It’s been a full decade since Apple first showed off the AirPods on September 7, 2016. In that time, this little earbud completely reshaped the wireless audio world and turned true wireless stereo (TWS) from a niche gadget into something almost everyone owns.
AirPods launched alongside the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus the same event where Apple made the controversial call to ditch the 3.5mm headphone jack. That single decision ended up pushing millions of users toward wireless audio a lot faster than they might have otherwise.
Apple enthusiast Bagus Hernawan believes AirPods reshaped the game for both Apple and the wider tech industry.
“AirPods really changed the landscape over these 10 years. The moment AirPods came out, Apple basically killed off the 3.5mm jack on iPhones too. Whether they liked it or not, iPhone users had to find another way to plug in their audio gear,” Bagus said.
Back then, people were stuck choosing between Lightning EarPods, a Lightning-to-3.5mm adapter, or just going all-in on AirPods.
Over time, AirPods also turned into a serious moneymaker for Apple. In its financial reports, the product sits under the “Wearables, Home and Accessories” category alongside the Apple Watch and other gadgets.
“In Apple’s latest earnings report, that category alone pulled in $7.883 billion more than the iPad made in the same period,” Bagus noted.
Why AirPods Made TWS Feel Effortless
Here’s the thing: AirPods weren’t actually the first true wireless earbuds on the market. Devices like the Bragi Dash and Onkyo W800BT beat them to it. What Apple nailed, though, was making the whole experience feel ridiculously easy.
Tech creator Fransisco A Scesko says that simplicity is exactly what set AirPods apart.
“What made AirPods different was how Apple turned the TWS experience into something seamless and hassle-free,” he said.
Pairing is as simple as opening the charging case near an Apple device. The W1 chip also makes it effortless to hop between multiple Apple devices without messing with Bluetooth settings every time.
“Pairing is super easy. Open the case, and your Apple device instantly recognizes it and connects. Add in solid battery life and a charging case that keeps your earbuds always ready to go,” Frans added.
That “Weird” Design Became a Whole Trend
When AirPods first dropped, that long-stem design got some strange looks. Fast forward a few years, and that same look became instantly recognizable and widely copied.
“Honestly, when it first came out, the long-stem design felt pretty unusual. But once AirPods blew up in popularity, that same design language ended up all over other TWS brands too,” Fransisco said.
Bagus also points to the minimalist white color and instantly recognizable shape as reasons AirPods became a lifestyle symbol.
“You started seeing people wearing AirPods everywhere in public. That simple, white, minimalist, eye-catching look basically turned into a status symbol,” he said.
Over the past decade, AirPods’ capabilities have expanded way beyond just playing music. Today’s models pack Active Noise Cancellation, Spatial Audio, and even hearing health features.
“There’s hearing assistance now that helps people with certain hearing difficulties, and you can even run a hearing test directly through your AirPods,” Fransisco said.
Bagus also highlighted Audio Sharing as one of his favorite features it lets two sets of AirPods or Beats connect to a single iPhone at the same time, each with independent volume and noise cancellation settings.
Still Setting the Trend
Fransisco believes AirPods are still one of the biggest trendsetters in the TWS space, even though they’re far from the only major player anymore.
“The TWS industry has grown a lot bigger and more mature now. Plenty of competitors are even pushing more innovative features these days,” he said.
Ten years after their debut, AirPods clearly didn’t invent true wireless earbuds but they’re a big reason TWS went from feeling experimental to becoming an everyday essential that’s basically everywhere now.
Looking ahead, AirPods are likely to keep shaping where the TWS industry goes next. Recent leaks suggest Apple is working on a new version equipped with a camera or infrared sensor to unlock entirely new features.
That device is rumored to potentially debut at Apple’s event on September 9, 2026 right alongside the newest iPhone lineup. We’ll just have to wait and see what Cupertino has in store for the next generation of AirPods.
