When Apple launched the AirPods in 2016 by axing the headphone jack on the iPhone 7, the reaction leaned more toward outrage than innovation. People weren’t impressed—they were pissed. And it wasn’t even until 2018 that the AirPods gained real attention, and that too for all the wrong reasons. They were widely mocked online for looking like electric toothbrushes, shower heads, and even hair dryers. By extension, the early adopters were also trolled for being too bougie. However, gradually the narrative flipped. What was once a meme soon became a cultural staple.
People began to realize that these little wireless earpieces weren’t just about aesthetics or status—they were genuinely useful. Beyond freeing users from the daily detangling ritual of wired earphones, Apple’s AirPods simplified a lot more: multitasking and staying connected on the go.
And now, nearly a decade later, wireless earphones have become an indispensable part of everyone’s lives—and it’s no exaggeration to say that Apple’s AirPods led the charge. Despite countless competitors entering the market, the OGs still hold their ground. With every update and new model, Apple manages to push the boundaries of innovation further and the price tag, even further. (sigh)
Well, at the rate Apple’s going—cramming in features like Live Translation and heart rate sensors in the newer models—who’s to say AirPods won’t eventually double as hairdryers, toothbrushes, or even showerheads?
Why Have They Blown Up? (metaphorically, of course!)
For starters, the sound quality is top-notch and it is safe to assume that this is a big priority for anyone looking to buy an earphone, wireless or otherwise. For gym-goers, they are a blessing: no more suffering through your gym trainer’s questionable playlist at full volume.
For the average commuter in packed public transports—no tangled cords, no accidental yanking, and no risk of getting strangled during rush hour. For anyone with a curious (and slightly destructive) pet that loves chewing cables, well, that’s one less cable to damage. And these are just some instances, I’m sure there are countless others that we all can think of, just off the top of our respective heads.
But the main point is—the AirPods just fit—neatly and seamlessly, into our lives as they do into their compact little charging case. And once people realized that, there was no going back.
It’s not the first time Apple has pulled this off. Remember the iPod? It had a similarly disruptive impact on the music industry as the AirPods did on personal audio. The iPod wasn’t the first MP3 player on the market, but its unique design and ease of use were the hooks that lured people away from CDs and competing devices.
Very early on, Apple had cracked the one golden rule of consumer preferences—what looks different, sells more. And boy have they stuck to that philosophy ever since.
A Capitalist Conspiracy… or Just Smart Design?
Of course, not everyone is a fan. Critics argue that AirPods were a classic case of Apple manufacturing demand: removing the headphone jack, introducing a pricey alternative, and designing a product that’s small enough to lose— conveniently—in three separate pieces.
And hey, those critiques aren’t entirely wrong.
But even with the corporate cynicism, there’s no denying that Apple’s AirPods changed the game. They redefined what we expect from personal audio devices, in both form and function, and opened the floodgates for the wireless audio revolution.
Say what you will about the business model. The product was and still is—revolutionary.
