Gene Munster Predicts Apple Will Eventually Earn More From AirPods Than Apple Watch

[69Mustang]

Not sure if this helps, but you might want to try one of the Beats wireless ... it's basically the same as Airpods in that it has the same Apple W1 chip but different form factor. It's good for different reasons (sportier, better sound or fast charging) and has a much longer battery life as well.

The first one (BeatsX) looks like it has silicone in-ear fitting and it has fast charging (2hrs of playback on a 5 minute charge) and 8 hours of batter life.
The last one (PowerBeats3) has fast charging, 12 hours and other advantages (different size tips).

I think Apple realizes that there are different use cases, but decided to keep it simple by offering one set under the Apple brand and the others under the Beats brand.

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Thanks for the suggestion, but that doesn't address the AirPod issue I was referencing. Specifically, an AirPod styled on the in ear could help address the fitment issue some have with the plastic bodied AirPods... and black, cuz black has been scientifically proven to fit better than any other color except black hole black. But black hole black absorbs everything including the sound so black is the best fitting color.

 

[richardsonrs]

I love all the ‘I haven’t seen anyone with them London/NYC/Southern hemisphere, therefore no one is buying them’

The world doesn’t revolve around your point of view, get over yourself!

Then again these are the people that are worried a total stranger might ’take the piss’ or think you look like a ****.

The truth is, no one gives a f**k.

If they even notice you’re wearing EarPods, they’ll be like, ‘oh he’s wearing earpods’ then 3 seconds later they’ll be thinking about whatever it was before they happened to glance at you.
3 minutes later they won’t even remember what you look like.

You’re not as important as you think you are, you’re not remarkable,
wear what you want because everybody else really don’t care.

I love how your reading comprehension is so bad. Not one person said that. What people are saying is simply contrary to what Gene is saying. I see AW all over the place but have yet to see AP in four states. Very simple, we think he is wrong.

 

[44267547]

It's funny how the media can warp perception. I don't see anyone calling smart speakers a niche even though by most counts Apple sold more watches than Amazon sold Echos... and at a much higher price to boot. In fact, if Apple Watch were a standalone company, it would be a Fortune 500 company.

Everything is a niche compared to iPhone and I think that's the problem. Everyone compares Apple's latest products to the iPhone. If Apple released the Echo, it would be considered an even bigger flop than the watch.

For the record, I am an Apple Watch owner and appreciate its capabilities. I think the term "Niche" is overly abused when it comes to products that are not stand alone like the iPad or iPhone, which is what I was explaining to another forum member you quoted me on.

"Niche" I think also applies to those Who are not interested in Apple product and if it doesn't appeal to that individual, it's immediately classified as a niche product. Everyone who see's the Airpods and Apple Watch as a failure, likely refuses to believe these products will continue to fluorish, when the success of a product is determined by its capabilities, not the general catergory someone see's it as.

 

[ErikGrim]

If they eventually offer different designs, it could be huge.

It could be huge? They still can't make them fast enough to keep up with demand.

 

[Solomani]

I'm more inclined to believe this analyst's prediction if he (or someone) could actually explain what "augmented audio" brings to the table. Was there some in-depth augmented audio article posted on MR lately? I must have missed it.

 

[MH01]

AirPods - far better product than Apple Watch, something most people will find useful. Apple Watch will always be a niche product.

 

[Michael Goff]

AirPods - far better product than Apple Watch, something most people will find useful. Apple Watch will always be a niche product.

Most people I know that buy BT headphones/earbuds spend less than 50$ on them. So the fact that AirPods have a larger potential audience is kind of moot.

 

[MH01]

Most people I know that buy BT headphones/earbuds spend less than 50$ on them. So the fact that AirPods have a larger potential audience is kind of moot.

Selling potential wise, the Apple Watch has no advantage with its pricing. Anyway most people find headphones useful, a smart watch not so.

Seems price is not holding back the sales , unless apple is holding back production, cause they are still on back order.......

 

[Soccertess]

THIS analysis is a fool.

As much as I hate the apple watch right now, when Apple adds in glucose monitoring, sprinkle in some other health monitoring, and then finishes off with some wireless charging that is supposedly going into the new Iphone 8, and you have a new hit product. I say 2019, this product because a hit.

by 2020 Apple watch will be EVERYWHERE. If they add support for Android, then Apple will win the market. BUt as always, they will not add android support, android watches will suck till they copy Apple, and then they will rise like no other. And by 2023, they will have 10% market share, as cheap smart watches will be everywhere.

