Small gap new AirPods.

[thecore762]

I just got my AirPods today, both of them have a small seam, but the left earpod gap I can actually feel it in my ear, the right side one also have a seam, but I don't feel it at all.
I have 30 days to return/exchange. My question is am I supposed to feel a bit discomfort? Or will it go away with few weeks? Obviously I don't mind the look, I just don't want to feel discomfort.

 

[44267547]

View attachment 711602

I just got my AirPods today, both of them have a small seam, but the left earpod gap I can actually feel it in my ear, the right side one also have a seam, but I don't feel it at all.
I have 30 days to return/exchange. My question is am I supposed to feel a bit discomfort? Or will it go away with few weeks? Obviously I don't mind the look, I just don't want to feel discomfort.

It's a misalignment with the Airpods when they were assembled with the adhesive. I would return it, but they are not necessarily defective assuming they function as intended. There are other members that have reported similar issues.

 

[thecore762]

It's a misalignment with the Airpods when they were assembled with the adhesive. I would return it, but they are not necessarily defective assuming they function as intended. There are other members that have reported similar issues.

I see, I will give it few days a week, if the discomfort doesn't go away on my left ear I will exchange. Tried the regular ear pods I noticed the same seam but the gap is much thinner and I can't feel a thing, but with the AirPod the left ear I can feel it. Again going to give it few days for my ears to adjust to them and hopefully it works out.

Btw I bought mine through target, is it worth getting their accidental damage warranty for $57? It ain't a bad price...

 

[44267547]

I see, I will give it few days a week, if the discomfort doesn't go away on my left ear I will exchange. Tried the regular ear pods I noticed the same seam but the gap is much thinner and I can't feel a thing, but with the AirPod the left ear I can feel it. Again going to give it few days for my ears to adjust to them and hopefully it works out.

Btw I bought mine through target, is it worth getting their accidental damage warranty for $57? It ain't a bad price...

Target has a really lenient return policy, but for $5.00, it might be worth it. Otherwise, you still have Apple's one warranty, which they would replace the one Airpod that is the problem too. Either way, you're covered.

 

[chillip]

They all have it to some degree, some worse than others. The seam where the plastic meets can be seen on all airpods.

 

[Ralfi]

They all have it to some degree, some worse than others. The seam where the plastic meets can be seen on all airpods.

Yeah it's a common issue that I normally wouldn't worry about, unless the offset seam happens to impact comfort, which it does for the OP, so I think they should exchange them for another set.

 

[thecore762]

Yeah it's a common issue that I normally wouldn't worry about, unless the offset seam happens to impact comfort, which it does for the OP, so I think they should exchange them for another set.

The left ear one does, the problem with target is, I can't exchange one part, I'd have to exchange both, giving it few more days to see if I get use to it.

I have the regular earpods and when I put them on no discomfort, they have a little seam which never bothered me but you can't feel them. I guess Apple needs to make sure these airpods when they get glued that they properly get attached, in this age where everything is attached by state of the art stuff you would expect a bit more perfection, especially this many months after release.

Anyways, I will live. My local Best Buy has some in stock, I might return the target ones and go with Best Buy, but I'd like to use my Target gift card since it was $105 GC...so I want to put that money to use...
Also since I am not an elite member the return policy is 14 days, where target you get 30 days.

 

[thecore762]

Update, I tested my buddys airpods and no issues, it felt fine on both ears, he got it at the beginning of the year and his seams were on point on both. They had small gaps on top and at the bottom, but none of them created discomfort. After putting mine side to side mine looked a bit more raised, probably why I felt discomfort on the left ear.

I went ahead and returned it to my local target store and placed another order online, they even shipped the replacement rushed for free.

 

[Neodym]

Seems the decrease in delivery time is paid for with slightly worse build quality.

 

[thecore762]

Seems the decrease in delivery time is paid for with slightly worse build quality.

Possibly, but looking back other people were having the same issues.

 

[thecore762]

Just updating everyone: The replacement AirPods came today, these didn't have gaps that I could feel, I put them in my ears and no discomfort on either ear, so yeah there are minor production misalignment but for most there shouldn't be a problem but sometimes there are some that will feel it and I was one of the unlucky ones.
Glad Target sent me the replacement express mail which was super cool.

Overall I am happy with my AirPods. Also I don't use the apple charger I use a third party charger which charges my iPhone and AirPods super quick over the traditional one.

 

[Shadowbech]

I find this gap issue somewhat an annoyance because they can collect dirt and make it very visible. Disgusting.

 

[kmichalec]

I have Airpods, and am noticing that my seams may be getting wider. They were ok when I first got them, but they are noticeably accumulating dust/dirt.

But, my main concern is sweat from working out getting into the seams if they aren't sealed properly. I work out with these 3-4 times a week, and if the seams are unsealing, the electronics inside run the risk of failing eventually.

Bought them from Best Buy. Thinking of taking them over to the Apple Store to see what they say. Has anyone taken theirs for this concern to the Apple Store and what did they say?

 

[Ralfi]

I have Airpods, and am noticing that my seams may be getting wider. They were ok when I first got them, but they are noticeably accumulating dust/dirt.

