AirPods and Apple Watch Called 'Underpriced' to Bring New Users Into Apple Ecosystem

[Juicy Box]

I thought the lack of volume control during a phone call would've been a big deal for me but it really hasn't. If I need volume control during a call i find its no more than one adjustment per call on average. I'll just hit the keys on the phone, one small sacrifice for true wireless EarPods. The headphones are great man, get yourself a pair. They carry more bass than the standard EarPods, they sound pretty good, well balanced.

I appreciate the non-snarky review, especially from someone that had similar concerns. People are so quick to dismiss valid concerns and rush to the defense of any criticism toward Apple.

That said, I think the lack of the volume control will have a greater impact with me, than it did with your. As Apple themselves advertise, I wanted to be able to keep my phone in my pocket, glove box, or book bag, and be able to answer a phone call. But, if you need to adjust the volume you are screwed, which for me happens much more with phone calls than music. This is especially true while driving, it would have been nice to store my phone away, and be able to answer calls using an in-ear headset.

I love my EarBuds, and use them all the time for phone calls. I would love to have wireless version of them, but the AirPods are not them.

And they also include a cord! What a bargain

There are plenty of wireless headsets that have volume buttons. Are they Apple's quality, maybe not, but having volume adjustment on wireless headsets have been around for a while.

 

[rols]

Jaybird X3 - 130$

Don't they count as wireless earbuds?

They count as the best wireless earbuds I've owned thus far. Haven't tried the Apple ones, the Jaybirds are good enough I don't need to switch and even at a small price difference will probably keep with X3 when I wear this pair out.

 

[smaffei]

Both require an iPhone for use. If you get someone hooked on the Apple Watch or AirPods, you don't have to worry about them leaving for Android as it's simply not an option. Small price to pay to keep people using their phones where they make far more money.

Um, AirPods work with any Bluetooth device...

But, keep up the FUD. Good job!
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The Watch Series 1 argument could be made, but thats because it's last years tech.

Noticeably faster process than last year. But keep FUDding.

 

[sfwalter]

It all comes down to economies of scale.

 

[RogerWilco]

I never buy first-gen products. That said I know two people who jumped on the AirPod bandwagon and both now regret their purchase. One doesn't even use his anymore and has switched back to wired for workouts. Both said essentially the same thing about their AirPods, once the novelty wore off they realized there were too many limitations and annoyances to continue using them.

Is it too cynical to think that Apple Marketing is intentionally tapping into this vein of "gold", a strange consumerist desire to hoard and collect Apple gadgets even when then have little real utility or advantages? Drawers filled with iPods, watches, TVs, AirPods, iPad docks, etc., etc.

 

[Abazigal]

How do you get rid of Apple fanatics that ruin these forums with their incessant lack of logic and need to defend every bonehead move Apple makes?

The same way we get rid of the Apple critics who seem intent on ruining these forums with incessant lack of logic and the need to blast Apple for every move they make, regardless of merit?

Let me know if and when you do find out. God knows I have tried.

Oh my god. That is like saying, "It's the people who keep complaining about the driveability and acceleration of this car that don't get it! It's all about the paint job dude! Just LOOK at that shade of red!!!! OMG! I'm in love dude! I simply MUST have that shade of red! $60,000 with a 60HP 3 cylinder engine, drum brakes, no leg room, no back seat and no trunk space! Those trolling jerks just don't GET IT! Those things don't matter at all to some of us! It's Italian ART! It's all about that BEAUTIFUL shade of red!!!!" (FACE PALM)

You may think airpods are substandard. I would say that they are superior in ways that aren’t important to you, and that’s fine – but just because you don’t value the same things as other people doesn’t make the product substandard. You should be able to look beyond your own needs and tastes. Not everyone is the same as you.

That's all I am trying to say.

My mistake. AM Radio was killer! Who cares about the sound quality? It's amplitude modulation dude! Totally retro and awesome!

I am not saying sound quality doesn't matter. Obviously it does, but the airpods sound fine to me, and I am perfectly okay with giving up some degree of sound quality in exchange for other benefits such as portability which matter just as much to me.

