Question Why different run times with/without case?

[Minkey1]

Bought some uber cheap earbuds to try the concept, and now considering higher end models.

I see lots of reviews include comment on run times, like WHF’s “….At present, the latest available models of AirPods and AirPods Pro both offer roughly six hours of use (without spatial audio enabled) and 30 hours with the charging case”.

I expect I’m being thick, but assuming no brands earbuds can be charged direct, not via the case, why is there a difference? You charge them via the case, right?

🤔

 

[Dave_]

I expect I’m being thick, but assuming no brands earbuds can be charged direct, not via the case, why is there a difference? You charge them via the case, right?

🤔

Because the case contains a battery, so they're effectively including how many times the case is capable of recharging the Airpods in the usage times

 

[Minkey1]

Because the case contains a battery, so they're effectively including how many times the case is capable of recharging the Airpods in the usage times

Ah. That takes me on a useful tangent. Thanks.

If I’m grasping it now:

1. If the case has its own battery, when fully charged, it can be used to re-charge the buds when mobile, more than once, but up to a maximum of x hours bud playtime, before the case battery is exhausted?

2. If the buds are placed in the case, and the case itself is connected to a charging point long enough, the buds can get sufficient charge to go up to y hours runtime?

Apologies if I’m sounding thick. I am.

 

[Revolutions]

1. yes
2. not quite sure what you mean, but if the earphones have 5 hours & the case has 20 hours, you can recharge the earphones 4 times before needing to recharge the case.

 

[Minkey1]

1. yes
2. not quite sure what you mean, but if the earphones have 5 hours & the case has 20 hours, you can recharge the earphones 4 times before needing to recharge the case.

Ah. I’d thought the buds themselves could take a bigger charge if derived via a case itself on charge from the mains. DOH. The penny drops. Thank you.

 

[Rodolfo]

BTW, my excellent LDAC-equipped Anker Space A40s, which were overlooked or excluded by WHF, have a running time of up to 50 hours with their case, plus the case itself can be charged wirelessly.

Enjoy your shopping, learning, and eventual selection.