exercise? And how much sound actually reaches the people around you?
I’ve spent some time with the SOUNDPEATS UU2 to find out whether these clip-on earbuds can deliver the stability and convenience I’m looking for without sacrificing the audio experience that has kept me coming back to the AirPods Pro.
About the SOUNDPEATS UU2
The SOUNDPEATS UU2 are open-ear clip-on earbuds designed to sit around the ear rather than inside the ear canal. This allows users to listen to music while still hearing some of the sounds around them.
The UU2 feature 12mm dual-magnet dynamic drivers with DynamicEQ technology, Bluetooth 6.0, and support for SBC, AAC, and LDAC codecs. They also offer multipoint connectivity, physical button controls, IPX5 water resistance, and up to 10 hours of playback on a single charge. The included charging case extends total battery life to up to 42 hours.
With their lightweight clip-on design and open-ear construction, the UU2 offer an alternative to traditional in-ear earbuds. The rest of this review focuses on how that design performs in everyday use, including comfort, audio quality, fit, controls, and connectivity.
Specs
Core Specs
Bluetooth: v6.0
Bluetooth Profiles: HSP / HFP / A2DP / AVRCP
Chipset: BT8912F
Bluetooth Codecs: SBC / AAC / LDAC
Battery
Earbud Battery: 50mAh × 2
Charging Case Battery: 500mAh
Earbud Charging Time: 45 minutes
Case Charging Time: 1 hour 36 minutes
Fast Charging: 10 minutes provides up to 2 hours of playback
Getting started with the SOUNDPEATS UU2 is straightforward. Inside the box, you’ll find the earbuds, their charging case, a short USB-C charging cable, and a user guide. There’s also an app quick-start card and a SOUNDPEATS sticker sheet. The earbuds arrive stored in the charging case, so there isn’t much to do before getting started beyond charging them and connecting them to a device.
The first thing I noticed after taking the UU2 out of the case was just how different they feel compared with traditional earbuds. Rather than placing anything inside the ear canal, the UU2 use a clip that sits behind the ear with the speaker positioned just outside it. That design takes a little getting used to, but it also ended up being one of my favorite aspects of using them.
Comfort & Fit
The SOUNDPEATS UU2 took a little getting used to at first. Since the clip sits behind the ear, it feels noticeably different from traditional earbuds. Initially, I was very aware of the clip being there, but after wearing them for a while, that feeling became much less noticeable.
Once I got used to the design, I found the UU2 to be very comfortable. One of my favorite things about the open-ear design is that there isn’t a traditional earbud wedged into my ear canal. Instead, it feels almost like I have two small speakers sitting just outside my ears.
The earbuds have stayed securely in place during normal movement, and so far, I haven’t noticed any significant movement or shifting. They also work well with my glasses, and I haven’t experienced any pressure or irritation around my ears.
Putting them on and taking them off takes a little practice because of the clip design, but once I figured out the proper motion, it became easy to do. Overall, I have been very impressed with how comfortable the UU2 are, particularly for longer listening sessions.
Audio Quality
I was pleasantly surprised by the sound quality of the UU2. They sound great, and the bass response is particularly impressive for an open-ear design. I expected some compromise in the low end because the earbuds don’t create a seal inside the ear canal, but the bass is actually very strong.
Vocals are clear, and the mids and highs are well balanced. I’ve also been impressed with how the UU2 handle different volume levels. Whether I’m listening at a lower volume or turning things up, the audio remains clear and I haven’t noticed any significant distortion at higher volumes.
For an open-ear pair of earbuds, the overall listening experience has been better than I expected. They provide plenty of volume and bass without losing the clarity that I want when listening to music.
Everyday Use
The physical buttons are one area where I think the UU2 could be improved. The buttons themselves work well, but their location makes them a little awkward to press. It isn’t something that prevents me from using the earbuds, but it does take some getting used to.
The controls themselves are intuitive, and I especially like that they can be customized through the SOUNDPEATS app. Being able to change what the different button presses do gives me more control over how I use the earbuds and lets me configure them around my preferences.
Connection speeds have also been good. The UU2 connect to my devices within a few seconds, so I haven’t had to wait around for them to establish a connection.
