Rumors have recently emerged that AirPods with a touch screen may be released, which could add new functionalities and phone autonomy to our favorite headphones.
So in this article we will tell you about the rumor and we will assess the positive and negative points of the existence of AirPods with a touch screen and our final opinion on the product.
Screens everywhere: the origin of the rumor of AirPods with touch screen
According to the United States Patent and Trademark Office , Apple has patented two display designs that involve both the iPhone and AirPods. Specifically, they highlight two innovations involving displays:
- Screens on the side of the iPhoneand. An idea that is not entirely innovative (Samsung had already explored it with its Galaxy Note Edge (more or less) and sincerely we have not yet seen a clear use for it.
- Un OLED panel integrated into the AirPods, which would allow us to see the status of the song, manage some basic settings and provide data about what we are playing, which is what we will talk about in this article.
Is it useful that AirPods come out with a touch screen?
In general terms, although a priori we cannot say that it is something that we cannot live without if we do not have it, it may make sense for a wireless headset to have a touch screen, but this depends on the purpose and the specific functions that are intended to be offered. with the device.
Advanced user interface
A touchscreen could allow for a more advanced and user-friendly interface , which could be useful for navigating menus, adjusting settings, viewing battery status information, and other similar functions.
Let's remember that, without the iPhone, we cannot see certain data such as the charging of the headphones, and that even low-end headphones begin to have the charging duration visible, so it is not unreasonable that Apple wants to take the leap.
Independent audio playback and information display control
With a touchscreen, users could control audio playback in a more intuitive way, without relying on an iPhone or Apple Watch , being able to touch the screen to play, pause, skip forward or backward through songs or adjust the volume, for example.
The touch screen could be used to display relevant information such as song or artist name, Bluetooth connection status, notifications, etc. This could provide a richer user experience.
Customization and configuration
A touchscreen could allow for greater customization and configuration of the wireless headset , letting us adjust the sound equalization, configure connectivity preferences, select noise cancellation modes, or even have a custom wallpaper for our headset if we want, giving it an extra level of personalization and sophistication compared to the competition.
Not everything is gold: there is also a negative side to AirPods with a screen
But, although there are very clear advantages to this move by Apple, it would also be worth exploring the possibility that there are some negative points in the AirPods with a screen that may affect whether or not we want to buy them and that the Cupertino company should take into account. :
Production costs: the price of the product would become more expensive (even more)
Touchscreens, especially high-quality ones like OLEDs, can be expensive to manufacture. Let's not forget that producing a quality OLED panel, however small, has a considerable cost, which would significantly increase the production cost of the headphones and would obviously be passed on to the final price, potentially making them less affordable for some consumers. And if AirPods are already a high-priced product, AirPods with a touchscreen would make them even more expensive.
Impact on battery life
And here's the most glaring drawback of putting AirPods with a screen. Touchscreens, even ultra-efficient OLED ones, consume power, which would impact the headphones' battery life.
In a portable device like wireless headphones, battery life is a crucial consideration for many users, so if the touch panel contributes significantly to shorter battery life, it could result in a less satisfying user experience for users than traditional AirPods.
Increased design and repair complexity
Integrating a touch panel into the headphone design adds complexity in both design and manufacturing . This could not only increase development and production costs but also directly complicate device repair and maintenance , potentially raising after-sales service costs or turning AirPods into a "disposable" product if the battery malfunctions.
Additionally, touch screens are susceptible to physical damage and may be more prone to scratching or breaking, leading to more out-of-warranty breakdowns in a product that was traditionally very robust in construction.
Our opinion on AirPods with touch screen
It is clear that AirPods are a product that needs a renewal, because they have been offering āmore of the sameā for several years in a row.
In a market saturated with wireless headphones of different prices and features, the inclusion of a touch screen on the AirPods could differentiate them from the competition. This unique feature could appeal to consumers looking for more than just standard wireless headphones, improving the user experience by providing a more intuitive way to interact with the device.
But, while it's logical to think that the brand needs some product renewal, I'm not sure if the inclusion of touchscreens is really what the AirPods need , because the costs and disadvantages might outweigh the perceived benefits of including a touch panel in wireless headphones.
While I think it's pretty cool, I don't quite see the point of adding the screen. Anyway, for now it's just a patent, so we'll have to wait and see if this innovation actually materializes or ends up being just another rumor circulating online.