Apple AirPods Pro (1st generation) vs Beats Studio Buds

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

AirPods Pro (1st generation) compared with Studio Buds
AppleAirPods Pro (1st generation)BeatsStudio Buds
Overview
ReleasedOctober 2019June 2021
Sound
TypeIn-earIn-ear
Noise cancellingYesYes
Transparency modeYesYes
Spatial audio with head trackingYesNo
Driver size–8.2 mm
Bluetooth codecsSBC and AACSBC and AAC
Lossless over USB-CNo–
ChipH1–
DriversCustom high-excursion Apple driver and high dynamic range amplifierDual-element diaphragm driver and two-chamber acoustic design (Beats launch release reproduced by 9to5Mac)
Noise cancelling detailOutward- and inward-facing microphones; noise cancellation adjusts 200 times per second; pressure-equalising ventsActive Noise Cancelling and Transparency mode
Audio featuresAdaptive EQ; Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking added after launch; Audio Sharing; AAC and SBC Bluetooth codecs (What Hi-Fi?)Dolby Atmos playback in Apple Music; no head tracking; Bluetooth 5.2 and SBC/AAC codecs (SoundGuys)
Hearing healthConversation Boost, Live Listen, headphone levels and Headphone Accommodations–
Battery
Listening time (maker's claim)Up to 4.5 hoursUp to 5 hours
With the case–Up to 15 hours
Wireless chargingYesNo
Battery life detailUp to 5 hours with ANC and Transparency off; more than 24 hours of listening with case recharges (Apple's claim)Up to 8 hours per charge and 24 hours including the case with noise cancelling off; up to 5 hours and 15 hours with it on
Charging caseOriginal Wireless Charging Case supports Qi and Lightning; MagSafe Charging Case added in 2021 also supports MagSafeUSB-C; no wireless charging (SoundGuys and TechRadar)
Fast chargingAround 1 hour of listening after 5 minutes in the caseA 5-minute Fast Fuel charge gives up to 1 hour of playback (Beats launch release)
Design
Weight (each earbud)5.4 g5.1 g (better)
Water and sweat resistanceIPX4IPX4
Bluetooth5.05.2
ControlsForce sensor for playback, calls and switching ANC/Transparency; “Hey Siri”; no stem volume adjustmentMulti-function button on each earbud for playback and calls; configurable press-and-hold controls; hands-free Siri on Apple devices
MicrophonesDual beamforming and inward-facing microphones; dual optical sensors, motion- and speech-detecting accelerometersTwo noise-cancelling microphones and one voice microphone per earbud
Fit and ear tipsSilicone tips in S, M and L; Ear Tip Fit TestSilicone ear tips in three sizes; no automatic ear detection (SoundGuys)
Case weight45.6 g–
DimensionsEach earbud 30.9 × 21.8 × 24.0 mm; original case 45.2 × 60.6 × 21.7 mm (height × width × depth)–
Water resistance detailIPX4 earbuds; Wireless Charging Case and MagSafe Charging Case are not sweat or water resistantIPX4 for the earbuds; the case has no sweat or water resistance
Works withApple devices with current iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, macOS or tvOS; Bluetooth audio with older Apple software and non-Apple devices, with limited featuresOne-touch pairing with Apple devices and Google Fast Pair on Android; Beats Android app for controls and updates; either earbud can be used independently
ColoursWhiteBlack, White and Beats Red at launch (Beats release)
In the boxAirPods Pro, charging case, three sizes of silicone tips, Lightning to USB-C cable, documentationEarbuds, charging case, three sizes of silicone ear tips and USB-C cable (Beats launch release and SoundGuys); power adapter sold separately

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