Bluetooth headsets, wireless earphones and EarPods have revolutionised how people listen to music. They are a great way to create your own space and escape the commotion while travelling. Furthermore, with more people working from home lately, EarPods have become practical devices, allowing you to conveniently attend office calls or online classes without disturbing others around you. Using Bluetooth technology, you can pair your AirPods or EarPods with your mobile, PC or tablet without the clutter of wires and with the freedom of movement.
Apple, in particular, is a brand that has been at the forefront of innovation in design and technology. Its wireless earphones are known as AirPods. These are quite popular and one of the most widely sold products manufactured by the company. A lot of people tend to get confused between EarPods and AirPods and use the terms interchangeably. However, this isn’t always correct. Let us examine the similarities and differences between the two audio devices.
What are EarPods?
Like all other electronic gadgets and accessories, headphones have also evolved in recent years. From bulky wired headsets to modern wireless EarPods, they have become smaller, clearer, more efficient and highly portable. EarPods are wired earphones that Apple offered to connect to the earlier iPhone models.
The earphones of yesteryear used to have rubber buds attached over plastic or ceramic-coated earphone. They were not quite ergonomic, could lead to irritation in the ear due to their rugged structure and required constant adjustment to keep them in place. This isn’t the case with EarPods, which are designed to comfortably fit over your ear canal and stay in place for a long duration. They have a strategically placed vent that allows for uninterrupted airflow, keeping the earpiece hygienic while enabling it to function like an acoustic chamber for an enhanced audio experience.
Typically, wired EarPods come with a 3.5-millimetre headphone socket or a Lightning port connector that you can plug into devices such as your smartphone or laptop. However, most of the latest phone designs no longer have an audio jack. If you still wish to use an EarPod with your latest smartphone, you may need to buy an audio-port adapter that can connect to the newer phone models through their Lightning or USB-C port.
What are AirPods?
Wireless EarPods are the next step in the evolution journey. Apple introduced them in 2016 under the name ‘AirPods’. While the concept and shape are pretty much the same as mentioned earlier, they are wireless and offer greater convenience. Using Bluetooth technology, AirPods can be paired with any compatible device, like your smartphone. Once paired, you can use various audio functions on your phone directly through the AirPods without holding your phone. These include making and answering calls, listening to songs, pausing them, changing playlists, and adjusting volume.
The AirPods come with their own charging case, which is sleek and compact. While on their own, they can easily last up to 5 hours. Using the charging case can enhance the battery life by up to 24 hours, making these wireless EarPods the perfect travel companion. Furthermore, they feature some of the latest advancements in audio technology. These include Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), which significantly reduces the noise you hear in your surroundings so you can focus on whatever you are listening to, like your playlist or a phone conversation. They offer a robust connection, providing uninterrupted audio output and are ideal for taking confidential office calls. By double-tapping the touch button on the AirPod, you can also activate Siri, Apple’s proprietary voice assistant. This allows you to use the search and other information services that Siri offers by using voice commands through your AirPods.
Conclusion
Whether you are travelling or working from home, AirPods extend an entirely hands-free experience without causing any disturbance to those around you. While EarPods are cheaper and enhance your audio experience, AirPods provide greater convenience as they are truly wireless. However, EarPods’ prices make them some of the best-selling audio devices, while AirPods come at a premium.