Apple to Charge $69 to Replace a Lost or Broken AirPod

[Tech198]

This is all fair.... It falls in line with any other one year limited warranty... for other products Apple sells..

Even I sometimes go to far and take advantage of Apple taking care of customers always, but at least i know when to hold back if it doesn't pan out..

 

[MplsP]

Without using them, I can't comment on whether $169 is a ripoff or not; it's certainly expensive, but not unheard of for high quality headphones, and these have some new and unique technology built into them, so a price premium is to be expected.

Given the price, I think $69 to replace one is very reasonable, and props to Apple for giving users the option. Many companies with similar products give users no option at all. $70 isn't pocket change, but it beats buying a whole new set.

 

[smoking monkey]

1. uh, with wired headphones, if one comes out i can easily put it back in because its hanging from the wire...

2. are you seriously suggesting that when i doze off i should remember to put my phone in my pocket? seriously are you some sort of robot? should i program my brain to think "if ive reached stage 3 of sleep on the subway, then I should create an automatic response to put my phone in my pocket?

4. so ill have to spend more money just to get functionality i already had. seems right up apple's alley nowadays

1. Then get wired headphones.

2. Are you narcoleptic? It's pretty simple otherwise. Just a 2 second action to slide the phone into your pocket.

4. No. You'll still get wired Lightning headphones for free with your iPhone. You can also buy other BT headphones that will sound better and are cheaper and will do exactly what you want.

I'd say you are trolling, but it's the festive season, so I'll think the best.

My beef with them is no volume control outside of Siri. Apart from that, I think this is a really cool product by Apple. But just like the watch, new rMBP with TB and these, I'll be waiting for the next revision before thinking about them.

 

[impulse462]

1. Then get wired headphones.

2. Are you narcoleptic? It's pretty simple otherwise. Just a 2 second action to slide the phone into your pocket.

4. No. You'll still get wired Lightning headphones for free with your iPhone. You can also buy other BT headphones that will sound better and are cheaper and will do exactly what you want.

I'd say you are trolling, but it's the festive season, so I'll think the best.

My beef with them is no volume control outside of Siri. Apart from that, I think this is a really cool product by Apple. But just like the watch, new rMBP with TB and these, I'll be waiting for the next revision before thinking about them.

lmfao you want me to wake up, put my phone in my pocket, and then go back to sleep? you actually are a robot.

if they keep the wired headphones in the box, i don't care honestly. but if i have to PAY MORE for functionality i already have, its stupid. doesn't change the fact that i think these wireless ones are trash. and yeah no volume control outside of siri LOL. let me just yell at my headphones to adjust the volume. makes total sense. its trash just like the new rMBPs. not surprised you like them. ill never use the watch but i do think its nice.

 

[alphaod]

So nothing like having your AirPods covered if you buy one with an iPhone like they did with the displays if you bought a Mac with AppleCare? That would have been nice.

 

[jigar7]

Apple should have included a lanyard or something that could be clipped onto the 2 airpods (going around the back of the neck or something). I tell you, the design department don't quite understand practicality at all these days. First it was the "courageous-license-fee-saving" move to omit the headphone jack. Then the USB type C "dongles-and-cable-money-making-move" with the macbooks and now this! So many are bound to lose one side of the airpods. Wouldn't it have been easier to give an additional clip-on lanyard?!

Tim Cook has been seriously hampering the innovative side of Apple. Nowhere close to what Steve Jobs was.

 

[Appleaker]

I think $159 is a very reasonable price. Premium headphones, whatever the selling features, cost easily that much and more.

Maybe you've been conditioned to think $159 is reasonable for a pair of headphones but the truth is Apple could sell the, for $99 if they wanted or even less. My point was about the replacement cost, but nevertheless the price is not appealing to the majority of consumers. This, along with Beats headphones, work best with Apple products so it's a shame they can't push it to these people.
Would I buy them? Yes. But a lot of people wouldn't, especially because losing one is $69 out your bank.

 

[recoil80]

So basically if you want a second pair of AirPods for yourself or a gift, just claim to Apple you lost them and you'll get a discount

But if you buy a new pair you get the charging case, which is $69 if you lose it or want to buy a second one.
So it doesn't work if you want to resell them or make a gift. And if you need a new pair to have 4 AirPods with a single charging case you save only $21

 

[Phil A.]

