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{{StubNotice}}{{InfoboxProductLine
{{StubNotice}}
| Title = AirPods
{{ProductLineCargo
| Release Year = 2016-12-13
|ReleaseYear=13 December 2016
| Product Type = Wireless earbuds
|Website=https://apple.com/airpods
| In Production = Yes
|Logo=AirPods logo.svg
| Official Website = https://apple.com/airpods
|ArticleType=ProductLine
| Logo = AirPods logo.png
|Category=Wireless earbuds
}}AirPods are wireless earbuds designed by [[Apple]]. They first debuted on September 07, 2016, alongside the iPhone 7, and were released on December 13, 2016.
|Company=Apple
|Description= AirPods are wireless earbuds designed by Apple.
|InProduction=Yes
}}


In addition to playing audio, the AirPods contain a microphone that filters out background noise as well as built-in accelerometers and optical sensors capable of detecting taps and pinches (e.g. double-tap or pinch to pause audio) and placement within the ear, which enables automatic pausing of audio when they are taken out of the ear.
'''AirPods''' are wireless earbuds designed by [[Apple]]. They first debuted on 7 September 2016, alongside the iPhone 7, and were released on 13 December 2016.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Hunter |first=Noah |title=Every Apple AirPods Generation: A Full History of Release Dates |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/all-apple-airpods-release-dates-in-order |website=IGN |date=9 Sep 2025 |access-date=9 Apr 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260104044220/https://www.ign.com/articles/all-apple-airpods-release-dates-in-order |archive-date=4 Jan 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=Apple reinvents the wireless headphone with AirPods |url=https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2016/09/apple-reinvents-the-wireless-headphones-with-airpods/ |website=[[Apple]] |date=7 Sep 2016 |access-date=9 Apr 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260104044455/https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2016/09/apple-reinvents-the-wireless-headphones-with-airpods/ |archive-date=4 Jan 2026}}</ref>


On March 20, 2019, Apple released the second-generation AirPods, which feature the H1 chip, longer talk time, and hands-free "Hey Siri" support. A higher-end version includes a charging case that supports Qi charging.
==Consumer impact summary==
{{Ph-C-CIS}}
 
===Repairability===
====Obsolescence====
AirPods are designed in a way that makes them non-repairable, leading to customers having to buy a new pair after a few years of use. Apple can replace them but will not repair them or help you do it yourself.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |author=The Wall Street Journal |title=Apple Doesn’t Repair AirPods. Here’s Why. |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omMPJEoZGJE |website=[[YouTube]] |date=20 Apr 2023 |access-date=9 Apr 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=omMPJEoZGJE |archive-date=2 Feb 2026}}</ref> According to an expert from iFixit:
<blockquote>If you want to take this apart, non-destructively, to replace the batteries, as far as I know, that's impossible.<ref name=":1" /></blockquote>
 
The rechargeable batteries in AirPods can experience fast-tracked degradation after a certain number of battery cycles,<ref name=":1" /> with two-year-old sets lasting for less than half of the advertised five hours.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Elalj |first=Simo |title=How Long Do AirPods Last? (Battery & Lifespan) |url=https://www.refurb.me/blog/how-long-do-airpods-last-battery-lifespan |website=RefurbMe |date=16 Apr 2024 |access-date=20 Feb 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250723215441/https://www.refurb.me/blog/how-long-do-airpods-last-battery-lifespan |archive-date=23 Jul 2025}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |author= |title=Apple Service and Repair for AirPods |url=https://support.apple.com/airpods/repair?services=service |website=[[Apple]] |date= |access-date=20 Feb 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260220050147/https://support.apple.com/airpods/repair?services=service |archive-date=20 Feb 2026}}</ref>


On October 26, 2021, Apple released the third-generation AirPods, which feature an external redesign with shorter stems similar to AirPods Pro, spatial audio, IPX4 water resistance, longer battery life, and MagSafe charging capability.
====Replacement over repair====
[[File:Apple AirPods Pro 3 AppleCare price comparison.png|alt=An image depicting the price difference between normal Apple service and AppleCare service.|thumb|Price difference between normal Apple service and AppleCare service.]]
Apple has a dedicated portal to purchase "battery service", which involves destroying outer parts,<ref name=":1" /> and replacements individual AirPods and charging cases. The replacement of one or both AirPods or the charging case has a lower price with AppleCare+ than without. Apple offers battery servicing for free with AppleCare+ and for a fee without.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cohen |first=Jason |title=Do You Need AppleCare+? Here's What Apple's Extended Warranty Really Covers |url=https://www.pcmag.com/explainers/do-you-need-applecare-plus-what-extended-warranty-covers-costs |website=PC Mag |date=4 Mar 2026 |access-date=9 Apr 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260311083511/https://www.pcmag.com/explainers/do-you-need-applecare-plus-what-extended-warranty-covers-costs |archive-date=11 Mar 2026}}</ref>


