"EarPods" that disappeared from the iPhone 12 box Find the strongest earphones to replace them!

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 earbuds.

The “white earphones” that finally disappeared from the iPhone box

"iPhone 12", "iPhone 12 mini", "iPhone 12 Pro" and "iPhone 12" that began to be sold one after another from October to November I think there are many people who are new to Pro Max. People who have used iPhones in the past must have been surprised by the considerably slimmer product packaging.

In order to further promote environmental protection by reducing the amount of carbon dioxide emissions generated during manufacturing and distribution, "earphones" and "USB adapter" that many iPhone users seem to already have are included in the package. has been omitted from

Apple's genuine 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. Currently, Apple's "AirPods" and other Bluetooth-compatible wireless earphones tend to be popular, but as far as I can remember, until a few years ago, I listened to music with white genuine Apple earphones hanging from my ears. I've seen users everywhere enjoying the sound of movies and games.

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

If earphones are included in the package, you can rest assured that you will be able to listen to music and enjoy the audio of video content such as YouTube immediately after purchasing the iPhone 12. 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 EarPods are still on sale for 2,000 yen

EarPods are earphones called "inner ear type" that you put on your ears. There is a small hole in the housing of the main unit to improve sound leakage, so some people like the unique transparent sound and the comfort of wearing it without blocking their ears. There are many around.

As of the end of November 2020, EarPods with Lightning Connector is sold at the Apple Store for 2,000 yen (excluding tax). I think that sales will continue in the future just by not being attached to the iPhone. In case your current favorite EarPods break down, you might want to buy one as a backup when you have the money.

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

Or you can use this opportunity to replace with wireless earphones, which are attracting attention now. Apple's AirPods series is on sale for 27,800 yen (excluding tax) for the top AirPods Pro with active noise canceling function and 17,800 yen (excluding tax) for the regular model AirPods.

The top AirPods Pro supports the new technology "spatial audio" that allows you to enjoy stereoscopic surround playback with some video content, such as original works released on Apple's video distribution service "Apple TV +". Combined with the iPhone 12 series, you can enjoy powerful sound.

Both AirPods series are very convenient because they automatically switch the connection between iPhone/iPad/iPod touch/Mac that is signed in with the same user's Apple ID at the same time as the content is played. Supports auto-switching function.

Considering the advancedness of these technologies, the AirPods series can be said to be the most right wing of the "buying earphones" that you want to use as a companion for the new iPhone 12 series. However, it is still quite expensive, so I understand the feeling of shrinking.

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

A genuine Apple 3.5mm headphone jack adapter is still available at the Apple Store for 1,000 yen (excluding tax). There is also

An advantage of wired earphones is that they do not suffer from audio signal transmission delays, which is a problem with Bluetooth-connected wireless earphones. When playing games on your iPhone, you can hear sound effects without delay in response to screen movements and operations. If you want to enjoy entertainment, mainly action games and videos, on the new iPhone 12 series, prepare an environment where you can use EarPods with Lightning Connector or other wired earphones and headphones.

5G-compatible iPhones are a perfect match for rich video and music entertainment

With iPhones supporting 5G, rich content distribution services for video and music distribution will be enhanced after the end of the year. I will.

"Apple TV+", which has Apple's original video works, which was launched in Japan last fall, is full of content with image quality and sound quality that can maximize the performance of the iPhone 12 series. We hope that AirPods Pro users will also enjoy the power of “dynamic head tracking,” which follows the direction of the face wearing the earphones and changes the localization of the sound image in real time. Movies like "Greyhound" starring Tom Hanks and the sci-fi fantasy drama "See ~The World of Darkness~" are recommended content where you can fully enjoy the power of spatial audio.

The Apple TV+ video distribution service can be viewed free of charge for one year after purchasing a new Apple device such as an iPhone, iPad, or Mac and completing the subscription registration for the first time. For users who started watching last year, the free period has been extended until February 2021.

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

In conjunction with the introduction of 5G services in the spring of 2020, NTT DoCoMo and au have created a plan that does not limit the amount of data that users can use. Telecommunications companies such as Softbank, Ymobile, UQ Mobile, and Rakuten Mobile have also enhanced their rate plans that allow you to use a large amount of data at a great price each month, so music and video distribution content and YouTube are concerned about data consumption. Now you can use it without using it.

When the environment is in place, you will be able to enjoy rich content distribution entertainment on your iPhone without hesitation. In addition to Apple Music, I subscribe to Amazon Music HD, a music distribution service that offers a large number of high-quality sound sources that are higher than CD quality, and enjoy listening and comparing them.

In the United States, Apple has launched Apple Music TV, a 24-hour non-stop streaming service for music videos. If the services that make use of the 5G-compatible iPhone 12 are more and more fulfilled in Japan, you will want good earphones and headphones. It is also a good idea to consider purchasing using the return campaigns of cashless payment companies during the year-end and New Year holidays.

Author: Atsushi Yamamoto

Journalist and writer. After working as a web editor and reporter for an audiovisual magazine, he became a freelancer. Since he has been covering the electronics show "IFA" held in Berlin, Germany every year, he is familiar with the latest developments related to smart home appliances and IoT in Europe. He is well versed in the audiovisual field, and covers a wide range from high resolution to music distribution, 4K and VOD. Utilizing his fluency in English and French, he covers events both in Japan and overseas, and conducts many interviews with developers.