Xiaomi AirDots headphones - advantages and disadvantages

Xiaomi Corporation has demonstrated Xiaomi AirDots absolutely wireless headphones, the advantages and disadvantages of which are discussed in this article. This is an improved modification of the AirDots Youth Edition, introduced in the fall of 2018.

Positioning

Most corporations and even leading brands duplicate Apple products. But of the relatively most popular, which is revered by buyers, perhaps only Xiaomi Corporation is struggling to be like an "apple company". A clear example of this is the look of phones, laptops and tablet PCs, and finally, the MIUI interface.

However, from time to time, Xiaomi does not duplicate the product itself, but its name - this happened with Xiaomi 8 SE (iPhone SE), this happened with the AirDots wireless headset (Apple AirPods).At first glance, wireless headphones are completely different from the gadget manufactured by Apple, but the trick with a similar name is able to “shoot”, and this will be of the least interest to buyers.

Review

The headset was demonstrated almost at the end of 2018. And it is even paradoxical that a corporation from China has been delaying for such a long time with a reaction to the most popular headset of recent times - Apple AirPods.

Equipment

The headset is packed in an ordinary white cardboard box, in which, in addition to the headphones themselves, the user will find a charging case, a microUSB cable and a supply of nozzles. The kit is as ordinary as possible, there is no additional memory, only a small cable, but this should not be written down as a disadvantage, since this moment is not critical.

Most upsetting is that Xiaomi has chosen the doomed "ancient" format. For example, Meizu's POP comes with a much smaller "C" USB. This is paradoxical, since most of the popular smartphone models of this company are equipped with Type “C”. And in general, if you analyze the market, it turns out that Type "C" eventually becomes a format.

Dimensions and design

The headset is quite massive. In terms of dimensions, it is comparable to POP from Meizu, but buyers liked the latter due to the form factor. Compared to them, the appearance of the new AirDots does not excite anything.

First of all, the dimensions are confusing - they are visible in the ear, which does not look very good, but in this case “the taste and color”, as they say. While listening to audio, the appearance of the headset does not play any role, much more important is how they sit in the ears and how they feel.

With these parameters, everything is fine with the novelty: it is lightweight, comes close and does not fall out if you turn your head or take it with you for a run.

Control

The control is intuitive: you can exercise it either by touching the headset, or play music and adjust the volume through the display of your smartphone.

Gestures are normal: 1 press - pause, 2 - next file, 3 - previous track. In addition, in standby mode, double-tap activates the voice assistant, and there is also the ability to answer calls if you touch the headset. In addition, you can cancel an incoming call with two taps, but at the same time, you can’t adjust the volume if you don’t have a smartphone in your hands.

The device is not capable of pausing playing tracks when you take the headset out of your ear, which is a minus when compared to AirPods. In this regard, it is necessary to touch the headset with your finger to pause the track. As another solution, it is possible to control the headset via a smartphone, since “poking” a finger into the headset is not always comfortable. For example, if you only need to fix the device, it is possible to involuntarily touch the shell and pause the track.

Sound

Regarding the sound, the opinions of users are absolutely contradictory - someone likes it, others do not at all. But, if we talk about the characteristics, then it is difficult to find fault with it. Indeed, this is a completely budget headset, and finding something better at the price offered by the manufacturer is difficult or unrealistic.

The novelty has an excellent volume reserve, they play normally: if the track has a strong bass, then the user will feel it.And if there are no low frequencies, then they can be supplemented thanks to the equalizer. The headset is loud, you can notice distortion from time to time, and in an attempt to achieve a clear sound, the sound becomes muffled. In general, again, do not forget about the cost.

Connection

To connect a headset, do the following. Put it in the case, then take it out of it, activate the search for a new Bluetooth device on your smartphone, find the headphones and connect. In general, the process is no different from connecting other models of a similar headset.

If compared with the same AirPods, which are connected easier and faster, the headset is then activated among themselves, a pair is formed in some way, and after that it is already synchronized with the smartphone. But Apple's headphones function differently: in them, each element autonomously maintains a connection.

The novelty maintains communication at an acceptable level, despite the fact that sometimes interruptions occur: when the user listens to a track, he switches to the next one, and the headset starts to “stutter”. In this case, you just need to duplicate the command.

If you watch videos on YouTube, sound imbalance occurs, which is a systematic phenomenon for a Bluetooth headset. In this situation, a reset saves, but this does not help in every case, which makes it easier to get used to and not focus on it.

Moisture protection

Moisture protection is not mentioned anywhere in the description of the novelty, however, despite this, there is a warning about unwanted contact with water. Whether it is allowed to run with the headset at the same time is not clear, since there is a possibility that sweat can break them. Or maybe it's just a simple warning.

autonomy

The charging case is small in size, it is very lightweight. If, along with AirPods, users get a miniature but heavy product, and this automatically gives the feeling of a solid, high-quality thing, then with Xiaomi everything is different. Here is an ordinary and budget case made of plastic materials, the lid opens and closes without any clicks.

The case contains an integrated battery with a capacity of 350 mAh, which is enough for 3 hundred percent charge of the headset with a reserve. Each earphone has a miniature 40 mAh battery. The novelty functions approximately from 3 to 3.5 hours, if you listen to tracks at 70% of the maximum volume.

The duration of the charging time is almost 2 hours, which is relatively long for a battery of such a small volume. Headphones are charged in half an hour, which is quite fast in order not to say goodbye to tracks throughout the day.

Advantages and disadvantages

• Cute design;
• Good duration of work;
• Availability;
• Acceptable sound quality.

• Charge almost 2 hours;
• Seen from the ear;
• The case is made of plastic.

How much are?

In conclusion, it is worth noting that the headset is incredibly budget. In the Russian Federation, its average price varies within 4.5-5 thousand rubles. Like the rest of Xiaomi products, the headphones are in demand and sell out incredibly quickly. Most of the users recommend to buy.