The completely wireless earphone market represented by Apple's "AirPods Pro" is intensifying competition with the entry of not only audio makers but also multiple smartphone makers.
So, let's check the "latest trends in completely wireless earphones" introduced in the lecture by Mr. Kenji Nomura, an audio-visual writer familiar with "@DIME". If you read this, you can quickly understand the latest information on the earphone market! maybe.
Completely wireless earphones “The battle between the top two manufacturers” continues?
According to Mr. Nomura, the composition of "Apple VS Sony" has been going on for a long time in the completely wireless earphone market in Japan. The "AirPods Pro" mentioned at the beginning is loved by many iPhone users and continues to compete with Sony, which is deeply rooted in Japan as a domestic manufacturer.
This composition has continued since the release of the "iPod", and it can be said that it is a rival with Sony, which is developing the "WALLKMAN" series.
For Sony, models that are particular about sound quality and noise canceling functions, such as the latest model "WF-1000XM4" that was released on June 25, 2021, are also popular. As you can see from the price setting of 33,000 yen for WF-1000XM4 and 30,580 yen for AirPods Pro, it is competing as a high-end product of completely wireless earphones.
Sony WF-1000XM4
We have introduced Apple and Sony as the two top manufacturers in Japan, but the functions required in terms of software are completely different.
Apple AirPods Pro
What is required of Apple's AirPods series is high compatibility with other Apple products, centering on iOS installed in the iPhone. The AirPods series also has a function that allows you to easily connect to products such as iPad and MacBook logged in with the same Apple ID once you connect to the iPhone.
Sony, on the other hand, is also developing the Android smartphone "Xperia" brand, so compatibility and connectivity with Android smartphones from other manufacturers are also required. There is the difficulty of developing an app that can be used with smartphones from many manufacturers and having to install a compatible codec.
In recent years, smartphone makers such as Samsung and HUAWEI and makers such as Jabra and BoCo have entered the completely wireless earphone market, and competition is intensifying.
It should be noted that high-performance, good sound quality, and low-priced products such as Anker and TaoTronics are appearing steadily. It tends to match the layer of people who are looking for wireless products because they do not have earphone jacks.
According to Mr. Nomura, until a few years ago, there were many so-called "cheap and bad" products, but due to technological advances, models with excellent sound quality, battery performance, and fit have appeared even for thousands of yen. It is said that there is.
Therefore, the completely wireless earphone market has been polarized into "high-end market with active noise canceling function" and "high cost performance market with low price, good sound quality and long battery" according to the user type. ..
Until a few years ago, completely wireless products usually cost more than 10,000 yen at the lowest price, and it seemed to be a product for "people who are particular about it", but there are also cases where low-priced models are appearing more and more. It has become a product that more people can take for granted.
Even if it is a low-priced model, it is normal if the continuous playback time of the earphone alone is about 5 to 6 hours, and some products have a continuous playback time of 10 hours or more. For example, the product "HUAWEI FreeBuds 4i" is a product for 9680 yen on the official HP, but it can play music continuously for about 10 hours.
In addition, this product is equipped with an active noise canceling function, and boasts high specifications even though it is a completely wireless earphone that cuts 10,000 yen.
On the other hand, the high-end model AirPods Pro has evolved beyond just improving sound quality, such as the "spatial audio" function that allows you to enjoy more three-dimensional sound.
Sony's WF-1000XM4 has the industry's highest class noise canceling function by "dual noise sensor technology" using two sensors (as of April 26, 2021 in the completely wireless noise canceling headphone market / Sony research) It has become.
In this way, the world of completely wireless earphones today is becoming more and more competitive in the two directions of "high cost performance products of 10,000 yen or less" and "high-end products that are particular about performance other than sound quality" due to technological advances. It has been done.
There are various needs of users, but the fact that the number of smartphones equipped with earphone jacks is decreasing is also a tailwind, and it is conceivable that wireless earphones will increase their market share and further reduce prices and quality. prize.
Interview / text / Fumihiko Sato
