It all started with EarPods, those wired buds that came with every iPhone.
But then, in 2016, Apple decided to cut the cord and dropped the first-gen AirPods.
These buds had this W1 chip that made pairing them a breeze.
Vlada Komar
At first, folks were kinda skeptical about Apples move.
But despite the digs, AirPods quickly caught on.
The next ones in line were Beats, but they were under 20%.
The latest modification has different charging ports.
You are charging case options for seven models.
Here is a table with model numbers and year of release.
Big news, right?
Especially since they removed the headphone jack that year.
Now, about the sales.
There were some delays, but everyone wanted a pair when they finally started selling in December 2016.
Apple hit it big with these.
The AirPods has this new W1 chip, making connecting them with Apple devices easy.
Just initiate the case, and theyre ready to go.
For non-Apple users, they still worked great as Bluetooth earbuds.
Its clean and straightforward, just like Apples EarPods, but without wires.
They looked cool and were easy to use.
The battery life was incredible.
You got up 4-5 hours on one charge, and the case could charge them a few more times.
Thats almost a whole day of listening!
And if youre in a hurry, a quick 15-minute charge gives you 3 hours of use.
You charge the case up via its Lightning port.
AirPods 2nd gen, 2019
AirPods 2nd Gen was launched in March 2019.
Originally priced at $199, theyre now $129, quite a deal.
Design-wise, theyre not too different from the first AirPods.
Theyve got the same long stems and that pill- style charging case.
But heres a cool update: a little LED indicator on the front.
It glows green when fully charged and orange when it needs more juice.
Sound quality remains consistent with the first.
Theyre lively and clear, but not the best for bass-heavy tracks.
There is no noise cancellation here.
The AirPods battery life is 5 hours, and the charging cases is 20 hours.
The 2nd Gen offers 3 hours of talk time per charge, thanks to the new Apple H1 chip.
And yes, the case can now be charged wirelessly if you choose that option.
Connectivity gets a boost with the H1 chip.
Pairing with an iPhone is quick, showing instant battery status.
The Hey Siri feature is now available for hands-free control.
The redesigned AirPods Pro had a big advantage: they stayed in ears way better than their predecessors.
Thanks to additional microphones, they also offered strong noise cancellation.
Plus, this cool Transparency mode lets you hear the outside world perfectly.
Sound quality is definitely a step up from the earlier models.
The Pro version gives vocals and bass extra love.
Theyre also water-resistant, with an IPX4 rating.
you could use them in the rain, and sweat wont bother them.
Heres something awesome: with a firmware update, the AirPods Pro now has Spatial Audio.
The charging case gives you over 24 hours of listening time.
Priced at $549, they sure made a splash.
Theyre powered by the H1 chip and come with Bluetooth 5.0.
Its pretty standard for Apple, but the audio tech is impressive.
Theyve got Adaptive EQ, which means they fine-tune the music to fit your ears.
Now, spatial audio with dynamic head tracking is like having a movie theater in your ears.
It adjusts the sound as you move your head, giving you a super immersive experience.
Battery life is a big deal here.
Even with all these features running, you get up to 20 hours.
Thats a lot of playlists, podcasts, or phone calls.
Design-wise, theyre classic Apple.
Sleek stainless steel ear cups make them stand out and feel premium.
But there is no 3.5mm audio port here.
Youll need an extra adapter if youre old school and want a wired connection.
Theyve got shorter stems, and the non-tip design stays, making them less mask-bumpy and more comfy.
The charging case is a cool combo of the Pro and 2019 models more comprehensive but compact.
Magnets keep the earbuds in place, and they snap shut nicely.
These buds are smart.
A new sensor detects if theyre in your ears.
Music pauses, saving battery.
Now, the sound.
Apple says the 3rd Gen has new low-distortion speakers and high dynamic range amplifiers.
What does that mean?
Strong bass and crisp, clear highs.
The sound quality is a step up from the 2nd Gen, warmer and more robust.
Sound-wise, Apple amps up the audio with new speakers and amplifiers.
They also support Spatial Audio, so you get this 3D sound feel with Dolby Atmos.
But, there is no Transparency mode like the Pro.
It kept the look of the first-gen AirPods Pro but with some cool new upgrades.
These earbuds are still splash-resistant with an IPX4 rating.
Theyve doubled down on noise cancellation, and the adaptive transparency is a neat touch.
The personalized spatial audio makes your music sound more lifelike.
The upgraded H2 chip offers better noise cancellation and 3D audio.
The adaptive EQ tunes the sound to your ears in real-time, delivering clear highs and deep bass.
And the battery life?
You cant get the Lightning port version on Apples website anymore, but its still available on Amazon.
They use the H2 chip for enhanced noise cancellation and better sound quality.
The charging case offers up to 30 hours of listening or 24 hours of talk time.
