When Apple ($AAPL) released the AirPods - those white, wireless headphones that dangle precariously from ears - industry experts scoffed. They called them funny looking. They said the $159 pricetag was too steep. They predicted mediocre sales if not outright failure.
They were all wrong. In Q1 of 2018, Apple saw $5.5 billion in revenue from accessories alone, largely driven by AirPods. After better-than-expected sales of AirPods, Apple now plans to ship more then 25 million units in 2018 alone - that's double the number the company shipped last year.
AirPods' amazing sales can see seen in our Best Buy sales rank data since they started selling:
Out of thousands of products, AirPods consistenly rank in the top-20 to 30 products sold at Best Buy ($BBY). This is especially significant considering that Best Buy is both the largest consumer electronics retailer, but also the largest seller of Apple products outside of Apple itself.
Of course, this analysis wouldn't be complete without a look at how AirPods sell at e-commerce giant Amazon ($AMZN) , which is already threatening to dethrone Best Buy as largest consumer electronics retailer.
Amazon's product rankings are a bit different than those of Best Buy, in that there is a Cell Phones & Accessories category that's consistently flooded with inexpensive accessories like screen protectors and memory cards.
But even with all that cheap detritus, among the $10 cables and cases is Apple's AirPods, sitting at the 22nd-most purchased Cell Phone product out of everything Amazon sells. Outside of its EarPods wired brethren and the inexpensive Anker SoundBuds, the AirPods are the only headphones that even rank.
Amazon.com Cell Phones & Accessories Sales Rankings, May 20, 2018
|
Category Rank |
Name |
|---|---|
|
1 |
amFilm iPhone 8, 7, 6S, 6 Screen Protector Glass, amFilm Tempered Glass Screen Protector for Apple iPhone 8, 7, iPhone 6S, iPhone 6 [4.7" inch] 2017 2016, 2015 (2-Pack) |
|
2 |
iPhone X Screen Protector, Maxboost (Clear, 3 Packs) iPhone X Tempered Glass Screen Protectors [3D Touch] 0.25mm Screen Protector Glass for Apple iPhoneX 2017 work with most case 99% Touch Accurate |
|
3 |
Sandisk Ultra 64GB Micro SDXC UHS-I Card with Adapter - 100MB/s U1 A1 - SDSQUAR-064G-GN6MA |
|
4 |
[3-PACK]-Mr Shield For iPhone 6 / iPhone 6S [Tempered Glass] Screen Protector with Lifetime Replacement Warranty |
|
5 |
JETech Screen Protector for Apple iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone 7 Plus, 5.5-Inch, Tempered Glass Film, 2-Pack |
|
6 |
iPhone 8 plus 7 Plus Screen Protector,[5.5inch][3Pack]by Ailun,2.5D Edge Tempered Glass for iPhone 8 plus,7 plus,Anti-Scratch,Case Friendly,Siania Retail Package |
|
7 |
OMOTON 9H Hardness HD Tempered Glass Screen Protector for Apple iPhone 8 Plus / iPhone 7 Plus, 2 Pack |
|
8 |
Beam Electronics Universal Smartphone Car Air Vent Mount Holder Cradle Compatible with iPhone X 8 8 Plus 7 7 Plus SE 6s 6 Plus 6 5s 5 4s 4 Samsung Galaxy S6 S5 S4 LG Nexus Sony Nokia and More& |
|
9 |
PopSockets: Collapsible Grip & Stand for Phones and Tablets - Black |
|
10 |
JETech Screen Protector for Apple iPhone 8 and iPhone 7, 4.7-Inch, Tempered Glass Film, 2-Pack |
|
11 |
AmazonBasics Nylon Braided USB A to Lightning Compatible Cable - Apple MFi Certified - Dark Grey (6 Feet/1.8 Meter) |
|
12 |
Mpow Flame Bluetooth Headphones Waterproof IPX7, Wireless Earbuds Sport, Richer Bass HiFi Stereo In-Ear Earphones w/Mic, Case, 7-9 Hrs Playback Noise Cancelling Headsets (Comfy & Fast Pairing) |
|
13 |
Apple MD827LL/A EarPods with Remote and Mic - Standard Packaging - White |
|
14 |
Sandisk Ultra 32GB Micro SDHC UHS-I Card with Adapter - 98MB/s U1 A1 - SDSQUAR-032G-GN6MA |
|
15 |
Magnetic Mount, WizGear [2 PACK] Universal Air Vent Magnetic Car Mount Phone Holder, for Cell Phones and Mini Tablets with Fast Swift-Snap Technology, With 4 Metal Plates |
|
16 |
Sandisk Ultra 128GB Micro SDXC UHS-I Card with Adapter - 100MB/s U1 A1 - SDSQUAR-128G-GN6MA |
|
17 |
OontZ Angle 3 Portable Bluetooth Speaker : Louder Volume 10W Power, More Bass, IPX5 Water Resistant, Perfect Wireless Speaker for Home Travel Beach Shower Splashproof, by Cambridge SoundWorks (Black) |
|
18 |
Samsung 64GB 100MB/s (U3) MicroSDXC EVO Select Memory Card with Adapter (MB-ME64GA/AM) |
|
19 |
Anker PowerCore 10000, One of the Smallest and Lightest 10000mAh External Batteries, Ultra-Compact, High-speed Charging Technology Power Bank for iPhone, Samsung Galaxy and More |
|
20 |
iPhone 7 Plus Case, iPhone 8 Plus Case, Matone Apple iPhone 7/8 Plus Crystal Clear Shock Absorption Technology Bumper Soft TPU Cover Case for iPhone 7 Plus (2016)/iPhone 8 Plus (2017) - Clear |
|
21 |
AmazonBasics Lightning to USB A Cable, Apple MFi Certified, White, 6 Feet /1.8 Meters, 2-Pack |
|
22 |
Apple MMEF2AM/A AirPods Wireless Bluetooth Headset for iPhones with iOS 10 or Later White |
|
23 |
Samsung 32GB 95MB/s (U1) MicroSD EVO Select Memory Card with Adapter (MB-ME32GA/AM) |
|
24 |
Anker SoundBuds Slim Wireless Headphones Bluetooth 4.1 Lightweight Stereo IPX5 Earbuds with Magnetic Connection NANO Coating Sweatproof Sports Headset with Metallic Housing Built-in Mic (Black) |
|
25 |
AmazonBasics Nylon Braided USB A to Lightning Compatible Cable - Apple MFi Certified - Dark Grey (3 Feet/0.9 Meter) |