One of the biggest advantages of an open-ear design is being able to remain aware of what’s happening around me while listening. With the UU2, I can still hear ambient sounds such as my keyboard while I’m typing or my dog barking. However, the music remains the dominant sound, so I wouldn’t describe them as providing complete awareness of my surroundings.
I also haven’t had anyone complain about sound leakage while I’ve been using them. That said, because the speakers sit outside the ear rather than creating a seal, I can see how someone nearby could hear the earbuds if the volume were turned up high enough.
Conclusion
The SOUNDPEATS UU2 have turned out to be a pleasant surprise. I went into this review primarily looking for a solution to a very specific problem: keeping earbuds securely in place while working out. What I found was a pair of earbuds that not only stay in place, but are also comfortable enough that I can see myself using them well beyond my workouts.
At $49.99, the SOUNDPEATS UU2 offer an impressive combination of comfort, sound quality, battery life, and features. For someone looking for an alternative to traditional in-ear earbuds, particularly for workouts or extended listening, the UU2 are easy to recommend.
So, you need a pair of ANC earbuds. Recommendations usually start with the pairs that match your smartphone: AirPods, Pixel Buds, Galaxy Buds, OnePlus Buds, or Moto Buds. If you opt for a pair of ANC earbuds from a trusted audio brand instead, you're likely choosing between Sony and Bose. I've used both the Sony WF-1000XM6 earbuds and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (Gen 2) for months, and they're the best of the best when it comes to active noise-cancellation power.
But there can only be one best. So, I decided to take the flagship Sony and Bose earbuds to three noisy places to see how each one cancels out unwanted sound. This isn't a lab test or a benchmark — it's a real-world showdown that reflects how the Sony WF-1000XM6 earbuds and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (Gen 2) perform in everyday scenarios. While it was close, there was one pair of ANC earbuds I consistently preferred for its ANC power.
How the specs compare
(Image credit: @tshakaarmstrong)
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (Gen 2) use eight onboard microphones — four per earbud — to cancel out sound. Bose is using new AI-powered algorithms for active noise cancellation, but we don't know the specifics. The Sony WF-1000XM6 also has eight microphones split evenly between the two earbuds. Sony uses a custom QN3e processor for noise cancelation, and it's said to be 3x faster than its predecessor.
For this test, I took the Bose and Sony earbuds to loud places and tested their ANC performance. I placed the earbuds in my ears and listened for active noise cancellation without any music playing. Then, I raised the volume to a modest 50% and started playing music to see how environmental noise is perceived at a comfortable listening level.
This test is purely gauging the earbuds' ANC chops. It ignores sound quality, battery life, call quality, and other features, but every detail is covered in our full reviews of the Sony WF-1000XM6 and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (Gen 2).
I wore Sony and Bose earbuds in a noisy coffee shop
(Image credit: Brady Snyder / Android Central)
The first place I took the Sony and Bose earbuds to was my local coffee shop. I'm regularly working from a cafe, and it's a great environment. Good vibes, superb lattes, and free Wi-Fi. The one problem every digital nomad has run into is the noise. Loud espresso machines, constant chatter, and noisy foot traffic can quickly lead to distractions. The obvious solution to this issue is a pair of ANC earbuds, and that's why I brought the WF-1000XM6 and the QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (Gen 2) along with me.
Active noise cancellation works best with consistent noise, which is why environments like a coffee shop can trip up ANC earbuds. Sudden bursts of loud conversation or intermittent machinery can pierce the ANC barrier. When I wore the QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (Gen 2) without music playing, most background noise and the radio music turned to silence. However, I could still hear laughter, the espresso machine screeching, and chairs sliding around.
I then switched to the WF-1000XM6, but Sony's earbuds struggled to cancel out the mid-frequency environmental noise. Without music playing through my earbuds, I could still hear the music from the overhead radio speakers and make out nearby conversations. Interestingly, the high-pitched sounds that broke through Bose's ANC bubble were suppressed by the Sony earbuds.
Starting to play music through each pair of earbuds at 50% volume made their flaws virtually indistinguishable. With music playing, the Sony WF-1000XM6 blocked out nearly all audible background noise. The same was mostly true of the QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (Gen 2), except for lighter tracks with strong vocals and minimal production.
In this test, I preferred the ANC power of the Bose earbuds. I really didn't like that the Sony earbuds did little to block out the chatter and background music in the coffee shop, which can be distracting.