But, my main concern is sweat from working out getting into the seams if they aren't sealed properly. I work out with these 3-4 times a week, and if the seams are unsealing, the electronics inside run the risk of failing eventually.

Bought them from Best Buy. Thinking of taking them over to the Apple Store to see what they say. Has anyone taken theirs for this concern to the Apple Store and what did they say?

Mark your calendar with the one year from purchase date & monitor the seams up until a fortnight prior to that date. If the seams are worse or you still have concerns, book an appointment with an Apple store & see if they find them worth replacing (should be free if within a year from purchase).

If you're already concerned though, call up Apple Support before you take them in. See what they suggest.

 

[puma1552]

picked up a set today, my left one is fine but i have the seam on the right one

oh well i guess

 

[LoveToMacRumors]

View attachment 711602

I just got my AirPods today, both of them have a small seam, but the left earpod gap I can actually feel it in my ear, the right side one also have a seam, but I don't feel it at all.
I have 30 days to return/exchange. My question is am I supposed to feel a bit discomfort? Or will it go away with few weeks? Obviously I don't mind the look, I just don't want to feel discomfort.

What is this s^^^, replace it

 

[puma1552]

Add me to the OCD crew. After reading the internetz the one seam bothered me so I went to Target this morning, picked up a pair, that one had an actual gap on the right AirPod, went back in and got another set and those are on point, so keeping them.

Now just need to return the first pair to Best Buy when they open. I did make a cash/gift card purchase there (it was the remaining balance on a gift card so the employee tossed it), so I'm assuming they will give me cash back as well as issue a new gift card for that same amount?

edit: best buy just issued a new gift card for the amount i previously had on the gift card and gave cash for the rest

glad i returned mine and got a perfect pair now that its done

no pic of my orignal right one but it more or left looked like op's pic, new ones look good:

if they dont look good, return em

 

[thecore762]

Add me to the OCD crew. After reading the internetz the one seam bothered me so I went to Target this morning, picked up a pair, that one had an actual gap on the right AirPod, went back in and got another set and those are on point, so keeping them.

Now just need to return the first pair to Best Buy when they open. I did make a cash/gift card purchase there (it was the remaining balance on a gift card so the employee tossed it), so I'm assuming they will give me cash back as well as issue a new gift card for that same amount?

edit: best buy just issued a new gift card for the amount i previously had on the gift card and gave cash for the rest

glad i returned mine and got a perfect pair now that its done

no pic of my orignal right one but it more or left looked like op's pic, new ones look good:

if they dont look good, return em

Nice! For $159 for just AirPods I expect excellence and perfectly put together hardware. Yours look flawless and that’s how every AirPod should be, Apple needs to spend some time Q/A their factories that make the AirPods.

 

[Mxdanger]

My "quality" EarPods. They looked like this out of the box and I've used them for only one day.

 

[IconIc215]

My "quality" EarPods. They looked like this out of the box and I've used them for only one day.

I have purchased three pairs in the past month and a half and all looked like crap out of the box. Returned them each the next day after purchase. Seems quality control is way off with these. One pair and the only pair I had that I actually tried on had a bad seam alignment that would scratch/irritate my ears. I am tempted to try to purchase one more pair because I want to like these but cannot accept something like what you have pictured for $168 after tax.

 

[chillip]

My "quality" EarPods. They looked like this out of the box and I've used them for only one day.

Seeing the seam is perfectly normal but those don’t look right at all. I would get them replaced.

 

[WinkWink726]

call me a germaphobe, but it seems like not only is the gap uncomfortable, but over time might be a breeding ground for ear funk and germs

 

[Ralfi]

call me a germaphobe, but it seems like not only is the gap uncomfortable, but over time might be a breeding ground for ear funk and germs

I get you. But if people get into a weekly habit of wiping down both their Airpods & case, then things should be less....gross.

Tip: when they feel overly greasy, wipe them down.

Edit...
Here are mine, after over a year for eg...


Note: the spots of gathered debris are actually metals attracted to the case + dirt which have been permanently sandwiched within the case. I try my best to scrape them away with a moist tissue & toothpick but they ain't going anywhere now....I should've paid more attention to it when I first noticed it, but meh, what can you do..

 

[WinkWink726]

I get you. But if people get into a weekly habit of wiping down both their Airpods & case, then things should be less....gross.

Tip: when they feel overly greasy, wipe them down.

Note: the spots of gathered debris are actually metals attracted to the case + dirt which have been permanently sandwiched within the case. I try my best to scrape them away with a moist tissue & toothpick but they ain't going anywhere now....I should've paid more attention to it when I first noticed it, but meh, what can you do..

Lol, this feels contradictory.
I'm not giving you the business, it just gave me a little laugh.

the creases where you say you can't clean are exactly the areas that germily creep me out bc of the bad quality control (or lack thereof) that it seems like a lot of people are experiencing

 

[Ralfi]

Lol, this feels contradictory.
I'm not giving you the business, it just gave me a little laugh.

the creases where you say you can't clean are exactly the areas that germily creep me out bc of the bad quality control (or lack thereof) that it seems like a lot of people are experiencing

Nah, that's just dust/fine metals. Once you own them, you'll know what I mean.

My actual airpods are clean as.