We have tons of choices when it comes to earbuds. So does the question are AirPods worth it? Or are Apple AirPods just another glorified earbud in the block?
Are AirPods Worth It
The whole thing rolls down to price and class. Apple products are costly but of good quality, though some other earbuds cost more than Apple AirPods and Apple AirPods Pro. This said I think AirPods are worth it.
Apple AirPods score points are noise cancellation, spatial audio and dynamic tracking, and different sizes of ear tips. Although AirPods battery has a longer life, the same is reflected in other earbuds. Some like Sony’s are even better.
Today’s market is flooded with wireless earbuds from different manufacturers. Knowing what features you’re looking for will help you choose wisely. One feature that most users are looking for is the noise cancellation feature, which many companies are featuring.
Pros of Apple AirPods
- High-quality Spatial audio
- Automatic ear detection
- Resistance to Water and Sweat
- Easy to operate
- Made Siri easier
- Long battery life
- Seamless connection
- Easy to Track
High-quality Spatial audio
The spatial audio and dynamic head tracking feature in the third-generation AirPods, Airpods pro, and Airpods max produce the 3D audio.
As opposed to wired headphones and even wireless headphones where all sounds seem to be originating from your head, AirPods enables you to hear the sounds from their exact places of origin.
Taking a phone call while riding is not usually the best experience with all the howling winds. The acoustic mesh in the AirPods noise canceling technology can reduce this disturbance as well as noise from other sources.
These features are only available in 3rd gen AirPods, AirPods pro, and AirPods max, not in the 2nd generation.
Automatic ear detection
AirPods have infrared sensors near the ear tips that will detect the presence of ears (or human skin).
When you remove both AirPods from the ears, they will automatically pause the audio playback or switch the playback to the speakers of the connected device. When you put them back on, they will start playing again.
You can control the automatic detection feature in the settings of the AirPods.
Resistance to Water and Sweat
The problem we’ve had with 2nd generation AirPod earphone is the inability to resist water.
This made it difficult to do heavy workouts with AirPods. The problem was fixed with the latest Apple AirPods.
Both the third-generation AirPods and AirPods pro have water-resistance features. You shouldn’t be worried about sweat entering them as they will function normally.
They should still work perfectly even after mistakenly dry-cleaning them with your clothes.
For music lovers, does this mean you can have your shower with AirPods on? Certainly.
Easy to operate
Connecting AirPods to the Apple ecosystem is a breeze for an Apple user.
To connect AirPods to your iPhone, bring them closer to your phone. Your phone will automatically ask for confirmation to connect the AirPods.
That should be enough to give them access to all other devices on your iCloud account.
Play/pause, next/previous track, and volume up/down navigations are very easy with AirPods. You can have Siri do it for you at your command.
Alternatively, double-tapping on the left or right pod can carry out any of these instructions. Just make sure to set what you want to achieve if you double-tap, in the Bluetooth AirPods settings on your iPhone.
Made Siri easier
Apple AirPods made the interaction with Siri a piece of cake. Say “Hey Siri” to summon Siri and give your commands through the AirPods. You can as well trouble tap on the AirPod to summon Siri if you’ve made the right settings.
If your hands are occupied, you don’t need to go near your devices to summon Siri. Give the orders through your AirPod wireless earbuds and Siri will equally have them executed.
Siri will also notify you of any incoming messages or phone calls and wait for your instructions.
Long battery life
The latest versions of AirPods will give you up to 6 hours of listening time. This applies both to the 3rd generation Standard AirPods and AirPods pro. For the talk time, they will last about 4 and a half hours. For Second gen AirPods, you’ll have an hour less, (5 hours listening time and about 3.5 hours of talk time).
If you have the active noise cancellation feature on, the battery will last about 4 and a half hours.
You’ll only need 20 or 30 minutes to fully charge your AirPods. Enabling you to get back to your Apple Music and enjoy your favorite songs.
Seamless connection
Only one device can be connected to the AirPods at a time. Though when you switch from one device to another, say from the iPhone to the iPad or Apple Watch, you can connect the AirPods to the iPad or Apple Watch without first disconnecting it from the iPhone.
The moment you start playing the audio on another device, the AirPods will automatically connect provided both devices have the same iCloud account/ Apple ID. See? made for the Apple ecosystem, the way it should be.
The AirPods will automatically stop playing if they don’t sense your skin presence for ten minutes which saves battery for all your devices.
Easy to Track
Finding AirPods once misplaced was very hard, you would turn the house upside down and yet be unsuccessful. Not anymore.
Today, with the advanced Find My app, you won’t only find your misplaced phone, but anything that you’ve linked to your iCloud account, AirPods being one of them.
Just open the App on your iPhone, iPad, or Apple watch and choose AirPods in the Devices tab.
Asking why does one AirPod die faster? My guide to troubleshooting is here.
Cons Of Apple AirPods
- Apple AirPods are expensive
- They do not stick in the ear
- A damaged AirPod battery is irreplaceable
Apple AirPods are expensive
If there is one thing that you may have against AirPods, it’s the price. As of now, the 2nd generation AirPods cost $129, which is fairly better but they lack the ‘awesome’ features that we want.
3rd generation AirPods cost $179, they still lack the noise cancellation feature. AirPods pro, the real deal, goes for $249! AirPods Max is a no-go-zone for most people. You need $549!
I’ve got to say, they are not that favoring when you are down on cash.
Their parts also cost a lot. Once you lose any part, replacing them will just draw enough bucks from your wallet. Find the replacement fees here.
They do not stick in the ear
Another problem we have with AirPods is that they do not stick where we want them to be. AirPod tips are made in fixed sizes. If you have bigger ear canals, you’ll have a problem with Pods dropping every now and then. It will get worse when you work out.
Those with tiny ear canals are no better, you’ll have it rough placing the AirPods in your ears, the experience will not be a comfortable one.
Although the AirPods pro comes with different sizes of ear tips, they still don’t cater to all of us.
A damaged AirPod battery is irreplaceable
It’s now established how expensive AirPods are, now imagine those AirPods will be no more if the batteries are damaged and functionless.
The AirPods usually come with inbuilt batteries. There is high tech involved in mounting these batteries and once damaged, you’ll find it hard to replace them.
This is however not the case if the battery malfunctions during the warranty period. You can have them replaced then.
If you lose your AirPods inside their casing, you’ll find it hard tracking them.
FAQ
To answer your question are airpods worth it? I’d say, Yes. Although it seems overpriced yet AirPods are valued for money in comparison with other true wireless earbuds in the market for Apple Ecosystem factoring the seamless experience.
