Overview
- Preorders are open at $199 with a one‑year app membership, with U.S. shipments slated for early 2026.
- A custom on‑device model captures speech below a whisper and cuts background noise, with reporters observing successful demos in loud rooms and during very quiet speech.
- Subtle claims up to five times fewer transcription errors than AirPods Pro 3 paired with OpenAI transcription, a metric reviewers have not yet validated beyond demos.
- The included iOS and macOS app offers instant dictation and voice notes, costs $17 per month after the first year, and the buds still provide improved on‑device transcription without a subscription.
- Voicebuds lack support for the 'Hey, Siri' wake phrase due to Apple’s proprietary chips, and Subtle says it is integrating its own assistant as it advances partnerships and $6 million in funding.