Apple has gotten itself a reputation for making stylish technology that just works. The iPod ushered in the digital era of music, the iPhone invented the smartphone market, the iPad did the same for tablets, and the Apple Watch kickstarted the smartwatch craze.
The Apple AirPods, likewise, started a new fascination with wireless earbuds. Are the new 2019 versions of the AirPods worth the price of entry, or just smoke and mirrors from Apple?
Apple AirPods 2019
What’s New?
So, as you may or may not know, there are new 2019 versions of the AirPods on the market. You might be asking, what’s the difference? Visually, they look undisguisable from 2016’s original models. As it turns out, there’s not a whole host of differences. However, there are a few meaningful quality of life upgrades.
Firstly, you can now throw the charging case on a wireless charging pad. This allows you to easily charge up your AirPods on the same pad you charge your phone, making everything easy. The wireless charging case is an upcharge to $200, from $159 for the normal case, however.
Secondly, there’s a new H1 chip with these earbuds that replaces the old W1 chip. Apple states that this new chip was made with headphones in mind, making these even more convenient and quick to respond than the first generation.
What’s Good?
These are great wireless earbuds in a lot of ways. When you take on out, your music pauses automatically. You can use double-tap gestures to skip songs without pulling out your phone. The sound quality is great, the earbuds feel comfortable and they’re super reliable.
The battery life is high for wireless earbuds. You’ll be able to easily set these up with iPhone or Android, and they couldn’t be easier to use. In short, they just work, using some of that classic Apple magic.
What’s Bad?
These earbuds don’t work well in noisy environments, as they do a poor job of stopping incoming noise. They also don’t fit terribly well into some people’s ears. They can only connect to one device at a time, which can be frustrating for multitaskers.
Finally, they’re expensive at $159 for the lower price-point and $200 for the wireless charging case. There’s also a bit of a pause when using Siri, but that’s got as much to do with Apple’s underdeveloped Siri technology as it does the AirPods.
Bottom Line
Apple faithful will still love these wireless earbuds. Those who are concerned about losing these tiny, expensive headphones should still steer clear. You know if these goofy-but-stylish, high-tech earbuds are for you just by glancing at them. They’re excellent, but they’re not for everyone.