Apple earbuds

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Apple has created several earbuds for use with Apple products, such as iPods, since the release of the first iPod in 2001. Several revisions of various wired designs have been created between 2001 and 2016, and continue to be sold today.

Apple's initial justification for using earbuds instead of over-ear or on-ear headphones was because earbuds enabled a much greater level of portability. This has held true up to this day; however, Apple has also come up with in-ear designs.

Earbuds shipped with iPods

Original Apple earbuds

The original Apple earbuds were bundled with iPods, beginning with the iPod (1st generation). These earphones did not contain a controller or a microphone; for controls, one would need to depend on an included or unincluded remote control accessory.

Revisions

The second and third generation Apple earbuds can be distinguished from each other here.

Three revisions of the original Apple earbuds exist. The first one, obviously, was sold with the original iPod, and possibly later models as well. A small redesign later added a slider, which enabled shortening the length of the headphone cord.

A second redesign, released possibly in 2006, made the earbud grille smaller, and extended the length of the cable strain relief. Additionally, the L and R markings were moved towards the inside of the earbuds.

EarPods

Apple EarPods with 3.5mm Headphone Plug, with its carrying case.

EarPods are the newest generation of Apple earbuds. The original model, now known as the EarPods with 3.5mm Headphone Plug, was introduced in 2012, replacing all prior earbuds Apple makes, and included in every Apple product introduced from that point onwards. First shipping with the iPhone 5, this model continues to be made available via the Apple Store, with a hard plastic carrying case, for $39. These are compatible with all iPhones starting from the iPhone 3G, and all iPod touch models starting with the iPod touch (2nd generation) (iOS 2.2 or later); they are also compatible with all (traditional) iPods introduced in 2008 or later. Prior iPods, including the iPod video and iPod mini, can make use of the EarPods, but lack remote and microphone functionality. Most Android devices, computers, and other devices accepting the 3.5mm plug accept EarPods; however, remote and mic compatibility may vary. All iPhones without a headphone jack (iPhone 7 onwards) require a Lightning adapter in order to use the EarPods with 3.5mm Headphone Plug. A large number of knockoffs and clones exist, generally with lower sound quality than the authentic Apple-branded one.

A variation, known as the EarPods with Lightning Connector, was introduced in 2016, alongside the iPhone 7. It replaces the EarPods with 3.5mm Headphone Plug in all iPhones between the iPhone 7 lineup and the iPhone 11 lineup, as well as the iPhone SE (2nd generation); in France, it is also included with the iPhone 12 lineup. It is also sold separately for $39, alongside its headphone jack variant. These are compatible only with devices that support iOS 10 and later, including iPod touch (6th generation) and later.

Additions to the EarPods, compared to prior Apple earbuds, are the new design, featuring no tips, less exposed metal, and an entirely plastic shell. A microphone icon has also been added to the back side of the remote and mic combo unit.

EarPods for iPod touch and nano

The EarPods shipped with the iPod touch (5th generation onwards) and iPod nano (7th generation) differ from the iPhone and Apple Store EarPods; it lacks a remote and mic combo unit. This set of EarPods is universally compatible with basically all iPod models, going back to the 2001 original, and a variety of other devices that support stereo or even mono sound output via 3.5mm jack. As with the original EarPods, an adapter is required in order to use it with devices without a 3.5mm port (e.g. iPhone 7).

Earbuds sold as standalone products

iPod In-Ear Headphones

The iPod In-Ear Headphones were revealed at the Macworld Expo at San Francisco in January 2004. They were sold for $39, and came with three different sized caps to fit different sizes of ears. They were discontinued in 2008.

Press release: https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2004/01/06Apple-Introduces-iPod-mini/
Archived Apple Store page: https://web.archive.org/web/20040414114905/http://store.apple.com:80/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore?productLearnMore=M9394G/A

Apple In-Ear Headphones

In 2008, Apple revised the In-Ear headphones by releasing the Apple In-Ear Headphones with Remote and Mic. They were then sold for $79 dollars. These 2nd gens were reported to offer better sound isolation than the 1st gen. These headphones have since been removed from Apple's online store.

Archived Apple Store page: https://web.archive.org/web/20150822201712/http://www.apple.com/shop/product/ME186LL/A/apple-in-ear-headphones-with-remote-and-mic

AirPods

        Main article: AirPods (series)

Apple introduced the AirPods lineup during the announcement of the iPhone 7 in 2016. The original AirPods model was a set of two white earbuds resembling the Apple EarPods, but without any cables dangling from the stems. As of 2020, the AirPods lineup consist of the second-generation AirPods, the AirPods Pro in-ear monitors, and the AirPods Max over-ear headphones.

Further Reading

Wikipedia article on Apple headphones: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_headphones#iPod_In-Ear_Headphones