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

[Duane Martin]

I find it interesting that the Apple AirPods have a 98% approval rating but MacRumors seems to have a disproportionate number of that dissatisfied 2% posting here. Suspect?

I got the AirPods because I hated wearing wired headphones for when I am out walking or working in the yard, which means I generally didn't bother. Before buying them I worried about losing the AirPods, too. Fortunately I am part of the 98% that the AirPods fit and have never had them fall out, even when more active (try chopping wood with wired headphones, not at all as convenient). The closest I have ever come to losing them is when I set the case down and didn't pay attention to where; now I am in the habit of being aware, which happens with most new things, you develop good habits plus they do have limited "Find my AirPod" capabilities now. As to looks, well, a surprising number of people don't notice I am wearing them at all and I have certainly never had anyone comment on them or call me a ****. But maybe that's because they don't call me a **** when I am not wearing them, either.

 

[ghanwani]

Wow, that's crazy, I can't see that happening, but who knows, I've been wrong before

Almost everyone with an iPhone will want airpods, and since everyone already received an apple watch as a Christmas/Holiday gift one of the last few years, they'll now be getting airpods. And unlike the Apple Watch, people will lose their airpods and need to replace them.

 

[Karma*Police]

It's a niche product, because they are accessories to the iPhone and they are not stand alone products like the iPhone and iPad. However, if the Apple Watch continues to advance with health related features, it will outgrow the "Niche" category rather quickly, as glucose or blood pressure will benefit many.

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.

 

[soanis]

I am waiting for black AirPods. Give me black AirPods Apple. Now.

Not gonna happen anytime soon imo. Airpods are a signature product. Meaning they need to stand out. Hence, white.

It's also a legacy thing. Just like back in the 2000s when you saw people wearing white earbuds, you immediately concluded that those people owned an ipod/iphone because no one else at that time used white. And still almost no one does.

 

[dfs]

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.

Ive got to agree, because of the Air Pods' one-size-doesn't quite fit-all design. Before buying these you should do two things: a.) wear the wired earphones that came with your iPhone for a while, see if they stay in securely; b.) while wearing the earphones take your fingers and vigorously push them inwards. If you suddenly hear an octave of bass you were previously missing, this means that they have a poor seal with your ears. The shape of the Air Pods is identical, so that you can tell in advance that they won't work for you. Unfortunately, if they aren't meant for you, Apple is not about to take them back and give you a refund.

 

[dan110]

I honestly don't know whether to laugh or cry.

 

[Duane Martin]

Unfortunately, if they aren't meant for you, Apple is not about to take them back and give you a refund.

Except that Apple will take them back within 15 days and give you a refund. And it's curious how AirPods get the 98% satisfaction rating when they are as badly designed as you claim. Don't you hate it when facts get in the way of a good rant? Don't worry, it's MacRumors, where made up facts are given equal weight.

 

[FelixDerKater]

We don’t have a mentality that provides for upgrading timepieces. They are to be perpetual or timeless.

 

[Swift]

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.

I bought a pair and loved them. The right ear was perfect. But my left ear canal is larger than my right, so two minutes after I put them in, they popped out. Apart from glue, no way to fix it.

 

[V.K.]

I tried them for a week. I would put them in, and 5 seconds later they would pop out. No head motion at all, literally standing still. They would just naturally fall out of my ear. Whenever people post polite comments about how they aren't great for everyone, others pile on top to exalt how amazing they are. It's great that AirPods work well for a lot of people here, but don't be disillusioned and think that they are great for everyone. Not trolling here, I am a huge Apple fan and I was extremely excited to try them, and equally disappointed when they didn't work out.

I would recommend trying BeatsX. I have them (don't have AirPods) and I absolutely love them. It's a somewhat different product but it shares several strong points with AirPods (like the W1 chip for easy pairing) and it's much better than wired phones. I NEVER use wired phones with my iPhone anymore.
One big reason I got BeatsX and not AirPods was because I've always hated Apple's EarPods and how they fit in my ears. For BeatsX you can get different tips. I tried a few tips on Amazon till I found a couple different ones that fit my ears well. I'm certain you can find something that fits your ears too.

 

[Ankou_Sabat]

Of course they are going to make more money on Apple AirPods. Thanks in no small part to removing the headphone jack. You think that was an accidental side effect?

 

[firewood]

Makes me wonder what advancements will AirPods 2 bring

Fashion colors. A lot of women will have to buy multiple AirPods in various colors to match their outfits, makeup, shoes and jewelry. Even guys will ditch the white ones and re-buy black AirPods, or even better yet, Gunmetal Grey. Apple profits could soar.

 

[rp2011]

First off, Gene is an idiot.
Second, where is that television Gene?

Third, all of a sudden i see an f load of people wearing the Apple Watch.

