I can buy cheap Amazon earbuds with volume controls for far less than Apple's step-up AirPods 5 model how is it getting away with this?

Date:
Wed, 16 Sep 2026 10:12:46 +0000

Description:
Apple was slowly winning this hater over in 2026, but its AirPods 5 volume control surcharge is absurd.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter On our podcast Im known as the Apple hater, but over the past year Ive let up a little even defended the company.

Ive said Apple could be the only company capable of releasing camera glasses without major backlash thanks to privacy-first approach, celebrated its approach to AI as possibly genius if the bubble does pop, and most recently said the iPhone Duo looks great and that the visible crease in some shots should be ignored as if its like the Z Fold 8 Ultra youll never see it while youre using it. But in our most recent episode, I saw something that I
couldnt believe in the new AirPods 5 specs. I had to actually message our Audio Editor because I thought I must be wrong. Latest Videos From TechRadar Watch full video here:

How are on-bud volume controls only now coming to AirPods? And how are they reserved for the pricier model? Will anyone buy iPhone Duo, is Siri Recap creepy or cool, and who is the iPhone 18 Pro actually for? - YouTube Watch On Take back (volume) control I brought this up in the podcast, but my Apple-wielding colleagues Axel Metz and Matt Evans argued the feature isnt that useful anyway. Those with Pro-level AirPods that boast volume controls noted that they rarely use them You may like AirPods 5 and AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging are like a greatest hits rollout of AirPods Pro just without the hearing health or heart-rate modules Dont miss super-cheap
AirPods before these deals end! I tested them all, here's the one I'd pick What are the best AirPods to buy today? I've used every model, and here are
my recommendations

Folks, thats beside the point.

Volume controls are one of the most basic earbuds functions. Take a minute to scroll through Amazon , and you can find dozens of wireless earbuds under $20 that offer volume controls. This shouldnt be something reserved for the fifth generation of a premium earbuds brand like AirPods. Its absurd! Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Oh, and I think volume controls on the buds are useful, for what its worth.
If Ive set my phone up to watch a YouTube video and the volume spikes, I want to be able to quickly swipe down without reaching over; or I might want to change the volume of my workout tunes mid-session without pulling my phone
out and risking getting distracted.

Sure, its not a game changer, but as I said already, its a basic feature we should expect. It would be like if your iPhone didnt have an email app there are ways around it, but why cut off the root of the problem? Perhaps I shouldn't give Apple ideas (Image credit: Jacob Krol/Future) What really grinds my gears, however, is that volume controls still arent truly standard. If you get the base $129 / 119 / AU$219 AirPods, youll be out of luck you need to pay extra for the $149 / 139 / AU$249 model with a wireless charging case.

This isnt anywhere near as egregious as those ridiculously expensive Mac Pro wheels from early 2020 back when we could worry about such trivialities in the before times but it feels like a remnant of Apples arrogance, and the quality that has put me off the companys tech for all these years.

People can get the earbuds they want, and Im sure the AirPods 5 will be just as solid as the previous generation. But when there are so many excellent audio options out there, my philosophy is to get a pair that respects you, offers genuine value for money, and wont nickel-and-dime you for features
that should have been added back in the first-generation model not as an upcharge on the fifth-generation iteration. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/audio/earbuds-airpods/i-can-buy-cheap-amazon-earbuds -with-volume-controls-for-less-than-the-upcharge-apple-puts-on-the-airpods-5-t o-add-them-how-is-it-getting-away-with-this


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