Inconsistent audio priority of apps with AirPods on iPhone

My phone/apps audio priority is different depending on whether I am using my air pods 2 or not. When I am listening to music without air pods, I can browse Twitter and Reddit without my music (Spotify) pausing itself when I open those apps. Without air pods in, the music only pauses if I unmute a video on those other apps. This is the ideal audio priority, but it changes when I use AirPods. When my AirPods are in, I cannot open reddit or X at all without my music stoping. If I hit play, it pauses itself shortly after. This is very frustrating because it means that I cannot listen to music while browsing reddit or X in public places, ie, when I use my AirPods.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]