Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

MacRumors

macrumors bot
Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
66,574
35,839


For this week's giveaway, we're teaming up with ColorWare to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win a set of custom-painted third-generation AirPods or second-generation AirPods Pro. All of ColorWare's products come in hundreds of unique color combinations.

colorware-shiny-gold.jpg

For those unfamiliar with ColorWare, it is a customization company that has been offering custom painted Apple products and accessories for many years now. ColorWare offers up unique painting options for the AirPods, AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, AirTag, and Magic Mouse, plus it also provides custom painting for Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony devices, including consoles and controllers.

colorware-red.jpg

Custom-colored third-generation AirPods can be purchased from ColorWare for $329, which includes custom painting for both the AirPods and the accompanying MagSafe case. Custom AirPods Pro 2 can be purchased from ColorWare for $389. There's definitely a premium for ordering from ColorWare, but since Apple only makes AirPods and AirPods Pro in white, going through ColorWare is the only way to get AirPods in black, red, blue, pink, or dozens of other colors.

colorware-black.jpg

ColorWare offers both solid and metallic paint options, with gloss and matte finishes depending on your preference. You can get the traditional gray, gold, or silver colors to match Apple's devices, but there are also colors in every shade of the rainbow. If you want AirPods or AirPods Pro in yellow, orange, teal, green, deep purple, blue, pink, or one of dozens of other colors, ColorWare is your best bet.

colorware-yellow.jpg

Each AirPod can be custom painted in the same color as the case or you can order the case and the earbuds all in different colors, so there are many color combinations to choose from.

colorware-black-2.jpg

ColorWare also has some fun special edition options like the "CowPods" with a black and white cow-patterned case accompanied by AirPods Pro 2 painted either pink or black. There's also a "Supernova" color option that features a glittery, prismatic effect in an array of rainbow colors.

colorware-supernova.jpg

In business since 1998, ColorWare has perfected its painting process. The company uses a multi-step coating sequence that includes a primer, the application of a proprietary color formula, and an X2 liquid plastic coating that protects the color. The custom painting is guaranteed for 12 months or 24 months with the purchase of an additional warranty.

colorware-airpods-purple-pink.jpg

ColorWare uses standard third-generation AirPods and second-generation AirPods Pro from Apple and paints them, which leaves the full AirPods functionality intact.

colorware-airpods-blue.jpg

We have two sets of custom-painted AirPods to give away, with each winner able to choose AirPods model and the the color and finish of their choice. To enter to win, use the Gleam.io widget below and enter an email address. Email addresses will be used solely for contact purposes to reach the winners and send the prizes. You can earn additional entries by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, subscribing to our YouTube channel, following us on Twitter, following us on

Article Link: MacRumors Giveaway: Win Custom-Colored AirPods or AirPods Pro From ColorWare
 
Any know anything about ColorWare's process for achieving these results? Are they experts at masking-off sections? Do they disassemble, paint & reassemble? Either way, the outcome is pretty impressive.

Has anyone here used their services? If so, how are the results in-person and how well does the coloring hold up?
 
I wonder why apple doesn't offer other colors, their sales would go up. At least a black option.
Agree.

At first, I think the lack of color was a branding/iconic-focussed strategy - white AirPods everywhere! - which was smart. But now that they are everywhere, I do think there is opportunity to dip a toe into color options for AirPods.

Color could make a quick, visual differentiator between Pro and non-Pro lines. I could see them offering AirPods in same/similar colors as iMac, iPhone, iPad, etc. as well as still in white. AirPods Pro could mirror the "Pro" color palette found elsewhere. As much as users love color options and a sense of customization and uniqueness, I do feel Apple could be leaving $$$ on the table by not offering colors in their AirPods line.
 
I do feel Apple could be leaving $$$ on the table by not offering colors in their AirPods line.

Possibly, but the question is "Will offering color choices result in higher or lower net profits?"

Having color choices means you need to accurately anticipate demand, or you wind up with excess o one color and not enough of another. Even if you sell more, the cost of excessive inventory in one color may wipe out any gains from the additional sales; plus you do not know how many sales were lost due to stock outs.

By removing color choice you've simplified the supply chain as well as made the customer's option simply buy or buy not, there is no chose.

Revenue alone is not the only factor in such a decision.
 
Yeah those matte black pros look great. I wish I had great amounts of money so I could justify a splurge.
 
Why don't they paint those on the inside? That's a half-done job. Not finished properly. I wouldn't pay a penny for it.
And those white rubber ear tips ... 🤮 Why don't they replace them with black ones?
That's a scam.
 
Last edited:
  • Disagree
Reactions: Shukuun and jib2
Why don't they paint those on the inside?

Probably because disassembling the case, painting the inside would risk damaging it and increase the costs even more.

That's a half made job. Not finished one.

Just a design choice that.

I wouldn't pay a penny for it.

Neither would I but I think some combos look neat; I just don't see paying extra for colors, but that's just me.

And those white rubber ear tips ... 🤮 Why don't they replace them with black ones?

Probably because the attachment method is unique to the Pros and would require custom made black tips.

That's a scam.

Nah, just a set of choices that you don't agree with.
 
Probably because disassembling the case, painting the inside would risk damaging it and increase the costs even more.

False. It doesn't require disassembly. Other companies paint these earbuds without disassembly.

Screenshot 2023-04-16 at 02.05.34.png


Probably because the attachment method is unique to the Pros and would require custom made black tips.

Airpods Pro have been being sold for almost 3.5 years now. The attachment method isn't new. There are many replacement kits on the market that fits the Airpods perfectly.

31295671-9f4f-4a2f-9647-985075f5fd32.af621a1a22f5380cdfd8a669f7c0447a.png


Just a design choice that.

Having inconsistent accent colors is a bad design choice.
 
Last edited:
False. It doesn't require disassembly. Other companies paint these earbuds without disassembly.

It would be interesting to see how they avoid getting paint in the inner hinge mechanism as well as the charging points. Doing it right, so everything is covered and there isn't paint where you don't want it would require disassembly, IMHO.

Airpods Pro has been selling for almost 3.5 years now. The attachment method isn't new. There are many replacement kits on the market that fits the Airpods perfectly.

Which are custom made, and are not available in all the color choices for the case. You state inconsistent accent colors is bad design, why would black tips on a red AirPod be a good one?

In addition, color matching would be hard, given the difference in material. People would complain the tips and AirPods did not match.

If you're selling $300+ custom AirPods you don't want cheap Chinese earplugs; you want quality ones that offer the same sound profile, seal and work with the ear tailoring properly.

All of that costs money, and they no doubt decided the cost to include color tips was not worth it.

Having inconsistent accent colors is a bad design choice.

So the example you showed with the with white serial "notch" is a bad design choice? Design is very subjective, just because you don't like a choice doesn't mean it's bad, just not to your taste. If you don't like there design choices buy someone else's that are to your taste.

Personally, I would not pay extra for colors since it has no positive impact on the device's performance; but I can understand how some people would like them and pay for the service.
 
  • Disagree
Reactions: bejib66000
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.