If you have an iPhone, then there’s a good chance that you’ve heard a thing or two about the Airpods by now. And even if you don’t have an iPhone, then you’ve probably heard about the Airpods from your friends or on social media. While Airpods have been generating quite a significant amount of buzz in the media lately – especially with all the hype surrounding them – the general public has been somewhat hesitant to fully embrace this new technological marvel. After all, at their current price point, they’re no small investment for the casual user. However, all chatter about their retail price aside, are Airpods actually any good? Or are they just another piece of overpriced and overhyped technology that you might possibly be able to live without?
What are Airpods?
With a name like “Airpods,” this little device conjures up images of the future and invokes feelings of awe and wonder. Air meets pods. It sounds so cool and edgy, doesn’t it? Whomever was behind the naming of this product needs a solid pat on the back for their hard work, because by naming them Airpods, the Apple company essentially rebranded an already-existing product and made it new and exciting again. Say what? Oh yeah. Airpods are nothing new. In fact, the product has already been around for many years already, but they went by a much less glamorous name: wireless earbuds.
It’s true. Wireless earbuds have been around for many, many years. They predate Airpods (which were introduced in 2016) by as much as thirty years. Yep. The original prototype was invented in the late 1970s, though it was nowhere near as functional is its modern counterpart. Branding plays a huge part in the Airpod’s popularity. While this product was mocked when it was first introduced, its popularity continued to grow until it eventually reached its current cult status. Pretty incredible, huh?
What are the pros and cons of using them?
Just like Romeo entreated his beloved Juliet four centuries ago, what’s in a name? Does calling them Airpods instead of wireless or Bluetooth earbuds make them any better? While that’s still up for debate, there’s no arguing that Airpods definitely serve a purpose and fill a specific media niche. For starters, they look awesome. That’s a major win itself, to be fair. And if you like to jam out to your music on your iPhone, and you don’t want to have to worry about getting your cords tangled or caught on anything, then Airpods were made for you. (But seriously, is there anything more annoying than getting the cord of your earbuds caught on something and yanked out of your ear?)
But there’s a few downsides, too. For starters, some people have argued that Airpods don’t have as good audio quality as wired earbuds. By transmitting the sound via Bluetooth to your earbuds, you’re missing out on some of the higher and lower notes on your favorite songs. Bummer. It’s also easier to lose one, since they’re not attached to a long cord. You have to be extremely careful to put them away in their case when you’re done with them! Unlike wired earbuds, the battery in Airpods does eventually wear down, requiring you to recharge them every few hours or so. Finally, there’s the issue of cost. Airpods tend to be more pricey than generic counterparts. That said, if you love supporting the brand, why not spring for the ones that match your mobile device?
Should you get yourself some Airpods?
Whether or not you invest in a set of Airpods is a personal decision, and one you shouldn’t take lightly. Sure, it’s tempting to rush out and get them when you see all of your friends wearing theirs. And if you already have an iPhone, why not complete the ensemble with a pair of real-deal Airpods instead of some clunky old wired earbuds? But what about your budget? Nobody is going to tell you to put yourself into debt just so you could own some fancy name-brand earbuds.
If you think you’ll be just as happy with the off-brand ones, then that’s a decision that only you can make. At the end of the day, it’s your life and your choice, and there’s no wrong answer. Just as long as you’re making an informed decision, and you know the benefits and the limitations of Airpods, then you’ll be happy with what you choose regardless!
