Beats vs. AirPods. Powerbeats Pro vs. AirPods Pro. What’s the difference? What’s better? Read our full comparison on the line of Beats and AirPods from Apple.
Updated December 8th: We compare the new AirPods Max vs. Beats Studio Wireless.
There are many different types of headphones on the market – ranging from high-end Bose Headphones to no-name Airpods knock-offs. This makes it challenging for individuals to choose the best. Beats doesn’t make it any easier: with a dizzying number of headphone styles, which Beats headphones are the best for you?
Beats vs. AirPods Comparison: Why is it so confusing?
Well, for starters, Apple now owns Beats by Dre. Not only do the Beats Headphones compete against each other, but the Beats Headphones also compete against Apple’s AirPods. In fact, they use a lot of the same technology. Beats currently has 7 current models and Apple has two different types of AirPods: The AirPods and AirPods Pro.
Apple’s acquisition of Beats was not only a move to tap into the high-end headphone market but also a strategic way to bolster its music streaming services through Beats Music. The integration of Beats’ audio technology with Apple’s ecosystem strengthens Apple’s position in consumer audio products. With shared technologies like the W1 and H1 chips, both Beats and AirPods benefit from enhanced audio processing and seamless connectivity within the Apple environment.
Beats vs. AirPods: How they are the same?
With Apple now owning Beats by Dre – they have a lot of the same technology. The biggest area they are the same is the W1/H1 Chip.
The W1 chip, originally introduced with the first generation of AirPods, enabled revolutionary Bluetooth connectivity with better battery life and range. The subsequent introduction of the H1 chip brought further improvements like faster connection times, lower gaming latency, and support for “Hey Siri” voice commands. This evolution significantly enhances user experience, especially when switching between devices, which is a hallmark of Apple’s product integration.
What is the W1/H1 Chip in the AirPods and Beats?
The W1/H1 is a proprietary system-in-package chip that allows an array of improved abilities to its AirPods and Beats headphones. Mainly, this allows AirPods and Beats Headphones to connect super easily to Apple Products (iPhones, Macs and more). The W1 Chip also allows you to take advantage of some advanced Apple features like sharing audio with two pairs of Beats and two pairs of AirPods.
The W1 Chip is the previous version of the chip. The H1 is the newer version of the chip. The H1 added a lower audio latency and the ability for have accelerometers in the chip to see where your head is moving. This allows the audio to have a 3D effect, but in all honest, we’ve never used it.
All the AirPods and Beats products work with any Bluetooth device, not just Apple devices.
AirPods vs. Beats By Dre – How are they different?
The main difference between the AirPods and Beats is the different uses – and price. We’ll dive into the best products for how you will use them.
beats vs. airpods – What are the different models?
On September 9, 2024, Apple unveiled the AirPods 4, enhancing their lineup with the latest H2 chip and Bluetooth 5.3 technology. These new earbuds come with significant updates, including redesigned contours, improved speakers, and a smaller charging case that now supports USB-C charging.
The AirPods 4 also offers an upgraded model featuring active noise cancellation and compatibility with Qi and Apple Watch chargers for added convenience. Interestingly, while the charging case supports more versatile charging options, it has omitted magnets for MagSafe due to its new compact design. Moreover, the case incorporates a speaker to aid in locating it via the Find My tracking application, catering to the practicality needs of users.