Third, the Apple Watch will surpass Mac Sales soon.

Fourth, the margins and use case for the watch and it's economy with straps and uses easily blows the whatever the Airpods can muster.
But that's not to say, the Airpods aren't great. I have no idea as i have no desire to get a pair any time soon.

So it's just a moron talking out of his ass.
But again, this is Gene Munster, that's what he does.

 

[DoctorTech]

If they increase their marketing dollars behind them, I agree.

I think Apple may increase marketing once they clear the 6 week backlog filling the current demand. I have had my AirPods for about 4 months now and I love them.

 

[TheFluffyDuck]

I love my airpods. They have great battery life. I seldom have 3-4 hour music sessions. They charge really quickly, to the point that I don't notice. I have a meeting, go to lunch, grab a coffee and they are good to go again. They fit in my ear and don't fall out. I get great enjoyment of thrashing my head around to show skeptics they don't fall out, much to their surprise. Sometimes there are weird connection problems where one won't connect, but by and large, these are rare and easily fixed by putting them in the case and taking them out again.

Its one of the best products Apple have released in years for simplicity, and value.

 

[macjoshua]

I've thought about ordering a pair many times, even putting in an order once. The 6 week wait time gave me a chance to rethink and cancel my purchase. At this point, I'm just going to wait for AirPods 2.

 

[nelsonammo]

Nah, I think the airpods look fine. I mean when you usually have headphones in it's the same thing but with a long cord. Not sure what the big deal is regarding the appearance of them.

 

[Denmac1]

As much as I know many people don't like Bose. My wired Bose work just fine. I paid $99 for them 5 years ago and haven't lost them yet. Oh, and my Watch fits.

 

[Michael Scrip]

I admit calling it a "fad" is incorrect, as a fad needs to be something that has universal appeal (which the Apple Watch doesn't). It's a quickly plateauing platform that will see sales plummet much further than what we're seeing today with the iPad. It's going to be a shrinking market.

It has already begun.

Motorola stopped making Android Wear watches.

So did Asus.

Pebble is gone.

Are there any other corpses out there? I think there are more companies not selling smartwatches anymore than those who are.

But I'm not worried about Apple Watch. Apple believes in it... it makes a profit... and it sells more than every other smartwatch (those that are still on the market)

I can't imagine a situation where Apple cancels the Apple Watch.

They haven't cancelled the iPod yet.

And when was the last time you heard anyone say the words "MP3 player market" ?

 

[Tycho24]

Ive got to agree, because of the Air Pods' one-size-doesn't quite fit-all design. Before buying these you should do two things: a.) wear the wired earphones that came with your iPhone for a while, see if they stay in securely; b.) while wearing the earphones take your fingers and vigorously push them inwards. If you suddenly hear an octave of bass you were previously missing, this means that they have a poor seal with your ears. The shape of the Air Pods is identical, so that you can tell in advance that they won't work for you. Unfortunately, if they aren't meant for you, Apple is not about to take them back and give you a refund.

I agree with all your great & solid advice, right up to the point where you claim that Apple would refuse to give you a refund if you don’t like your Air Pods.
Ummmmm...... what??
Apple is literally LEGENDARY for their incredible & lenient, “no-hassle” returns.
No offense, but that last line is simply outright untrue.

 

[ramm24]

Same here. Airpods are extremely comfortable that sometime I forget I'm wearing them. I wonder people say they don't fit are just trolling.

If you've been long enough in macrumors forums, you should already know that by now. I bet 90% here are fandroid / apple haters who troll every apple oriented website they see in the internet.

 

[A MacBook lover]

pics?

This is real life, sorry I didn't sneak a picture.

 

[Dr.Paul]

Creative Pros are now abandoning Apple in favor of Adobe running on cheaper Windows boxes... 9 out of the last 10 large agencies I have freelanced for in the NYC area have switched to PC.

Sad but true. I've been on Macs since 1984, but since working with Adobe After Effects, I need at least 32GB of RAM. I can build a very fast PC with that much RAM and a beefy CPU for under $1200, and I can get a 24" 4K display for under $300 that doesn't give me headaches from the reflectivity. However, I would love to get the next gen Apple Watch and AirPods.

 

[markdemaio]

Same here. Airpods are extremely comfortable that sometime I forget I'm wearing them. I wonder people say they don't fit are just trolling.

Just got mine yesterday (finally) and I love them. They don't fall out, really comfortable and you really do kinda forget you're wearing them. I only wish they came in black!

 

[bushman4]

Without knowing what Apples plans are for the Apple Watch its hard to say if the Air Pods will earn more are not.
Gene Munster has no idea what Apples plans are period. His opinion and judgement are unsubstantiated.
Looks like Munster is looking for free publicity