Wired Headphones Specs History

Introduced alongside the iPhone 15 lineup on September 12, 2023 and released September 22, 2023, the USB-C EarPods are the third connector generation of Apple's EarPods, which debuted in 2012 with the iPhone 5. They retain the signature ear-geometry-shaped open-fit design and swap the Lightning plug for USB-C, matching the iPhone 15 series. They remain on sale at Apple for $19.

Announced on September 7, 2016 alongside the iPhone 7 — the first iPhone without a 3.5mm headphone jack — these EarPods connect via Lightning and incorporate an internal digital-to-analog converter. They were bundled with iPhones from the iPhone 7 through iPhone 14 era, stopped being bundled from the iPhone 12 in 2020 (except where required by law), and their retail price dropped from $29 to $19. They remain on sale at Apple.

Introduced on September 12, 2012 alongside the iPhone 5, EarPods replaced Apple's classic circular earbuds used for over a decade. Their asymmetric, ear-geometry-shaped design rests against the ear without silicone tips for improved comfort. Bundled with iPhones from the iPhone 5 through iPhone 6s and sold separately ($29, later $19), they remain on sale at Apple today.

Introduced in 2009 as an upgrade to the iPhone Stereo Headset, adding dedicated volume up/down buttons to the inline remote. They were bundled with the iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S and third-generation iPod touch, and sold separately for $29 (order number MB770G/B). A microphone-less variant shipped only with the third-generation iPod shuffle. They were superseded by EarPods in 2012.

Announced on September 9, 2008 as Apple's premium in-ear option, each earpiece houses two custom balanced-armature drivers (a woofer and a tweeter) for superior acoustic accuracy. Priced at $79, they included three sizes of silicone ear tips, a carrying case and stainless steel mesh caps. The remote and case were redesigned on September 12, 2012 to match EarPods (order number ME186LL/A); Apple later removed them from its store.

Introduced on June 29, 2007 with the original iPhone, it was Apple's first headset with a microphone. Based on the classic round earbuds, it added a control capsule with a microphone and a single squeeze-actuated button on the left earbud wire for calls and music control. Bundled with the original iPhone and iPhone 3G and sold separately for $29, it was replaced in 2009 by the Apple Earphones with Remote and Mic.

Introduced in January 2004 (Macworld San Francisco 2004) as Apple's first in-ear headphones, a premium $39 alternative to the bundled iPod earbuds (order number M9394G/A). They included three sizes of plastic ear caps and claimed improved sound quality and bass response. Reviews were mixed due to their slippery conical fit. Discontinued in 2008, they were succeeded by the Apple In-Ear Headphones the same year.

Introduced on October 23, 2001 with the original iPod, Apple's iconic white earbuds were never given a formal name and were bundled with two pairs of foam covers. The second generation added a plastic wire slider; the third generation gained a longer strain relief, a smaller speaker grill, and moved the left/right markings inside. Immortalized in Apple's silhouette iPod ads, they were replaced by EarPods in 2012.

The iPhone Bluetooth Headset was introduced in 2007, priced at $129 U.S. and later reduced to $99 U.S., and discontinued in 2009. It was designed for phone calls only and could not be used for listening to music. It was bundled with a "Travel Cable" that charged it and a 30-pin iPhone simultaneously, and a docking station called the iPhone Dual Dock that could charge it and an original iPhone was also available.