I just did a Google search for exactly what you said and didn't see anything like that.

Apple did one for the original iPhone

I actually had one of those and it never fell out of my ear so I don't see why these will

 

[The Game 161]

Maybe you've been conditioned to think $159 is reasonable for a pair of headphones but the truth is Apple could sell the, for $99 if they wanted or even less. My point was about the replacement cost, but nevertheless the price is not appealing to the majority of consumers. This, along with Beats headphones, work best with Apple products so it's a shame they can't push it to these people.
Would I buy them? Yes. But a lot of people wouldn't, especially because losing one is $69 out your bank.

well pretty sure the same is with bragi headphones cost wise. You would have to buy similar price

 

[44267547]

Apple earphones are actually the few earphones that stay in my ear. Most earphones won't even fit in my ear.

I think that's important to remember. Not everyone will be an appropriate fit for the Airpods, even if they want or like them. Reason being is because the Airpods may not fit their specific ear, which could be uncomfortable or not an appropriate fit based on design. And the Airpods cannot be adjusted with silicone tips. My theory is you like the wired EarPods and they fit, the Airpods should suffice as well. Looking forward to receiving mine.

 

[Abazigal]

Apple should have included a lanyard or something that could be clipped onto the 2 airpods (going around the back of the neck or something). I tell you, the design department don't quite understand practicality at all these days. First it was the "courageous-license-fee-saving" move to omit the headphone jack. Then the USB type C "dongles-and-cable-money-making-move" with the macbooks and now this! So many are bound to lose one side of the airpods. Wouldn't it have been easier to give an additional clip-on lanyard?!

Tim Cook has been seriously hampering the innovative side of Apple. Nowhere close to what Steve Jobs was.

Why don't you tie a piece of string around both Airpods if you think you will lose them?

I don't use a case with my iPhone and it's none the worse for wear. I will take my chances with the Airpods sans wires and use them the way Apple intended for them to be used.

Early unboxing videos show they stay in your ears pretty well. I would take John Gruber's advice and short the stock of any company trying to profit off alarmist reactions like yours by selling AirPod straps. Users simply won't need them.

 

[imasterus]

I can only imagine some folks stealing these air pods from other folks ears, lol.

 

[MathersMahmood]

Anyone got any prices for UK?
[doublepost=1481880049][/doublepost]

UK prices. Honestly, its not that bad.

 

[honglong1976]

I still don't get it. The earpods sound awful. They are free!

Apple are essentially bringing out the same thing (wirelessly) which will sound the same or worst for $159? with zero noise cancellation when listening to music/videos and potentially one or both could fall out at any moment.

You couldn't make this stuff up!

 

[Chupa Chupa]

but my wired headphones work fine for "sport" now i have to spend more money for less functionality? seems like the trend at apple these days.

and i know you don't have to buy them. but they will be the norm in a few years
[doublepost=1481827571][/doublepost]

1. So keep using your wired headphones. I don't see your beef here. More product options? These are just one of many BT buds available. This isn't something we can pin on Apple. Also not sure what less functionality they offer other than you have the charge them. Other than that they do everything the wired ear pods do.
2. These may be the "norm" in a few years but that means the BT bud category will have vastly improved too. Better sound, better battery life, lower cost. Also if BT buds become the norm then they become the pack-in buds instead of the wired ones.

I prefer wired still because they sound better and don't have to worry about them being charged. But improve those areas why wouldn't you want to go cordless or semi cordless?

 

[Ma2k5]

So basically if you want a second pair of AirPods for yourself or a gift, just claim to Apple you lost them and you'll get a discount

Wouldn't it be pointless without the charging case?

 

[You azagicare]

Now, an event that happens all the time if you take the subway (people bumping into you), or run outside can cost you $69. LOL. Biggest joke of a product Apple has come out in a long time.

But oh wait I know what people will tell me "don't bump into people" or "move to Montana" or "just don't seek human contact"

You're wearing them wrong!

 

[gnasher729]

Thank goodness we have the Sale of Goods Act in the UK, mandating a much longer warranty than 1 year.

