Apple EarPods claim to rival high-end headphones

Apple EarPods

Apple has upgraded its infamously average earphones, unveiling the new Apple EarPods at the launch of the iPhone 5.

Apple EarPods teardown

Apple bullishly claims that the new EarPods' "audio quality is so superior, they rival high-end headphones that cost hundreds of dollars more".

The design of the new EarPod earphones claim to be "defined by the geometry of the ear", and will sit slightly further inside the ear than the old-style Apple buds.

Apple also claims that they have been engineered to minimize sound loss, which is a common complaint with previous models of the headphones.

The EarPods will come with the iPod touch and iPod nano or will cost you £25 for EarPods with in-line mic for voice calls and remote control.

The remote and mic are supported by all models of iPod, iPhone, and iPad (not all models support volume up/down functions). Audio is supported by all iPod models.

Requires software version 1.0.3 for iPod nano (4th generation), 2.0.1 for iPod classic (120GB), and 2.2 or later for iPod touch (2nd generation)

The remote and mic are supported by all models of iPod, iPhone, and iPad (not all models support volume up/down functions).

Audio is supported by all iPod models.Requires software version 1.0.3 for iPod nano (4th generation), 2.0.1 for iPod classic (120GB), and 2.2 or later for iPod touch (2nd generation).

We certainly can't wait to hear how they sound...

Follow whathifi.com on Twitter

Join us on Facebook

Joe Cox
Content Director

Joe is the Content Director for What Hi-Fi? and Future’s Product Testing, having previously been the Global Editor-in-Chief of What Hi-Fi?. He has worked on What Hi-Fi? across the print magazine and website for almost 20 years, writing news, reviews and features on everything from turntables to TVs, headphones to hi-fi separates. He has covered product launch events across the world, from Apple to Technics, Sony and Samsung; reported from CES, the Bristol Show, and Munich High End for many years; and written for sites such as the BBC, Stuff and The Guardian. In his spare time, he enjoys expanding his vinyl collection and cycling (not at the same time).

Latest in Wired Earbuds
Campfire Audio Clara
Campfire Audio and Nine Inch Nails' high-end IEMs want to bring you closer to sonic joy
Activo Q1 on a blue background
Activo's premium IEMs have been designed "to please audiophiles on the move"
A pair of earbuds from the Zeitgeist Trees collection plugged into a music player.
Zeitgeist branches out with a range of headphones made from trees
Zeitgeist Germany Artisan IEMs
Want headphones inspired by Fabergé or made from whisky barrels? These IEMs are for you
Meze Audio Alba in-ear wired headphones with A&K player
Meze Audio's Alba are affordable wired earbuds for the 21st century
Campfire Audio Moon Rover
Campfire Audio's stellar IEMs promise one giant leap for sound – but getting a pair won't be easy
Latest in News
Musical Fidelity B1xi
Musical Fidelity's new stereo amplifier houses HDMI ARC and a built-in phono stage
A close-up of the FiiO FT7 headphones' earcups.
FiiO's FT7 flagship headphones take the fight to pricier rivals
A grey WiiM Vibelink Amp on a wooden cabinet between two bookshelf speakers.
The WiiM Vibelink Amp is WiiM's first integrated amp with no streaming elements
Q Acoustics 3050i
Save £650 on this five-star Q Acoustics 5.1 home cinema setup
Optoma Photon Go on white background
Optoma's new on-the-go projector is set to be one of the cheaper USTs on the market
Marantz Cinema 30 AVR
Our Award-winning reference Marantz AVR is still selling at its best price ever