 

[Michael Goff]

Selling potential wise, the Apple Watch has no advantage with its pricing. Anyway most people find headphones useful, a smart watch not so.

Seems price is not holding back the sales , unless apple is holding back production, cause they are still on back order.......

Or if Apple is having trouble making them. Selling out just means they’re selling everything they make, it says nothing about how many are actually being made or sold.

As for what I assume you’re trying to bring up with price, you may be wrong. If consumers see smart watches around the price of the Apple Watch (and they are), it means Apple is in the market at a good price point.

Or, in other words: You can get a 20$ pair of BT headphones but you can’t get a 20$ smart watch.

 

[jonnyb098]

I noticed the #sarcasm, but doubt that when you through in your last line. I didn't trash the design. I said it could be better compared to what other companies are coming out with.

If it looked like this, I would be all over it. Of course we are years away from something like this and I believe with the huge market of their band sales, they wouldn't create something like this to destroy that market. I noted the samsung gear fit 2 has a smilier design like this, but of course its designed to work with samsung phones.

It is simply an extension of your phone which to me isn't worth the price (right now). With the cash flow that apple is seeing, it's time to come out with redesign.

You're forgetting there are people (like myself), that actually like watches. They're trying to strike a balance between fashion and function. While the concept you posted does look nice....it's more function over fashion. To each their own. But I'm sure Apple didn't want the watch to just be a fitness band.

 

[vmachiel]

He's the guy that just KNEW that Apple would make an actual tv...

 

[Recognition]

I travel all over the UK, mostly on public transport and haven't seen a single pair in the wild. Either they I've been 'unlucky' and not seen any, they aren't available in the UK yet or Apple just aren't selling as many of them as you think. My money is on the latter.

I love how your reading comprehension is so bad. Not one person said that. What people are saying is simply contrary to what Gene is saying. I see AW all over the place but have yet to see AP in four states. Very simple, we think he is wrong.

I don’t think he’s right either, but I also don’t think because I don’t see people wearing AirPods every single day that they must be selling badly.

 

[Smeaton1724]

Apple doesn't have a stand alone product and hasn't for years, everything they sell is part of the ecosystem in a specific way. This analyst is looking at Apple little one dimensionally and gauging what complimentary products will make most money and comparing them, they suit different markets. The watch is the companion to the iPhone only, the AirPods work across the product range.

However I bet if people have an iPhone and AirPods they'd also be open to getting the watch also or if you have an iPhone 7 and the watch then the AirPods or wireless beats are a no brainier?! Everything in the ecosystem compliments and guides you into another product purchase.

 

[twinlight]

The Watch is everywhere now. I got mine about two months after it was introduced. Never saw anyone with it at work (norways largest airport, ~50000 people each day) or the rest of my day. Now pretty much every third person is carrying an Apple Watch. I have seen every model and band except the real gold and ceramic white now.

The same can be said about AirPods. I got the immediately when they went live on Apples website. Took a few months before I spotted a fellow user when going through the terminal. Now I see them 2-3 times per week and it's the same as the Watch. All different kinds of users. It's teenagers, business people, hipsters and even some old people. Both sexes.

The Watch will literally fly of the shelves when it gets better medical support for people with heart conditions and diabetes.

 

[MH01]

Or if Apple is having trouble making them. Selling out just means they’re selling everything they make, it says nothing about how many are actually being made or sold.

As for what I assume you’re trying to bring up with price, you may be wrong. If consumers see smart watches around the price of the Apple Watch (and they are), it means Apple is in the market at a good price point.

Or, in other words: You can get a 20$ pair of BT headphones but you can’t get a 20$ smart watch.

Here you go.

https://www.amazon.com/Hiwatch-Blue...e=sl1&linkId=b93cd4c46fc57d3f44ad09b0a3ece5ac

The problem is not pricing. People like and do listen to music, apple is an expansive offering for something most of us use daily.

A smart watch for most of us is pointless, hence why the Airpod will outsell the smartwatch.

