I came from the
Plantronics BackBeat Fit bluetooth headphones and I'd have to disagree on a few points:
- The build quality is quite good. The headphones are as solid and slick as one would expect from apple. In fact, some tests have shown that even running the headphones and the case through the wash won't stop these from working normally. They have a good weight, nice polish. The case snaps shut in a satisfying way, and the airpods snap into the case magnetically too in a nice way...the whole feel is very nice, polished, and what I'd expect from Apple. No idea what standards you're used to that are over and above what this headset is.
- The price isn't way high for what you get. The Plantronics I was using before bumped up against $100 and had wires from ear to ear. Anything comparable to two wireless earbuds of decent quality is in this range.
- There are a number of benefits over normal bluetooth: no wire going from ear-to-ear, better fit for me (earpods have always fit really well), I can listen/talk with just one of them in a single ear, time and ease of charging is a big deal with a quick recharge capable in the case as well as always having a charging station with you so long as you have the case. For most other bluetooth headsets you need a separate USB cable, and a power source like a computer, battery, wall outlet, etc. There are definitely benefits over other bluetooth headsets.
- In terms of falling out of my ears, I can shake my head vigorously (making my cheeks flap) and they stay in. I can turn my head upside down and they stay in. I can run, jog, and jump with them in my ears and they stay in. I'm not sure what activities you're doing that would put them through more stress than that, but I'm just not seeing it. May just come down to differently shaped ears or perhaps you don't have them placed in your ear properly. Others have reported good stability as well in early tests.
Regarding sound quality...this is something I've never really understood, so I won't really go in depth on it. I understand there are some headphones that are really poor, and some that are amazing, and audiophiles care about a lot of what speakers can do. For the vast majority of folks, when the sound quality is above the "good enough" range, people don't care too much about a 20% gain on pretty damn good. There's nothing tinny, volume gets plenty loud for me, voices, singing, songs I like sound fine. I'm sure there are better headphones out there but if one of your complaints is that it's already too pricey, you start getting into even pricier territory when sound quality, wireless, and bluetooth come into play.
I have a feeling these things are going to be a HUGE hit for apple. The only downsides I see are how easily you can lose them, and how damned stupid you look when wearing headphones that stick out of your ears like this. I always thought folks walking around with the old bluetooth earpieces looked silly before...this takes it up a new level. I would wear my earpods in public, while eating, but with these things...nah. Maybe when it becomes a bit more normal to have folks walking around with these things sticking out of their ears, but for now...it's just odd or it'd be seen as a status, hey look at me, thing.