Bluetooth Headphone Revenue Overtakes Non-Bluetooth Ahead of iPhone 7 Launch

[Vege-Taco]

These data covers only head phones sold separately. Most people simply use headphones (earbuds) that come with the phone. If we count those the share of BT headphones will probably be close to 0%.

I always toss out or give away the included earbuds as I can't stand them. Full around the ear muffs for me.
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So everyone that bought Bluetooth headphones did so because Apple is rumored to be removing the headphone jack on the iPhone 7? Wow!

I use my headphone nearly exclusively at work. I shuffle back and forth between three computers, so the cord was a problem. BT is so nice as I can even get up and walk to the printer while wearing my headphones, leaving the phone on my desk.

 

[BaccaBossMC]

They make more revenue because they are so overpriced! The cost of headphones today is ridiculous.

 

[Abazigal]

We hav Bluetooth now. Why remove 3.5mm Jack and convenience of 1 less electronic to recharge or make us keep track of multiple headphones for different devices or force us to carry clunky adapter everywhere we go? it is to "make waterproof" though Sony and others do this now with 3.5mm Jack?

To reshape the world in your image.

Apple is a company who makes products partly as statements of how they feel the world ought to be. That's why the MacBook has 1 USB port. Not because Apple couldn't find a way to squeeze in 2 ports, but as (I believe) a concession to the fact that they couldn't yet ship a MacBook with no ports. And also to showcase their vision of a wireless computing future.

And there comes a time when wireless and wired will be destined to clash, at least in the marketplace. It's like how Apple is now actively targeting Android smartphone users because the market is so saturated. Apple wants people to transition over to wireless headphones, possibly because it's more lucrative, few people have them (representing a huge untapped market) and because it jives with their whole wireless message.

And what better way to do that by removing the headphone jack?

 

[sudo1996]

Since you're pointing fingers, I'd have to say your argument is weak as well, because not everyone buys BOSE quality BT headsets. Due to the price, I'd say most buy "value" BT headphones, which will probably fail sooner because their electronics will fail.

You're both right and wrong, depending on how good of a product you buy. My good headphones have a removable cable so it can be replaced. No other electronics in the cans, they should last forever. BT anything, on the other hand, will fail at some point.

Agreed. Bluetooth simply does not work in some cases, or it works but is a hassle, or it's not a hassle but takes batteries. I've given up on it.
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I have also gone back to a wired mouse for the same reasons. As nice as they look I don't really care about having a cable coming from it so that I never have to think about the batteries.

I use both a wired keyboard and a wired mouse for the same reason, but I actually want a wireless mouse now. The wire on the mouse restricts its movement a little, which has been annoying.

BTW, the Bluetooth mice are a pain, but the ones that come with a little dongle seem to last longer on battery and work more reliably... assuming you don't lose the dongle!
[doublepost=1469748939][/doublepost]One problem with Bluetooth earbuds is that they aren't going to EVER be cheap. And I don't know about you guys, but I have to keep replacing mine because they inevitably get clogged with earwax after a year or less.

 

[AJ5790]

I drive for lyft/uber and hate hate hate my wired headphones! I really need to get some wireless headphones. The cords are always getting tangled and are in the way. Likely that Apple removing the headphone jack will force me to finally buy.

 

[AdonisSMU]

I like the Braghidash earphones.

 

[Porco]

Quite the opposite. If there are vast numbers of consumers who want a higher quality or more fashionable product enough to be willing to pay extra (even above those product's higher manufacturing and marketing costs), it's very pro consumer for someone to provide that service.

Sorry, to clarify, I was referring to the removal of the headphone jack socket as being anti-consumer (as per the heavy rumours about the iPhone 7, thereby forcing people towards bluetooth or lightning), not providing bluetooth or lightning headphones per se. You're absolutely right that providing options for people is pro-consumer. Removing options isn't.

 

[enriquesh96]

apple must be happy lol

 

[Act3]

83% of headphones sales were wired. How long have smartphones supported bluetooth headphones? yea the jack is obsolete, lol. Heck, the new xbox one s coming out next week still has 3.5 mm jacks in the controllers for headsets.

 

[enriquesh96]

bluetooth headphones are far better than wired headphones. i think it is a safe move for apple to ditch the headphone jack. it has to happen some day so.................

eventually android phone makers will do the same.

 

[GoodWheaties]

Hey I have a question someone here could probably answer. I hear that Bluetooth headphones have some lag. Is that a problem with current headphone models? I'm considering getting some BT headphones to use with my Mac, I play guitar into my Mac and I would listen through headphones while playing. But if there is lag, it would mess up my playing. Of course it doesn't matter for just listening to music, but if the guitar sounds I hear are delayed from when I pluck the strings, that would be a dealbreaker.

Don't know if anyone has answered already but yes there is lag. Just watched a movie using a UE Boom (Bluetooth 4.0 FYI) and it was quite irritating how the sound did not quite match up with mouths and such.

Edit: I'm curious why more people don't mention this problem, as I view it to be a very serious one. Do most people only listen to music with BT? Because watching videos or movies where the sound needs to match up it just can't cut it.

