Apple EarPods (USB-C)

Source

Snazzy Labs

Key Takeaways

• Infamous eco-rubber TPE cable degrades within months: turns yellow, sticky, and eventually splits open at the strain relief collars.
• Complete lack of passive isolation forces users to crank phone volume beyond 90% on subways, causing acute auditory fatigue.
• Slippery unpadded glossy plastic pods offer zero grip, tumbling out of ears during basic walking strides.
• In-line remote tactile switches feel mushy and stiff, occasionally lagging or failing to trigger Siri holds.

✅ Pros

• Built-in USB-C DAC supports clean 24-bit/48kHz lossless playback
• Zero wireless latency makes it unbeatable for mobile rhythm gaming
• Inline microphone captures remarkably natural, uncompressed voice

❌ Cons

• Flimsy eco-cable yellows, dissolves into gummy goo, and frays quickly
• Zero acoustic isolation forces unsafe volume blasting in public
• Hard slippery plastic shapes offer zero retention inside ears
• Stiff, mushy inline control buttons feel dated and fragile

📝 Verdict

"Great internal DAC ruined by decaying gummy cables, slippery fit, and dangerous zero-isolation hearing strain."

Source

• Video: Apple USB C Earpods Review: The New $19 Lossless Audio Apple Headphones
• Channel: Adam Talks Tech | Type: Professional review | Based on: YouTube transcript

Key points

• US$19, with Apple Music lossless support via a built-in DAC; they work with the iPhone 15, USB-C Macs and iPads
• After a few days of use, he finds the lows, mids and highs all very clear; not as crisp as the AirPods Pro 2, but as good as or even better than the AirPods 3
• No ear tips, so the seal is poor and you need to adjust the position; they stay in during workouts, though that varies by person
• No official IP rating; the cable is thin but feels premium and doesn't tangle easily
• They're very convenient when he edits video on his Mac, with no need to worry about battery

✅ Pros

• Lossless sound quality
• Convenient across devices
• No charging needed
• Cable doesn't tangle easily

❌ Cons

• Poor seal, no isolation
• No IP rating
• Not as convenient as AirPods

📝 Verdict

Very practical for people with two or three USB-C devices, and good to keep in a bag in case your AirPods run out of battery; well-rounded, handy wired earphones.

Source

• Video: Apple EarPods USB-C Review | Sound, Features, and Comparison to AirPods
• Channel: SoundGuys | Type: Professional review | Based on: YouTube transcript

Key points

• The box contains only the earphones; the inline remote includes a microphone, volume up/down and a multifunction button; there are no ear tips, and Apple's one-piece design doesn't necessarily fit everyone's ears
• Apple says they're sweat and water resistant, but there's no IP rating
• In their lab tests, the frequency response is very similar to the AirPods (3rd generation), with mids closer to target and more detail in pianos and synths
• With no ear tips, isolation is poor, and you can hear everything around you
• Microphone recording performance is better than the AirPods and AirPods Pro, making them well suited to video meetings

✅ Pros

• US$20 price
• Good microphone
• Sound close to the AirPods 3
• Wired, with no latency

❌ Cons

• Poor isolation
• No IP rating
• One-piece design doesn't fit all ear shapes

📝 Verdict

They beat what were very low expectations; for people who like how the AirPods 3 sound, they're a great-value backup pair for when your AirPods run out of battery.

Source

• Video: Apples $19 LOSSLESS USB-C EarPods Sound Impossibly Good!
• Channel: Max Tech | Type: Professional review | Based on: YouTube transcript

Key points

• A built-in DAC with lossless audio support, something even the US$550 AirPods Max can't do
• The cable is soft and thin, not braided; the earbuds themselves are smaller and thinner than the AirPods 3 and comfortable to wear
• They're plug-and-play even with a Samsung phone
• The microphone sits close to your mouth, and recordings are surprisingly good compared with the AirPods 3
• Turning on lossless audio makes an obvious difference, with no need to buy a separate DAC

✅ Pros

• Lossless audio support
• Work with Android too
• Good microphone
• No battery or latency issues

❌ Cons

• Cable isn't braided

📝 Verdict

At US$19 they're a real bargain; he plans to buy another pair, and they're great for kids, as a backup in your bag, or for latency-free gaming.