Is there any Android equivalent of Apple Ear Pods?

CantGetNoSleep

Just wondering if anyone (e.g. Xiaomi) has made something similar, and maybe a bit cheaper, designed for Android.

I know you can get Bluetooth wireless earphones anywhere but I like how handy the pods look to just throw in a pocket etc

corks finest

CantGetNoSleep wrote: »

Just wondering if anyone (e.g. Xiaomi) has made something similar, and maybe a bit cheaper, designed for Android.

I know you can get Bluetooth wireless earphones anywhere but I like how handy the pods look to just throw in a pocket etc

Good question

rizzee

There's cheap ones that look the exact same and charge in case via micro USB all over Gearbest, Aliexpress etc for 10 -20 euros but that probably says a lot about them at that price

cruizer101

Here is a few options from amazon that are similar, personally I prefer the wire joined ones but all these have good reviews

https://www.amazon.co.uk/ENACFIRE-E18-Headphones-Bluetooth-Earphones-black/dp/B07CKQHCBL/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1537194594&sr=8-5

https://www.amazon.co.uk/TOZO-T8-Wireless-Headphones-Bluetooth/dp/B07D7MC4QG/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1537194594&sr=8-8

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Headphones-ENACFIRE-Bluetooth-Microphone-Earphones-Black/dp/B07DPPN42S/ref=sr_1_17?ie=UTF8&qid=1537194594&sr=8-17

Drew P. Wiener

A google search will return a mixed bag of different types, many of which don't have great reviews. What I've seen lately that remotely resembles airpods in the looks department, and ( according to the limit amount of reviews available) in performance also, are Mobvoi TicPods Free.. they were on a crowdfund at the start of the summer but unsure if they've gone into production yet.

Krombopulos Michael

I found this MKBHD review of alternatives to Air Pods quite good, but still not the cheapest.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4EKZRlpcIM

wexie

Is there any reason you couldn't just use the apple ones with an android phone if you really wanted to?

corkie

I have I7s Plus TWS that can be got cheaply and okay for what they are.

They also come in Camouflage and various colors.


There is an updated model TWS-i9s that are more expensive.
Edit: - Cheaper versions on Ali, but don't know if there the version from clip.

corks finest

corkie wrote: »

I have I7s Plus TWS that can be got cheaply and okay for what they are.

They also come in Camouflage and various colors.


There is an updated model TWS-i9s that are more expensive.

Links won't open

corks finest

corks finest wrote: »

corkie wrote: »

I have I7s Plus TWS that can be got cheaply and okay for what they are.

They also come in Camouflage and various colors.


There is an updated model TWS-i9s that are more expensive.

Links won't open

Sorry, blind

rizzee

That reminds me, I ordered these after having a few pints the other day https://www.gearbest.com/headsets/pp_009731154715.html?wid=1433363 Paid €4.84c got two pairs awaiting delivery. Probably won't use them, will do for a stocking filler, happy with my Mobi Mountain Coolcans.

homer911

My son bought a pair which glow in the dark. Personally I think they make him look a bit of a twat. I'm waiting for the day he comes home and tells me he was mugged for them (there again, the muggers would look like twats!)

They should make these skin-tone in colour so they are almost invisible!

corks finest

homer911 wrote: »

My son bought a pair which glow in the dark. Personally I think they make him look a bit of a twat. I'm waiting for the day he comes home and tells me he was mugged for them (there again, the muggers would look like twats!)

They should make these skin-tone in colour so they are almost invisible!

Bloody good point, I'm always telling my teen to put his phone away unless I'm with him,or he's in a good area

Grassey

corkie wrote:

There is an updated model

I have these. They are great!

corks finest

Grassey wrote: »

corkie wrote:

There is an updated model

I have these. They are great!

Dear?

Grassey

$15 from aliexpress

nim1bdeh38l2cw

Wait a few weeks and the Pixel Buds 2 should be out

corkie

Grassey wrote: »

$15 from aliexpress

Yes there is various clones of I9S-TWS, a bit of pot luck if you get a good brand.

CantGetNoSleep

Mekhi Proud Thermodynamics wrote: »

Wait a few weeks and the Pixel Buds 2 should be out

Any idea of cost? I'm willing to spend a bit but talking Xiaomi price range (i.e. not cheap crap but always works solidly) rather than Apple

corks finest

Grassey wrote: »

$15 from aliexpress

Tnx

s7ryf3925pivug

Apple have a proprietary codec for playing music over bluetooth that is very clearly better in terms of sound quality. The sound quality of any bluetooth headphone on an android device will be mediocre at best regardless of the quality of the hardware.

OldMrBrennan83

Erik Narrow Loop wrote: »

Apple have a proprietary codec for playing music over bluetooth that is very clearly better in terms of sound quality. The sound quality of any bluetooth headphone on an android device will be mediocre at best regardless of the quality of the hardware.

Won't matter or be noticeable to 99% of people though.

Grab All Association

Yep see attached. They’re called MyPhonies

s7ryf3925pivug

Patww79 wrote: »

Won't matter or be noticeable to 99% of people though.

The difference is very noticeable on high end hardware. Probably not noticeable on mediocre headphones.

OldMrBrennan83

Erik Narrow Loop wrote: »

The difference is very noticeable on high end hardware. Probably not noticeable on mediocre headphones.

For the 1% really into audio quality, air pods aren't high end hardware.

Anyway, normally these things go:
1. Christens oneself and audiophile.
2. Buys mad expensive headphones.
3. Knows all there is to know about DAC's etc.
4. Listens to music on Spotify.

