Wireless charging of the case is a minor upgrade. For me charging airpods without case via iPhone would be a greater upgrade. I take my airpods without its case when I go for a walk. Mine used to work about 4 hours last year but now it works hardly 2 hours. For this situation, I wish airpods themselves would be able to charge via iPhone.
The case is so small, and so easily pocketable... If going on a 2-4 hour walk I can’t imagine not wanting to have it with me, especially should I wish to take them off and not lose em. In the case they go.
I wish Apple would stop with the value add, and just provide a set of AirPod II with charging case for same price. They can make it up with the Gen 1 upgrade to the charging case. But no, you have to spend $199 for the AirPod II and charging. Not $159. Even $79 for the charging case alone seems a little steep. Yeah I know Apple has always prices as premium, but minor adjustments would probably sell more, IF they can make them, always seems like there is never enough...
So you’re saying both that they could sell more if they were cheaper, and also that they are in too high-demand (scarcity). Uh huh.
Starting off, everything you loved about the original AirPods has been carried over. They are still a pair of true wireless earbuds with great sound and solid battery life.
I sure don't love the sound. The original AirPods do not sound great.
They can never compete with big cans, but for ultra portable, super convenient pods, they sound great. Perfect for the gym, walks, work calls, and streaming. It’s fine.
Seems like gouging to me. the case on its own would have been a nice fit at $49 (as should individual replacement AirPods) The non wireless ones could have been $129 and the wireless set $159 replacing the old price of the first version.
That at would be a reasonable price set up in comparison with the competition (cough, galaxy buds, cough, which have been priced with the AirPods price in mind). It would make the AirPods no brainers really. You can bet in the marketing branch these very prices would have been debated. The champions of those prices would have lost to those who know that for the short term these will sell out even at these prices. But it would have been amusing to make the competition look badly priced for once. I guess one must never leave $ on the table.
still, if this is the worst sin, at least it has been a week or releasing things for once. For some reason there has been a terrible gap in product updates that should never have happened. Let’s hope there isn’t a similar gap in hardware going forward.
Seems like gouging to me. the case on its own would have been a nice fit at $49 (as should individual replacement AirPods) The non wireless ones could have been $129 and the wireless set $159 replacing the old price of the first version.
That at would be a reasonable price set up in comparison with the competition (cough, galaxy buds, cough, which have been priced with the AirPods price in mind). It would make the AirPods no brainers really. You can bet in the marketing branch these very prices would have been debated. The champions of those prices would have lost to those who know that for the short term these will sell out even at these prices. But it would have been amusing to make the competition look badly priced for once. I guess one must never leave $ on the table.
still, if this is the worst sin, at least it has been a week or releasing things for once. For some reason there has been a terrible gap in product updates that should never have happened. Let’s hope there isn’t a similar gap in hardware going forward.
So Apple should price its offerings based on what the competition charges for similar but inferior products... which the competitor priced based upon what Apple charges. And you don’t see the cognitive dissonance of that statement?
Seems like gouging to me. the case on its own would have been a nice fit at $49 (as should individual replacement AirPods) The non wireless ones could have been $129 and the wireless set $159 replacing the old price of the first version.
Price gouging? Yeah no. The term applies to when you have little choice. Consumers have many choices here. At launch APs were considered mid-range in price compared to high-end wireless options.
That you consider them overpriced is actually no surprise at all, tho.
Great little video that, good work. So i’ve bought myself a pair this afternoon. Am I the only one so mesmerised by the wireless case who’s just realised they don’t yet have a wireless charger? Come onnnnn AirPower. Apple marketing and allure has cost me again. This won’t be the last time im sure.
What on earth are you talking about? There is indeed a wireless charging case available now. AirPods without a wireless charging case are $159. AirPods with a wireless charging case are $199. It’s your choice. So take your AirPods back, or cancel your order, and get the AirPods with the wireless charging case instead.
Read it again...
Ha, yes, thanks for that. Not sure this person got the tone!
If the case is available separately, why not the AirPods themselves? Everyone with first gen AirPods still have cases that work with the Gen2 Airpods. The Airpods are $50 each to replace so why not a $100 AirPods only option?
You also can't buy a MacBook or an iPhone without a power adaptor or an iMac without a power cord. In other words, Apple has never (or at least very very rarely) sold a product without everything needed to make it work. It was a big deal when they sold the Mac mini without a keyboard and mouse, but that was specifically to attract switchers. If you already have AirPods and want the new ones, do what millions of people do with their phones and sell your current set on eBay. I'm sure you can get $60 for them.
AirPods with a charging case that can accommodate silicone covers for the ear buds, so they'll stay in my ears...the don't currently...would get my money.
Starting off, everything you loved about the original AirPods has been carried over. They are still a pair of true wireless earbuds with great sound and solid battery life.
I sure don't love the sound. The original AirPods do not sound great.
The market disagrees with you, much as it disagrees with just about every word you post here. So buy the Samsung ear buds and be happy.
Well, the market doesn't necessarily disagree about the sound; the fact that they have been selling well means people find the combination of features and sound quality to be worth the price.
Sound quality and what constitutes good sound quality is subjective, and with any device like this you are going to be paying for the convenience and form factor more than the sound quality.
