It was 2016 and the event was the launch of Apple’s iPhone 7. Overshadowing iPhone is a rare phenomenon but it happened. Apple removed the 3.5mm analogue headphone jack and subtly introduced the audio jack to the Lightning port. But what happened next changed the way humans consumed the audio.
Apple Inc. unveiled the AirPods product soon after, eight years after introducing consumers to earbuds. The much-needed overhaul of its wired headphones was greeted tonnes of memes – oversized plastic earrings, photoshopped pictures of electric toothbrushes dangling from ears, jest about the wireless earbuds resembling miniature hair dryers; the wireless earphones were even compared to Snoopy!
In 2023, wireless Bluetooth earbuds are ubiquitous. Sure, not everyone owns Apple’s well-known pairs, but it sure got the ball rolling. Every tech company now has their own AirPods contenders that try extremely hard to mimic its quality.
Wireless audio has now become a cultural phenomenon. This helped Apple make $12.1 billion in revenue in 2021 from AirPods sales alone.
The AirPods are an amazing piece of tech. A full array of electronics, circuitry, and audio drivers are completely contained inside the AirPod head and are responsible for audio drivers and Bluetooth transmission. The battery is stored in the stem of the device. By using a flex/ribbon cable, the battery is connected to the circuit boards.
List of all AirPods Models
The following is the list of all the AirPods Apple has made and if you want to know what model you have, just look at its design and charging case. If you don’t have it with you, your iPhone can relay that information.
Before we get to the list, the next segment decodes the vogue that AirPods have now become.
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The Popularity of AirPods and its Impact on the Tech World
After the AirPods were launched, The Verge said “They look… just like the old EarPods, with the wires cut off.” CNN asked its readers “Would people wear these?” There were many more stones thrown at Apple, but today the AirPods are so popular that their collective sale is equivalent to the GDP of a few countries.
The popularity of AirPods grew rapidly over the years. Tim Cook even referred to the AirPods as “nothing less than a cultural phenomenon”. Even though people were furious at the removal of the headphone jack, AirPods have now become a status symbol.
When AirPods are launched, consumers line up outside Apple stores as they do for new iPhones. Users can buy expensive designer cases from Prada, Louis Vuitton, and Coach. There is jewellery that clips onto the stems and AirPod cuffs that clasp to ears.
Moreover, AirPods became a household item for iOS (and some Android enthusiasts) users during the pandemic and they were seen on Zoom and Google Meets.
Dan Ives, an analyst at Wedbush told CNN Business, “The company has turned this into a $20 billion annual business, a major feather in the cap for Apple.”
Interestingly, Apple has created three different versions of the AirPods – the basic ones (in their third generation), the Pro for those who want noise cancellation and transparency (in their second generation), and the over-the-head AirPods Max (in its first generation). They all have different price brackets and many users buy multiple AirPods for different activities.
Ramon Llamas, director at market research firm IDC, said: “Because AirPods are so engrained into the Apple ecosystem with Apple Music and Apple Fitness+, Apple loyalists – of which there are millions – prefer to stay with the Apple brand instead of considering another brand.”
No matter how many memes the AirPods Max got due to its weirdly-shaped Smart Case, or the 1st generation AirPods Pro for its stem design that resembled a Pokémon, they are the most popular wireless tech on the planet.
1. AirPods (1st generation, 2016)
Apple introduced the first-ever Airpods with the tagline ‘Wireless. Effortless. Magical.’ Who knew these marketing terms would be true? AirPods forever change the way we use earphones.
Powered by a custom Apple W1 chip, AirPods use optical sensors and a motion accelerometer to detect when they’re in the ears. This information was then used to automatically route the audio and engage the microphone. One of the flaws of AirPods was its battery life – 5 hours of listening time on one charge. The charging case added multiple additional charges, giving users up to 24 hours of listening time. 15 minutes in the charging case gave the users 3 hours of listening time.
For a first generation, the AirPods did a decent job. Its next iterations set the tone for wireless audio to be consumed by millions.
Model number: A1523 and A1722
System on a chip: Apple W1 chip
Bluetooth: 4.2
Audio Technology: Dual optical sensors and accelerometers, access Siri with just a double tap
Microphones: Dual beamforming microphones
Dual optical sensors
Battery: Up to 5 hours listening time, 24 hours with charging case
Water Resistance: IPX4 Sweat and water resistant
Weight: 4 grams (0.14 ounce) case – 38 grams (1.34 ounces)
Current firmware: 6.8.8
Launch date: September 7, 2016
Launch Price: $159
Status: Discontinued
2. AirPods (2nd generation, 2019)
The 2nd generation AirPods launched in March 2019 for $199, and the current price of $129 seems like a bargain. But they are not worth it considering the plethora of TWS options in the market today. These older earbuds have much weaker audio performance, are not waterproof, lack spatial audio support, and have poor battery life. The Gen 2 AirPods have the shortest battery life in the entire lineup.