Which doesn't cover you even for one day if you lose things.
[doublepost=1481891449][/doublepost]

so about half the cost of both AirPods.... was anyone going to think it would be different?

Less than half the cost. And without that offer, you'd have to pay $159 to listen in stereo again.
[doublepost=1481892131][/doublepost]

a student who can't afford a car and lives in the bay area who also can't afford parking? LOL what kind of pleb asks this question?

Anyone working in London, where owning a car is madness, there is no parking so the cost is irrelevant, and the average speed of driving cars is about 7mph.
[doublepost=1481892654][/doublepost]

Lol, if you don't need the charging case, sure. Each lost AirPod is 69, so $138 if you want a new pair. If you want the charging case for $49, then you are at $187 for a new set.

How many people are going to lose one AirPod, then the other, then the charging case?
[doublepost=1481892831][/doublepost]

So if I buy air pods and they get "lost" I get another set for $69? Cool.

No, you get one. For $159 you get two AirPods and a charging case. For $69 you get one AirPod, but you need two. Unless you are completely deaf on one ear, then this would be a good offer for you.
[doublepost=1481892998][/doublepost]

So following your logic, you should never have bought a phone that didn't have a wired tether to your wrist? WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?!

Actually, using headphones on train and underground means that the phone _does_ have a wired tether, not to my wrist, but my head. Very hard to lose and slightly hard to steal.
[doublepost=1481893209][/doublepost]

I think the batteries will wear out fairly evenly, surely between the AirPods themselves, maybe a bit of a longer life in the larger battery for the charging case.

But still, full battery service for 92% of the cost of product is mind blowing for me.

Although, I think there’s a chance that in due time cost may come down.

I would think these AirPods are not designed to be opened, so battery replacement probably means you get a completely new one. And they can't really sell refurbished AirPods. I don't mind a refurbished phone, but not a refurbished product that someone else stuck into their ears.

 

[5105973]

Someone else already mentioned how you can walk to the bathroom or kitchen without interrupting your music. I'd add that wireless earphones allow me to keep my phone or iPad in my bag or backpack, and not worry about whether the wire will get tangled or pulled if I move the wrong way.

That's a pretty good point in favor of wireless. I'm so used to carrying my phones on me when I'm listening to music, especially since I've been using my SE during my last few trips. But it might be more convenient to use my wireless earbuds with the phone in the purse next time I'm traveling, now that I'm using somewhat bigger Android phones the past couple of months.

I'm surprised, there have been some really excellent posts making a strong case for why these AirPods are not such a bad deal or a bad product. I look forward to reading user reviews once everyone gets their hands on them. I'd consider getting the second generation version. You all made some compelling and logical posts in their favor. I can see a light at the end of the tunnel that I could not see before. I'm not ready to make the leap yet but I'm understanding better now why some are.

As it is, I'm still on the fence and still lean more in sympathy with the people who prefer wired or some other type of wireless product. But again, I'm surprised at the many good discussion points posted in favor of AirPods. Well done, folks!

 

[furi0usbee]

Of course they will.

 

[toph2toast]

The amount of whining on this thread about the price of a replacement Airpod is unreal. It is your problem, not Apple's that you lost one of these. If there is a real concern about these falling out and getting lost, Spigen already sells an "AirPod" strap for $10. Hey look, problem solved! Or just go buy any number of other wireless options that have a strap between the 2 ear pieces.

I have no problem with the $69 replacement cost for an Airpod or charging case. If it was $19 for a replacement, these would practically be disposable and people wouldn't even try to be careful with them. To me, this is a deterrent so people actually give a ****.
[doublepost=1481900066][/doublepost]

HOOK LINE AND SINKER! APPLE GOT YALL JUST LIKE I TOLD YOU THEY WOULD!

Remember that time you said you'd keep quite until the new year? hows that working out for ya?

 

[MrXiro]

Best Buy is offering a 2 year replacement plan for $40. Anyone getting it?

 

[JM]

Going for the Uhura look?

I want to put it in my right ear only and make a statement like it's the early nineties again.

 

[bsolar]

You know what would be easier? If they were somehow connected so if one comes out, my $160 pair of headphones dont disappear and I'm crawling around the subway floor looking for it like some kind of bonobo.

Just buy a strap: you can find some options on the market.