AirPods being a "huge part of Apple's profits" because people keep losing them, and they keep breaking, so you always need to buy a new pair every several months. Hardly a product worth praising.
Do you actually own AirPods or just assume that's the case? Nobody I know has really had to replace their AirPods unless they lose them, forget them in a pocket and wash them, or decide to upgrade after a few years (myself included). Certainly there are some people on the edges who replace them more often for whatever reason, but you might consider the possibility that they sell well because many people (myself again included) believe they are a pretty damn good product.
I get that some people don't like using them for whatever reason, but this is just a completely insane thing to say. AirPods are a technology marvel, there's a reason why they're so popular.
I get that not everyone is an audiophile, but this is just a completely insane thing to say. Bluetooth headphones aren't a technology marvel. Nor are true-wireless headphones, open-back earbuds, the AAC codec or wireless charging cases. Apple's greatest claim-to-fame is the pairing mechanism, but they refuse to let competitors even use that.
You're right: there is a reason they're so popular. They are the only headphones allowed to use all of iOS' features.