On September 9, 2024, Apple announced the AirPods 4, which feature the H2 chip, Bluetooth 5.3, and a USB-C charging case. A higher end model features active noise cancellation and a charging case that supports Qi and Apple Watch chargers.{{Placeholder box|Add a 2-3 sentence introduction starting with "'''{{PAGENAME}}''' is a ...<ref name":0">ref goes here</ref>". When writing the article, insert text in the space below this box, and then delete this tip box (and the other tip boxes below). In the visual editor, just click on a box and press backspace to delete it. In the source editor, simply delete the double curly brackets, and the text inside them.}}
===Freedom===
====Proprietary standards====
Up until 22 September 2023, Apple used their proprietary {{Wplink|Lightning (connector)|Lightning connector}} on the AirPods' charging case, which forced the consumer to purchase Apple-licensed chargers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Borresen |first=Jennifer |title=iPhone 15 pro uses USB-C charger: An exploration of how Apple got here |url=https://eu.usatoday.com/story/graphics/2023/09/22/iphone-15-pro-usb-c-charger-explained/70916655007/ |website=USA Today |date=22 Sep 2023 |access-date=24 Nov 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260104044745/https://www.usatoday.com/story/graphics/2023/09/22/iphone-15-pro-usb-c-charger-explained/70916655007/ |archive-date=4 Jan 2026}}</ref>


==Consumer impact summary==
====Degraded operating system choice====
AirPods are designed to be unrepairable even by Apple, leading to them ending up as e-waste after a few years of use. The replacement of the lithium-ion batteries used by the AirPods requires the destruction of the outer casing, adding to the waste problem. Up until September 22, 2023, Apple used their proprietary Lightning connector on the AirPods' charging case.
The [[Software-gating|software-gated]] features that AirPods are marketed with are mode to only work with Apple's {{Wplink|operating system}}s, resulting in the device's capabilities being on par with basic wireless headphones when paired with non-Apple devices.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Thomas |first=Christian |title=Don't use AirPods with Android |url=https://www.soundguys.com/dont-use-airpods-android-20767/ |website=SOUNDGUYS |date=26 Mar 2025 |access-date=5 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250407044828/https://www.soundguys.com/dont-use-airpods-android-20767/ |archive-date=7 Apr 2025}}</ref> The software-gated features include:


The lithium-ion batteries in AirPods can see significant degradation over time, with two-year-old sets lasting for less than half of the advertised five hours. Apple has a program to service batteries and purchase replacement individual AirPods and charging cases. The replacement of one or both AirPods or the charging case has a lower price with AppleCare+ than without. Apple offers battery servicing for free with AppleCare+ and for a fee without. However, this is just a replacement service, as AirPods cannot be repaired without destroying their outer case, resulting in a 0/10 repairability score
*Spatial audio
{{Placeholder box|Overview of concerns that arise from the conduct towards users of products part of the product line.
*The ear tip fit test
*Auto EQ
*Control customization
*Find my earbuds
*Automatic device switching
*Conversation boost
*Battery life status indicator
*Automatic ear detection<ref name=":4" />


Touch on relevant topics like:
However there have been projects attempting to regain marketed features of AirPods with non-Apple products, such as LibrePods.<ref>{{Cite web |author=cysgodi |title=AirPods liberated from Apple's ecosystem. |url=https://github.com/cysgodi/librepods |website=[[GitHub]] |date= |access-date=9 Apr 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251220145417/https://github.com/cysgodi/librepods |archive-date=20 Dec 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hardwick |first=Tim |title=This Free App Unlocks AirPods Features on Android Devices |url=https://www.macrumors.com/2025/11/21/librepods-unlocks-airpods-features-android/ |website=MacRumors |date=21 Nov 2025 |access-date=2 Feb 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251218044102/https://www.macrumors.com/2025/11/21/librepods-unlocks-airpods-features-android/ |archive-date=18 Dec 2025}}</ref>
* User Freedom
* User Privacy
* Business Model
* Market Control}}


==Incidents==
==Incidents==
This is a list of all consumer protection incidents related to this product line. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{PAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].
This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents related to this product line. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{PAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].
{{Placeholder box|Replace the placeholder text in the sections below with the incidents that affect this product line and a short summary. Also replace the link so it point to the right company article.}}


===Example incident one (''date'')===
===AirPods Pro sound issues (''2020'')===
{{Main|link to the main article}}Short summary of the incident (could be the same as the summary preceding the article).
The "Rattlegate" issue, which is officially known as the AirPods Pro Service Program for Sound Issues, was reportedly frustrating for early AirPods Pro adopters. The problem primarily affected the ''first-generation AirPods Pro''. Users reported:


===Example incident two (''date'')===
*Crackling or static sounds that intensified in loud environments, during exercise, or while talking on the phone.
...
*Rattling noises triggered by head movement or footsteps.
*Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) failure, resulting in a loss of bass or an increase in background noise (like street or airplane sounds).