The earbuds themselves haven’t changed at all. They can’t seal your ears, which creates a lot of problems that aren’t easy to shake off. For example, neither version of AirPods can isolate itself from ambient noise, so outside noise is a much bigger concern for AirPods users. Each earbud has a small microphone for voice calls and a small sensor that provides some controls when tapped. The isolation is very poor, and one of the worst because the earbuds don’t fit snugly in your ears.
Apple has taken a one-size-fits-all approach with these earbuds, so they may not fit your ears perfectly. This means that external noise can easily enter your ears and escape like it’s someone else’s problem. If you don’t want your neighbors to hear your music, you have to turn the volume down a lot.
Model number: A2032 and A2031
System on a chip: H1 headphone chip
Bluetooth: 5.0
Audio Technology: Live to Listen audio, Hands-Free ‘Hey Siri’, Custom audio architecture and improved synchronization
Microphones: 2 microphones per earbud, Dual beam-forming microphones
Battery: Up to 5 hours of listening time on one charge, 24 hours with charging case
Water Resistance: –
Weight: 4 grams (0.14 ounces) case – 38.2 grams (1.35 ounces)
Current firmware: 4E71
Launch date: March 20, 2019
Launch Price: $129
Status: Available
3. AirPods Pro (1st generation, 2019)
The 1st generation AirPods Pro was introduced with an updated design, new features, and a new price. However, they still give off the typical AirPods vibe. These Apple earbuds don’t just seal your ears, they also have Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), which wasn’t a feature on the original model.
Choosing the right size ear tip for your AirPods Pro will determine the rest of your experience. ANC is undoubtedly the most important feature of the new version, which makes this headset one of the best ANC earbuds for iPhone users.
The low rumble of planes and trains won’t be completely muted, but it will be about a quarter as loud as without ANC. With active noise cancellation, your music will sound better than its predecessors because it won’t be competing with sounds from buses, airplanes, or streets.
Overall, Apple improved the sound signature on the AirPods Pro, and the Adaptive EQ will equalize the music to correct the wearer’s ears’ shape. Due to this, the AirPods Pro will sound more consistent from person to person as compared to its contenders.
Model number: A2084 and A2083
System on a chip: Apple H1 chip
Bluetooth: 5.0
Audio Technology: Adaptive EQ, Live Listen audio, Active Noise Cancellation, Adaptive Transparency, Custom high-excursion Apple driver, Custom high dynamic range amplifier, Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking, Vent system for pressure equalization
Microphones: Dual beamforming microphones
Battery: Up to 4.5 hours of listening time on one charge, 24 hours with charging case
Water Resistance: IPX4 Sweat and water resistant
Weight: 5.4 grams (19 ounces) case – 45.6 grams (1.61 ounces).
Current firmware: 4E71
Launch date: October 28, 2019
Price: $249
Status: Discontinued
4. AirPods Max (2020)
Apple finally launched their first wireless over-ear headphones in the form of AirPods Max. They include an aluminium frame with knit cushioning that is available in a variety of hues, unlike other headphones from Apple like the sleek, white plastic Apple AirPods Pro Truly Wireless, which only come in one colour. Despite this, you can still count on a high-end design and an effective noise-cancelling (ANC) experience.
Additionally, they contain an adaptive EQ that automatically adjusts the sound to fit the specific contours of your ears, and their H1 chip makes pairing with all of your iOS/iPadOS devices a breeze.
Two things make the AirPods Max noteworthy: The only over-ear headphones that Apple sells, they are more than twice as expensive as the AirPods Pro. For the money, you get strong active noise cancellation and excellent audio quality. Secondly, these elegant headphones are available in several colours including Green, Pink, Silver, Sky Blue, and Space Gray as opposed to the in-ear AirPods that use a white plastic material.
There have been a few user issues with its build quality and the lack of any water-resistant rating is ludicrous seeing its price. You also can’t turn off these headphones. That said, the AirPods Max will soon be three years old and Apple might unveil its 2nd generation any day now. If that’s the case, the firm should enhance the Smart Case, which currently protects only the earcups and doesn’t have any other advantage.
Model number: A2096
System on a chip: Apple H1 chip
Bluetooth: 5.0
Audio Technology: Adaptive EQ, Live Listen audio, Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency mode, Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking
Microphones: Eight microphones for Active Noise Cancellation, Three microphones for voice pickup (two shared with Active Noise Cancellation and one additional microphone)
Battery: Up to 20 hours
Weight: 384.8 grams (ounces) case – 134.5 grams (ounces)
Colours: Green, Pink, Sky Blue, Silver & Space Grey
Current firmware: 5E135
Launch date: December 8, 2020
Price: $549
Status: Available; 2nd generation expected any day now
5. AirPods (3rd generation, 2021)
The 3rd Generation AirPods are a blend of the AirPods (2019) and the 1st Generation AirPods Pro. They have an open design that doesn’t seal off the ear canal, which can lead to unbalanced audio and a less secure fit. However, internal sensors and mics help deliver the best bass response for this type of earphone.
The new AirPods also have a skin-detect sensor that handles auto-pause/play and allows you to put the earbuds in your pocket without resuming playback. The case supports MagSafe and Qi wireless charging for an extra $10. Unlike the AirPods Pro, the third-generation AirPods lack Transparency mode due to the open design, which means the iOS 17’s Adaptive Audio and Conversation Awareness will also not be available.
