If you are reading this then you are already tempted by Apple AirPods. If that is true who could blame you. After all, they are stylish, sleek and fashionable.
Likely you appreciate the merits of Apple products but that does make you an Apple junkie. Just because you have an iPad does not mean you have an iPhone. That gives rise to the question of the AirPods compatibility.
The last thing you want is multiple sets of earphones because you use several different devices. The whole point of wireless earphones is convenience. This article will tell you what you need to know so that you can make a smart purchasing choice.
Apple AirPods – Know Your Technology
In order to grasp how these earphones work with other technology, it is helpful to know a little bit about how they function. They are completely wireless and connect with other devices by using Bluetooth technology.
That means whatever other technology you are using if it does not have Bluetooth then it will not be compatible. On the other hand, if you have a Bluetooth phone that is not made by Apple there is potential it will work with these earphones.
Of course, there is a lot more to these earphones than just Bluetooth. For example, within the earphones are accelerometers that will respond to gestures and speech detection. Not only that, but there are optical sensors and microphones.
This brilliant assemblage of tech allows the AirPods to make adaptive changes depending on whether you are talking or not and also use touch-based commands to control certain functions through the earphones.
Which Version Is Best?
You may already know there are three versions. That is the Airpods first-generation, Airpods 2 (second generation), and Airpods Pro (third-generation). These are some of the key differences.
Form Factor
The Airpods and Airpods 2 look the same. However, the AirPods Pro have silicone tips in three sizes for a comfortable fit. The Airpods Pro are sweat and water-resistant which may make them better suited to use during sports.
Control Functions
As a general rule, the Airpods Pro has the most advanced controls on the device and the Airpods first-generation has the least control. The Airpods are limited to a double-tap as the control function which can be used to play/pause and do other functions.
However, Airpods 2 includes a single tap function and voice-activated launch for Siri. The AriPods Pro offers single, double, and triple tap functions as well as voice activation.
Processor and Sound
The AirPods 2 and AirPods Pro both have an upgraded chipset. This is the H1 chip which enables the devices to respond to voice.
The AirPods Pro offers a more immersive experience and better sound quality compared to the first-generation AirPods. The AirPods Pro benefit from an adaptive equalizer that fine-tunes the sound. This version also has active noise cancellation.
The AirPods and AirPods 2 does not have these features. If you want to upgrade your AirPods then you can sell them here and purchase the latest version.
Battery Life and Charging
AirPods can be charged using a standard wired case, but are also compatible with the wireless charging case. The second-generation AirPods can be charged with either option, wired or a wireless case. AirPods Pro offers the same options.
It seems the best battery life will come from AirPods 2. They offer an extra hour of talk time compared to the first-generation. The AirPods Pro are competitive with AirPods 2 but that is only when active noise cancellation is off.
How Do They Connect?
There is no need to pair them with your Apple device as you would do with traditional Bluetooth technology. This is one of the attractions of these earphones. They will automatically connect with your device and all you need to do is click a button to accept the pairing.
That said if you want to pair them with another device such as an Android phone then you will need to pair them using the traditional method.
AirPods Compatibility – Can and Cannot
You will be delighted to know that the Apple Airpods pair with practically all Apple technology no matter what the operating system version. If however, you want them to automatically pair and make use of the additional features, then you need to be using models that run iOS 10 or later.
If you want to use the latest Airpods you need to use iOS 12.2 or later. The AirPods will pair with your Mac, iPad and Apple Watch.
They will also pair with other Bluetooth enabled devices like Android phones and also laptops. Of course, it stands to reason some of the clever tricks and functional especially designed for Apple integration will not work with a non-Apple product.
Other Features to Grab Your Interest
Here are some features that you can enjoy regardless of whether you pair your Airpods with an Apple device or not.
There are no wires and you will find them a comfy fit. The battery life is about 5 hours which can be extended to 24 hours using the charging case. With just 15 minutes in the charging case, you can get another 3 hours of usage time.
You can use one or two earphones. Both have microphones so you can still make calls. Some other features that are dependent on the accelerometers you could test using your device in an Apple store.
For example, putting the earphones in or out of your ears will trigger playing or stopping soundtracks. Also, some tapping options may work for your device.
Apple AirPods – Right or Left?
Sometimes it is more convenient and quicker to use one earphone. Perhaps you want to make a quick call and also still hear the sounds around you. If this is the case then you can easily opt to use one earphone instead of two.
Being completely wireless and having the choice of using one or two earphones offers you full flexibility. The charging case is not only a brilliant idea for extending the usage time of your Airpods but it is also an excellent means for not losing one of your earphones.
Even though these earphones are well designed it could be easy to lose one of the earphones if you are not careful. So take this as a caution, if you are not using an earphone make sure it is returned to its case immediately. Another advantage of using one earphone for phone calls is that when the battery fails you can immediately switch to the other side.
So if you have a day full of phone calls, this can be an excellent option no matter what device you pair the earphones with.
Apple AirPods – Sounds Like a Good Idea
In this article, you have read about the AirPods compatibility with other devices. In short, they can be used with many non-Apple products. The best thing you can do is head down to the Apple store and test them with your device.
Apple AirPods could be a great buy. Then again, maybe you are interested in getting an Apple Watch. If so, check out this helpful article here to help you decide.
