There are so many wireless earbuds out there, but if you’re aiming for a pair that offers decent quality at an affordable price, Tronsmart’s new Apollo Air and Apollo Air+ are two products that you may want to consider.
Design – the Apollo Air and Apollo Air+ are basically twins
As they’re both in the same series, they sport a similar design that is almost indistinguishable. One way to tell them apart is by opening the case to see the model name; another way is to check the top of the cases — the Apollo Air has a shiny Tronsmart branding while the Apollo Air+ doesn’t.
However, you won’t be able to differentiate the earbuds if you place them altogether. They have the exact design — medium-length stems, silicone in-ear buds and a shiny finish. The default size fit snugly in my ears and I could wear them for hours without discomfort, but Tronsmart also included other sizes in the boxes to cater for different users.
Unlike most earbuds out there, the Apollo Air and Apollo Air+ both starts their pairing process once their cases are opened — the usual method will require you to remove the earbuds from the case. Pairing is straightforward, but you may need time to get used to the controls.
Controls -– it’s a complete set
Image credit: Tronsmart
You can control music playback, activate voice assistant, switch between audio modes and manage calls using the earbuds. This is done by either tapping, holding or tapping and holding. The good news is, you can always refer to the Tronsmart app when you forget the controls.
Using the app, you can also change each command’s function so it’s more familiar to you. The app also has an equaliser tab for you to switch between audio profiles and if you’re on the home page, you get to check the battery life of each earbuds and switch between ANC and Ambient modes using your phone.
One advantage the Apollo Air+ has over its sibling is in-ear detection, but this may not be important to some users.
Noise cancellation – “Huh? What did you say?”
I’m almost always “deaf” to others when I’m wearing these earbuds. The Apollo Air and Apollo Air+ have great noise cancellation; couple that with their in-ear design, external noises are reduced greatly once I switch on the ANC mode.
Audio quality – up to standard
These are also earbuds you’d want to consider for good sound quality. The audio is slightly stronger in bass, has good mids and bright highs. They can be improved in terms of details, but overall, the audio quality is balanced and has good volume range.
Mic quality – “Can you speak louder?”
In terms of their mic quality, both products feature six mics and a cVc 8.0 technology. Even though calls are clear in terms of noise isolation, the mic volume is lower than expected. Friends are always telling me that I need to speak up which only happens when I’m using the earbuds.
Battery life – just right
Both earbuds last five hours on a single charge and 20 hours with their cases; however, the Apollo Air+ has an additional feature — wireless charging. For a full charge, you’ll need to wait for two and a half hours. They also come with an IP45 rating, so water splashes or sweat is fine.
Verdict
The Apollo Air costs RM299 whereas the Apollo Air+ costs RM100 more. With decent audio quality, extensive controls and long-lasting battery lives, they’re great alternatives to premium earbuds with ANC like the Jabra Elite 85t or the AirPods Pro.
Purchase the Apollo Air here and the Apollo Air+ here and get RM20 off with the referral code “APOLLO20” at checkout.
The Good
- Long-lasting battery life
- Good audio quality
- Comfortable to be worn
- Extensive controls
The Not So Good
- Soft mic volume
- No fast charging
