Factors that Influence Wireless Earphone Price in India

The launch of Apple’s AirPods in 2016 was mocked by most people worldwide. Four years later, AirPods are one of Apple’s bestselling products. 

The company’s ‘Wearables and Accessories’ segment, which raked in $6.5 billion in revenue in 2020, is spearheaded by wireless earbuds. 

But, the high price of AirPods is set to end Apple’s dominance in the true wireless stereo (TWS) earbuds segment. Currently, AirPods cost $159, and AirPods Pro costs $249. Even though people love TWS earphones, most people are unwilling to pay such exorbitant prices. 

This increasing demand for wireless earbuds and earphones has attracted many other tech companies who are competing to create the most cost-effective TWS earphones. India is one of the biggest markets for these companies from across the world. The Indian wearable has grown at a rate of 80% in 2020. 

The majority of the earphones sold in India are wired and feature microphones. But, the Indian audience is slowly getting used to wireless technology. The lowering of prices, ease of use, ergonomic designs, and other features are attracting Indian customers to wireless earphones. 

On average, true wireless earphones in India cost between ₹2999 to ₹8000. The ₹5000-price gap is massive for most Indian shoppers. Before splashing the cash, they need to know which factors affect the price of wireless earphones in India. 

Key Factors that Affect the Price of Wireless Earphones in India

Sound Quality

The minute details that make up the overall listening experience are very complex. The average customer will find these technical specifications overwhelming. So, here’s a simple breakdown of the three factors that dictate the sound quality of wireless earphones –

Bitrates

Bitrates refer to data processed per second. The higher the bitrate, the more information your ears receive per second. Hence, earphones that support higher bitrates offer better listening experiences. The wired headphones used in music studios can support bitrates of up to 2300 kbps. Standard wired earphones typically support bitrates of up to 768 kbps. Can wireless earphones offer such high bitrates? No, and you don’t need such high processing power in the first place. That’s because – 

• The bitrate of most digital media files (YouTube videos, songs on streaming platforms, etc.) is 256 kbps, including iTunes.

• Most of the MP3 files that are purchased offer maximum bitrates of 320 kbps.

• YouTube videos offer maximum bitrates of 256 kbps.

• Spotify offers maximum bitrates of 160kbps.

So, as long as wireless earphones offer support for bitrates of 256 kbps, the listening experience will be high-quality. 

Frequency Response Rate

Sound waves originate from the source (e.g. the sound output points on earphones), interact with eardrums, and are transformed into information by the brain. To gauge these waves, scientists calculate how many cycles each wave goes through per minute. This measurement is known as frequency (hertz or Hz). The frequency response rate is the calculation of how efficiently audio devices reproduce the music. The average wired earphone will have a frequency range of 16Hz-22kHz. That’s good enough to listen to audiobooks, music, and videos. Earphones with better response rates cost more.

Connectivity Range 

While wired earphones physically limit a user’s range of motion, wireless earphones limit it via connectivity ranges. If users (while wearing their Bluetooth earphones) step away too far from their device, the connectivity drops. Thankfully, smartphones are also technically ‘wearables,’ so users don’t have to sacrifice sound quality to gain motion. Users must ensure their wireless earphones offer a connectivity range of at least thirty feet. Or else, listening to music while the phone is on charge or while working out can be a hassle. Better Bluetooth connectivity increases the prices of wireless earphones.

Size 

Customers seek lightweight comfort and convenience while shopping for wireless earbuds. That’s why the smaller the earbuds, the more they cost. Some of the latest wireless earbuds even come with magnetization features that allow them to switch on/off their earphones without touching a button. Customers should look for devices that feature high-quality and light materials like Beryllium. This light element is used in most top-quality audio listening devices. The music sounds super loud and realistic. The wireless earphones feel completely snugly! With smaller sized wireless earphones, it’s easier to run, cycle, jog, and work. That’s why smaller earphones cost more.

On the Go Features

Since most of the nation is working from home, wireless earphone price in India is driven by their ‘on the go’ features. Users want their wireless earphones to be communicable with Siri, Alexa, and other smart assistants. They want to be able to switch between calls and podcasts directly using a voice control button on their wireless earbuds. They also demand playtimes of at least four hours with each charge. That’s why wireless earbuds that offer these smart features tend to cost more.  

Thinking of buying wireless earbuds? Make sure to check these features before deciding to splash the cash!