Content creators have a new budget option that might solve their handheld mic problem. Portronics just launched the Conch One earbuds for $23, featuring a unique wired microphone attached to a short cable instead of the usual inline remote. The design targets creators who prefer holding their mics rather than relying on wireless alternatives that cost significantly more.
Portronics thinks it's found a sweet spot in the increasingly crowded audio market. The Indian consumer electronics company just released the Conch One, a pair of USB-C earbuds that breaks from convention by putting the microphone on a separate short cable rather than embedding it in the inline remote.
The timing couldn't be better. While companies like DJI continue pushing the boundaries on compact wireless microphones, many content creators still prefer the tactile control of a handheld mic. The $23 Conch One offers exactly that without the $300+ price tag of professional wireless systems.
Portronics is launching these exclusively through their website and Amazon India for ₹1,999. The earbuds pack 14.2mm drivers that should deliver solid bass response, while the inline remote includes the expected volume and playback controls plus something more interesting - a mode button that toggles between listening and karaoke settings.
A long press switches between a listening mode with four EQ presets and a karaoke mode offering eight different vocal enhancements. It's clear Portronics is targeting the creator economy, where quick audio adjustments can make the difference between amateur and professional-sounding content.
The handheld mic approach addresses a real pain point. Content creators have gotten creative with workarounds, clipping wireless mics to forks and other objects to create makeshift handheld setups. The Conch One eliminates that hack by design.
But there are trade-offs. Unlike traditional inline mics positioned near your mouth for hands-free calls, the Conch One's detached microphone hangs lower when not actively held. That makes it less convenient for phone conversations where you want your hands free.
The bigger question is whether this design resonates beyond the Indian market. Wired headphones are making a comeback as users grow tired of charging yet another device, but most Western consumers have settled into the wireless ecosystem.
