Apple Inc. has produced and sold headphones since 2001, available for standalone purchase and bundled with iPhone (until 2020) and iPod (until 2022) products. Apple's current product line consists of EarPods (wired earbuds available with a 3.5mm headphone or Lightning connector or USB-C), AirPods and AirPods Pro (wireless Bluetooth earbuds), and AirPods Max (wireless Bluetooth over-ear headphones).
Apple's original earbuds shipped with the original iPod, released on October 23, 2001. They were never given a formal name and were referred to variously as "iPod headphones" [1] and "the iPod's earbud-style headphones". [2] They were bundled with two pairs of foam covers. [3] The second generation added a plastic slider to allow the user to limit the gap between the wires. The third generation were redesigned with a slightly longer strain relief, a slightly smaller speaker grill, and the left/right marking being moved from the outside to the inside.
The iPhone Stereo Headset was introduced in 2007 and was bundled with the original iPhone and iPhone 3G, and featured a control capsule in-line with the left earbud's wire with a microphone and a single button, actuated by squeezing the unit, which can be programmed to control calls, presentations, music and video playback, launch Siri, or take pictures with the Camera application. There was also a version without the microphone that was more rare. There have been many reports of moisture problems with the remote/mic. [4]
iPod In-Ear Headphones were introduced in January 2004 as premium headphones compared to those bundled with iPods, and were available for $39. They included three different sized plastic caps, and Apple claimed improved sound quality and bass response. They were discontinued in 2008. [5]
Apple Earphones with Remote and Mic were introduced in 2009 and were bundled with the iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, the third-generation iPod Touch, and sold independently. [6] They expanded on the iPhone Stereo Headset by adding two other buttons dedicated to volume control. A variant without a microphone shipped only with the third-generation iPod shuffle.
Apple In-Ear Headphones [7] [8] were introduced on September 9, 2008, intended as a premium option compared to Apple's bundled earbuds. Like the regular earbuds they have a remote control and microphone built-in. They add silicone ear tips and dual balanced armature drivers advertised as "engineered for superior acoustic accuracy, balance, and clarity". [7] The remote and protective case was redesigned on September 12, 2012, with the remote matching that of EarPods. Apple has since removed them from their online store.
EarPods [9] were introduced on September 12, 2012 and feature a redesign with no silicone tips, less visible metal, and a plastic outer shell. They first shipped with the iPhone 5 and feature a remote control and microphone. They also shipped with the iPod Touch (5th generation) and iPod Nano (7th generation) without a remote and microphone. EarPods are also individually sold with a carrying case, while the version bundled with the iPod Touch (5th generation), iPod Touch (6th generation) and iPod Nano (7th generation) only have basic biodegradable packaging, due to their lack of a remote and mic. A microphone icon was added on the previously unmarked back side of the control capsule on EarPods with a microphone. [10] They are compatible with iPhones from the iPhone 3GS to iPhone 6S, the iPod Touch (2nd generation) and onwards, and all models of the iPad, iPad mini, and iPad Pro, except the third and fourth generation iPad Pro. They require iPhone OS 2.2 and onwards for iOS devices but are not compatible with the original iPhone, iPhone 3G, or iPod Touch (1st generation) due to sound problems. They are also compatible with most Android devices and computers.