Del2005

Erik Narrow Loop wrote: »

The difference is very noticeable on high end hardware. Probably not noticeable on mediocre headphones.

The original input is crap so no matter how much you spend on the output you won't get good sound. I always laugh at people spending hundreds to listen to castrated music. Look at the amount that you need to spend to get quality sound from a record and try to tell me that spending hundreds on earphones will give a good output when the input is inferior.

corks finest

Del2005 wrote: »

Erik Narrow Loop wrote: »

The difference is very noticeable on high end hardware. Probably not noticeable on mediocre headphones.

The original input is crap so no matter how much you spend on the output you won't get good sound. I always laugh at people spending hundreds to listen to castrated music. Look at the amount that you need to spend to get quality sound from a record and try to tell me that spending hundreds on earphones will give a good output when the input is inferior.

Good points,I for one wouldn't contemplate spending over e 30 ,then I am a miserable bastar d

Subcomandante Marcos

rizzee wrote: »

There's cheap ones that look the exact same and charge in case via micro USB all over Gearbest, Aliexpress etc for 10 -20 euros but that probably says a lot about them at that price

They probably provide audio as good as the apple products and the battery like is probably comparable for 10 - 30% of the price. Says everything you need to know about apple's product in fairness.

errlloyd

They haven't been mentioned here, and they aren't exactly cheap but I use Jabra Elite 65ts. Currently 150 on amazon.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jabra-Wireless-Bluetooth-Charging-One-touch-Titanium-Black/dp/B078GMZ9PQ

I bought them because the reviews I read generally said they were the best in the business.

https://www.theverge.com/2018/4/17/17247354/jabra-elite-65t-truly-wireless-earbuds-review-airpods

https://www.soundguys.com/jabra-elite-65t-review-18377/

https://www.techradar.com/reviews/jabra-elite-65t-true-wireless-earbuds

My experience of using them is pretty good. I hardly ever use my wired headphones anymore, and I had pretty good wired headphones (about the same price, 150e Bose Sound True Ultras).

They have two downsides. For very long periods of listening they do get uncomfortable. On the Luas (but so far only the luas) they seem to get some interference with something else on the same frequency. If you move seat you're usually fine.

EGriff

I have those Jabras too, much better sound than Airpods, connect when you take them out of the box, can connect to 2 devices at once (only 1 audio stream at a time obviously). They have a hear through feature too, using the mics to let sound in, you can turn that on or off, handy for the office.

WhatsGoingOn2

If you are looking for something a bit cheaper, these get good reviews:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07DPPN42S/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

nim1bdeh38l2cw

CantGetNoSleep wrote: »

Any idea of cost? I'm willing to spend a bit but talking Xiaomi price range (i.e. not cheap crap but always works solidly) rather than Apple

Version 1 of them are stg £159

kave2

Erik Narrow Loop wrote: »

Apple have a proprietary codec for playing music over bluetooth that is very clearly better in terms of sound quality. The sound quality of any bluetooth headphone on an android device will be mediocre at best regardless of the quality of the hardware.

Lol

kagni

Erik Narrow Loop wrote: »

Apple have a proprietary codec for playing music over bluetooth that is very clearly better in terms of sound quality. The sound quality of any bluetooth headphone on an android device will be mediocre at best regardless of the quality of the hardware.

Was checking this stuff recently and it seems that for best bluetooth sound quality on Android check if your phone supports either aptx or aptx-HD and then get compatible headphones. (Sony have their own LDAC codec and again headphones must also support it).
aptx-HD and LDAC give comparable performance to the AAC codec that Apple use.

Apple airpods don't support aptX so using them on Android will default to standard Bluetooth codec.

kave2

kagni wrote: »

Erik Narrow Loop wrote: »

Apple have a proprietary codec for playing music over bluetooth that is very clearly better in terms of sound quality. The sound quality of any bluetooth headphone on an android device will be mediocre at best regardless of the quality of the hardware.

Was checking this stuff recently and it seems that for best bluetooth sound quality on Android check if your phone supports either aptx or aptx-HD and then get compatible headphones. (Sony have their own LDAC codec and again headphones must also support it).
aptx-HD and LDAC give comparable performance to the AAC codec that Apple use.

Apple airpods don't support aptX so using them on Android will default to standard Bluetooth codec.

Even if they would support aptX, they would still sounds below average. Extremely overpriced product.

corkie

I7s Plus TWS Bluetooth 4.2 Earbuds Stereo Earphones with Charging Case


Now down to €4.28


Note there is a more expensive upgraded i9s model also available now.

rizzee

I got 2 pairs of them last week forgot to update ^^^

Got them at €4.67 (give or take a few cent) each with a coupon code. They work fine, going to keep them as stocking fillers as I prefer headphones. An absolute bargain though.

CantGetNoSleep

Xiaomi did launch AirDots in November - 28 USD China equivalent

https://www.xda-developers.com/xiaomi-airdots-affordable-wireless-earphones/

I'll order if I find them in stock somewhere around that price

CantGetNoSleep

CantGetNoSleep wrote: »

Xiaomi did launch AirDots in November - 28 USD China equivalent

https://www.xda-developers.com/xiaomi-airdots-affordable-wireless-earphones/

I'll order if I find them in stock somewhere around that price

they get fairly mixed to bad reviews from what I've seen, which is unusual for a Xiaomi branded product. But they are pretty cheap I guess and may well be the best option in the sub 40 euro price segment.