Incidents affecting all of the company's products can be found in the company article: [[Company article]]
Apple officially acknowledged the hardware defect in October 2020, and determined that a "small percentage" of units manufactured ''before'' October 2020 were defective.<ref>{{Cite web |author=
|title=AirPods Pro Service Program for Sound Issues |url=https://support.apple.com/airpods-pro-service-program-sound-issues |website=[[Apple]] |date=30 Oct 2020 |access-date= |url-status=dead
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220604082736/https://support.apple.com/airpods-pro-service-program-sound-issues |archive-date=4 Jun 2022}}</ref> They launched a global service program to replace affected earbuds (left, right, or both) free of charge, provided they passed a diagnostic test at an Apple Store or authorized provider. Originally, the program covered units for two years after their first retail sale. On 1 October 2021,<ref>{{Cite web |author= |date= |title=Comparison between captures taken 1 October 2021 and 2 October 2021 on the Wayback Machine |url=https://web.archive.org/web/diff/20211001134456/20211002135152/https://support.apple.com/airpods-pro-service-program-sound-issues |url-status=live |archive-url=https://megalodon.jp/2026-0416-0104-53/https://consumerrights.wiki:443/images/b/bc/Wayback_Machine_comparison_tool_Oct_2021_for_AirPods.png |archive-date=15 Apr 2026 |access-date=9 Apr 2026 |website=[[Internet Archive]]}}</ref> Apple quietly extended this to ''three years''.<ref>{{Cite web |author=matejamm1 |title=PSA: Apple silently extended the AirPods Pro Service Program for an additional year, now covering AirPods that crackle for 3 years in total after first sale. |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/airpods/comments/q7kov9/psa_apple_silently_extended_the_airpods_pro/ |website=[[Reddit]] |date=13 Oct 2021 |access-date=9 Apr 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260410012435/https://old.reddit.com/r/airpods/comments/q7kov9/psa_apple_silently_extended_the_airpods_pro/ |archive-date=10 Apr 2026}}</ref>
 
Despite Apple's claim that only units made before October 2020 were affected, a significant number of users who bought AirPods Pro in 2021 and 2022 reported the ''exact same'' rattling and crackling. Because Apple's internal database marks units manufactured after October 2020 as "fixed", these serial numbers are ineligible for the free service program. If you are outside of your standard one-year warranty (or two-year AppleCare+ window), Apple's official stance is usually to charge a "repair" fee that often costs as much as a new pair.{{Citation needed|date=4 Apr 2026}}
 
Many experts believe the issue was a fundamental design flaw in the first-gen hardware (likely related to glue degradation or sweat ingress affecting the internal microphones) rather than a specific "bad batch." As of 2026, the service program has officially ended for the vast majority of users because the "three years from date of sale" window has expired for almost everyone who owned the original Gen 1 model. Because of the refusal to cover units made after 2020 and the fact that many "replacement" units eventually failed too, Apple has faced several class-action lawsuits (notably ''LaBella v. Apple Inc.''). These suits allege that Apple continued to sell a defective product and misled consumers about the "fix."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Persinger |first=Annick M. |title=''LaBella v. Apple Inc'' (5:24-cv-07588) |url=https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69338391/1/labella-v-apple-inc/ |website=Court Listener |date=1 Nov 2024 |access-date=9 Apr 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260410023717/https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69338391/1/labella-v-apple-inc/ |archive-date=10 Apr 2026}}</ref>
 
===AirPods Max moisture issue (''2021'')===
{{Main|AirPods Max moisture issue}}
[[File:Airpods-max-moisture.jpeg|alt=A photo showing the moisture buildup inside user PatrikGustafsson's Headphones after exercising on an indoor bike. |thumb|Moisture buildup inside user PatrikGustafsson's AirPods Max after exercising on an indoor bike.]]
Many Apple AirPods Max owners have reported moisture issues with the headphones. More specifically, after around 30 or more minutes of use, users have reported a visible buildup of moisture near the speakers of the ear-cups.<ref>{{Cite web |author=jehdian |title=Condensation in the AirPods Max |url=https://discussions.apple.com/thread/252267540 |website=[[Apple]] |date=4 Jan 2021 |access-date=5 Mar 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/aNx9b |archive-date=9 Apr 2026}}</ref> Depending on the severity of the moisture buildup present, the headphones could fail between five days of use in the more extreme cases, to around three months of use.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |author=pavanayii |title=Condensation broke my device, Apple says there's nothing they can do. |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/Airpodsmax/comments/s64ztx/condensation_broke_my_device_apple_says_theres/ |website=[[Reddit]] |date=17 Jan 2022 |access-date= |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220117141941/https://old.reddit.com/r/Airpodsmax/comments/s64ztx/condensation_broke_my_device_apple_says_theres/ |archive-date=17 Jan 2022}}</ref> Additional conditions contributing to this issue include exercise or climate and humidity levels present when wearing the headphones. Apple has historically treated the AirPods Max condensation issues as "Liquid Damage", voiding warranties and likely prompting a $300 to $500 replacement.<ref name=":3" />
 