I wore Sony and Bose earbuds under a rumbling AC unit
(Image credit: @tshakaarmstrong)
Your air conditioning unit might be producing the loudest sound in your home. I live in the Arizona desert, so my AC is running almost nonstop this time of year. Using a sound measurement tool, I recorded my AC's noise level to be 60 decibels. That's quite loud, so I sat right underneath my air conditioner and put the Bose and Sony earbuds in my ears. These low-frequency hums and rumbles coming from your AC unit pose a challenge for even the best ANC earbuds.
Both earbuds nearly canceled out the AC unit's loud noise, but the QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (Gen 2) did a better job. While the Sony WF-1000XM6 made the noise less irritating, it was still there. The Bose earbuds, by comparison, made the AC unit sound silent — even without music playing. After choosing a song and setting the volume at 50%, neither pair of earbuds had a problem blocking out the annoying rumble of my air conditioner.
In this test, the win goes to the Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (Gen 2). Based on the results of the first two tests, it seems like the Sony WF-1000XM6 isn't quite as good at negating low- and mid-frequency sounds.
I wore Sony and Bose earbuds throughout a crowded shopping mall
(Image credit: Brady Snyder / Android Central)
For the final test, I took the Bose and Sony earbuds to the loudest place I could think of: a crowded shopping mall on a Friday night. I walked through a supermarket, a food court, and the concourse to get a feel for how each pair of earbuds responded to the noisy environments. Unlike the first two tests, which relied heavily on low- and mid-frequency background noise, the most challenging sounds to cancel out here were in the high-frequency range.
Sony's WF-1000XM6 earbuds actually did a better job blocking out the conversations and chatter around me in the wall, and I have a hunch as to why. There was so much talking going on that all the voices blended together into a kind of white noise the Sony buds easily canceled out. This could be why the WF-1000XM6 stopped voices in their tracks here, but didn't perform as well in the less-crowded coffee shop.
In the food court, the Sony earbuds' ability to block out higher-end sounds shined. The sizzle of frying pans and the clanking of utensils were mitigated by the WF-1000XM6, whereas they were much easier to hear through the Bose earbuds. Even at 50% volume, I could still hear some of those high-pitched noises while wearing the QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (Gen 2).
The two pairs of earbuds didn't stand a chance at canceling out the infrequent PA announcements in the food court, but this isn't surprising. Overall, the Sony earbuds won in the mall. The chatter all blending together, paired with the high-pitched nuisance sounds, gave the WF-1000XM6 the perfect environment to put its ANC strengths on display.
Verdict
(Image credit: Brady Snyder / Android Central)
Looking back on my week of ANC testing both the Bose and Sony earbuds, the winner on paper seems clear. More often than not, the Bose earbuds canceled out noise better than the Sony earbuds. Still, I'm not ready to write off the Sony WF-1000XM6 earbuds. I actually enjoyed wearing them for active noise cancellation more than the QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (Gen 2), because the Sony earbuds are decidedly more comfortable.
They're smaller, and don't make as tight of a seal in your ear as the Bose earbuds. Perceived ANC power has as much to do with passive sound isolation as it does active algorithmic cancellation. The very reason the QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (Gen 2) performed well might also be the reason I wanted to pull them out of my ears during longer listening sessions. While I found the Bose earbuds canceled out more noise on most tests, I'd reach for the Sony earbuds for their comfort anyway.
Sony
WF-1000XM6
Best for comfort
The Sony WF-1000XM6 are excellent ANC earbuds, and cancel out a whole lot of noise. Their supreme comfort helps you enjoy long listening sessions with ANC active. However, the fit may not be as secure as the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (Gen 2).
Bose
QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (Gen 2)
Most secure fit
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (Gen 2) do an excellent job of staying securely in your ears, creating a seal that helps with sound isolation. This improves ANC quality, but some users may find the characteristic uncomfortable after a while.
CMF announced the Clip Pro, a set of OWS (open-wearable stereo) earbuds, that will launch on August 4 at 9 am EDT (6 am PDT).
Interested consumers can sign up at nothing.tech in preparation for the launch event.
CMF is no stranger to audio devices, as it's developed the Headphone Pro and the Buds 2 Plus in recent history.
The teasers continue for CMF's next product, but now there's a date we can attach to it.
