So I've been testing the AirPods this morning, calling numerous people, getting their impressions as to how I sound, versus how I sound just holding the phone. I use Bluetooth for a lot of phone calls, but it's never been a "perfect" technology for me, with disconnects, crackles etc etc.
The AirPods? Well, they're different, and there are some great things, here.
1.) As others have said, these aren't falling out of MOST people's ears. I actually struggled a bit with the EarPods because the cord is the KEY in causing issues for stability in the ear. While the EarPods *mostly* stayed in my ear, I did have to adjust them numerous times when wearing them for extended periods. With the AirPods? No such issue. No wires = great stability. And yes, shaking the head is no problem, here.
2.) Call quality is absolutely superb. I called a very tech-oriented buddy (thanks, Omar!) to test this with me, and he could tell no discernible difference with me in my house or outside on my windy street today in Seattle - between AirPods and my iPhone 7 Plus. HOWEVER, in my worst-case-scenario test location, a tiled and VERY echoey bathroom, he could tell that there was a small echo with the AirPods. That said, the call quality was still excellent, and miles ahead of any other BT headset I've called him with which would show far more echo.
Also to note, I could speak VERY quietly, and my friend said he could still hear me PERFECTLY. Gone are the days of holding the microphone on the EarPods up to my mouth so people can hear me better. Speak at normal volume because the AirPods have you covered!
3.) The interface for the case is just pure Apple gloriousness. People who own the AirPods by now will know what I mean, but each and every time you remove or insert an AirPod is... well... downright sexual. It feels right, it works perfectly, and it's a very pleasing experience. The magnets, the fit, the little LED - just about as perfect as you could imagine.
4.) I love that you just place either or both AirPods into your ears, and the phone will switch to BT for your call. You remove one AirPod while you're on the call, and the existing AirPod will serve as the single microphone. You remove the second AirPod from your ear, and it reverts to the phone for audio (for music, removing one AirPod pauses). Note: My friend said he noticed no difference in audio quality when trying either AirPod by itself or both together. Crystal clear, both over regular cell calls or via FaceTime audio.
5.) The battery case is just great, and the AirPods recharge startlingly quickly. I went from 82% to 100% in what must have been fewer than 15 minutes. The case is also smaller than my VW keyless entry fob, and will live in my pocket when out and about.
Overall, haters gonna hate, but I absolutely - so far - love the AirPods. The audio quality is undeniably better than the EarPods. Better bass, better definition, and it's so refreshingly freeing to not have any more wires. The future is wireless, but WORKING wireless. This is as close as we've come yet so far.
The AirPods? Well, they're different, and there are some great things, here.
1.) As others have said, these aren't falling out of MOST people's ears. I actually struggled a bit with the EarPods because the cord is the KEY in causing issues for stability in the ear. While the EarPods *mostly* stayed in my ear, I did have to adjust them numerous times when wearing them for extended periods. With the AirPods? No such issue. No wires = great stability. And yes, shaking the head is no problem, here.
2.) Call quality is absolutely superb. I called a very tech-oriented buddy (thanks, Omar!) to test this with me, and he could tell no discernible difference with me in my house or outside on my windy street today in Seattle - between AirPods and my iPhone 7 Plus. HOWEVER, in my worst-case-scenario test location, a tiled and VERY echoey bathroom, he could tell that there was a small echo with the AirPods. That said, the call quality was still excellent, and miles ahead of any other BT headset I've called him with which would show far more echo.
Also to note, I could speak VERY quietly, and my friend said he could still hear me PERFECTLY. Gone are the days of holding the microphone on the EarPods up to my mouth so people can hear me better. Speak at normal volume because the AirPods have you covered!
3.) The interface for the case is just pure Apple gloriousness. People who own the AirPods by now will know what I mean, but each and every time you remove or insert an AirPod is... well... downright sexual. It feels right, it works perfectly, and it's a very pleasing experience. The magnets, the fit, the little LED - just about as perfect as you could imagine.
4.) I love that you just place either or both AirPods into your ears, and the phone will switch to BT for your call. You remove one AirPod while you're on the call, and the existing AirPod will serve as the single microphone. You remove the second AirPod from your ear, and it reverts to the phone for audio (for music, removing one AirPod pauses). Note: My friend said he noticed no difference in audio quality when trying either AirPod by itself or both together. Crystal clear, both over regular cell calls or via FaceTime audio.
5.) The battery case is just great, and the AirPods recharge startlingly quickly. I went from 82% to 100% in what must have been fewer than 15 minutes. The case is also smaller than my VW keyless entry fob, and will live in my pocket when out and about.
Overall, haters gonna hate, but I absolutely - so far - love the AirPods. The audio quality is undeniably better than the EarPods. Better bass, better definition, and it's so refreshingly freeing to not have any more wires. The future is wireless, but WORKING wireless. This is as close as we've come yet so far.
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