As a lifelong Apple fan, I own everything from an iPod touch to a Mac mini M1 and M1 MacBook Air, and enjoy keeping up to date with the latest software and, when I can afford it, hardware. But, for the first time ever, I’ve decided not to buy an Apple product. The product in question is the AirPods. When they first came out I immediately bought a pair and they were everything I could have wished for, great sound and really user friendly. But recently the battery life has decreased to about 30 minutes listening time in one go.
Thinking I could easily get the batteries replaced, I visited an Apple Store and spoke with a couple of assistants. To cut a long story short, I was advised to buy a new pair, as the cost of replacing the batteries was almost the same price. Having learned that, I decided to revert back to wired headphones and am currently using some inexpensive Sennheiser in–ear headphones, which sound really good and only cost about $20. I honestly don’t think that $169 for Bluetooth headphones, that are only going to last a couple of years, is very good value for money. If the cost of replacing an iPhone battery is only $69, then why are AirPods’ batteries so difficult and ridiculously expensive to change? Not very eco–friendly either, which surprises me.