Literally the first thing one must think when looking at Apple’s new wireless earbuds (or AirPods) is “geez, I’m probably going to lose one of those”. Unfortunately for Australian Apple users everywhere, the company is planning to charge $99 to replace a single earbud, should when you lose one.
The official iPhone service pricing page casually notes, “if you lose an AirPod or your charging case, we can replace your lost item for a fee.” Lost items under warranty still attract the same replacement fee, $99. Meanwhile, to get your battery serviced (outside of your one-year warranty) it will also cost you $99. That’s the battery in the ear buds. To get the battery in the charging case serviced, that’s – you guessed it – yet another $99.
Given how small these things are, plus the regular maintenance needed and Apple’s noted battery reliability issues in the past, it is proving fairly expensive to go wireless. (Sidenote: I keep going to type “AirBud”, which is a delightful kids movie from the ’90s about a basketball-playing dog. It would have been a better product name.)
The AirPods have begun to go on sale today in Australia, although many stockists are expected to sell out quickly. They retail for $229, and will love life at the bottom of your purse, or in the pockets of that jacket you rarely wear – lost forever.
