AirPods Now Closing in on a Decade

[MacRumors]

Today marks nine years since Apple launched the original AirPods. Unveiled in September 2016 alongside the iPhone 7, the wireless headphones became available on December 19, 2016, following a slight delay.

At the time, wireless headphones were already on the market but had not yet reached true mass popularity. AirPods helped redefine the category through their convenience and seamless integration with Apple devices. Apple's Phil Schiller at the time:

AirPods are the first headphones to deliver a breakthrough wireless audio experience, and with the new Apple W1 chip they deliver innovative features including high quality sound, great battery life and automatic setup. AirPods are simple and magical to use, with no switches or buttons, automatically connecting to all your Apple devices simply and seamlessly, and letting you access Siri with just a double tap. We can't wait for users to try them with iPhone 7 and Apple Watch Series 2.

Priced at $159, the first-generation AirPods introduced key features such as one-tap pairing with Apple devices and in-ear detection for automatic play-pause functionality. Powered by Apple's custom W1 chip, they delivered enhanced audio quality compared to wired EarPods and set a new standard for battery life in a compact, completely wireless design.

AirPods were initially met with skepticism following their unveiling, with much of the reaction focused on their unconventional stem-based design and the removal of the headphone jack on the iPhone 7. The earbuds were widely mocked online and compared to wired EarPods with the cables cut off, while some critics questioned their practicality and battery life. However, early reviews and real-world use quickly shifted perceptions, as the convenience of automatic pairing, reliable wireless performance, and all-day battery life made AirPods increasingly popular among iPhone users.

AirPods quickly grew into one of Apple's most successful accessories, helping to normalize truly wireless earbuds and accelerating the decline of the traditional headphone jack across the industry. While Apple does not disclose sales figures, analysts estimate that tens of millions of units are sold each year, making AirPods the best-selling wireless earbuds globally and a major contributor to Apple's wearables revenue.

Since their debut, AirPods have evolved with the release of second-, third-, and fourth-generation models in March 2019, October 2021, and September 2024. These updates brought improvements such as better audio quality, longer battery life, hands-free "Hey Siri" functionality, a wireless charging case, and, most recently, active noise cancellation. A fifth-generation is believed to be in the works. The product line has also expanded with the premium AirPods Pro, featuring an in-ear design and active noise cancellation, in October 2019, and the over-ear AirPods Max in December 2020.

Article Link: AirPods Now Closing in on a Decade

 

[MacUserFella]

Still remember when everyone at my school made fun of them, now I bet they can’t go a single day without them

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

The iPhone was so nice to hold. It’s hard to believe iPhones used to be that thin! I know we have the Air but there’s just something very Ive-esque about that design.

 

[Oblivious.Robot]

This was one off, if not the most actually magical products made by Apple, and the fact that they just worked and weren’t insanely priced was just like a dream come true moment.

I had purchased the original AirPods, and I think ever since then I haven’t really used wired headphones. It definitely transformed the way we listen to music, in spite of being mocked at first and now it’s just the regular thing!

 

[lk400]

I don’t care what anybody says. I, for one, like Harley’s ongoing post about how old Apple products are.

 

[progx]

After going through some may PowerBeats, plus one of the Pro versions of those headphones, the AirPods Pro 2 are a true workhorse headphone. Had mine for over two years and no issues.

As for the PowerBeats 2 and 3… I went through about 20-21 pairs of them. I’m guessing my sweat somehow killed them. Apple covered almost all of them, I think I had bought the initial pair of each model; they had to replace the PB2 with PB3 since they were discontinued too. The PowerBeats Pro were promising… about a year and a half later I had to send those in. Bought the AirPods Pro 2, I never had to send them in once.

 

[Porco]

Still miss the headphone jack all the time. I will never buy these.

 

[boswald]

One of the better Apple inventions over the years. I use mine everyday and can’t imagine my world without them. Apple wasn’t the first in this category, but they’re the best to me.

 

[jmjake21]

Wish they would bring back tap Gestures!! Not sure why they switched to the capacitive “pinch” system. I never had problems with the taps.

 

[yellowbunny]

Wish the batteries last that long! Or there was a process of replacing them. Glad I moved to Sony after the first gen...

 

[StuBeck]

Still remember when everyone at my school made fun of them, now I bet they can’t go a single day without them

Its worth remembering that the initial promo shots of them were pretty horrendous and easy to mock. The virginia slim straight on pic was not flattering. Decreasing the size of the stem helped their popularity immensely.

 

[Aprifox]

Shame that Apple killed the headphone jack for this. Also weird how while Apple Music offers lossless quality music, AirPods still don’t support lossless transmission…meaning you have to use a headphone jack dongle to listen to lossless quality music on iPhone anyway. Not very well thought out.

 

[rickdollar]

These were the first Bluetooth headphones that I could hike with while having my phone in the pocket of my shorts and not constantly cut out every time I turned my head a certain way. I had tried so many Bluetooth headphones, and they were all crappy unless you were indoors.

Edit: And the first Bluetooth headphones I ever used that didn’t have the stupid constantly blinking blue light!

 

[HazeAndHahmahneez]

January 2024, close to ten years out.

My first pair.

Pro 2s with Apple care + for two yrs at 220$, not a bad deal @ all IMO. Best Buy, indeed hah.

Great run companions along with Hoka’s or Nikes and an Appple Watch.

