Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)
See price on AmazonOverall Score 7.3 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Sony WF C500
See price on AmazonOverall Score 6 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Category | Features | Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) | Sony WF C500 |
---|---|---|---|
DESIGN | ingress protection (ip) rating | IPX4 | IPX4 |
weight | 8.56g | 10.8g | |
has no wires or cables | ✓ | ✓ | |
sweat resistance | ✓ | ✓ | |
has stereo speakers | ✓ | ✓ | |
SOUND QUALITY | has active noise cancellation (noise control) | ✓ | ✗ |
has passive noise reduction | ✓ | ✓ | |
driver unit size | 11mm | 5.8mm | |
lowest frequency | 10Hz | 20Hz | |
highest frequency | 20,000Hz | 20,000Hz | |
POWER | battery life | 6hours | 10hours |
battery life of charging case | 30hours | 10hours | |
charge time | 0.3hours | 2.5hours | |
has wireless charging | ✓ | ✗ | |
has a battery level indicator | ✓ | ✓ | |
CONNECTIVITY | has usb type-c | ✗ | ✓ |
bluetooth version | v5 | v5 | |
maximum bluetooth range | 10meters | 9meters | |
has aac | ✓ | ✓ | |
MICROPHONE | number of microphones | 6only | 2only |
has a noise-canceling microphone | ✓ | ✗ | |
EXTRAS | has in/on-ear detection | ✓ | ✗ |
has find earbuds feature | ✓ | ✗ | |
supports fast charging | ✓ | ✓ | |
multipoint count | 2only | ✗ | |
has a mute function | ✓ | ✓ | |
control panel placed on a device | ✓ | ✓ | |
warranty period | 1Years | 1Years | |
has voice prompts | ✓ | ✓ | |
travel bag is included | ✓ | ✓ | |
See price on Amazon | See price on Amazon |
Ingress protection ratings is the rating of protection given by a casing, against dust and water. The letters 'IP' are followed by two values The first value of the IP rating refers to protection against solids say dust, while the second refers to protection against liquids (sweat).
Having a value of IPX4, the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s rating for solids indicates that no data available to specify a protection rating, and the second number of 4 means that they can withstand low pressure spray similar to that of a shower head when tilted at 180° for 10 minutes. In comparison 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
The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a weight of 8.56g . We take in account a lower weight better for the reason that lighter devices are more comfortable to move with.
The Sony WF C500, at 10.8g weigh more than the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) with a difference of 2.24g For a device to be true wireless it should have no cables connecting any part of the device together, Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) are true wireless for this matter since they have no cables. This is an important distinction since wireless earbuds have wires connecting the 2 earbuds together. Sony WF C500 also is true wireless since it doesn't have cables linking the 2 earbuds . Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have sweat resistance Sony WF C500's resistance to sweat makes both devices good for use while doing sports such as long-distance running, marathons, training in workout bodysuits, etc Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have stereo speakers, devices with stereo speakers deliver sound from independent channels on both left and right sides, this creates a richer sound and a better listening experience.
Both Sony WF C500 and Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have stereo speakers Active noise cancellation makes use of advanced technology to reduce unwanted ambient sounds. ANC works when, it listens to the sound pattern of incoming noise and inverts the soundwaves to counter it. In simple terms, it's like taking +1 (sound from your surrounding) and adding -1 (inverted noise) to make zero therefore "diluting" the noise.
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have ANC allowing you to listen at lower volume levels, good for your ears since you don't have to crank up the earbuds volume to outcompete background sounds. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) sit well in place, creating an acoustic covering that reduces background noise and also prevents the device sound from leaking out at the same. Both of these devices have passive noise reduction this means that they limit ambient noise without using ANC to cancel it out.
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a unit size of 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 determines the loudness of the earbuds. Sony WF C500 driver unit is 5.8mm in diameter, which means 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 usually have difficulty producing high frequencies so yeah, larger drivers can generate 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 generates low frequencies that can be heard, and if it makes any changes to the signal while at it. Sony WF C500's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, this implies that
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) make sound with a juicier bass than the Sony WF C500
The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response shows how well an audio device generates high audible frequencies and if it makes any adjustments to the signal while at it.
Sony WF C500's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, this implies 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 for a single charge. A device's battery life is given by the manufacturer, and with more battery hours, you get to use it for longer and requires fewer chargings. Sony WF C500's battery life is more than that of Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) by 4 hours . Each time you recharge your device, they get a little less playing time.
The effect is not noticeable at first, but over a few years, your wireless earbuds will have shorter listening time. This is given by the vendor, and the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s case is said to have a charge of 30 hours. A charging case with a longer battery life enables you to recharge your earbuds on the go multiple 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 requires 0.3 hours to fully charge the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s battery. It is highly adivsable to charge fully the battery before using the earbuds when they have been unused for long 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 Apple AirPods (3rd Gen), the device supports wireless charging.
To charge the device, you simply put down on a compatible charging pad. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a battery level indicator, an indicator shows you when the earbuds has a low battery. The battery indicator lights show the charging status of your earbuds and case.
Sony WF C500 too have a battery level indicator, these allow you to tell the charging state of your device, whether fully charged, or the battery is running low. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have Bluetooth version of 5, Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that enables data movement between devices placed in close proximity, 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.
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a 10meters distance to connect 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.
Since it uses psychoacoustic modeling, it provides better results than other codecs at a similar bit rate.
Being the highest quality codec that any Bluetooth-supporting Apple product supports, the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) will work well with your iPhone. If you are planning on using these with Android , 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.
The Sony WF C500 microphones are 2, less than that of Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) by 4 . More microphones record better sound quality and help the earbuds to filter out noise. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) use a noise-canceling microphone, these microphones are designed to reduce background sounds from the earbuds' sound. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the device can detect when they are removed from your ears so that the music is paused.
When lost in a room, or can't easily find them in your bag, Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support the find earbuds feature. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support fast charging. Most often, technologies like Qualcomm’s Quick Charge, are used to lower the time it takes to fully charge the earbuds.
Also the Sony WF C500 too support fast charging. This kind is similar to regular charging, only that the battery is filling up much faster. Say, with Quick Charge 3.0, the battery can be charged to 50% in just 30 minutes.
The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a multipoint of 2 connections, this feature allows you to link to more than one Bluetooth device and switch between them. For example, you can easily switch calls from one device to another without having to manually disconnect and reconnect. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a mute function, they have the feature to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the earbuds.
The Sony WF C500 also have the mute function. The mute function means that you can turn off the earbuds' microphone, but you can still hear the other party's voice. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen), so you can access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever features are supported on the device.
The Sony WF C500 also 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. If 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. With voice prompts, you receive information via audio messages, like if there is an issue with the connection. Sony WF C500 also support voice prompts .i.e the device notifies you if the battery is running low, and it's time to recharge the device.
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) come with their own special pouch. Carrying earbuds without a case, or putting them in your bag without a cover can easily damage them. Sony WF C500 too have a case included, which is useful for safe transportation.