In 2017 following its release of the iPhone 7, Apple committed the cardinal sin of removing the 3.5mm headphone jack, and in less than 24 months, like sheep, the rest of the industry followed them. Sony remains the only major phone maker that keeps the iconic jack on its flagship devices. Outside of professional music production, wired headphones are slowly becoming antiquated and only fit for the museum. This move by Apple made it necessary for iPhone users to use wireless headphones and earbuds, leading to an increased demand for TWS earbuds. Additionally, Apple’s decision to release its AirPods further popularised the use of TWS earbuds and helped to drive the overall market growth. Other smartphone manufacturers soon followed Apple’s lead and started to remove the headphone jack from their devices, further boosting the growth of the TWS market.
So that’s how we got here. Now, you have finally decided to get a pair of earbuds or upgrade what you currently have, and you have questions; well, you have come to the right place. These are some of the most important factors to consider when getting your next earbuds:
Ecosystem Interconnectivity
Pairing the Apple AirPods Pro with an Infinix phone is arguably one of the weirdest decisions anybody can ever make. Of course, it will work! But you will be missing out on a whole lot of features. Among other things, pairing a pair of AirPods with any other Apple product will give you seamless connectivity; you can connect your iPhone and MacBook simultaneously. The proprietary W1 chip in the Airpods only works with Apple devices, and that chip, the first of its kind, is the real deal as it offers instant pairing and much more… The same applies to Samsung devices too. A pair of Samsung Galaxy buds will play more nicely with a Samsung device than other android devices. The Android ecosystem is a little bit friendlier and more universal; a pair of Sony Earbuds will work with full functionality on all Android devices. Find out how the interconnectivity available between your device and the earbuds of your choice.
PRO TIP: The iPhone works well with the AirPods, Galaxy Buds with Samsung Galaxy Devices, and Pixel Buds with Google Pixel. But you knew that!
Comfort
Because our ears are different, our experience with earbuds will never be the same. There are many earbuds styles, but the commonest ones are the standard earbuds (The Apple AirPods 1, 2, 3) and the in-ear earbuds (the Airpods Pro and some Samsung Galaxy Buds). In-ear earbuds usually come with silicone or foam tips that go inside your ears to create a seal and, in many cases, help with noise reduction. Some audiophiles find the in-ear earbuds more immersive, especially for those prioritising bass and a riveting listening experience. The standard-style earbuds are relatively more comfortable for some people but less immersive. Some earbuds are primarily designed for workout and outdoor activities (Powerbeats Pro, Sony WF-SP800N, Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro, etc.)
If you are a gym enthusiast or a fitness guru and need earbuds to help you on your journey, you will be well served to get those.
PRO TIP: Sony and Apple Earbuds are arguably some of the best for outdoor activities and every day listening.
Sound Profile
Every OEM has a sound profile; Beats Headphones and earbuds, Skullcandy earbuds are famous for their loud bass and hip-hop-friendly sound profile. If you are a rap or hip-hop enthusiast, you will enjoy your experience with these brands. Other brands take a different route to their sound profile tuning; it is important to read reviews before deciding.
PRO TIP: If you have an iPhone, the AirPods Pro and the AirPods Pro 2 are a no-brainer; they tick all the boxes. For Android phones, your budget determines what you get.
The Bells and the Whistles
Nothing is more annoying than making calls with your earbuds, and the person on the other end is complaining that they can’t hear you because it’s noisy where you are. My brother, to avoid this kerfuffle, get a pair of earbuds that support Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). Some earbuds use Bluetooth multipoint that allows you to connect your earbuds to your laptop and smartphone simultaneously. Other features you should look out for include ambience/transparency mode, the auto pause feature (your music pauses automatically when you remove your earbuds from your ears), wireless charging, water resistance, etc. Identify the features that are important to you and go for the earbuds that have them.
PRO TIP: Pay close attention to their call capabilities; there are great-sounding earbuds that don’t handle calls well and vice-versa.
If you have made your choice, head over here to get them at affordable prices with the option to pay in instalments. And yes, you are welcome. Remember, Ogabassey Never Disappoints.
