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It turns out that the $159 earbuds that Apple was selling weren't actually "high-end":
Apple Inc. is about to pump up the volume on its audio-device strategy, planning higher-end AirPods, a new HomePod and studio-quality over-ear headphones for as early as next year, according to people familiar with the matter.
The Cupertino, California-based company is working on new AirPods with noise-cancellation and water resistance, the people said. Apple is trying to increase the range that AirPods can work away from an iPhone or iPad, one of the people said. You won't be swimming in them though: The water resistance is mainly to protect against rain and perspiration, the people said.
Slated for 2019, the earbuds will likely cost more than the existing $159 pair, and that could push Apple to segment the product line like it does with iPhones, one of the people said. Apple is also working on a wireless charging case that's compatible with the upcoming AirPower charger.
Related: "Finder for Airpods" Not Allowed in Apple's Walled Garden
See also: Google's Pixel Buds are the company's first wireless headphones
(Score: 2) by arslan on Wednesday June 27 2018, @04:25AM (3 children)
There is an opportunity at the moment. Bluetooth 5 phones are starting to roll out yet the cans and buds that can make full use of it are scarce. This is a prime opportunity for Apple as they can use their expertise is providing a highly polished/refined product, albeit above average price, to disrupt the market. Of course they'll have to be quick - opportune business moments are quite ephemeral.
(Score: 2) by takyon on Wednesday June 27 2018, @04:42AM (2 children)
Hmm, I didn't realize that iPhone 8/8+/X all supported Bluetooth 5.
Do AirPods need Bluetooth 5 support? The main feature is longer range, right? Not too applicable if you have both the earbuds and the phone on your body.
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(Score: 3, Informative) by arslan on Wednesday June 27 2018, @05:28AM (1 child)
Both the device need to be on 5 to get the benefits of 5. You'd think 4 is enough on paper if everything is on your body, but I've been using bt buds for a year now with a few buds and cans, all of them suffer from drop out occasionally even though they're next to me. I'm hoping bt 5 gives better stability.
Range is also very useful, at least for me, when I'm at the gym - I can roam further without carrying my phone all the time, I already do that today by planting my phone and keys in a corner but the limited range of bt 4 means I have to move it if I roam beyond a certain range.
Battery life is also supposedly another plus on paper, but like everything gotta try it to actually see if that is the case.
(Score: 2) by aiwarrior on Wednesday June 27 2018, @10:51AM
I dropped a more than normal ammount of money on my WI-1000X from Sony and so far nothing to complain. I only get stutter 10 meters away in my office.
The only time i got stuttering, was funny enough, yesterday in the waiting gate of the airport. Even so it was like once in 15 minutes with a duration of about 0.2 seconds. I have these headphones for 3 months now.
I am very happy with them.