The iPhone was so nice to hold. It’s hard to believe iPhones used to be that thin! I know we have the Air but there’s just something very Ive-esque about that design.

Please! Pro Max 16…Titanium plus all these features and only slightly heavier than the gimped 15 pro max? Shyeugh, win.

This was one off, if not the most actually magical products made by Apple, and the fact that they just worked and weren’t insanely priced was just like a dream come true moment.

I had purchased the original AirPods, and I think ever since then I haven’t really used wired headphones. It definitely transformed they way we listen to music, in spite of being mocked at first and now it’s just the regular thing!

You say not insanely priced but I think 150$ is pricey especially for 9 yrs ago..


Amazing these were mocked at first. Must’ve been online when I wasn’t looking up Apple stuff back then much. All I remember is when gen 1 AirPods released they were EVEYWHERE!

Glad I waited….and I still swear by the EarPods!!!

Amazing headphones.

After going through some may PowerBeats, plus one of the Pro versions of those headphones, the AirPods Pro 2 are a true workhorse headphone. Had mine for over two years and no issues.

As for the PowerBeats 2 and 3… I went through about 20-21 pairs of them. I’m guessing my sweat somehow killed them. Apple covered almost all of them, I think I had bought the initial pair of each model; they had to replace the PB2 with PB3 since they were discontinued too. The PowerBeats Pro were promising… about a year and a half later I had to send those in. Bought the AirPods Pro 2, I never had to send them in once.

They legit replaced your headphones 18 PLUS times??? That’s crazy talk…@ some point I’d a been like here just take this return $ and leave us alone! lol

Still miss the headphone jack all the time. I will never buy these.

I both agree and disagree. Headphones jack is def necessary…never buy AirPods tho?….thats severe self punishment…these are great for when you have a chore to do or are getting ready at the beginning of your day.
I’m in the best shape of my life and aside from my watch and proper foot wear, these def have a huge part in that

One of the better Apple inventions over the years. I use mine everyday and can’t imagine my world without them. Apple wasn’t the first in this category, but they’re the best to me.

Amen!

I go a day two at most of not using these. Upgraded my ancient led TV to a modern OLED and love how it can find my AirPods..

Bravo Apple bravo!

 

[Porco]

I both agree and disagree. Headphones jack is def necessary…never buy AirPods tho?….thats severe self punishment…these are great for when you have a chore to do or are getting ready at the beginning of your day.
I’m in the best shape of my life and aside from my watch and proper foot wear, these def have a huge part in that

I have other bluetooth earphones I use sometimes, but AirPods just aren’t for me, for numerous reasons. Happy for you and everyone else who loves theirs!

 

[klasma]

Decreasing the size of the stem helped their popularity immensely.

The problem I have with the shorter stems is that they are incompatible with winter headwear (using the mic, and squeeze operation). Removing the tap operation also doesn't help with that.

 

[I7guy]

As posters said, the AirPods og were a laughing stock. And today they are the form factor to be emulated.

 

[deckard666]

The "perceived wisdom" of this forum / experts vs the actual reality - Never gets old - seen it all again with the Switch 2 too.........

 

[mihighil]

Until you can change the batteries in these things, these are manufactured e-waste.

 

[progx]

They legit replaced your headphones 18 PLUS times??? That’s crazy talk…@ some point I’d a been like here just take this return $ and leave us alone! lol

Yes. They replaced them each time. Anytime I’ve had to use AppleCare, it’s alway paid for itself. The PowerBeats situation was so bad they were debating on moving me to regular AirPods, but I wasn’t confident in the original ones at the time to be sweat resistant enough.

They replaced my PowerBeats Pro twice: a brand new pair since they couldn’t replace the original blacks during COVID, then the refurbs showed up. It was unintentional, but the support team said to keep them both and send back the original black pair.

Fast forward to 2023, I decided on the AirPods Pro 2 for some reason, they have been the best all situation headphones I’ve ever had. Never a problem at the gym, great on walks, yard work and travel. Could almost be the ONLY pair of headphones you’ll ever need, but I still prefer over the ear for sitting. Still have my Solo 2 pair, plus Studio Pro, JBL LIVE460NC and Sony WH-1000MX5. I got the JBL headset for free.

 

[Tig_one]

Until you can change the batteries in these things, these are manufactured e-waste.

The quality is average too, they don't last.

 

[I7guy]

The quality is average too, they don't last.

I’m still getting at least an hour out of my AirPods og now what 9 years old?

 

[carrrrrlos]

And still the design and engineering teams plot on how much easier to make it so when you drop them, you have an AirPods yard sale every single time.

 

[haunebu]

I'm on my fourth pair. These don't last because changing the batteries requires a service visit and fee, and isn't worth it. How many of these have wound up in the trash? Millions.

You know what does work just fine, though? My wired headphones from decades ago. They sound better, too, because like with engines "there's no replacement fir displacement" and you can't get around that.

These are disposable technology.

 

[StuBeck]

The problem I have with the shorter stems is that they are incompatible with winter headwear (using the mic, and squeeze operation). Removing the tap operation also doesn't help with that.

Thats totally fair. My comment was more about the issues with their launch. The issue wasn't really with the device or its usablity, but it looks really dumb. There is a reason why they haven't replicated the shot I was referring to in their later promo shots. Everything for the APP3 is side on.