Find the strongest alternative to "EarPods" that disappeared from the iPhone 12 box! | My Navi News My Navi News My Navi

In the iPhone 12 series released in the fall of 2020, the genuine earphone "EarPods" is omitted. but it's okay.Instead, we'll show you how to enjoy music and movies with different types of earphones.

The "white earphones" that finally disappeared from the iPhone box

I think there are many people who have renewed the "iPhone 12", "iPhone 12 mini", "iPhone 12 Pro", and "iPhone 12 Pro Max", which have been on sale one after another in October and November. People who have used iPhones in the past may have been surprised by the slimmer product packaging.

In order to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide emitted during manufacturing and distribution and further promote environmental protection, the "earphones" and "USB adapters" that many iPhone users may already have have been omitted from the included items. It was decided to do so.

Apple's genuine earphones "EarPods" have been included in the package since the portable audio player "iPod" and the original iPhone. The pure white earphone was a device that could be said to be a symbol of being an iPhone or iPod user. Nowadays, the popularity of Bluetooth-compatible wireless earphones such as Apple's "AirPods" tends to push, but as far as I can remember, until a few years ago, I hung a white genuine Apple earphone from my ear to listen to music. Or, I've seen users here and there enjoying the sounds of movies and games.

From the iPhone 7 / iPhone 7 Plus released in the fall of 2016, the 3.5mm analog earphone jack has been omitted, and EarPods has become a digital earphone that connects directly to the Lightning terminal to listen to music. There was a time when the "Lightning-3.5 mm headphone jack adapter" was also included in the iPhone package as a genuine Apple accessory so that conventional analog earphones can be used, but the iPhone XS / iPhone XS Max / released in 2018 Omitted from iPhone XR.

If the earphones are included, you can listen to music immediately after buying the iPhone 12 and enjoy the audio of video content such as YouTube, so you can rest assured. On the other hand, for users like me who find their favorite earphones and headphones other than EarPods, I felt that it would be a waste to increase the number of EarPods that I do not use every time I buy an iPhone. I think Apple's decision this time is wise.

Lightning version of EarPods is still on sale for 2,000 yen

EarPods are earphones called "inner ear type" that you put on your ears. Some people like the unique transparent sound and the comfortable fit that doesn't block your ears because the housing of the main body has a small hole to improve sound leakage. There are many around.

As of the end of November 2020, EarPods with Lightning Connector is on sale for 2,000 yen (excluding tax) at the Apple Store. I think that sales will continue in the future just because it will not be attached to the iPhone. In case your current EarPods break, you may want to buy one as a backup when you have time to spare.

The best combination is still AirPods. You can find good products for less than 10,000 yen

Alternatively, take this opportunity to replace it with the wireless earphones that are currently attracting attention. Apple's AirPods series is on sale for 27,800 yen (excluding tax) for the high-end AirPods Pro equipped with active noise canceling function, and 17,800 yen (excluding tax) for the regular model AirPods.

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The high-end AirPods Pro is compatible with the new technology "Spatial Audio" that allows you to enjoy surround playback with a three-dimensional effect on some video content, such as original works released on Apple's video distribution service "Apple TV +". When combined with the iPhone 12 series, you can enjoy powerful sound.

Both AirPods series have a very convenient auto-switching function that automatically switches the connection between iPhone / iPad / iPod touch / Mac signed in with the same user's Apple ID as soon as the content is played. It corresponds to.

Given the advancedness of these technologies, the AirPods series is the right-most "buying earphone" you'll want to use as a companion to the new iPhone 12 series. However, since it is expensive as it is, I can understand the feeling of being shy.

If you look at manufacturers other than Apple, there are many high-quality products that can be purchased for less than 10,000 yen for left and right independent completely wireless earphones. GLIDiC's "Sound Air TW-5100" released on the same day as the iPhone 12 series has an attractive compact size comparable to the AirPods series in both the earphone body and charging case. Since the main body is waterproof equivalent to IPX4, it is safe even in places where water is used such as sports scenes and kitchens.

Apple's genuine 3.5mm headphone jack adapter continues to be sold at the Apple Store for 1,000 yen (excluding tax), and you can also get this and enjoy it by connecting a wired earphone equipped with a 3.5mm analog earphone terminal.

In the case of wired earphones, one of the advantages is that you do not have to worry about the transmission delay of audio signals, which is a problem with wireless earphones with Bluetooth connection. When you enjoy the game on your iPhone, you will hear sound effects without delay for screen movements and operations. For those who want to enjoy action games and video-centric entertainment with the new iPhone 12 series, make sure you have an environment where you can use EarPods with Lightning Connector or other wired earphones / headphones.

5G compatible iPhone goes great with rich video and music entertainment

With iPhone support for 5G, rich content distribution services for video and music distribution will be further enhanced after the end of the year.

"Apple TV +," which has a lineup of Apple original video works that started service in Japan last fall, is full of content with image quality and sound quality that can maximize the performance of the iPhone 12 series. I would like AirPods Pro users to experience the power of "dynamic head tracking" that changes the sound image localization in real time according to the direction of the face wearing the earphones. The movie "Greyhound" starring Tom Hanks and the science fiction fantasy drama "See ~ The World of Darkness ~" are recommended contents where you can fully enjoy the power of 3D audio.

The Apple TV + video distribution service allows you to try and watch for free for one year after registering for the first time after purchasing a new Apple device such as an iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Users who started watching from last year are offering an extended free period until February 2021.

In addition to Apple TV +, Apple Music, Apple Arcade for game distribution, and Apple One, which bundles 50GB of iCloud storage and can be used from 1,100 yen per month (individual plan), have also started.

With the introduction of 5G services in the spring of 2020, NTT DoCoMo and au have set up a plan that does not limit the amount of data that users can use. Communication companies such as Ymobile, UQ Mobile, Rakuten Mobile, etc. have also enhanced the price plans that can use a large amount of data at a reasonable price every month, so music and video distribution contents and YouTube are concerned about data capacity consumption. You can now use it without using it.

Once the environment is in place, you will be able to enjoy the entertainment of rich content distribution that eats "giga" on your iPhone without hesitation. In addition to Apple Music, the author has registered for the music distribution service of "Amazon Music HD," which has a large number of high-quality sound sources with CD quality or higher, and enjoys listening and comparing them.

In the United States, Apple has launched "Apple Music TV," a 24-hour non-stop distribution service for music videos. If the services that enable the 5G-compatible iPhone 12 to be utilized are further enhanced in Japan, you will want good earphones and headphones. It is also a good idea to consider purchasing by using the return campaign of each cashless payment company during the year-end and New Year holidays.

Author: Atsushi Yamamoto

Journalist and writer. He became a freelancer after working as a web editor and reporter for an audio-visual magazine. Since he has been interviewing the electronics show "IFA" held in Berlin, Germany every year, he is particularly familiar with the latest situation related to smart home appliances and IoT in Europe. He has a deep knowledge of audio-visual fields and covers a wide range from high resolution to music distribution, 4K and VOD. Taking advantage of his fluent English and French, he handles many events and interviews with developers from Japan to overseas.