'Sign of the times': Panasonic launches a USB-C version of its cheap wired earbuds, because who has a headphone jack any more?

• Panasonic unveils new version of very affordable ErgoFit in-ear buds
• New model ditches 3.5mm for USB-C
• Otherwise, same buds

Panasonic has just announced a new model of its low-priced ErgoFit In-Ear wired earbuds, affordable and colorful in-ears that have been on the market for a few years now, and are design for everything from working out to commuting. The new offerings seem to retain the same drivers and design, but make one crucial change.

Now, the Panasonic ErgoFit can be bought with a USB-C connector, not just with the 3.5mm flavor that the 'original' version used. You can tell the new model by its suffix "(USB-C Compatible)", but otherwise, online listings look similar.

The new earbuds cost $24.99 (about £20, AU$40), a slight increase over the past models which are listed online between $8 and $20. At the moment, they sell in white, black and blue; no bright orange or red or any of the other vibrant colorways which the 3.5mm options come in.

They have a 3.6-foot cable, three in-box ear tip sizes, and playback buttons on the cable.

Who has a headphone jack any more?

This isn't Panasonic's first pair of wired USB-C in-ears, but the reason it's announcing the spin on its popular buds is likely due to the slight comeback wired earbuds seem to be making (in the public eye, at least — I've yet to see any sales figures make such an argument).

While 3.5mm jacks are the traditional connector of personal audio, there's a problem: how many phones have headphone jacks any more? A brief handful each year, and rarely from the big brands. If you want wired audio, you generally need to buy an an adapter, or go USB-C in the first place.

That's why USB-C headphones make sense: you can actually use them on your smartphone (and tablet, laptop, PC; whatever has a USB-C port). It's a sad sign of the times, but USB-C is replacing 4.4mm as the connector of choice for non-audiophiles (and audiophiles probably aren't buying $25 earbuds anyway).

I like my wired audio, but I'll admit that I barely use 3.5mm. Most of the tech I test is Bluetooth, my keyboard/guitar/amp set-up is 6.3mm, and my PC and bookshelf speakers are both (gasp) USB-C. The only 3.5mm device I use with any regularity is a lapel mic, which requires an adapter to use on anything.

Panasonic is, of course, still selling its 3.5mm ErgoFits, and there are still plenty of people still using this kind of connector. Laptops and the best portable music players still use them, and not all laptops and PCs have USB-C (or, at least, ports to spare). But increasingly, we'll see new releases among the best wired earbuds using USB-C, at least as an option.

The best music players for all budgets

➡️ Read our full guide to the best hi-res music players
1. Best overall:
Activo P1
2. Best budget hi-res player:
Fiio JM21
3. Best step-up hi-res player:
Astell & Kern A&norma SR35

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