 

[sw1tcher]

bluetooth headphones are far better than wired headphones. i think it is a safe move for apple to ditch the headphone jack. it has to happen some day so.................

eventually android phone makers will do the same.

The Moto Z and Z Force don't have headphone jacks. The same goes for LeEco's Le 2, Le 2 Pro and Le Max 2. That's 5 Android smartphones with no 3.5mm jack. Apple's falling behind on the #innovation curve.

 

[enriquesh96]

The Moto Z and Z Force don't have headphone jacks. Apple's playing catch up.

well, apple has been rumored to ditch the headphone jack on the iPhone since last year. Not really catching up....

 

[oopsroger]

No Sennheiser, Shure, AKG, etc...
Because people and manufacturers aiming at good sound quality know that BT sound is awful. At least wait till BT5 is out and tested...

 

[CrAkD]

**report sponsored by apple**

 

[Exhale]

They make more revenue because they are so overpriced! The cost of headphones today is ridiculous.

Huh? High end audio equipment has always been expensive.
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eventually android phone makers will do the same.

Android makers are already using high-quality bluetooth codecs. Apple is the only one out.

 

[Virinprew]

It's almost like Apple knows better than the common troll when to transition to the next tech....must be luck.

Or may be the stat does not represent how we use headphone. I mean. People get wire headphones with their phones right? If they want to buy another headphone, of course, they tend to buy bluetooth. Besides the bluetooth one is more expensive.

Some common troll.

 

[Blaze4G]

Right? The only thing it "proves" is how much more expensive BT headphones are compared to wired.

Lol it does prove that too, but let's be honest, did you not know that already?

 

[nehemias]

that's only because bluetooth headphones are more expensive than wired ones. funny how information gets twisted.

 

[iZac]

... I was also eyeing the B&O's H7's, in the future perhaps because the battery is interchangeable.

Me too, I've got some H6's and love them. The second the H7 adds ANC, I'll be buying a pair.

 

[Keirasplace]

that's only because bluetooth headphones are more expensive than wired ones. funny how information gets twisted.

Right... And companies want money for their products and don't give a hoot making $2 headphones even if they could sell a million of them for $100K profit.

Apple has always gone after the top end of the market, the Ipod if you look at inflation, was very high price in 2001.

 

[Tech198]

Good one Apple.... Bluetooth sales will skyrocket since no will will have a choice ..

I'm surprised Bluetooth increase started this early.... but it just shows everyone would rather be convenient and do battery replacement, even it is does last an an entire year.

For me, give me the good old cable any-day ... I like to be hooked to something. (edits.. that could have come out better)

 

[Mac 128]

That's not what the post is implying at all. As others have mentioned, it's simply stating the revenue from BT headphones has surpassed revenue for non-BT headphones. Revenue. According to the data from the post, most people still purchased almost 5X as many non-BT headphones. 17% share for BT vs 83% share for non-BT.

Well, there's no better way to encourage a manufacturer to get out of a low margin market and get into a high margin one, than record profits exceeding the thing they've been making.

To reshape the world in your image.

Apple is a company who makes products partly as statements of how they feel the world ought to be. That's why the MacBook has 1 USB port. Not because Apple couldn't find a way to squeeze in 2 ports, but as (I believe) a concession to the fact that they couldn't yet ship a MacBook with no ports. And also to showcase their vision of a wireless computing future.

And there comes a time when wireless and wired will be destined to clash, at least in the marketplace. It's like how Apple is now actively targeting Android smartphone users because the market is so saturated. Apple wants people to transition over to wireless headphones, possibly because it's more lucrative, few people have them (representing a huge untapped market) and because it jives with their whole wireless message.

And what better way to do that by removing the headphone jack?

I don't disagree with you, but I refuse to believe Apple is dropping the headphone jack merely for this reason. It would basically be handing the competition millions of disgruntled iPhone users to get back their headphone jack.

Don't know if anyone has answered already but yes there is lag. Just watched a movie using a UE Boom (Bluetooth 4.0 FYI) and it was quite irritating how the sound did not quite match up with mouths and such.

Edit: I'm curious why more people don't mention this problem, as I view it to be a very serious one. Do most people only listen to music with BT? Because watching videos or movies where the sound needs to match up it just can't cut it.

Apple is not likely to drop the headphone jack until this problem is resolved, and BT 5 may very well do this. That said, different manufacturers are better than others. I've heard some that were intolerable, and some that you wouldn't know they were wireless.

 

[anthorumor]

Missing those days where Apple was all about simplicity and minimalism (except the single port MacBook!)

 

[wigby]

Considering most people already have wired headphones, I would guess the majority of new purchasers would be for BT headphones (them wanting something wireless). Since BT headphones cost more than their wired counterparts, it also makes sense that most of the headphone sales dollars come from that.

Despite this, I suppose the article is trying to say that people aren't buying wired anymore and that BT is on the upswing, just in time for the new jack-less iPhone?

Seems the article is just twisting things around and massaging the data to fit the purpose.

It's not about the consumer trend, it's about the headphone makers. They are all looking at these numbers and asking themselves why bother making wired headphones when consumers are happy to pay more for wireless. If they're smart, they'll sell the higher margin item. Soon, most headphone choices will be wireless too so the market share will overtake the wired market share.