One step ahead of you Tim. Just recently bought 3 pairs of usb-c ones to stock up. Sounds way better then then AirPods 3, no need to deal with battery, great mic. For $19 it's insane value.
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After 12 Years, Apple May Finally Discontinue EarPods
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I agree with others. My EarPods are superior to my AirPods for phone calls and I’ve always found them to be comfortable with great sound quality. I have also put them through the wash in my pants pocket several times and they still work. I like using the 3.5 mm version because I can easily switch between my Mac and my phone using the lighting adapter.
I agree -- I am stupefied when I read reviews of headsets for phone/conference calls and the reviewer says something like "they sound great though the mic isn't good and you might be heard to hear." Whats the point of talking on a conference call if people can't understand you? Or phone calls in general?
I have found RTINGS reviews very thorough
The 8 Best Headphones of 2025
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Wireless are the best headphones we've tested. These premium over-ears have a fantastic noise isolation performance.
www.rtings.com
The in-depth reviews include an audio spectrum analysis through the mic. The only limitation I've found with their reviews is that they typically only test in one (the default) mode. So if the manufacturer ships the device with SBC audio enabled by default for compatability, that's how it is tested even if AAC transmit is possible and of course would sound much better.
The other issue I found last time I shopped for a headset was that once I filtered out all the models with terrible accoustics or other dealbreakers, there weren't that many good headsets left...
swingerofbirch
macrumors 68040
If this is true, it'll be the first Apple product I ever stockpile. I go through a couple of pairs per year (I don't think they're particularly flimsy--they just give out after that long listening to ASMR all night long every night). I've tried other cheap ones, and they just fit the nicest and sound good.
Bluetooth issue that's still not going to be 'fixed' with BT 6.0
It probably has an enormous profit margin. Can’t see why they’d axe this.
This is not true at all. The only thing that’s happened is a change in packaging on most Apple accessories recently. The new box has a new model, therefore “discontinuing” the old model. Simple as that.
Tim Apple will just add USB C, named them pro or classic and raise the price.
edit: they already exist - Doh!
edit: they already exist - Doh!
Last edited:
That and they are boomers that have no clue how rude it is ...
My iPhone 11, slow and waiting to die. Got it when it was the latest and greatest.
My AirPods Pro 1, the transparency mode no longer works and everything is muffled while I have them on. They’ll be inside their case, inside my drawer, and they’ll connect to my devices while I’m watching something. I can’t stop this, so they stay spending their battery while inside their case.
Just today I was thinking how I might go back to mechanical wired things like those my father came up with. It‘s ironic this is the day MacRumors suggests Apple may discontinue their earphones.
Now that I can’t afford to upgrade, I see electronics are designed to a great job at what they do but not for a long time. That’s why I see no reason to buy another AirPods just for them to wither away as well.
My AirPods Pro 1, the transparency mode no longer works and everything is muffled while I have them on. They’ll be inside their case, inside my drawer, and they’ll connect to my devices while I’m watching something. I can’t stop this, so they stay spending their battery while inside their case.
Just today I was thinking how I might go back to mechanical wired things like those my father came up with. It‘s ironic this is the day MacRumors suggests Apple may discontinue their earphones.
Now that I can’t afford to upgrade, I see electronics are designed to a great job at what they do but not for a long time. That’s why I see no reason to buy another AirPods just for them to wither away as well.
As a middle aged person who has been around the tech scene from early years, having owned almost every iPod and iPhone, ditching the wired headphones couldn’t happen fast enough. I hated the wires always getting snagged on bags or clothing, especially while traveling. And although early BT headphones had poor sound, connectivity and short battery life, not dealing with cords was so worth it to me.
I still use them all the time, they are great. If you use SoundSource and it’s sound optimization utilities and the Audio Unit 32-band Equalizer, you can upgrade the sound quality quite a bit and they may sound as good as AirPods. I had some problems with the quality in the past, but my current set already lasts 2 years, making it one of the best quality/value items Apple ever sold.
It’s biggest annoyance is also it’s best feature: being wired. All those wireless headphones people carry around make them unaware of the environment. I have to detach them every time I leave my Mac, but I don’t care to loose my sound for 3 minutes for coffee or a toilet visit.
It’s biggest annoyance is also it’s best feature: being wired. All those wireless headphones people carry around make them unaware of the environment. I have to detach them every time I leave my Mac, but I don’t care to loose my sound for 3 minutes for coffee or a toilet visit.
I use my USB-C EarPods daily from video conference calls and discord to gaming.
Their overall sound quality is not as good as AirPods Pro but their microphone is far superior and not to mention how incredible they are at the price point.
Would be a massive disappointment if they get discontinued and that will force me to buy 2 or 3 extra pairs for the foreseeable future.
Their overall sound quality is not as good as AirPods Pro but their microphone is far superior and not to mention how incredible they are at the price point.
Would be a massive disappointment if they get discontinued and that will force me to buy 2 or 3 extra pairs for the foreseeable future.
I always have a pair of these around in case of emergencies - lost AirPods, not charged or even just if I need to be on a couple of calls at the same time so can use wired for one and wireless for the other.
Discontinuing these would be one of the worst ideas I’ve seen in a long time around Apple land
They are inexpensive, reliable, highly functional and tremendously useful
They are inexpensive, reliable, highly functional and tremendously useful
I've not used wired earphones in years and would hate to go back to them. Makes sense for Apple to get rid of them. Most people don't want ancient wired earphones anymore. why waste money making them? force more people over to wireless and make more money.
40% margin on $150 Airpods > 90% margin on $19 Earpods