Apple AirPods (1st generation) vs Beats BeatsX

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

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AirPods (1st generation) compared with BeatsX

	AppleAirPods (1st generation)	BeatsBeatsX
Overview
Released
Released	December 2016	February 2017
Sound
Type
Type	Open-ear	In-ear
Noise cancelling
Noise cancelling	No	No
Transparency mode
Transparency mode	No	–
Spatial audio with head tracking
Spatial audio with head tracking	No	–
Bluetooth codecs
Bluetooth codecs	AAC	SBC and AAC
Lossless over USB-C
Lossless over USB-C	No	–
Chip
Chip	W1	Apple W1
Audio features
Audio features	Automatic playback and pausing using dual optical sensors and a motion accelerometer; one or both earbuds can be used; AAC Bluetooth audio	SBC and AAC Bluetooth codecs; passive isolation without active noise cancellation (Les Numériques)
Battery
Listening time (maker's claim)
Listening time (maker's claim)	Up to 5 hours	Up to 8 hours
Wireless charging
Wireless charging	No	–
Battery life detail
Battery life detail	More than 24 hours of listening including case recharges, according to Apple	–
Charging case
Charging case	Lightning connector; original charging case measures 44.3 x 21.3 x 53.5 mm; a compatible Wireless Charging Case was sold separately from March 2019	–
Fast charging
Fast charging	15 minutes in the case provides up to 3 hours of listening	A 5-minute Lightning Fast Fuel charge gives up to 2 hours of playback; 45 minutes gives up to 8 hours
Design
Weight (each earbud)
Weight (each earbud)	4 g	–
Headphone cable
Headphone cable	No	–
Controls
Controls	Double-tap for Siri at launch; automatic pause when an earbud is removed	RemoteTalk buttons for calls, music playback and Siri
Microphones
Microphones	Dual beamforming microphones and speech-detecting accelerometer in each earbud	–
Fit and ear tips
Fit and ear tips	Fixed open-ear shape without interchangeable tips; each earbud measures 16.5 x 18.0 x 40.5 mm	Flex-Form neck cable, ear tips and removable wingtips; magnetic earpieces join together when not in use
Water resistance detail
Water resistance detail	–	No published IP rating (SoundGuys)
Case weight
Case weight	38 g	–
Works with
Works with	Apple integration requires iOS 10, watchOS 3 or macOS Sierra and an iCloud account; other Bluetooth devices support standard audio with fewer features; Live Listen added with iOS 12	iOS and Android with Class 1 Bluetooth; W1 pairing and switching between devices registered to the same iCloud account
Colours
Colours	White	Originally White and Black, with Gray and Blue announced for later availability
In the box
In the box	AirPods, Charging Case, Lightning to USB cable and documentation	Earphones, ear tips, removable wingtips, carrying pouch and Lightning charging cable