Model number: A2565 and A2564
System on a chip: H1 headphone chip
Bluetooth: 5.0
Audio Technology: Adaptive EQ, Live Listen audio, Custom high-excursion Apple driver, Custom high dynamic range amplifier, Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking
Microphones: 3 microphones in each earbud
Battery: Up to 6 hours of listening time on one charge, 30 hours with a charging case
Water Resistance: IPX4 Sweat and water resistant
Weight: 4.28 grams (0.15 ounces), case – 37.91 grams (1.34 ounces)
Current firmware: 4E71
Launch date: October 18, 2021
Price: $179
Status: Available
6. AirPods Pro (2nd generation, 2022)
Last but not least is the 2nd Generation AirPods Pro that was launched alongside the Apple Watch Ultra back in September 2022. These in-ear wireless buds deliver some of the strongest noise cancellation performance along with a pleasant sound signature that focuses on bass and high-frequency clarity.
Apple also improved on the Adaptive Transparency mode which many use as transparent, active earplugs at concerts.
Moreover, these 2nd Gen AirPods Pro come with Apple’s first swipe-based controls to increase or decrease volume. But like their predecessor and the in-ear AirPods, they still rely on tactile buttons for navigating other settings.
The 2nd Gen AirPods Pro still have an IPX4 rating (it can only withstand splashes). Many still complain about the lack of adjustable EQ and more color options. These complaints aside, these AirPods Pro Gen 2 are currently the best in-ear AirPods Apple has to offer.
Model number: A2931, A2699, and A2698
System on a chip: H2 headphone chip
Bluetooth: 5.3
Audio Technology: Adaptive EQ, Live Listen audio, Active Noise Cancellation, Adaptive Transparency, Custom high-excursion Apple driver, Custom high dynamic range amplifier, Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking, Vent system for pressure equalization; iOS 17 makes way for Adaptive Audio, Personalized Volume, and Conversation Awareness
Microphones: 2 in total, one at the end of the stem and the second microphone inside the earpiece for auto-noise cancellation.
Water Resistance: IPX4 sweat and water resistant
Battery: Up to 6 hours of listening time on one charge, 30 hours with a charging case
Weight: 5.3 grams (0.19 ounces) case – 50.8 grams (1.79 ounces)
Current firmware: 5A377
Launch date: September 7, 2022
Price: $249
Status: Available
7. AirPods Pro (2nd generation, 2023) with USB‐C port
The 2nd generation AirPods Pro is updated with a USB‐C connector, which makes it easy to use a single cable to charge your iPhone 15 series, iPad, and Mac. Those with iPhone 15 can charge AirPods directly.
Apart from the Type-C port, the 2nd generation AirPoda Pro features an improved IP54 rating for both the buds and the case. This protection level could have been on the Lightning 2nd generation AirPods Pro, but it’s Apple!
Model number: A3047, A3048, A3049
System on a chip: H2 headphone chip
Bluetooth: 5.3
Audio Technology: Adaptive EQ, Live Listen audio, Active Noise Cancellation, Adaptive Transparency, Custom high-excursion Apple driver, Custom high dynamic range amplifier, Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking, Vent system for pressure equalization; iOS 17 makes way for Adaptive Audio, Personalized Volume, and Conversation Awareness
Microphones: 2 in total, one at the end of the stem and the second microphone inside the earpiece for auto-noise cancellation.
Water Resistance: IP54 sweat and water resistant
Battery: Up to 6 hours of listening time on one charge, 30 hours with a charging case
Weight: 5.3 grams (0.19 ounces) case – 50.8 grams (1.79 ounces)
Current firmware: 6A301
Launch date: September 12, 2023
Price: $249
Status: Available
FAQs
How many versions of AirPods are there?
Apple sells two types of AirPods – one set of earphones and one pair of headphones. There are a total of 5 in-ear AirPods to date and one over-the-head AirPods Max.
Which AirPods is the best for everyday use?
AirPods 3rd generation is the best choice for daily use. If you still have the budget, go for the 2nd generation of the AirPods Pro which was launched in September 2022. They are the best AirPods Apple has to offer.
Which one is the better choice – AirPods 3rd Gen or AirPods Pro 2nd Gen?
If you are on a budget, then the 3rd Gen AirPods is a good option. They adopt the Pro design and sound better than the 2nd Gen AirPods. If you can afford the AirPods Pro 2nd Gen, by all means, go for it!
Conclusion
These are all the AirPods Apple has made to date. Apart from the very first AirPods, you can buy any of the five that came after it.
AirPods have become a popular accessory for iPhone (and Mac) users, becoming a cultural phenomenon. They now account for more than half of global wireless headphone sales.
AirPods’iconic design and their ease-of-use have made them a status symbol, which sent sales skyrocketing year-over-year.
When Apple launched the AirPods that supposedly replaced the analogue headphone jack, industry pundits were quick to criticize, but as fate had it wireless audio is commonplace now, making the three-trillion-dollar company a trendsetter – once again!
