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For consumers who buy replacements instead of maintaining their original pair, the costs can stack up tremendously. A single consumer might end up spending $450 over several years simply by purchasing three pairs of AirPods, assuming they opt for the simplest model. This pattern escalates with the AirPods Pro, which retail for $250 but offer even shorter battery life due to additional features like active noise cancelation.
Apple’s Strategic Market Manipulation
Analyzing the economics reveals that while the estimated manufacturing cost of an AirPod is around $60, Apple maintains a whopping $90 profit per pair. Their strategic exclusion of cheaper alternatives, such as wired EarPods available for only $20, offers insight into how they enhance their profit margins.