In 2016, everyone was making fun of them. People called them "electric toothbrush heads" and joked about how easily they’d fall into subway grates. Honestly, the debut of the apple airpod 1st gen was a bit of a mess. Apple had just killed the headphone jack on the iPhone 7, and these little white sticks were supposed to be the "magical" solution.
Fast forward to today. It’s 2026. The true wireless market is flooded with everything from $20 knockoffs to $500 audiophile buds. But if you dig through a drawer and find a pair of those original 1st gens, you’re looking at the DNA of the modern audio world. They didn't just change how we listen; they changed how we look in public.
The W1 Chip Was the Real Hero
Most people focus on the lack of wires, but the real magic happened inside the plastic. The apple airpod 1st gen was powered by the W1 chip. This wasn't just a Bluetooth controller. It was Apple's first custom-designed silicon specifically for headphones.
Before this, pairing Bluetooth headphones was a nightmare of holding buttons, watching blinking blue lights, and praying your phone would actually "see" the device. With the 1st gen AirPods, you just flipped the lid open. A card popped up on your iPhone. You tapped "Connect." That was it.
The W1 chip also managed the optical sensors and motion accelerometers. These sensors knew when the buds were in your ears. If you pulled one out to talk to someone, the music paused. Put it back in? It started again. We take this for granted now, but in 2016, it felt like witchcraft.
Hard Truths About the Battery
If you’re still trying to use a pair of 1st gens in 2026, you’re probably suffering. Lithium-ion batteries have a shelf life. These tiny cells were only meant to give you about 5 hours of listening time and 2 hours of talk time when they were brand new.
Most 1st gen units today can barely hold a charge for 15 minutes. It’s a chemical reality. The batteries are so small that every charge cycle hits them harder than the bigger batteries in your phone. This is the "disposable" side of tech that nobody likes to talk about. You can't replace the batteries. Once they're dead, the buds are basically high-tech paperweights.
How to Tell if You Actually Have a 1st Gen
I see this all the time on eBay and Facebook Marketplace. People try to sell "original" AirPods that are actually the 2nd generation. Since the design didn't change at all between 2016 and 2019, you have to look at the tiny text.
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Check the model numbers on the underside of each earbud:
- A1523 or A1722: You've got the 1st gen.
- A2031 or A2032: That’s the 2nd gen.
There’s also a giveaway with the case. The original 1st gen case (model A1602) only charges via Lightning cable. It has the status light inside the lid, between the two bud slots. If your light is on the front of the case, you have a wireless charging case, which was usually paired with later models (though they are cross-compatible).
The "Hey Siri" Problem
One of the biggest frustrations with the apple airpod 1st gen was how you interacted with them. You couldn't just say "Hey Siri" to change the volume or skip a track. You had to double-tap the side of the bud.
It worked, but it was clunky. You’d basically be thumping your ear canal twice just to ask for a weather update. It wasn't until the H1 chip in the 2nd gen that "always-on" Siri became a thing. On the 1st gen, you were stuck choosing between "Play/Pause," "Next Track," or "Siri" for that double-tap gesture in your settings.
Sound Quality: Is It Still Good?
Let's be real: they never sounded "amazing." They sounded like the wired EarPods that came in the box, just without the wire.
The audio profile is very "mid-forward." Great for podcasts. Okay for pop music. Terrible if you want deep, thumping sub-bass. Because they have an "open" design with no silicone tips, they don't seal your ear. This means you hear everything around you—engine noise, the person chewing gum next to you, the wind.
In a quiet room? They’re fine. On a plane? You might as well not be wearing them.
Maintenance and the "Gunk" Factor
If you’re keeping a pair for nostalgia or occasional use, you have to clean them. The white plastic is a magnet for earwax and pocket lint. Over time, that wax gets pushed into the fine metal mesh of the speaker.
This is usually why one AirPod sounds quieter than the other. It’s not a software bug; it’s a physical blockage. A dry toothbrush or a bit of Blu-Tack can usually pull that out. Whatever you do, don't use a toothpick. You’ll just puncture the mesh and ruin the driver.
Why the 1st Gen Matters Today
We’re currently seeing the apple airpod 1st gen enter its "vintage" phase. Collectors are starting to look for unopened boxes. Why? Because this was the product that killed the wire.
It wasn't the first wireless earbud—brands like Bragi and Samsung got there earlier—but it was the first one that worked consistently. It proved that people were willing to trade "perfect" audio for "perfect" convenience.
Even though Apple has released the AirPods Pro 3 and the AirPods 4 by now, the silhouette of the 1st gen remains the most iconic. It’s the "Classic" look.
Next Steps for 1st Gen Owners:
If your 1st gen battery is dying, don't just throw them in the trash. The lithium batteries are a fire hazard in landfills. Take them to an Apple Store for recycling. If you're looking for a replacement that feels the same but works better, look for the AirPods (3rd Gen) or the newer 2024 models, which offer way better battery life while keeping that "open-ear" feel you’re used to.