AirPods Prices by Year, 2016–2024
The AirPods (1st generation) cost $159.00 in December 2016. The newest, the AirPods 4, is $129.00 (Sep 2024), down 19%. Overall U.S. prices rose 39% in that time, so adjusted for inflation it's 42% cheaper.
Play today's Inflationdle. Each day is one real price from the past, and you get six guesses.
AirPods price history
Earbuds, at U.S. launch. "In today's dollars" adjusts each price for inflation with the CPI, up to Aug 2026.
| Date | Product | Price | In today's dollars |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2024 | AirPods 4 | $129.00 | $137.05 |
| Oct 2021 | AirPods (3rd generation) | $179.00 | $216.79 |
| Mar 2019 | AirPods (2nd generation) | $159.00 | $209.53 |
| Dec 2016 | AirPods (1st generation) | $159.00 | $220.61 |
Source
Apple's launch announcements, as reported. Prices are earbuds, at U.S. launch. Inflation adjustment: BLS CPI-U, all items (FRED CPIAUCNS).
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