[DigitalToday reporter Jinju Hong] Apple’s wired earphones, Earpods, are still seeing replacement demand even in a market centered on AirPods.

On Sept. 13, local time, IT outlet Engadget cited key advantages of Earpods being that they do not require charging or Bluetooth connections, cost less and offer stable call quality.

AirPods mark 10 years since launch this year. They have added features such as noise cancelling, health sensors and real-time interpretation, going beyond simple wireless earphones. AirPods Pro 3 supports heart rate tracking during workouts and has strengthened audio features such as spatial audio. By features and performance alone, AirPods are seen as ahead.

Earpods remain competitive on different measures. As a wired product, it has no battery, needs no charging and works as soon as it is taken out. The outlet noted that leaving AirPods off the charger for a few days could lead to a red battery icon. Earpods do not carry that management burden and can avoid pairing problems that often occur on Bluetooth-based devices.

There is also a difference in shared-use environments. With Earpods, there is no need to go through a reconnection process when taking turns with a friend or connecting to another device. For users focused on video meetings or calls, the built-in microphone is also cited as an advantage. That is because wired audio is better than Bluetooth audio in voice delivery quality.

Compatibility was also presented as a strength of Earpods. Apple sells Earpods with three connectors: 3.5 mm, Lightning and USB-C. That makes it easy to keep separate products for different devices, and the price burden is not large. At about $19, Earpods are much cheaper than Apple wireless earphones. The cheapest AirPods currently start at $129.

There are limitations. Newer iPhones do not have a headphone jack, so connecting Earpods via a Lightning or USB-C port prevents charging at the same time. That can be addressed with an adapter that splits the port into two, but portability and ease of use decline.

The difference in product character is also clear. Earpods do not offer functions such as gestures, voice commands or noise cancelling. The original text also assumed that AirPods are better in many ways. In particular, noise cancelling was presented as a strong reason to choose AirPods.

Even so, Earpods is emerging again as an option in situations that require simplicity. A wired option may be more practical for users who want to avoid the battery dying during an important meeting or do not want to think about charging at all. Another variable is that replacement costs rise each time Apple wireless earphones are lost. The outlet noted: "Rather than replacing one lost AirPod every six months, a $19 Earpods may be a better choice."

Ultimately, the comparison standard is closer to the usage environment than to features. AirPods have an edge in advanced functions and convenience, but Earpods retains meaning as a backup earphone that can be used right away without charging and connection stress. As a result, even after wireless became the dominant trend, wired earphones are likely to remain an option that does not disappear completely.