A second iteration, EarPods with Lightning Connector, was introduced in 2016 along with the iPhone 7 and replaced the 3.5mm headphone jack with a Lighting connector. They work with all devices that have a Lightning port (except iPad mini (1st generation) and iPod touch (5th generation)) and support iOS 10 or later. The previous EarPods were rebranded as "EarPods with 3.5mm Headphone Plug". Since early 2017, both products now lack a carrying case, instead being sold in recyclable cardboard packaging. [11] [12]
Following the release of the iPhone 12 series in 2020, EarPods are no longer bundled with iPhones in most countries except where required by law. [13] Following the discontinuation of the iPod line in 2022, EarPods are only available as a standalone purchase. [14]
A third iteration, EarPods (USB-C), was introduced in 2023 along with the iPhone 15 series and have a USB-C connector. [15] [16]
Coming around 2025, following the compliance with the European Union mandates, the EarPods with Lightning connector will be discontinued. [17]
iPhone models from the iPhone 7 to the iPhone X also shipped with a Lightning-to-3.5mm headphone jack adapter, enabling customers to connect 3.5mm headphones to a Lightning port. Thanks to an iOS update (iOS 10.3), it is backwards compatible, meaning it can be used with any previous device with a Lightning port (from iPhone 5 onwards). It is no longer included as of the iPhone XS and iPhone XR, but remains available for purchase from Apple and third-party retailers.[ citation needed ]
Following the compliance with the European Union mandates, the Lightning-to-3.5mm headphone jack adapter has been discontinued in favor of transitioning from the Lightning connector to the USB-C connector. [18]
The iPhone Bluetooth Headset was introduced in 2007 priced at $129 and later reduced to $99. It was discontinued in 2009. It was designed for phone calls only and could not be used for listening to music. The integration included showing an icon for the headset and its battery level. It was bundled with a "Travel Cable" that charged it and a 30-pin iPhone simultaneously, and a docking station called the iPhone Dual Dock that could charge it and an original iPhone was also available. [5] [19]
AirPods were announced alongside the iPhone 7 and were released on December 16, 2016. [20] [21] They are wireless earbud-style headphones with microphones, dual accelerometers, IR sensors used to pause music if they are not in the user's ears, and motion touch sensors that are used to activate controls. They are advertised as having a battery life of five hours, and come with a charging case that gives them a total of 24 hours of battery life. The original case is charged by Lightning, and in 2019 a second case was introduced with Qi charging. AirPods are compatible with iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches, Macs, the 6th generation iPod Touch, and the 7th generation iPod Nano, but automatic pairing with an iCloud account requires macOS Sierra, iOS 10, and watchOS. They are also compatible with devices on other platforms that support Bluetooth, but it limits the AirPods' functionality. [22] [23]
On September 9, 2024, following the announcement of the fourth-generation AirPods, an all-new advanced hearing aid features for AirPods Pro 2 and the updated AirPods Max with USB-C port, [24] all the devices of the AirPods product line have been transitioned from the proprietary Lightning port to the universal USB-C port, making both the second-generation AirPods, third-generation AirPods and the original AirPods Max with Lightning port discontinued. [25]
AirPods Pro were released on October 30, 2019 as a premium option compared to AirPods. They feature the same H1 chip found on the second-generation AirPods, and boast a slimmer design, control by pressing the force sensor on the stems instead of double tapping on the ear pieces, active noise cancellation, adaptive EQ, IPX4 water resistance, a new charging case with Qi standard, and include silicone tips. [26]
On September 23, 2022, the AirPods Pro 2 was released. They feature the H2 chip, added swiping control for adjusting the volume, major improvement on the active noise cancellation, an increased battery life, the U1 chip that supports Find My tracking, built-in speaker for locating and status updates, added compatibility with the Apple Watch charger (in addition to the Qi standard wireless charging and wired Lightning connector charging), lanyard loop added to the side of the charging case and added extra-small silicone tip size (in addition to large, medium and small silicon tip sizes). [27]
On September 22, 2023, alongside the launch of the iPhone 15 models and iPhone 15 Pro models, the updated AirPods Pro 2 features the improved IP54 dust resistance, added the support for lossless audio with the Apple Vision Pro, and a charging case with USB-C port instead of a Lightning port. [28]
On September 9, 2024, following the announcement of the fourth-generation AirPods and the updated AirPods Max with USB-C port, Apple announced the all-new advanced hearing health features for the AirPods Pro 2. [29]
AirPods Max, released on December 15, 2020, are wireless Bluetooth over-ear headphones. They feature two H1 chips, active noise cancellation and transparency mode, a Digital Crown and on-head detection. [30] [31] [32] [33]
On September 9, 2024, the updated AirPods Max have been transitioned from the proprietary Lightning port to the universal USB-C port. [34]
| Comparative technical specifications of all AirPods models | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Apple's white earbuds are prominently featured in the majority of their distinctive "silhouette style" iPod advertisements. [45] [46] Most often as a dancing black figure in [silhouette] with a starkly contrasted white earbuds and cord while holding a white iPod. [45] The background is usually another bright colour so the iPod and headphones clearly stand out compared to the rest of the image. [46]
A phone connector is a family of cylindrically-shaped electrical connectors primarily for analog audio signals. Invented in the late 19th century for telephone switchboards, the phone connector remains in use for interfacing wired audio equipment, such as headphones, speakers, microphones, mixing consoles, and electronic musical instruments. A male connector, is mated into a female connector, though other terminology is used.