Yeah, it's totally convenient having those earpods fall out of your ears every 2 minutes.... (which unlike with a corded version means you're going to be looking for it on the ground and/or lose them all the time)

My airpods have yet to fall out of my ears yet. And this is since I have used them daily from the day I got them.

This is like the criticism of the Apple pencil's charging mechanic all over again. People try to make fun of something and make it seem stupid, when it is actually a very clever and elegant solution.

 

[profets]

The trouble is I understand very well. Yes $20-30.

You clearly do not understand very well if you think that a product with extreme high demand and a 6 week backlog on orders should be sold for 1/8th of it's current retail price.

 

[Return Zero]

I think we could mostly agree, these products are perhaps fairly priced, which by Apple standards makes them seem like they're underpriced.

I have owned both since they were released and think they are tremendous products and a good value overall.

Seems to me like this Cybart guy was just out for attention, and kudos to him because it worked well. Also his name makes me think of a futuristic retailer (cyborg + kmart? lol).

 

[profets]

I think we could mostly agree, these products are perhaps fairly priced, which by Apple standards makes them seem like they're underpriced.

I have owned both since they were released and think they are tremendous products and a good value overall.

Seems to me like this Cybart guy was just out for attention, and kudos to him because it worked well. Also his name makes me think of a futuristic retailer (cyborg + kmart? lol).

Neil is actually a pretty decent guy and forms thoughtful opinions. I've come across his articles and have listened to him on some podcasts as well.

I don't think he was just out for attention. I think it's more the irrational responses from MR that make it seem like he is.

 

[Born Again]

if youre an athlete you aren't looking at the apple watch.

 

[profets]

if youre an athlete you aren't looking at the apple watch.

Really, so you speak on behalf of all athletes in the world? Interesting.

 

[Return Zero]

Neil is actually a pretty decent guy and forms thoughtful opinions. I've come across his articles and have listened to him on some podcasts as well.

I don't think he was just out for attention. I think it's more the irrational responses from MR that make it seem like he is.

I'm sure you're right, and I shouldn't be so quick to accuse him of mere attention-seeking. However he does make some fundamental errors in comparing products. AirPods are really a different breed than all those other wireless headphones (worse sound quality, fit, no seal, more iPhone-specific, no controls). The Watch comparison would make more sense with the stainless steel model, at which point it is no longer anywhere close to being "underpriced". The Sport model he prices has comparatively inferior band and case quality.

 

[Nerdy Keith]

What a load of nonsense. Apple need to not only lower the price of Air Pods all the way down to €50 a pair. They also need to reduce all of their prices for all of their products by 50%. Their prices are not reasonable and they are loosing against other competitors.

 

[Gudi]

Go to a local Marathon, allmost everyone uses them.

And while you're not currently running a marathon? Because that's a niche activity, most people never exercise in their whole life. That's like saying diver watches, who tell you the current water depth, are the 'next big thing' to lure customers into the Apple ecosystem. Which is why we have the cunning plan to sell them UNDERwaterpriced.

 

[Return Zero]

What a load of nonsense. Apple need to not only lower the price of Air Pods all the way down to €50 a pair. They also need to reduce all of their prices for all of their products by 50%. Their prices are not reasonable and they are loosing against other competitors.

LOL. Tell that to their record-breaking stock price.

 

[alphaod]

Yeah my local BMW dealer sells me oil at $6/L whereas Walmart is selling it at $7/qt, so actually seems I'm getting the factory stuff for cheaper!

Then they want $500 for a low-res camera and $3000 for a steering wheel adjustment motor. F that.

 

[profets]

I'm sure you're right, and I shouldn't be so quick to accuse him of mere attention-seeking. However he does make some fundamental errors in comparing products. AirPods are really a different breed than all those other wireless headphones (worse sound quality, fit, no seal, more iPhone-specific, no controls). The Watch comparison would make more sense with the stainless steel model, at which point it is no longer anywhere close to being "underpriced". The Sport model he prices has comparatively inferior band and case quality.

I'd have to disagree here. The comparison he was trying to make was across wireless buds in general, as it's a pretty new market and there's only a handful really available (though cheaper options are slowly starting to pop up on amazon and eBay).

Sound quality, fit, seal and W1 I would say are more attributes that can be used to compare between these different wireless buds. Many of them very subjective as well.

