The Evolution of Apple AirPods: A Look Back from Generation 1 to 4

Apple has been a legend in the tech world for a long time, and we all know why. But its most legendary move was the launch of its AirPod series in 2016. The company's gross revenue has pumped up to heights never seen before. 

These wireless earphones shook the world from its core with their innovative design and quality during the peak of the music era. They put an ultimate end to the hassle of the tangling mess of those wires, which were one tug away from damage. But why does Apple never stop? What’s the point of a series of AirPods when it could give us just one monument? We call this master move ‘the metamorphosis of AirPods’! 

The company’s determination and mission to improve leads us to see the evolution of these AirPods, from series 1 to 4, with a couple of Pro versions in between. So let’s get right into it.

Timeline of Airpods 

Airpods Generation 1

This product was released during the height of the LA hip-hop era; this created anticipation for pre-release. The supposed simplicity and wireless design of this device made it irresistible to people, especially those who are always on the go. 

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The highlights of this device were its effortless pairing, through Bluetooth 4.2. You could also take calls using Siri, making this device one of a kind. While the regular wired earphones required plugging and unplugging, with the Generation 1, you could switch between devices at the end of a tap. 

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The drawback of this pair was majorly related to the sound quality. Even though the audio was compact with a good bass response, the sub-bass and spatial audio were poor. Moreover, it charged using a USB-C lightning cable which contradicted the completely wireless image.

Airpods Generation 2

This design was second in line with the entire series and aimed to combat the negatives of the Gen 1. Even though the launch of this pair wasn’t based on any event, Gen-Z created hype around this product due to the ultimate influencer era. 

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Unlike the Gen 1, these buds featured wireless charging, eradicating the hassle of carrying chargers or wires around. Moreover, these are faster than their predecessor in terms of connectivity with iOS devices. 

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The second product of this range did not innovate in terms of physical design and appearance. The sound quality also did not improve with no ambient hearing mode, and it is not water-resistant. 

Airpods Pro Generation 1

Third in line, the Pro Gen 1 is an advanced version of the original but still inferior to the Gen 2 (on paper). With Bluetooth 5.0, this baby was advertised for its triple silicone ear tip options, which allow you to choose your desired fit. 

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These earphones are water-resistant, unlike all previous models, yet the highlight is related to charging. Despite featuring an excessive charging time, the MagSafe charger reduces energy waste. There are also force sensors on the stems of the earphones offering optimal control. 

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Despite the silicone ear tip accessories, these earbuds do not fully block the ear canal, leaving enough room for environmental din. This leads to a fit that is floppier than the original.

Airpods Generation 3

These buds rank fourth in the series, and in our opinion, the only ones with a justifiable price tag. The company eliminated the ear tip accessory in this product and you only get a MagSafe charging case, charging cable, and documentation with the actual earbuds. 

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This baby treats the sound quality error passed down from Gen 1 up to a great extent by improving the spatial audio. Even though it is inconsistent, the spatial audio allows you to improve phone calls and overall, a realistic experience. 

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One of the lowlights of this device is its restriction to the iOS ecosystem. While you pair this device with Android and Windows (using Bluetooth 5.0), additional features like Adaptive EQ and high excursion Driver are only for Apple devices.

Airpods Pro Generation 2

The second last product brought to you by manufacturers now has the infamous ear tips of the Pro Gen 1. Yet the hype was created by the company around the magnificent H2 Chip, which was said to be revolutionary. 

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The upgraded microphones are probably what makes this product a champion. These inward-facing microphones have separate spaces, right beside the skin detector, when in the original both were combined. There’s also the volume control feature at the end of a swipe, adding smartness. The biggest highlight is the U1 chip installed in the case, making it eligible for the Find My feature in iOS devices. The showstopper is the Active Noise Cancellation. 

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One of the drawbacks of this device is that Siri might ditch you at times by not activating perfectly. There might be glitches in the incoming audio by the AI, making it almost dysfunctional. Also, there were usually no adjustments in the frequency of the EQ, disturbing your hearing experience. 

AirPods 4 & 4 ANC

These babies are sixth in line, being released on the same date. Regardless of being costly, these earbuds are a worthy upgrade because of the amazing sound quality. There’s an incredible advancement in the design which makes it perfect for all ear sizes. 

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The iconic part of the design is the size and comfortable fit which Apple finally nailed at its sixth go. Both of the devices sit brilliantly in the canal and do not loosen up during motion. There’s also minimum to no distortion allowing you crisp highs across all types of noises. Moreover, Bluetooth 5.3 offers better reliability for connection with all other devices. 

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Not only are the 4 and 4 (ANC) a huge downgrade from the previous version in terms of hearing duration, but the ANC quality is also not as good. The connectivity is also time-consuming and the EQ adjustability issue is still there. Despite the wonderful fit, wearing this device for a prolonged time can still hurt, unlike the Gen 1. 

Conclusion 

That above is the ‘metamorphosis of Airpods’ for you! The launch of the AirPods was legendary because it exposed advanced optical and motion sensors to the common man. With standing features like wireless design, sweat-resistance, and audio control, these earbuds are spectacular. All these features put an end to the traditional earphone era, opening the path to a unique business industry.