What makes you think people who buy AirPods would keep headphones after the warranty period? One doesn't want to be seen in last year's headphones^WAirPods, after all!

I suppose it's kinda genius of Apple, turning a simple pair of headphones which can last for decades into a fragile piece of microelectronics with a life expectancy of years at best, months at worst. Not really what I'd call 'courage,' though.