 

[Michael Goff]

Here you go.

https://www.amazon.com/Hiwatch-Blue...e=sl1&linkId=b93cd4c46fc57d3f44ad09b0a3ece5ac

The problem is not pricing. People like and do listen to music, apple is an expansive offering for something most of us use daily.

A smart watch for most of us is pointless, hence why the Airpod will outsell the smartwatch.

“A smart watch for most of us is pointless” sounds more like a projection of you not liking something than having any real facts.

 

[Paul Dawkins]

Anyone who thinks that picture in the article is not awesome has some serious issues. AirPods are amazing.

 

[shaunp]

I don’t think he’s right either, but I also don’t think because I don’t see people wearing AirPods every single day that they must be selling badly.

Okay, let me rephrase that. They aren't selling well in the UK, if they were we'd see them.... and then laugh. Ear Tampons!
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Interesting. I was recently in London for 4 days and saw at least 2 people with them.

And the aesthetics are simply opinion and habit. Why should a dangling string from the ears look better than 2 short white stubs? You are just not yet used to the latter.

You must have seen the only two people in London with them.

Joking aside other wireless headphones look better than the AirPods. They just look wrong. Don't believe me try wearing them on a train to a football match, no amount of noise cancellation will cut out the abuse you will get from wearing these bad boys.

 

[Digitalclips]

Out of curiosity have you actually used the AirPods for any length of time?

I own a ton of headphones and I absolutely hate earbuds because they hurt my ears. Sitting next to me right now in my office are a pair of Seinnheiser open back w/amp, a pair of Master & Dynamics, a pair of Sony MDR-1000X (my airplane headphones), and a pair of Audio-Technica's w/amp. All over ear headphones because earbuds kill my ears.

But do you know what I use all day here at my office? The AirPods. Why? Because I can wear them all day long and not even notice they are in my ears.

Everyone has different ears. But i've found the AirPods to be the most comfortable headphones i've ever used. They can't beat any of the over ear headphones I have for pure audio quality, but they don't need to. For all day use while sitting at my desk, talking on my phone, etc. the comfort they provide me outweighs the audiophile audio quality of my other headphones that I own.

I still use my other headphones. I just can't wear them all day long like I can the AirPods. My ears would be numb. The AirPods I will literally forget they are in my ears while going about my daily routine at work.

You have actually convinced me to try a pair. Like you I have high end headphones for audio listening and recording and use a list weight blue tooth set for watching Netflix in bed. I have not been able to use any earbuds thus far as they literally hurt after a very short while for some reason. Thanks for the heads up that these just might not hurt!

 

[Recognition]

You must have seen the only two people in London with them.

It was probably me, twice.

 

[litmag01]

Matte Black please I only want my Apple Watch to be shiny lol

In September will be available:

http://colorwarepc.com/p-743-apple-airpods.aspx

 

[dilbert99]

Saw someone wearing them on the train the other day and they looked weird.

 

[macguru212]

Except for the large amount of people that can't wear them because of their uncomfortable design. If they eventually offer different designs, it could be huge.

They are remarkably uncomfortable, as are the wired ear buds. I guess you need to have a very specific ear size and shape for them to be useful. Even then, they leak sound like crazy.

 

[harriska2]

Some people just aren’t watch people. IMO wearing a watch (regardless of how awesome the Apple Watch is) is a habit. I got to make an effort to remember to wear it and take it off. It doesn’t have a niche yet where I know in the back of mind that I’ll be pissed off if I forget it one day.
Earphones however are my life though. AirPods are refining something that I subconsciously do everyday. Music in general has a wider canvas.

I must be a watch person because it drives me nuts if I forget to wear one or if it is in the jewler's getting a battery replacement. I wore the Apple Watch yesterday for the first time and I have to say it is flawless. I installed a rowing app (yet to be tested), used a sleep app last night (gave me some data), used the breathing app (interesting), was able to see my heart rate which appeared accurate, got calendar notifications correctly, received a phone call, customized the watch face - all with plenty-o-battery left. It is also lightweight and I found myself forgetting it is on - and it's at least 2x the size of my seiko.
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I don't doubt this, but I hardly see anyone with the AirPods in my area. Although, I hardly see anyone with an Apple Watch, so I guess that doesn't mean much.

Thought the same thing. I had never seen one in the wild. Now that I have one I just saw one at the local restaurant. I wonder if they DON'T stick out and I am more interested now that I have one I am finally noticing.