Apple’s AirPods are on sale for a new low price of $99 today

Enlarge (credit: Ars Technica)

Today's Dealmaster is headlined by another noteworthy early Black Friday deal, as Apple's AirPods are currently down of $99 at various retailers. This is the first time we've seen Apple's mega-popular wireless earbuds drop below $100 since this second-gen model launched in early 2019. The deal is $60 off Apple's MSRP and about $30 off the typical street price we've seen online in recent months.

The AirPods themselves continue to be a compelling choice for iPhone users in particular, though they still come with a few caveats. Their sound still isn't particularly detailed, they still only get about four hours of battery life per charge, and they still let in lots of ambient noise as you're listening (though some people may consider that a good thing). They aren't exactly welcoming to Android users, either. It's also important to note that Apple is reportedly working on an updated model that could release next year and skew closer to the company's AirPods Pro.

All that said, those earbuds aren't likely to launch around $100. The model on sale today is still pleasantly lightweight and highly convenient to use with iOS devices, with an easy pairing process and rock-solid connection quality. This second-gen model also supports hands-free Siri control. So while we can't say the AirPods are the absolute best true wireless earbuds on the market, this is a good deal for Apple users who've understandably had their eye on them.

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