We’ve been using the Apple AirPods since they were released and this is our in-depth review of Apples wireless headphones. We’ll tell you what they’re like to use, how easy they are to loose and whether or not you should buy them.
AirPods are Bluetooth earbuds made by Apple Inc.. They feature new user interactions; for example, removing an AirPod from one’s ear causes playback to pause, and double tapping them activates the Siri software agent,[1] or play and pause playback. AirPods can play audio from any device that supports Bluetooth but work best with Apple devices running iOS 10.
AirPods were introduced on September 7, 2016, alongside the iPhone 7 and Apple Watch Series 2. Apple originally planned to release the AirPods in late October,[3] but the company delayed the release date.
On December 13, 2016, Apple released the AirPods to be ordered online. They were available at Apple Stores, Apple Authorized Resellers, and select carriers on December 20.
With the release of iOS 10.3, users are able to locate missing AirPods by triggering a ringing noise through the “Find My iPhone” app.[7]
Apple incoporates their own custom designed chip, the W1 into Airpods, which will help optimize the battery use and process the Bluetooth connection as well as audio.
The Hardware
Each AirPod weighs 0.14 oz (4 g), and its charging case weighs 1.34 oz (38 g). It uses Bluetooth and Apple’s W1 chip. It holds a charge for about five hours, and the charging case can charge it for up to 24 hours of usage.[10]
AirPods also contain upgradeable firmware, although it is unknown whether the charging case is capable of receiving firmware updates. Since launch, Apple has upgraded the AirPod firmware from 3.3.1 to 3.5.1.[11]
During a teardown, each AirPod earbud was found to contain a 93 milliwatt hour battery in its stem, while the charging case was found to contain a 1.52 watt hour battery.
Pros and Cons
One criticism of AirPods is their high price. Another criticism is the perceived ability to fall out of one’s ear; however, testing by Business Insider has shown that it is quite unlikely for this to happen during normal use.[13]
From a product design viewpoint, the list of criticisms includes:
- Suboptimal sound quality as judged by an audiophile
- Increased likelihood of being misplaced or lost
- Poor usability, contradicting key design principles and making users’ lives more complicated
- Increased safety risks, such as them being snatched by thieves
- “Dorky”, “ridiculous”, “weird” appearance when wearing them
Another prominent criticism was an issue that caused the charging case battery to deplete at a rapid rate despite the AirPods not being used. Users were reporting upwards of 30% idle discharge per day. Since then, Apple has upgraded AirPods to firmware 3.5.1, available to all users, which has addressed connectivity issues and battery drain issues
