Comment by aziaziazi
13 hours ago
Brand new devices' batteries are awesome but wear off and need to be changed at some point, if A) the device is designed to let you do that and B) the battery is still in production.
You don't really own a wireless headphone. You can see it as a rent, or an ownership that loose its capability when in use.
>A) the device is designed to let you do that
This is simply wrong. Apple airpod was not designed to replace battery(they use tons of glue), yet many repair shop still offer service to replace battery for them.
>B) the battery is still in production
The industry is kind of converging into using standard "coil cell" battery for their headphone
It's not like wired earbuds/headphones are invincible either. I've had a few wired ones lost due to cable damage, which constitutes more casualties than my wireless inventory, including noticeable charge loss. Of course, there are a lot more cheap wired options with replaceable cables now, thanks to Moondrop and gang.
I really wish the debate was more than jack vs Bluetooth, and more wired fans would consider supporting devices with multiple USB-C ports. Yeah, Sony still puts a jack on Xperias, but most audiophiles note that it's driven by Snapdragon's mediocre integrated DAC, possibly because Sony doesn't want it to compete with Walkmans. Yeah, Valve puts a jack on the Steam Deck, but SD OLED's jack has interference issues that users need to fix with electrical tape or loosening screws. If these devices had two USB ports, then it would be easy to use a better DAC with no interference issues (while also charging with a cable attached to the other port). Having a second USB port would increase device life, and tie wired earbuds/headphones to a more durable standard that's actively developed and backed by legislation. We know this is possible for phones because ASUS ROG Phone has 2 USB ports.
Sure, but I am totally willing to make that tradeoff, and when my earbuds die, I buy new wireless earbuds, not permanently switch to some wired headphones I have lying around (mostly just in case, to not be left hanging if my earbuds suddenly die). I didn't know that before I started using wireless stuff, but now I do. Because, you know, I can change my T-shirt, maybe even take a shower, and start cooking something in the kitchen without pausing that audiobook, all while my phone is charging in another room.
I am even cautiously aware that people have lost their hearing, because damn LiOH exploded in their ear. That's much scarier than knowing I will have to buy new earbuds in a couple of years. Didn't stop me using them either.
The word you are looking for is not “rent” but depreciation.