Apple iPhone Bluetooth Headset

CNET editors' review

• CNET editors' rating: 3.5 stars Very good
  Detailed editors' rating
  Design : 8.0
  Features : 6.0
  Performance : 7.0
  Overall score: 7.0 (3.5 stars)

• Reviewed by:
  Nicole Lee
• Reviewed on: 11/07/2007

The iPhone is undoubtedly the most talked about gadget of the year, with its innovative touch-screen design and attractive good looks. To match the iPhone's high-end style, Apple has also introduced the Apple iPhone Bluetooth headset to go along with it. And it certainly does match the iPhone, in elegance, simplicity, and style. But like the iPhone itself, it falls short in features. Each iPhone Bluetooth headset goes for $129.99, a rather steep price.

Shaped like a skinny black stick, the iPhone Bluetooth headset measures close to 2 inches long, 0.5 inch wide, and about 0.6 inch thick if you count the earpiece (It's about 0.125 inch thick without the earpiece). The headset is also remarkably light at less than an ounce, and we admit that we quite like its metal construction, glossy finish, and smooth, clean lines. Certainly, it looks more like art than a simple headset.

The controls are dead simple--in fact, there's only one button for everything. It's not obvious at first, but the multifunction button is located on top of the device. The button has a slightly curved feel and gives easily to pressure. On the back of the headset is the earpiece, which is designed to fit inside the ear, much like the old-school iPod earbuds. It fits very nicely in the ear and we found it to be quite comfortable. However, the lack of an ear hook may make some people feel uneasy since it doesn't feel as secure. Also, we really would've liked to have volume controls on the headset itself. If you need to adjust the volume, you'll have to change it with your phone.

Maybe part of the reason why the iPhone Bluetooth headset is so pricey is that it comes with its own iPhone-charging dock plus a USB travel charger. The charging dock has two slots--one for the iPhone, and one for the Bluetooth headset. Similarly, the USB cable is designed with two slots as well. Pairing the headset with the iPhone couldn't be easier--simply pop in both the iPhone and the headset into the dock, and voila, they are paired to each other. This is probably the easiest pairing process we've ever experienced. Another neat advantage to using the charging dock is both the iPhone and the headset's battery status show up on the screen, so you always know how much battery life is left on the headset.

The iPhone Bluetooth headset is simple in design as well as features. You get the regular abilities to answer and end calls, but don't bet on anything like last-number redial or call mute. You can also switch calls back and forth from the headset to the iPhone and vice versa. Also, we should note that you can indeed use the iPhone Bluetooth headset with other phones, but the pairing process won't be as smooth.

Compare prices for Apple iPhone Bluetooth Headset

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$179.99

Recent user reviews

• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 24 reviews
• My rating: 0 stars Write review

• Showing 3 of 24 user reviews

• 4.0 stars

  "The Jabra ear gels fit perfectly on the Apple headset"

  by tleiby on June 3, 2009

• 4.0 stars

  "Wow, Form, Fit and Function are dead on."

  by driveadime on December 12, 2008

• 0.5 stars

  "Disappointing"

  by rwhubbard996 on November 1, 2008

• See all 24 user reviews Write review

Reviews from around the WebPowered by alaTest

• alaTest.com

  Editors' rating: 77

  Summary: alaTest has collected and analyzed 43 reviews of Apple IPhone Bluetooth Headset from international magazines and websites. Experts rate this product 70/100 and users 61/100. Comparing these reviews to 78541 other Headsets reviews gives this product an overall alaScore™ 77/100 = Good.

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• ilounge.com

  Summary: I usually have problems with ear phones sliding out of my ear, and the new iPhone headset is noe exception. I just purchased a pair of Sennheiser ear phones that have an additional protrusion located on the top of the earbud to lock it into the ear. ...

  Read full review

• the-gadgeteer.com

  Read full review

• macformat.co.uk

  Editors' rating: 100

  Summary: Apple's miraculously lightweight headset is a joy to use and stylish, to boot

  Read full review

• appleinsider.com

  Editors' rating: 60

  Summary: Apple's Bluetooth Adapter is a well designed product that performs suitably as intended, but doesn't trade off any simplicity for some of the features in other Bluetooth headsets. Sound quality is very good for the remote caller but only fair to good ...

  Read full review

• pcmag.com

  Editors' rating: 50

  Summary: I feel as if I've said this many times before, but Apple truly is a master of design and user interface construction. That said, the company's new Bluetooth headset, similar to the iPhone, falls short on voice call quality.

  Read full review