Great little video that, good work. So i’ve bought myself a pair this afternoon. Am I the only one so mesmerised by the wireless case who’s just realised they don’t yet have a wireless charger? Come onnnnn AirPower. Apple marketing and allure has cost me again. This won’t be the last time im sure.
What do you mean there's no wireless charger? You can charge them on any Qi compatible charging mat, and if you bought them expecting to use the AirPower mat without checking to see if the AirPower mat was available, well I guess I don't have much sympathy. The wireless AirPods are fully capable of everything they are advertised to do. Even wireless charging.
First generation AirPods owner here. Love 'em. Right now just doesn't seem like any MAJOR changes. We'll see.
They aren’t major changes, they’re iterative improvement. This is how Apple rolls. By the time you upgrade yours, even if years down the road, you’ll appreciate the additions over time.
Generally, yes, but not infrequently there is a major improvement between v1 and v2 of a device with subsequent upgrades being more incremental. By most/all accounts, the 1st gen AirPods were a pretty solid product, though, so incremental improvements of v2 should be expected.
My launch day AirPods barely last 30 minutes and the microphones barely work because gym sweat has damaged them. I have no choice but buy these v1.5s while I wait for the water resistant models.
And of course, these still do not offer AppleCare for obvious reasons.
Wireless charging of the case is a minor upgrade. For me charging airpods without case via iPhone would be a greater upgrade. I take my airpods without its case when I go for a walk. Mine used to work about 4 hours last year but now it works hardly 2 hours. For this situation, I wish airpods themselves would be able to charge via iPhone.
The case is so small, and so easily pocketable... If going on a 2-4 hour walk I can’t imagine not wanting to have it with me, especially should I wish to take them off and not lose em. In the case they go.
I know right. I have the catalyst case for them which has a handy carabiner. So whatever jeans or pants I’m wearing they’re always with me, and less likely to get misplaced.
Great little video that, good work. So i’ve bought myself a pair this afternoon. Am I the only one so mesmerised by the wireless case who’s just realised they don’t yet have a wireless charger? Come onnnnn AirPower. Apple marketing and allure has cost me again. This won’t be the last time im sure.
What on earth are you talking about? There is indeed a wireless charging case available now. AirPods without a wireless charging case are $159. AirPods with a wireless charging case are $199. It’s your choice. So take your AirPods back, or cancel your order, and get the AirPods with the wireless charging case instead.
@lkrupp You completely misread their comment. They said they don’t have an inductive charger yet.
I've had my AirPods for quite awhile now and like them a lot. I've been wanting a second pair for awhile now - one for the home and one in my jacket.
I will say they are great wireless kit, but the don't sound great. Really pretty good, but nowhere near great. Sound is subjective, but I find it hard to believe that anybody with an ear for detail (no, not audiophile 'golden ears') and likes music would call the audio quality 'great'. There are a lot of people for whom good enough is great. If that's how someone feels, fine by me.
Recently listening to my corded (sigh) Shure 530s they sound incredible. Starting with the fact they don't seal the ear canal, the AirPods don't come close. But I won't use the Shures out and about. As daily drivers (lol) my AirPods sound good.
I'm under the impression that though they could be had today, the AP2s can't be used until you upgrade your OS/iOS/watchOS accordingly via the current beta or soon to be released .2 General update. Anybody have any experience to the contrary?
A friend got his AirPods a few days ago, loves them, and may be within the 14 day return period. I wonder if Apple will let him exchange them. Unopened, no problem.
Comments
the case on its own would have been a nice fit at $49 (as should individual replacement AirPods) The non wireless ones could have been $129 and the wireless set $159 replacing the old price of the first version.
That at would be a reasonable price set up in comparison with the competition (cough, galaxy buds, cough, which have been priced with the AirPods price in mind). It would make the AirPods no brainers really. You can bet in the marketing branch these very prices would have been debated. The champions of those prices would have lost to those who know that for the short term these will sell out even at these prices. But it would have been amusing to make the competition look badly priced for once. I guess one must never leave $ on the table.
still, if this is the worst sin, at least it has been a week or releasing things for once. For some reason there has been a terrible gap in product updates that should never have happened. Let’s hope there isn’t a similar gap in hardware going forward.
That you consider them overpriced is actually no surprise at all, tho.
Sound quality and what constitutes good sound quality is subjective, and with any device like this you are going to be paying for the convenience and form factor more than the sound quality.
And of course, these still do not offer AppleCare for obvious reasons.
I will say they are great wireless kit, but the don't sound great. Really pretty good, but nowhere near great. Sound is subjective, but I find it hard to believe that anybody with an ear for detail (no, not audiophile 'golden ears') and likes music would call the audio quality 'great'. There are a lot of people for whom good enough is great. If that's how someone feels, fine by me.
Recently listening to my corded (sigh) Shure 530s they sound incredible. Starting with the fact they don't seal the ear canal, the AirPods don't come close. But I won't use the Shures out and about. As daily drivers (lol) my AirPods sound good.
I'm under the impression that though they could be had today, the AP2s can't be used until you upgrade your OS/iOS/watchOS accordingly via the current beta or soon to be released .2 General update. Anybody have any experience to the contrary?
A friend got his AirPods a few days ago, loves them, and may be within the 14 day return period. I wonder if Apple will let him exchange them. Unopened, no problem.