Apple Says AirPods Are 'Incredibly Popular' as Availability Remains Limited

[Will.O.Bie]

Undoubtedly this product has been extremely successful. And I don’t think it’s just because of them being wireless, it’s also because of the technology (ease of Pairing, pulling one AirPod out to play/pause music, ect) , the battery life coupled with the convenience of portability with the charging case. I think something else worth noting, is compared to the competition, they are priced affordably. The sound is adequate, loud and crisp.

I agree with everything you've said but now if the article is true, I hope the water resistant AirPods come to fruition. The other day I fell victim to my own carelessness and left my AirPods inside my jeans, without the case, and washed it. Now I cannot use it to make calls because the other side cannot hear my voice, although, I can still use it for listening to music. Thinking about the water resistant version, that would have come in handy in situations like that.

 

[MrGuder]

Why have I seen so many reviews that say they don't sound any better than regular wired ear buds?

 

[Dave245]

I’m not surprised, I’ve seen a lot of people with AirPods out and about in London including myself, they are a great little pair of earphones and very popular.
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What a load of rubbish, no shortage, just not selling....just like the HomePod !

Have you been out recently? I see people with them on a daily basis, the AirPods are very popular!

 

[Will.O.Bie]

Why have I seen so many reviews that say they don't sound any better than regular wired ear buds?

I was skeptical at first as well because of some of the reviews I read online, but this was in its early stages two years ago. I found the AirPods sounding a little better than the wired ones. I suppose everyone has a different level of "acoustic sound" in hearing the slight differences. I definitely hear the difference and prefer it over the wired earpods.

 

[tobefirst ⚽️]

While they haven't been perfect – sometimes they won't charge unless seated just perfectly, won't always connect to my computer, and I've actually had both the buds and the case replaced at different times –, these are indispensable for me. I recently washed them and was ready to plunk down another $160 to replace them. Fortunately for me, they survived (at least for now) with no ill effects. I've spent way too much money on bluetooth headphones and these are the ones for me.

 

[44267547]

Why have I seen so many reviews that say they don't sound any better than regular wired ear buds?

And I would disagree with what those reviews are saying about the AirPods not sounding better than the wired earbuds. Even after the first software update for the AirPods, it notably increased the bass and treble. There certainly is a difference in sound, perhaps some notice it and others don’t use the wired earbuds enough to make a fair judgement between both.

 

[Mizouse]

As much as I would want them. I know I'd lose them.

I already keep misplacing my current Anker Bluetooth earbuds.

 

[critter13]

Why have I seen so many reviews that say they don't sound any better than regular wired ear buds?

I have seen many reviews stating the opposite and after over a year of daily use of mine i think they are a step up in audio quality from wired versions for sure. Will they compete with very high end cans of course not. I absolutely love my AirPods, worth every penny. Casual listening, commuting, exercise, and main phone interface for work have all been a top notch experience with the AirPods.
[doublepost=1525281884][/doublepost]

As much as I would want them. I know I'd lose them.

I already keep misplacing my current Anker Bluetooth earbuds.

as long as the case is always with you, which it really should be, i dont think it will be an issue. I haven't had any trouble losing mine

 

[DogHouseDub]

While the audio quality isn't the best, they are still very good to my untrained ears, and I love the ease of use with the pairing/unpairing.

Compressed < lossless audio files
Bluetooth < wired headphones
Earbuds < IEMs < over ear headphones

Compromise after compromise. It’s a race to the lowest common denominator.

 

[cmaier]

My wife got a pair, but I tried them and they don't fit. They wobble around and there's no seal at all. She loves them, though.

 

[Applebot1]

Apple will no doubt improve the sound in future iterations. I really like the sound of my HomePod so they certainly have the engineers to take the EP’s to the next level.

Will buy further down the line.

 

[Rychiar]

Best new Apple product since the original iPad


The only thing I’d want improved is battery life

mine seem like they last forever. i forget to charge them cuts weeks go by. i just use them at the gym though for about an hour or less at a time

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

I take the analyst predictions with a grain of salt. Makes no sense to release two new versions of AirPods with minor upgrades over the next two years.