A headset is a combination of headphone and microphone. Headsets connect over a telephone or to a computer, allowing the user to speak and listen while keeping both hands free. They are commonly used in customer service and technical support centers, where employees can converse with customers while typing information into a computer. They are also common among computer gamers and let them talk with each other and hear others while using their keyboards and mice to play the game.
AirPods are wireless Bluetooth earbuds designed by Apple. They were first announced on September 7, 2016, alongside the iPhone 7. Within two years, they became Apple's most popular accessory. AirPods are Apple's entry-level wireless headphones, sold alongside the AirPods Pro and AirPods Max.
Lightning is a proprietary computer bus and power connector, created and designed by Apple Inc. It was introduced on September 12, 2012, in conjunction with the iPhone 5, to replace its predecessor, the 30-pin dock connector.
The iPhone has a wide variety of accessories made by Apple available for it.
The fifth generation iPod Touch is a mobile device designed and marketed by Apple Inc. with a touchscreen-based user interface. The successor to the 4th-generation iPod Touch, it was unveiled at Apple's media event alongside the iPhone 5 on September 12, 2012, and was released on October 11, 2012. It is compatible with up to iOS 9.3.5, which was released on August 25, 2016.
The sixth generation iPod Touch is a discontinued mobile device designed and marketed by Apple Inc. with a touchscreen-based user interface. It is the successor to the iPod Touch, becoming the first major update to the iPod lineup in more than two and a half years. It was released on the online Apple Store on July 15, 2015, along with minor upgrades to the iPod Nano and iPod Shuffle. This generation of iPod Touch was officially discontinued by Apple on May 28, 2019, with the release of its next-generation successor. It supports up to iOS 12.5.7, released on January 23, 2023.
Hearables or smart headphones or earbuds are electronic in-ear devices designed for multiple purposes. The category is split between hearables for hearing health, and hearables for other applications.
AXGIO is an online brand based on the Amazon Marketplace. It was founded in 2013.
Bragi is a German technology company headquartered in Munich, Germany, that designs, develops and sells wireless smart earphones; the Bragi OS, the operating system for next-generation computing platforms; and the Bragi App for smartphones.
The Pixel Buds is a line of wireless earbuds developed and marketed by Google. The first-generation Pixel Buds were launched on October 4, 2017, at the Made by Google launch event, and became available for preorder on the Google Store the same day. They have the Google Assistant built-in and support Google Translate.
The seventh generation iPod Touch is a discontinued mobile device designed and marketed by Apple Inc. with a touchscreen-based user interface. It is the successor to the 6th-generation iPod Touch, the first major update to the line since 2015. It was released on May 28, 2019, and discontinued on May 10, 2022. It was the final product in Apple's iPod product line.
Apple Inc. has produced and sold numerous music and multimedia speakers, available for standalone purchase and bundled with Macintosh products.
AirPods Pro are wireless Bluetooth in-ear headphones designed by Apple, initially introduced on October 30, 2019. They are Apple's mid-range wireless headphones, available alongside the base-level AirPods and the highest-end AirPods Max.
AirPods Max are wireless Bluetooth over-ear headphones designed by Apple, and released on December 15, 2020. They are Apple's highest-end option in the AirPods lineup, sold alongside the base model AirPods and mid-range AirPods Pro.
The iPhone's hardware is designed by Apple Inc. Apple directly sub-contracts hardware production to external OEM companies, maintaining a high degree of control over the end product.
Huawei FreeBuds are wireless Bluetooth and NearLink earbuds. They were first announced and released on March 27, 2018, alongside the Huawei P20 series. In addition to playing audio, the Huawei FreeBuds contain built-in microphones for noise cancellation, accelerometers, and optical sensors to detect wear status and gestures.