Airpods - Engrave or not

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Paul1977

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#322783 22-Sep-2025 13:34

When I got my AirPods Pro 2, I had my phone number engraved on the case. I'm thinking of upgrading to the new AirPods Pro 3, and am on the fence as to whether I should do the same thing.

I tend to think that most people are fairly honest, so if someone were to find them I'm more likely to get them back if they have my phone number on them for someone to call.

But doing so obviously has implications on being able to resell them. E.g. I can't really resell my AirPods Pro 2 because they have my phone number on them, and not sure I want to be similarly restricted with the new ones. But, on the other hand, do people even buy used AirPods?

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#3417394 22-Sep-2025 13:40

I keep mine until they die, as I always assumed there would be hygiene concerns with reselling them.

I think there is merit in engraving so that yours don't get mistaken for someone else's at work, or airport security for example. I wouldn't put my phone number on them though due to privacy, and the fact that you can use the Find My feature to broadcast your phone number if you happen to lose them.

Andib

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#3417395 22-Sep-2025 13:41

Do people actually buy used AirPods? 🤮

Personally, I'm with you on the case engraving as an extra piece of mind if they get lost but I've never considered AirPods being something that I'd on sell when I replace them.

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Handsomedan

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#3417396 22-Sep-2025 13:46

I've never engraved mine and I have had a couple of pairs - But I can't ever imagine buying secondhand Airpods.

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Paul1977

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#3417399 22-Sep-2025 14:01

alasta:

I keep mine until they die, as I always assumed there would be hygiene concerns with reselling them.

I think there is merit in engraving so that yours don't get mistaken for someone else's at work, or airport security for example. I wouldn't put my phone number on them though due to privacy, and the fact that you can use the Find My feature to broadcast your phone number if you happen to lose them.

I'd personally never buy used ones. But replacement ear tips are pretty cheap so in theory hygiene shouldn't really be an issue. However, I really don't know if there's a market for used ones.

I didn't know that about the Find My? Presumably this would only work if the person who finds them has an iPhone and then tries to connect to them? Phone number on the case works for everyone, and is it much of a privacy concern when there's nothing else on the case (e.g. there is a phone number, but no name to match it to). That's a genuine question. I intentionally put my phone number on the previous ones rather than my email address because the phone number doesn't include my name etc.

richms

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#3417414 22-Sep-2025 14:45

Do people keep them intact long enough that they would consider selling them to upgrade?

IME any form of wireless earbud is a consumable and doesn't stick around long enough to worry about. That's why I love the aliexpress ones since they cost so little.

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Handsomedan

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#3417415 22-Sep-2025 14:47

richms:

Do people keep them intact long enough that they would consider selling them to upgrade?

Yeah, mine are still pretty much as new to look at when they reach end of life. Battery is just toast.

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Paul1977

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#3417422 22-Sep-2025 15:20

Handsomedan:
Yeah, mine are still pretty much as new to look at when they reach end of life. Battery is just toast.

The batteries in mine are still OK, I probably still get 4+ hours. I'm just keen on the (apparently) improved fit, better ANC, and significantly improved battery life of the new ones. Strangely the case battery on the new ones is worse, but the buds themselves are better.

ascroft

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#3417495 22-Sep-2025 18:27

I just put my initials on the case…….

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MadEngineer

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#3417562 22-Sep-2025 22:59

Alternatively, engrave it with your drivers license number.

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cddt

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#3417589 23-Sep-2025 07:21

Andib:

Do people actually buy used AirPods? 🤮

Yes. If you have an old pair which still works, stick it on TM with $1 reserve and they will definitely get taken, depending on the age and condition you might get $50.

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JPNZ

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#3417641 23-Sep-2025 07:50

cddt:

Andib:

Do people actually buy used AirPods? 🤮

Yes. If you have an old pair which still works, stick it on TM with $1 reserve and they will definitely get taken, depending on the age and condition you might get $50.

Ive been keeping an eye on trademe used APP2 going for between $150 and $220. Note they are down to $379 new now they 3's are out.

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sen8or

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#3417642 23-Sep-2025 07:55

Label maker?

If they get found by someone honest, your details are there, but, its removeable if you want to sell.

Paul1977

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#3417668 23-Sep-2025 09:32

Thanks guys.

The label maker idea might make the most sense. Doesn't look quite as nice, but that probably doesn't really matter for something that is almost always hidden in my pocket.

I've decided I'll give it a few weeks before ordering, as I've read a few anecdotal reports of the ANC improving on the Airpods Pro 2 after updating to iOS26. Also I've always used the medium tips because they were the most comfortable and (initially) reported a good seal, but now the left reports a bad seal, and the right is 50/50. I chucked on the large tips and, while slightly less comfortable, the seal and ANC seems a lot better because of that. And what I'm feeling as "less comfortable" might just be what a good seal feels like?

There's currently a 2-3 week lead time from Apple anyway, and no-one local has stock. So waiting for more reviews comparing the 2s to the 3s is probably prudent, as $479 is not a cheap upgrade and I'd like to be fairly confident they will be worth it.

JPNZ

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#3417673 23-Sep-2025 09:53

Paul1977:

Thanks guys.

The label maker idea might make the most sense. Doesn't look quite as nice, but that probably doesn't really matter for something that is almost always hidden in my pocket.

I've decided I'll give it a few weeks before ordering, as I've read a few anecdotal reports of the ANC improving on the Airpods Pro 2 after updating to iOS26. Also I've always used the medium tips because they were the most comfortable and (initially) reported a good seal, but now the left reports a bad seal, and the right is 50/50. I chucked on the large tips and, while slightly less comfortable, the seal and ANC seems a lot better because of that. And what I'm feeling as "less comfortable" might just be what a good seal feels like?

I wear comply tips in medium, absolute gamechanger from the crappy silcone which kept falling out of my ears when sweaty. I ride my MTB with the APP2 in and haven't lost one yet. Plus I swear the memory foam makes the ANC even better sealed.

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Paul1977

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#3417780 23-Sep-2025 10:11

JPNZ:

I wear comply tips in medium, absolute gamechanger from the crappy silcone which kept falling out of my ears when sweaty. I ride my MTB with the APP2 in and haven't lost one yet. Plus I swear the memory foam makes the ANC even better sealed.

I tried some of those on my gen 1 Pros (can't remember if it was the same make as those), but they got so gross so quickly! This was before they offered ones with a more cleanable "skin" wrapping the memory foam though.

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