Does AirPods Pro sound good with Android?
The AirPods Pro are Apple’s premium true wireless earbuds that were first released in 2019. They feature active noise cancellation, transparency mode, and excellent sound quality. While designed for iOS devices, AirPods Pro can also be used with Android smartphones and tablets.
Android compatibility was limited when AirPods Pro first launched, but updates to both iOS and Android over the years have significantly improved the experience. Now, most core features like audio playback, noise cancellation, transparency mode, and touch controls work reliably with Android devices.
However, full functionality still requires an iOS device. Certain features like automatic switching between iOS devices, spatial audio, and Find My integration are exclusive to Apple’s ecosystem. Additionally, firmware updates must be installed through an iOS device.
Sound Quality
Overall, AirPods Pro sound very good when used with Android devices. They support the AAC audio codec which provides high-quality wireless audio on par with aptX (1). While aptX may have slightly better audio quality, the difference is quite subtle and most people won’t notice a significant difference (2). AirPods Pro use Bluetooth 5.0 which provides a stable wireless connection with minimal latency or audio cutouts.
Some key factors in the sound quality when used with Android:
- AAC codec provides excellent wireless audio quality
- Audio is crisp, balanced, and detailed
- Active noise cancellation further enhances the listening experience
- Latency is minimal for videos, movies, and games
Overall, while aptX may have a slight edge in quality, the AAC codec still provides an excellent listening experience comparable to wired headphones. Most Android users will be very satisfied with the sound quality of AirPods Pro.
Active Noise Cancellation
The active noise cancellation (ANC) feature on the AirPods Pro works very well when paired to an Android device. According to users on Reddit, you can activate noise cancellation directly from the AirPods Pro itself by holding down the stem until you hear a tone, without needing an iPhone (https://www.reddit.com/r/Android/comments/dqnf5h/activating_airpods_pro_noise_cancellation_on/). This toggles between ANC and Transparency mode. The noise cancelling performance is on par with using it with an iPhone.
ANC uses internal and external microphones to continuously monitor environmental noise and create inverse sound waves to cancel it out. This effectively reduces ambient noise like chatter, traffic or airplane engine sounds, allowing you to focus on your music or calls. Reviewers note effective noise blocking across the frequency spectrum, from low rumbles to high pitched noises.
Some users initially had issues getting ANC to work properly when paired to Android but this was fixed with firmware updates. As long as your AirPods Pro are updated to the latest firmware, you can enjoy the full noise cancelling experience when using them with any Android smartphone or tablet (https://www.androidauthority.com/how-to-turn-your-airpods-noise-cancelling-on-or-off-3190666/).
Transparency Mode
Transparency mode on the AirPods Pro allows external sound to pass through the earbuds so you can hear your surroundings. This is useful for hearing announcements or being aware of traffic while listening to music.
Transparency mode works well with Android devices, but the controls are slightly different compared to iPhone. On Android, you need to customize the touch controls in the Bluetooth settings to add a transparency mode option. Once set up, you can switch between transparency mode and noise cancellation by pressing and holding the force sensor on the AirPods Pro stem.
Some users have reported the transparency mode sounds muffled on certain Android devices. This may be due to compatibility issues between the AirPods Pro firmware and the Android Bluetooth drivers. Keeping the AirPods Pro firmware up-to-date can improve performance. Overall, transparency mode provides good situational awareness and is a handy feature to have when using AirPods Pro with an Android phone.
Controls
The AirPods Pro have touch-sensitive force sensors on the stem of each earbud that allow you to control music playback and phone calls when paired with an Android phone. Here are some of the touch controls:
Press once to play or pause music [1]
Double press to skip to the next track [2]
Triple press to skip back to the previous track [1]
Press and hold to activate your phone’s voice assistant like Google Assistant or Bixby [2]
You can customize the controls using third-party apps like AirBattery on the Google Play Store. This gives you more options like volume control and being able to launch apps using the AirPods Pro touch controls when used with an Android phone.