This morning (July 31), CMF by Nothing shared the details of its next product launch: the Clip Pro. The company states the Clip Pro will be its first "OWS" earbuds. These are open-wearable stereo earbuds for the "open" market. Devices like this will sit outside of your ear canal. Traditionally, devices will have a silicone tip that you slide in, but these, since they're outside, might feel more comfortable while you're outside or exercising.
CMF states the Clip Pro will launch on August 4 at 9 AM EDT (6 am PDT). We can expect these buds to clip onto our ears, funneling high-quality sound into our ears. CMF is still keeping the full design under wraps; however, its announcement teaser shows off a bit of its body.
The company says anyone who wants to be kept up-to-date about the launch can sign up.
CMF had a bit of interesting news last year when Nothing spun it off as an independent entity. Headquartered in India, a joint venture with Optiemus saw a $100 million investment and the creation of 1,800 jobs. As always, CMF will continue to focus on budget devices under $200. The company's Clip Pro will likely sit under that line, too. Also, CMF is used to developing audio devices, though OWS will be its first.
The company announced the Headphones Pro a few days after its spin-off was announced. These are over-ear headphones for $99 with a roller for ANC/volume, an Energy Slider to control bass and treble, and a shortcut button. CMF highlighted the Headphone Pro's strong battery with 100 hours of life with ANC disabled. What's more, it claims users can get four hours of audio after five minutes of charging.
If you're looking for a more "traditional" earbud, there's the CMF Buds 2 Plus.
Android Central's Take
Open earbuds sound interesting, but never interesting enough for me to grab a pair. I' sure it's probably easier on your ears. There's always been that thing growing up about not leaving earbuds in for too long. So, I can see comfortability with open buds, as well as better ear health. Nothing's launches are always good to keep an eye on, and CMF is no different.
Para que os AirPods, AirPods Pro e AirPods Max recebam novos recursos e correções de segurança, é necessário atualizar a versão de firmware dos fones de ouvido da Apple.
Isso é feito de forma completamente automática e você não precisa se preocupar com nada. Porém, você pode querer saber exatamente qual versão está rodando (para ver se está na última disponível, por exemplo).
NOTA DE TRANSPARÊNCIA: O MacMagazine recebe uma pequena comissão sobre vendas concluídas por meio de links deste post, mas você, como consumidor, não paga nada mais pelos produtos/serviços usando os nossos links de afiliado.
The Varta crisis has entered another severe phase after the German battery manufacturer lost the customer responsible for nearly all production at its specialized factory in Nördlingen.
Varta has not publicly identified that customer, but reports from German media and industry sources point to Apple. The iPhone maker is reportedly moving battery orders for a future AirPods generation to a lower-cost supplier in China.
The decision will lead Varta to stop producing rechargeable button cells in Nördlingen during fall 2026. Approximately 350 jobs will be eliminated across the factory and the company headquarters in nearby Ellwangen.
Describing the development as a complete corporate collapse would go too far. Varta continues operating other battery businesses and recently completed an extensive financial restructuring backed by Porsche. The loss of Apple, however, has destroyed the economic foundation of a production site created around one highly influential customer.
Varta Crisis Exposes Dependence on Apple
The Varta crisis illustrates how a large technology customer can transform a supplier and then leave it with capacity that cannot easily be reassigned.
Varta became an important producer of CoinPower lithium-ion cells, small rechargeable batteries designed for wireless earbuds and other compact devices. Teardowns of AirPods Pro models identified Varta cells inside the earbuds, although Apple does not publicly discuss most component suppliers by product.
Demand from premium wireless headphones helped Varta expand rapidly. In 2020, its Microbatteries and Solutions division generated approximately €508 million in revenue, representing growth of 49% from the previous year.
The company invested heavily in production as wireless earbuds became a mass-market category. Apple demand provided the volume needed to justify specialized lines, equipment and hiring in Germany.
That dependence became dangerous when AirPods production weakened and Apple began adding other battery suppliers. A factory developed for unusually large orders could not operate efficiently once those orders declined.
The customer now leaving Nördlingen had previously accounted for nearly the entire capacity of the site. Varta says it has gained other customers, but their combined demand is not sufficient to keep the specialized factory running.
The plant is therefore closing not because rechargeable button cells have disappeared, but because replacing one customer of Apple scale requires far more than several smaller contracts.