No sense, or cents... but it makes DOLLARS though... LOTS of dollars.
[doublepost=1525282501][/doublepost]

It's not hyperbole when Apple just keeps setting records in just about every category. FYI, if you want to order them today from Apple.com you have to wait about 10 days to get them.

...but readily available by tomorrow if ordered on Amazon, various Walmart Vendors, local Target, local Best Buy, etc.

 

[PickUrPoison]

Availability now is certainly better than it was the first year, but I really would be interested in knowing why Apple continues to have difficulty in manufacturing sufficient quantities.

A few months post-release is understandable; I can easily imagine production difficulties and being caught off-guard with unexpectedly high demand. But really, halfway through their second year, it’s hard to believe Apple’s production partners haven’t gotten this figured out yet.

There must be some reason. Cranking out a few million AirPods per month would seem to be much easier than iPhone production logistics. There must be more to the story, but we’ll probably never know lol.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Compressed < lossless audio files
Bluetooth < wired headphones
Earbuds < IEMs < over ear headphones

Compromise after compromise. It’s a race to the lowest common denominator.

But Apple has enlightened us that we shall love these, covet these, spin these far & wide as "the future"... and many do... as hard as they can spin them. Why? Because the Apple has spoken.

Of course try the usual "good enough" argument with anything else (like this Samsung phone is good enough or this Windows computer is good enough) and the same people will ridicule settling for the inferior when you could have the best. Apparently, our collective tastes in quality will readily vary to fit whatever Apple has for sale now. If "good enough" fits one thing, that thing is an ideal product. If "best" fits something else, that thing is an ideal product. Thus it makes perfect sense to buy "good enough" here but hold out for "best" there.

 

[bingeciren]

Best new Apple product since the original iPad


The only thing I’d want improved is battery life

The only thing I’d want improved is the sound quality for music. Highs are lacking, bass and midrange is fine. For that reason I use Airpods for watching movies, YouTube, podcasts etc and phone calls but for listening to music I prefer my Sony WF-1000X.

 

[Cloudkicker]

Limited supplies? Is that really true or more Apple hyperbole?

To quote this article: "Apple does not disclose AirPod sales, and instead groups the wireless earphones into its broad "Other Products" category"

Real numbers, or it didn't really happen... at least in the unicorns are real & fabulous crowing Apple claims.

 

[PickUrPoison]

Compressed < lossless audio files
Bluetooth < wired headphones
Earbuds < IEMs < over ear headphones

Compromise after compromise. It’s a race to the lowest common denominator.

Life is full of compromises.

Wired over ear headphones are difficult to use in a lot of situations in which wireless earbuds excel. Two different products, each have various advantages and disadvantages depending on your needs.

 

[69650]

Runaway hit? Show us the numbers. I don’t believe a word Cook says.
[doublepost=1525284100][/doublepost]After 18 months they still can’t balance supply & demand. Absolutely pathetic.

 

[Boatboy24]

I don't and haven't seen limited availability. They are available for pickup today at my local Best Buy, as well as all 12 Apple stores within 50 miles of my home.

 

[foobarbaz]

Makes no sense to release two new versions of AirPods with minor upgrades over the next two years.

Yeah, frequently updating products makes no sense whatsoever.

Is that you, Tim?

 

[avanpelt]

I find it difficult to believe that Apple is truly unable to balance the supply/demand equation for a product that is nearly 18 months old. It seems to me that they should’ve been able to figure that out by now. Plus, it makes no sense that third party retailers in the U.S. seem to have plenty of AirPods in stock for the most part, but Apple itself does not.

 

[Mizouse]

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as long as the case is always with you, which it really should be, i dont think it will be an issue. I haven't had any trouble losing mine

I'd probably lose the case too. Yes I'm that clumsy

 

[nburwell]

I personally have seen a good amount of AirPods out in the wild (excluding my own pair). I was certainly under the impression that they are still a popular product. I love mine.

 

[44267547]

Runaway hit? Show us the numbers. I don’t believe a word Cook says.

So because Apple doesn’t show numbers of the AirPods, that must mean it’s a failure? Seems That is what you’re inferring.

Also, Please list other manufacturers who release sales for specific products they manufacture.