As an Android user and owner of the latest AirPods, I’ve often asked myself if they are worth the investment. After a lot of research, testing, and frustration, I’m here to share my experience and to provide an answer to this question. Is it worth buying AirPods for Android?
In this article, we dive deeper into what it’s like to use AirPods for Android and what other options you may want to buy instead.
| Feature | AirPods | Google Pixel Buds A-Series | Sony WF-1000XM4 | Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 | Jaybird Vista 2 | Anker Soundcore Life Dot 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sound quality | Decreased on Android | High-quality | High-quality | High-quality | High-quality | High-quality |
| Apple-exclusive features | Limited | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| Automatic switching between devices | Only for Apple | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| Battery life | 6 hours listening | 5 hours listening | 8 hours listening | 5 hours listening | 8 hours listening | 8 hours listening |
| 4 hours talking | 2.5 hours talking | 4.5 hours talking | 3.5 hours talking | 6 hours talking | 7 hours talking | |
| Bluetooth range | Wide | Wide | Wide | Wide | Wide | Wide |
| Tap-to-play/pause | Available | Available | Available | Available | Available | Available |
| Price | Expensive | Moderate | Expensive | Moderate | Moderate | Affordable |
3 Reasons Why Using AirPods With an Android Device Isn’t a Good Idea
Without a doubt, using AirPods with an Apple device gives you a seamless listening experience like no other. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case with Android.
Here’s why:
- Lower Audio Quality
Despite being the most popular set of wireless earbuds on the market, AirPods might lose some of their shine when paired with an Android device.
So, if you’ll be using them while streaming videos or music, you’ll notice a decrease in audio quality compared to pairing them with an iPhone.
The reason for this is that the AAC codec that’s built into the AirPods doesn’t match Android devices perfectly like it does Apple.
Read more: AirPods not showing on Bluetooth
- Lack of Many Features
When using AirPods for Android, you lose many perks that these earbuds can effortlessly bring into your experience when paired with an Apple device.
For example, you won’t be able to access Siri, which only makes sense because you won’t be connected to an Apple device. AirPods don’t have built-in Siri, they simply give you instant access to the assistant on your Apple device.
In addition to that, it’ll be tough to check the AirPods’ battery percentage. It’ll only show on your iPhone or iPad when you bring the AirPods closer to it while kept in their case.
Still, you can solve that issue by installing the AirBattery app on your Android, so that’s a relief!
Read more: Should you use AirPods in the charging case?
Other cool features you’ll miss out on include:
- Customizing the double-tap feature
- Automatic ear-detection function
- Listening to one AirPod while the other charges
- Simple setup
- No Automatic Switching
One of the things that make AirPods popular is that, once you sync them with your iCloud, you can seamlessly switch use from one Apple device to another without having to pair the earbuds with each new device.
Sadly, this won’t be the case if you’ll be using the set with several Android devices. You’ll have to connect them to each Android manually.
AirPod Features That Stick Around Even With an Android
Despite everything, many people still prefer to buy AirPods for Android, and they’re not completely wrong to do that.
The first thing that attracts Android users to AirPods is their unbeatable listening and talk time, which extends for around six hours and four hours on a single charge, respectively. It’s hard to find another pair of earbuds that has the same battery life!
Furthermore, AirPods have a longer Bluetooth connectivity distance than most Bluetooth headphones and earbuds on the market.
Last but not least, you’ll still be able to pause and play your music by tapping on your AirPods. Better still, if you’ve already customized your AirPods via an Apple device, you could later use the next track and previous track gestures as well. That’s not so bad!
5 Wireless Earbuds to Consider Using With Your Android Instead
If you’re unfazed by the features that AirPods can bring to your listening experience as an Android user, you may want to check out the following alternatives instead:
- Google Pixel Buds A-Series
- Sony WF-1000XM4 Wireless Earbud Headphones with Alexa
- Samsung Galaxy Buds 2
- Jaybird Vista 2
- Anker Soundcore Life Dot 2
This way, you won’t have to give up on the high sound quality of your favorite tracks and podcasts, which is the main issue that Android users face with AirPods.
Pros:
- Longer battery life than most wireless earbuds on the market
- Wide Bluetooth range
- Simple tap-to-play/pause feature
Cons:
- Lower audio quality than when used with an Apple device
- No access to features exclusive to Apple devices
- No automatic switching between devices
To Wrap It Up
Is it worth buying AirPods for Android?
If you weigh the pros and cons, you’ll come to the conclusion that it isn’t worth getting AirPods for your Android device. You’ll have to deal with reduced audio quality, lack of many Apple-exclusive features, and more.
AirPods will still give you decent battery life and a wide Bluetooth range, so it’s not a bad idea to invest in them after all. It all depends on your use and the features you’re looking for in your wireless earbuds.
Thankfully, if you’re not a fan of AirPods, a lot of market options may be more suitable to use with your Android device.