 

[varera]

I was thinking of getting a pair as the EarPods fit me well. But, you cannot adjust the volume during a phone call. If there was any listening situation that require adjustments to the volume, a phone conversation would be it.

Wireless head phones for a fraction of the price of the AirPods can adjust the volume during a phone call.

LOL, that's a non-issue. If you have a free hand during a phone call, just reach your phone and press the buttons to adjust the volume. If your hands are busy, nothing will help you anyway

 

[skids929]

Cellular, really, please explain? My iPhone and Watch require one cellular device and data plan. Adding another cellular device to a plan today not inexpensive. I would rather deal with the combo as paying for two devices each month. Then we would need to discuss battery life, already a significant issue.

What is there to explain, was I not clear? Sounds like you need to buckle up because cellular radios in the Apple Watch is where the technology is headed. Think streaming...You can always hold on to this crappy generation until it no longer works though. But to answer your question, adding devices is cheaper than ever, and unlimited data is now a thing again-so I don't personally see it as an issue. If you can afford Apple products surely you can pony up to add a device.

I just didn't see the value in the Apple Watch for exercise, and the requirement to carry my phone for my needs just made no sense. And the heart rate monitor is just so so..I was using it as a watch, which it's great for, but I don't really need that either because I generally use my phone.

 

[Juicy Box]

LOL, that's a non-issue. If you have a free hand during a phone call, just reach your phone and press the buttons to adjust the volume. If your hands are busy, nothing will help you anyway

This is a quote from an above post on my it is not a "non-issue".

I appreciate the non-snarky review, especially from someone that had similar concerns. People are so quick to dismiss valid concerns and rush to the defense of any criticism toward Apple.

That said, I think the lack of the volume control will have a greater impact with me, than it did with your. As Apple themselves advertise, I wanted to be able to keep my phone in my pocket, glove box, or book bag, and be able to answer a phone call. But, if you need to adjust the volume you are screwed, which for me happens much more with phone calls than music. This is especially true while driving, it would have been nice to store my phone away, and be able to answer calls using an in-ear headset.

I love my EarBuds, and use them all the time for phone calls. I would love to have wireless version of them, but the AirPods are not them.

Besides, on Apple's own AirPod website, they advertise being able make phone calls, and adjust the volume without taking your phone out of your pocket. The AirPods can do those things, but not at the same time.

 

[winston1236]

The Apple Watch isn't a competitor to the Fenix 5, it's entirely different target market.

 

[Carnegie]

What a load of nonsense. Apple need to not only lower the price of Air Pods all the way down to €50 a pair. They also need to reduce all of their prices for all of their products by 50%. Their prices are not reasonable and they are loosing against other competitors.

Apple has a decent size cash pile (even net of debt). But if it did that, i.e. reduced prices for all of its products by 50%, it would be losing money at such a high pace that it wouldn't take long to burn through that cash pile. And that's not even taking into account the increased volume (which would likely result from decreased prices) which would increase the pace at which it lost money.

 

[dugbug]

Jaybird X3 - 130$

Don't they count as wireless earbuds?

not 'true wireless' since the buds are connected. the article listed most of the relevant products.

 

[Born Again]

Really, so you speak on behalf of all athletes in the world? Interesting.

i would say the majority so > 50%.

if your a casual jogger or cyclist by all means get your apple watch or better yet just stick to your iphone app

 

[sterno74]

When has Apple ever underpriced any new hardware product? I don't recall that happening once. Pretty sure they are still making north of 30% profit on AirPods.

Oh yeah, this is nothing but a PR gimmick by Apple. Go on Amazon and look for wireless headphones and they don't cost nearly as much as that list suggests. The BlueAnt Pump's that I use are $30 right now. They last for hours, sound decent, and if I ever lose them I don't feel like I've just made a terrible mistake.

So the author of the article basically just took a PR ask from Apple and made a nice article out of it. Wow look at how expensive these other headphones are! Sure, if you look at the highest end fashionable earbuds you can find things that are more expensive. If you look at wireless headphones overall though, most of them are way cheaper than that and work well. Hell, the reason I have the Pump's is that they actually stay in my ears unlike every earbud Apple's ever made.