Price Reportedly Decided the AirPods Order
German reports indicate that price was the decisive factor behind the supplier change.
Varta battery quality was reportedly equal to or better than the competing product. The German manufacturer could not, however, match the cost offered for the next generation of cells from China.
Battery production in Germany faces higher labor, energy and operating expenses than many Asian manufacturing centers. Chinese suppliers also benefit from extensive domestic electronics supply chains, access to materials and production volumes spread across numerous customers.
Apple has enormous leverage when negotiating component contracts. AirPods ship in sufficient quantities for a small difference in the cost of each battery to produce substantial savings across an entire product cycle.
The company regularly qualifies multiple suppliers for components when technical requirements and available capacity permit. Competition can reduce prices, protect production against interruptions and prevent one manufacturer from gaining excessive influence over the supply chain.
For Varta, that process brought the opposite effect. The supplier expanded to serve Apple and then faced declining utilization as the customer divided orders among additional manufacturers.
The latest move appears more final. Varta expects the contract to expire at the end of October, removing the volume that kept Nördlingen economically viable.
Image Credit: Apple Inc.
Apple Supplier Strategy Is Not Simply About China
The reported decision does not mean Apple is moving its complete production network toward China.
Apple has spent several years expanding device assembly and component production in India, Vietnam and other countries. AirPods manufacturing has grown in India, while Macs, iPads and wearables are assembled across a wider group of Asian locations.
The Varta case concerns a particular component for which a Chinese supplier reportedly offered a more competitive price. It shows that diversification away from one country can coexist with cost-driven sourcing from that same country.
Apple may reduce its dependence on Chinese final assembly while continuing to purchase Chinese batteries, displays, enclosures or electronic components when suppliers provide the required scale and pricing.
That balance creates a difficult environment for European manufacturers. Political interest in domestic technology production does not guarantee that major customers will accept higher component prices.
Premium engineering can protect a contract when it produces a measurable advantage in battery capacity, safety, dimensions or lifespan. Once competing suppliers reach comparable performance, procurement decisions become increasingly sensitive to cost.
The Varta crisis suggests that manufacturing location and supplier history carried less weight than the economics of the next AirPods battery.
Varta Was Already Fighting Financial Failure
Apple did not create every problem affecting Varta.
The company entered the current dispute after years of debt, costly investments, volatile customer orders, supply-chain problems and weaker demand in parts of its energy-storage business. A cyberattack in early 2024 also disrupted production and delayed financial reporting.
Varta warned that its earlier restructuring plan might fail after Apple reduced AirPods production. By mid-2024, the company had reached a point where it could no longer service its debt without another intervention.
A pre-insolvency restructuring reduced financial liabilities from approximately €485 million to €200 million. Porsche and majority shareholder Michael Tojner agreed to provide new capital, while creditors supplied additional financing.
Existing shareholders lost their investment as Varta was removed from the stock market. The process preserved the operating company but demonstrated how little financial room remained for another major disruption.
Varta reported a loss of €64.5 million for 2024. Although that was an improvement from the previous year, the business remained dependent on successful restructuring and stronger performance from its surviving divisions.
The Apple contract loss therefore did not independently bring down a healthy battery group. It struck a manufacturer that had already narrowly avoided insolvency.
Image Credit: Wikipedia
Porsche Cannot Protect Every Varta Business
Porsche participation gives Varta a future in automotive batteries, but it does not rescue the Nördlingen button-cell operation.
The automaker invested in the restructuring and took control of the V4Drive business, which develops high-performance cylindrical lithium-ion cells for hybrid and performance vehicles. Porsche gains greater access to battery technology while helping retain part of that expertise in Germany.
Varta also continues producing household batteries and energy-storage systems. Those businesses serve different customers and do not depend on the machinery used for tiny CoinPower cells.
Employees affected by the Nördlingen closure may be offered positions at other locations, although Varta has not indicated how many can realistically be transferred. The company and its works council are negotiating measures for the workers whose roles will disappear.
The shutdown leaves a modern production unit without enough demand only a few years after wireless earbuds were presented as one of Varta most promising growth markets.
Its remaining automotive operation now has the security of a strategic customer with a direct ownership interest. The microbattery division learned the cost of building a factory around a customer that never made the same commitment.
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