Ingress protection ratings is the rating of protection given by a casing, against dust and liquids. The letters 'IP' are followed by two values The first value of the IP rating represents protection against solids such as dust, followed by the one that refers to protection against liquids (sweat).
Scoring IPX4, the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s rating is read as, the first value of X denotes that no data available to specify a protection rating, and the second value of 4 means that they can withstand low pressure spray similar to that of a shower head when tilted at 180° for 10 minutes. Compared to the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen), Sony WF C500 have a rating of IPX4 meaning that
we are not yet certain of their rating with solids (dust)
and that of liquids is that,
they both have the same rating against liquids
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a weight of 8.56g . We take in account a lower weight better because lighter devices are more comfortable to move with.
The Sony WF C500, at 10.8g
are heavier than the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) with a difference of 2.24g
True wireless devices have no wires linking any part of the device together, Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) are true wireless for this case since they don't have cables. This is a major difference since wireless earbuds have wires connecting the pair of earbuds .
Sony WF C500 also is true wireless since it doesn't have cables linking the two earbuds together. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) are resistant to sweat
Sony WF C500's resistance to sweat makes both devices good for use during long-distance running, marathons, training in workout bodysuits, etc
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have stereo speakers, devices with stereo speakers deliver sound from separate channels on both left and right sides, this creates a richer sound and a better listening experience.
The Sony WF C500 also have stereo speakers
ANC makes use of advanced technology to reduce ambient sounds. ANC works when, it detects and analyzes the sound pattern of incoming noise and then inverts the soundwaves to counter it. In simple terms, it's like taking +1 (sound from your surrounding) and adding -1 (counter sound by the device) giving 0 resulting in a reduced level of noise.
The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have ANC allowing you to listen at lower levels of volume, causing less ear fatigue since you don't need to crank up the device volume to outcompete background noise. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) sit tightly in place, this creates a sound covering that tones down your environment sounds and also prevents the device music from leaking out .
Both Sony WF C500, and Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have passive noise reduction this implies that both limit ambient noise instead of actively using technology to cancel it out. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) driver unit is 11mm in diameter, the bigger the unit the more powerful, therefor producing better bass.
A driver unit is the component that makes sound in the earbuds, its size corellates with the loudness of the earbuds. Sony WF C500 driver unit is 5.8mm in diameter,
which implies that they have a smaller driver unit than that of Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) by 5.2mm
, many people have a misconception that driver units of a bigger size automatically produce better sound quality.
However, large drivers find it difficult to produce high frequencies so yeah, larger drivers are capable of generating louder sound, but this does not mean that they deliver better quality sound.
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s lowest frequency is at 10Hz, low-frequency response measures if and how well an audio component produces low audible frequencies and if it alters the signal on its way through. Sony WF C500's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, this means that
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) can make sound with a juicier bass than the Sony WF C500
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response tells how well an audio device produces high human frequencies and if it makes any adjustments to the signal on its way through. Sony WF C500's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, this means that
both devices can produce equal treble
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s battery life is 6 hours, these last longer than 5 hours of listening which is considered average before recharge.
A device's battery life is usually given by the manufacturer, and with more battery hours, you get to use it for longer and have to charge the device less often. Sony WF C500's battery life is
more than that of Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) by 4 hours
. Every time you recharge your earbuds, they get a little less playing time. The effect is not noticeable at first, but over time, your wireless earbuds will no longer play for long like they used to.
The battery life of the charging case is given by the manufacturer, and Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s case is said to have a full charge of 30 hours. A charging case with more battery hours enables you to recharge your earbuds on the go many times before recharging the case itself. Sony WF C500's charging case has a battery life of 10 hours,
less than that of Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) by 20 hours
It takes 0.3 hours to fully charge the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s battery.
It is highly adivsable to fully charge the battery before using the earbuds when they have been in storage for extended periods. Sony WF C500 takes 2.5 hours to fully charge the battery,
more than that of Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) by 2.2 hours
The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen), the device supports wireless charging. To charge the earbuds, you just put down on a compatible charging pad.
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a battery level indicator, an indicator notifies you when the earbuds has a low battery. Its lights show the charging state of your earbuds and case. Sony WF C500 too have a battery level indicator, these allow you to determine the charging state of your earbuds, if charged fully, or the battery is running low.
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have Bluetooth version of 5, Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that allows data transfers between devices placed in range, using short-wavelength, ultra-high frequency radio waves. Sony WF C500 has a Bluetooth version of 5,
equal to that of the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)
. Newer versions provide faster data transfers. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a 10meters distance connecting via Bluetooth.
Sony WF C500 have a maximum range of 9meters,
less than that of Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) by 1meters
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support AAC, a codec that is used for Bluetooth audio. It supports 24-bit audio at 250kbps. Because it uses psychoacoustic modeling, it provides better results than other codecs at the same bit rate.
Since its the highest quality codec that any Bluetooth-supporting Apple product supports, the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) will work well with your iPad. If you are planning on using these with Android you need to pay even closer attention to codec support for if they only have AAC they won't provide the best audio quality possible, ensure that they also support aptX HD, LDAC, or LHDC as well. The Sony WF C500 support AAC as well.
Designed to be the successor of the MP3 format, AAC generally achieves higher sound quality than MP3 encoders at the same bit rate. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have 6 microphones. Sony WF C500 microphones are 2,
less than that of Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) by 4
. More microphones result in better sound quality and help the earbuds to filter out noise.
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a noise-canceling type of microphone, these microphones are intended to reduce background sounds from the earbuds' sound. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the device can detect when removed from your ears so that the music is paused. If lost in a room, or can't easily find them in your bag, the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support the find earbuds feature.
The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support fast charging. Usually, technologies like Qualcomm’s Quick Charge, are used to reduce the time it takes to charge the earbuds. The Sony WF C500 too support fast charging.
It's very similar to regular charging, only that the battery fills up much faster. For example, with Quick Charge 3.0, the battery is charged to 50% in 30 minutes. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support multipoint of 2 connections, this feature allows you connect to more than one Bluetooth device and switch between them.
For example, you can seemlessly switch calls from one device to another without having to manually disconnect and reconnect. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a mute function, they support the option to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the device. The Sony WF C500 too have this function.
It means that you are in position turn off the earbuds' microphone, but you can still hear the other party's voice. With the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen), so you can access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever functions are supported on the earbuds. Sony WF C500 too have a control panel on them.
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a warranty period of 1 Years, the period of time that warrant free repair and adjustment services in case of a malfunction occurring under normal use that has followed instruction manuals. When covered under the manufacturer’s warranty it is possible to get a replacement in the case of a malfunction. Sony WF C500 have a warranty period of 1Years,
equal to that of the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)
.
The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support voice prompts.
Automatically receive information through audio messages, say if there is an issue with the connection. The Sony WF C500 too support voice prompts .i.e the device notifies you if the battery is low, and you need to recharge the earbuds. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) come with their own special case.
Carrying earphones openly, or placing them inside your bag without a casing may easily damage them. Sony WF C500 also have a case included, which is useful for safe transportation.