On 23 April 2025, Arthur Apicella filed a class-action lawsuit against Apple over the moisture problem affecting the AirPods Max headphones.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kumar |first=Aman |title=What Is The Lawsuit Against Apple Over The AirPods Max Headphones? |url=https://www.slashgear.com/1918064/what-is-lawsuit-against-apple-airpods-max-headphones/ |website=SLASHGEAR |date=21 Jul 2025 |access-date=9 Apr 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250724111914/https://www.slashgear.com/1918064/what-is-lawsuit-against-apple-airpods-max-headphones/ |archive-date=24 Jul 2025}}</ref> As of 9 April 2026, the lawsuit's status is unclear — the latest update to be found is from 8 November 2025, with the plaintiffs opposing Apple's motion for dismissal.<ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=''Apicella v. Apple Inc.'' (2:25-cv-02261) |url=https://www.pacermonitor.com/public/case/57760469/Apicella_v_Apple_Inc |website=PacerMonitor |date= |access-date=9 Apr 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/GGXzQ |archive-date=10 Apr 2026}}</ref>
 
===Connection security vulnerability (''2025'')===
{{Main|AirPods connection vulnerability}}
[[File:NIST-re.png|alt=CVE-2024-27867 NIST Assessment|thumb|CVE-2024-27867 NIST Assessment]]
A security vulnerability was discovered by Jonas Dreßler, which would allow an attacker within the Bluetooth range of any AirPods device to potentially spoof the source device address, redirecting it to another device controlled by the attacker and gaining control of the AirPods.<ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=CVE-2024-27867 Detail |url=https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-27867 |website=National Institute of Standards and Technology |date=24 Jun 2024 |access-date=9 Apr 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251109172541/https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-27867 |archive-date=9 Nov 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author=Divya |title=Apple AirPods Bluetooth Vulnerability Lets Attackers Gain Access to Device |url=https://cybersecuritynews.com/apple-airpods-bluetooth-vulnerability/ |website=Cyber Security News |date=27 Jun 2024 |access-date=9 Apr 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240627080357/https://cybersecuritynews.com/apple-airpods-bluetooth-vulnerability/ |archive-date=27 Jun 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=About the security content of AirPods Firmware Update 6A326, AirPods Firmware Update 6F8, and Beats Firmware Update 6F8 |url=https://support.apple.com/en-us/120907 |website=[[Apple]] |date=25 Jun 2025 |access-date=9 Apr 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260224082150/https://support.apple.com/en-us/120907 |archive-date=24 Feb 2026}}</ref>


==Products==
==Products==
 
*AirPods (1st generation) (13 December 2016<ref name=":0" />)
*AirPods (1st generation) (December 13, 2016)
*AirPods (2nd generation) (20 March 2019<ref name=":0" />)
*AirPods (2nd generation) (March 20, 2019)
*AirPods Pro (1st generation) (30 October 2019<ref name=":0" />)
*AirPods Pro (1st generation) (October 30, 2019)
*AirPods Max  (15 December 2020<ref name=":0" />)
*AirPods Max  (December 15, 2020)
*AirPods (3rd generation) (26 October 2021<ref name=":0" />)
*AirPods (3rd generation) (October 26, 2021)
*AirPods Pro 2 (previously 2nd generation) (23 September 2022<ref name=":0" />)
*AirPods Pro 2 (previously 2nd generation) (September 23, 2022)
*AirPods 4/ANC (20 September 2024<ref name=":0" />)
*AirPods 4/ANC (September 20, 2024)
*AirPods Pro 3 (19 September 2025<ref name=":0" />)
{{Placeholder box|This is a list of the products with articles on this wiki.
* [[Example product one]] (release date): Short summary of the product's incidents.
* [[Example product two]] (release date):}}


==See also==
==See also==
{{Placeholder box|Link to relevant theme articles or product lines with similar incidents.}}
*[[Apple]]
*[[Sony's WF-1000XM4 earbuds]]


==References==
==References==
---. “Every Apple AirPods Generation: A Full History of Release Dates - IGN.” ''IGN'', 2 Mar. 2025, www.ign.com/articles/all-apple-airpods-release-dates-in-order.
{{Reflist}}
<references />
 
[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
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