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'Your AirPods Will Die Soon' -- The Shrinking Charge Capacities of Lithium-Ion Batteries (theatlantic.com)
Some of the same podcasters who first extolled AirPods are now complaining about them, reports the Atlantic:
The battery can no longer hold a charge, they say, rendering them functionally useless. Apple bloggers agree: "AirPods are starting to show their age for early adopters," Zac Hall, an editor at 9to5Mac, wrote in a post in January, detailing how he frequently hears a low-battery warning in his AirPods now. Earlier this month, Apple Insider tested a pair of AirPods purchased in 2016 against a pair from 2018, and found that the older pair died after two hours and 16 minutes. "That's less than half the stated battery life for a new pair," the writer William Gallagher concluded. Desmond Hughes, who is 35 and lives in Newport News, Virginia, has noticed a similar thing about his own set: At first, their charge lasted five hours, but now they sometimes last only half an hour. He frequently listens to one while charging the other -- not optimal conditions for expensive headphones. He's now gearing up to plunk down more money on another pair....
The lithium-ion batteries that power AirPods are everywhere. One industry report forecast that sales would grow to $109.72 billion by 2026, from $36.2 billion in 2018. They charge faster, last longer, and pack more power into a small space than other types of batteries do. But they die faster, too, often after just a few years, because every time you charge them, they degrade a little. They can also catch fire or explode if they become damaged, so technology companies make them difficult, if not impossible, for consumers to replace themselves. The result: A lot of barely chargeable AirPods and wireless mice and Bluetooth speakers are ending up in the trash as consumers go through products -- even expensive ones -- faster than ever....
Of the 3.4 million tons of electronic waste generated in America in 2012 -- an 80 percent increase from 2000 -- just 29 percent was recycled.
The article notes that Wednesday Apple announced a new generation of AirPods -- but "did not say whether the devices would have longer lives."
They also report that Apple "does allow consumers to pay for what it calls a 'battery replacement' for AirPods, but each 'replaced' AirPod is $49."
The lithium-ion batteries that power AirPods are everywhere. One industry report forecast that sales would grow to $109.72 billion by 2026, from $36.2 billion in 2018. They charge faster, last longer, and pack more power into a small space than other types of batteries do. But they die faster, too, often after just a few years, because every time you charge them, they degrade a little. They can also catch fire or explode if they become damaged, so technology companies make them difficult, if not impossible, for consumers to replace themselves. The result: A lot of barely chargeable AirPods and wireless mice and Bluetooth speakers are ending up in the trash as consumers go through products -- even expensive ones -- faster than ever....
Of the 3.4 million tons of electronic waste generated in America in 2012 -- an 80 percent increase from 2000 -- just 29 percent was recycled.
The article notes that Wednesday Apple announced a new generation of AirPods -- but "did not say whether the devices would have longer lives."
They also report that Apple "does allow consumers to pay for what it calls a 'battery replacement' for AirPods, but each 'replaced' AirPod is $49."
I have a great idea. What if you had headphones that didn't use a battery but instead plugged directly into a hypothetical Jack on a source of sound? I know it sounds crazy but it would work and could even be made universal.
At first, their charge lasted five hours, but now they sometimes last only half an hour. He frequently listens to one while charging the other -- not optimal conditions for expensive headphones. He's now gearing up to plunk down more money on another pair
politicians are like babies' nappies: they should both be changed regularly and for the same reasons
Exactly. They bought a product with non-replaceable batteries. Have they been living under a rock? What did they think would happen?
Also... do you have any idea what the energy density of a charged lithium ion battery is? And you're willing to place it in your ear!?
Moderating "-1, Disagree" is simple censorship. Have the guts to post your opinion.
There's plenty places on this planet where being 'water' or 'weatherproof' is actually a good thing and will prolong a phone's lifetime.
But, being weatherproof and having a replaceable battery are not mutually exclusive.
The real reason for non-replaceable batteries are fail-by-design to increase profits. If you can no longer any other part of the phone break, and the user is careful enough also not to break the (rounded-to-the-edges-with-no-bevel-at-all-to-protect-it) glass, something else will have to fail. The battery being an obvious choice with predictable lifespan.
He's now gearing up to plunk down more money on another pair....
Sounds like it's working as designed.
This should be no surprise-- any device with a lithium-ion based battery sealed inside it will have to suffer the downsides that all common lithium-ion batteries have to suffer. Excess heat quickly damages their ability to recharge. But also normal heat, over the course of two to five years, gradually damages their capacity to recharge.
Drone battery? Better hope they produce the same form factor in three years.
Sport camera or camera gimbal? If it has the battery sealed in, the whole thing will be junk before you finally get around to using it on that big action vacation.
Thousand dollar smartphone with a case made of glass and unicorn farts? Better sign up for an appointment at the Einstein Bar to get the next magical upgrade, er, next generation smartphone.
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