Bluetooth Connectivity
AirPods Pro can be paired with Android devices over Bluetooth just like most other Bluetooth headphones. The pairing process is straightforward:
- On your Android device, make sure Bluetooth is enabled in your Settings.
- Put your AirPods Pro in pairing mode by opening the case near your phone and holding down the button on the back of the case.
- Select AirPods Pro from the list of available Bluetooth devices.
Once paired, your AirPods Pro will automatically connect to your Android device whenever you open the case near your phone or tablet (As per Apple Support).
In general, users report stable Bluetooth connections between AirPods Pro and Android. The Bluetooth range can reach up to 10 meters or 30 feet, allowing you to listen wirelessly from a short distance away from your device. As with any Bluetooth headphones, connection strength may vary depending on environmental conditions. But overall, AirPods Pro provide a reliable wireless listening experience with Android.
Battery Life
The battery life of AirPods Pro when used with Android is quite good. According to Lifewire, AirPods Pro can last for 4.5-5 hours of listening time or 2-3.5 hours of talk time on a single charge when used with Android devices (https://www.lifewire.com/check-airpod-battery-levels-on-android-phone-5218519). The case provides additional charges, delivering more than 24 hours of listening time or over 18 hours of talk time.
Some users on Reddit report getting about 4 hours of continuous playback time when using AirPods Pro with Android (https://www.reddit.com/r/airpods/comments/e3ih0t/airpods_pro_battery_life_on_android/). The battery life is very comparable to using AirPods Pro with an iPhone. Overall, the battery performance when used with Android is quite strong.
One downside is that Android does not show the exact battery percentage for the earbuds and case like iPhone does. You’ll need to use a third party app to get the precise battery levels. But the battery life itself when using AirPods Pro with Android phones is excellent.
Charging
The AirPods Pro come with a charging case that provides additional charges for the earbuds. This wireless charging case is compatible with both iPhones and Android devices for checking battery levels. Simply open up the case near your Android phone, and a pop-up should appear showing you the battery level for the case and each earbud (1).
The AirPods Pro case supports wireless charging via Qi-certified charging mats. So you can conveniently charge the case by placing it on a wireless charger. Many modern Android phones like Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel devices come with wireless charging support too, so you can directly charge the AirPods case by placing it on the back of the phone (2).
Overall, the AirPods Pro wireless charging case works seamlessly with Android devices, providing quick battery checks and wireless charging capabilities.
Firmware Updates
Getting firmware updates for AirPods Pro on Android devices can be challenging since firmware updates are provided through iOS devices. According to sources, “If you were wondering how to update AirPods firmware with Android, the short answer is, you can’t. To do that, you need a compatible iOS device (iPhone, iPad, …)”
Unfortunately, without an iOS device, there is no official way to update the firmware on AirPods Pro while paired to an Android device. Some options to update firmware without an iPhone include borrowing a friend or family member’s iPhone temporarily to apply updates or using services that provide temporary access to an iOS device.
While firmware updates enable new features and optimize performance on AirPods Pro, they still work well with Android even without the latest firmware. Key functionality like active noise cancellation, transparency mode, controls, and sound quality all still function properly. However, to take full advantage of the latest optimizations, occasional access to an iOS device is required.
Conclusion
Overall, the AirPods Pro provide a high-quality listening experience on Android devices as well as excellent noise cancellation and transparency modes. However, there are some limitations in terms of customization and configuration options on Android vs iOS.
Key pros include:
- Great sound quality and active noise cancellation
- Seamless connectivity once paired
- Long battery life and wireless charging
- Transparency mode for hearing surroundings
The cons include:
- Limited functionality of touch controls on Android
- Can’t customize controls or check battery levels in Android app
- Don’t support wireless ‘Hey Google’ activation on Android
In conclusion, the AirPods Pro are a solid choice for listening to audio and taking calls on Android devices. While they don’t offer full integration, the core features like audio, noise cancellation, and comfort still provide a quality experience. Ultimately, Android users need to weigh the pros and cons to decide if the limitations are dealbreakers for their needs.