Apple AirPods Pro 3 VS Skullcandy Ink’d ANC

Both the Apple AirPods Pro 3 and Skullcandy Ink’d ANC are in-ear designs, offering a sleek, no-fuss fit. However, they differ in terms of water resistance and protection against the elements. The AirPods Pro 3 feature an IP57 rating, which means they are waterproof and can withstand both dust and submersion in water up to 1 meter deep for 30 minutes. In contrast, the Ink’d ANC have an IPX4 rating, indicating they are only sweat resistant and not suitable for immersion in water.

Neither product includes wingtips, neckbands, or RGB lighting, ensuring both are straightforward in design without extra features like additional lighting effects or accessories. Both also feature stereo speakers, so users will get a full sound experience from either pair. Neither model includes a UV light or a display, keeping things simple and focused on audio performance.

In terms of cable-free convenience, both models are fully wireless, with no wires or cables, making them both ideal for users who want a tangle-free experience. Overall, the AirPods Pro 3 provide higher protection against the elements with their waterproof rating, while the Skullcandy Ink’d ANC focus on sweat resistance for active wearers.

The Apple AirPods Pro 3 and Skullcandy Ink’d ANC both come equipped with active noise cancellation (ANC) and passive noise reduction, providing a solid foundation for immersive audio. The driver unit sizes are slightly different, with the AirPods Pro 3 featuring a 10.7 mm driver and the Ink’d ANC using a slightly smaller 10 mm driver. Both products offer the same frequency range, spanning from 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz, ensuring that users will experience a wide range of sound frequencies.

When it comes to advanced sound technologies, the AirPods Pro 3 supports spatial audio and Dolby Atmos, adding depth and a more dynamic listening experience. The Skullcandy Ink’d ANC does not support spatial audio or Dolby Atmos, which means it may not provide the same level of immersive sound quality. Neither product features Dirac Virtuo or a neodymium magnet, so both are similar in that regard.

Overall, while both earbud sets feature ANC and passive noise reduction, the AirPods Pro 3 stand out with additional support for spatial audio and Dolby Atmos, offering a more immersive and dynamic listening experience compared to the Ink’d ANC.

Both the Apple AirPods Pro 3 and Skullcandy Ink’d ANC offer solid battery performance, though there are some differences in their power specifications. The AirPods Pro 3 provides 10 hours of battery life on a single charge, while the Ink’d ANC offers slightly less at 8 hours. However, the Ink’d ANC compensates with a significantly longer battery life of the charging case, offering 35 hours compared to the AirPods Pro 3's 20 hours.

Both products have a charge time of 1.5 hours, ensuring relatively quick recharges. The AirPods Pro 3 supports wireless charging, which adds convenience for users who prefer to charge their earbuds without needing to plug them in. On the other hand, the Ink’d ANC does not support wireless charging.

Both earbuds feature a rechargeable battery and a battery level indicator, so users can easily monitor their remaining charge. Neither product offers solar power as a charging option, meaning they both rely on traditional charging methods.

In terms of connectivity, the Apple AirPods Pro 3 and Skullcandy Ink’d ANC both support USB Type-C, offering modern and convenient charging options. However, the Bluetooth versions differ slightly, with the AirPods Pro 3 using Bluetooth 5.3 and the Ink’d ANC featuring Bluetooth 5.4, which may provide a marginal difference in connection stability or range.

Both products offer a maximum Bluetooth range of 10 meters, ensuring reliable wireless connectivity over short to medium distances. Neither model supports Bluetooth pairing via NFC, and neither supports advanced Bluetooth audio technologies like LDAC, LDHC, aptX, or aptX Low Latency, so both earbuds are similar in terms of high-fidelity Bluetooth codecs.

One key difference is that the AirPods Pro 3 supports AAC, an audio codec commonly used for high-quality audio streaming over Bluetooth, whereas the Ink’d ANC does not include AAC support. Additionally, the AirPods Pro 3 features fast pairing, making it quicker to connect with compatible devices, while the Ink’d ANC lacks this feature.

The Apple AirPods Pro 3 and Skullcandy Ink’d ANC share some similar features, including ambient sound mode, fast charging support, a mute function, the ability to be used as a headset, a control panel placed on a device, voice prompts, and the inclusion of a travel bag. Both also lack an in-line control panel. However, the AirPods Pro 3 have several additional features not found on the Ink’d ANC.

One key difference is that the AirPods Pro 3 includes in/on-ear detection, a built-in translator, a temperature sensor, and a built-in camera remote control function, which the Ink’d ANC does not offer. The AirPods Pro 3 can also read notifications, while the Ink’d ANC lacks this functionality.

Overall, while both products offer core features like fast charging, mute functionality, and the ability to be used as a headset, the AirPods Pro 3 have a more extensive set of additional features, including ear detection, a translator, and a temperature sensor, making them more versatile in certain contexts.

Both the Apple AirPods Pro 3 and Skullcandy Ink’d ANC feature four microphones each, providing clear audio for calls and voice commands. Additionally, both models are equipped with noise-canceling microphones, ensuring that external noise is minimized during use. This makes both products well-suited for environments where clarity and reduced background noise are important.

Overall, the microphone specifications for both the AirPods Pro 3 and Ink’d ANC are identical, with both offering the same number of microphones and noise-canceling capabilities, making their microphone performance comparable.