This article may contain affiliate links. Learn more on our Partner Program page.
Apple's wireless headphones were introduced on September 7, 2016 and have been on sale since December 2016. The AirPods are still very popular today. You don't have AirPods yet and want to buy some? We will answer your most important questions in this article.
How many AirPods models are there and what are the differences?
The second generation of AirPods is currently available from Apple and other retailers. It was introduced on March 20, 2019. First-generation AirPods are still available at some retailers, but these are remaining stock. The new Bluetooth headphones are barely different from their predecessors – the biggest innovation is the integrated chip. This is the H1 chip, which supports the popular "Hey Siri" function. Because the first-generation AirPods came with a W1 chip, Siri could only be activated by double-tapping the earbuds. Listening time has remained the same at 5 hours per charge. Only talk time has increased from two to around three hours. Since the AirPods 2 feature Bluetooth 5.0, they can connect to iPhones, iPads, Macs, and other devices more quickly.
If you decide to buy the AirPods, you can currently choose between two versions. If you choose the 179 euro model, you will get a charging case that can only be charged using a lightning cable. The slightly more expensive version comes with a charging case that supports wireless charging - it is compatible with all commercially available Qi chargers. This package costs around 229 euros. Of course, the new wireless charging case can also be purchased separately, for 89 euros. Users of the AirPods 1 can also use this. Important: Both charging case versions give your AirPods up to 24 hours of battery life. According to Apple, the sound quality has remained the same, but some media outlets are reporting an improvement compared to their predecessors.
How to connect the Apple AirPods to your iPhone, iPad, Mac, etc.
If you've decided on AirPods, you can pair them directly and easily with one of your devices. To connect to an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, Bluetooth must be enabled on the respective iOS device. You can do this via the Control Center (swipe up from the bottom of the display once) or in the Settings. To do this, open the "Settings" app and navigate to Bluetooth, then you can enable the checkbox. Then open the case for your AirPods, and the wireless headphones should appear directly on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. Just confirm and you're ready to go. You only have to go through this step once. From now on, you can insert the AirPods directly, and the connection will be established in the background in a flash – provided your Bluetooth is enabled. If the connection doesn't work, you can remedy the situation by pressing the button on the back of your charging case. The use of your AirPods is entirely up to you – you can, of course, use both at the same time or actively wear just one at a time. In macOS, you activate Bluetooth via the system preferences or in the menu bar. Then open the case, and the AirPods should appear on your screen similarly to iOS. If this isn't the case, remember the button on the back of the charging case. You can, of course, connect the white earbuds to your Apple Watch or Apple TV in a similar way. If you want to pair the AirPods with a third-party device, you must activate the connection via the Bluetooth settings of the respective device.
How to configure your AirPods
If you want to personalize your AirPods, you need to open the Bluetooth menu via the iOS or macOS settings. This will display a list of your connections. Clicking the small "i" next to the AirPods takes you directly to the configuration menu. You can now change the name of your little darlings and configure their controls. On both earbuds, you can choose between the commands Siri, Play/Pause, Next Track, Previous Track, and Disabled. The command you select is always activated by double-tapping the respective earbud. If you enable the "Automatic Ear Detection" option, the AirPods will use the integrated accelerometer to detect whether you are currently using them or have put them aside. They will then activate/deactivate themselves automatically – a feature that saves battery life. Last but not least, the microphone can also be customized.
This allows you to specify which earbud should be used as the microphone. Alternatively, there's the "automatic" option, which allows the earbuds to decide for themselves. By the way, if you want to use Siri, Apple's assistant must be enabled for the lock screen. To do this, open "Settings" and tap "Siri & Search." Now, further down, you can enable the "Allow Siri when locked" option.
Help, I lost my AirPods – what now?
Apple has thought about this too. If you have lost your AirPods, you can locate them using "Find iPhone". They will be shown on the map - this is of course the last location. If they are nearby, you can play a sound to locate them more quickly. If you can no longer find Apple's wireless earphones, you will have to use Apple's service. You can replace them for an additional charge via the "Lost or Stolen AirPods" support section. If you lose them, you will have to pay a whopping 75 euros per earphone - the charging cases cost 65 euros or 85 euros - depending on the model. If the battery runs low, you will have to pay 55 euros each for the charging case and earphones - outside of the warranty, you will have to pay 75 euros per plug and 65 euros or 75 euros for the charging cases.
The AirPods provide a unique user experience - their popularity speaks for itself. Even though the price is a bit higher, very few people have regretted buying these little earbuds. If you are looking for an alternative to the AirPods, you might find it here.
