Apple S81
The 14.2mm dynamic drivers and Bluetooth 5.4 with multipoint connectivity provide broad device compatibility and the ability to switch between two paired phones. A total 44-hour battery life with fast charging that delivers 1.5 hours of playback from a 10-minute charge, combined with XIP7 water resistance, makes it a practical daily driver. These earbuds are best for commuters and call-heavy users who need a reliable, long-lasting wireless option across both iOS and Android devices.
Snapshot
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong connectivity (88th percentile) 88th
- Strong battery (83rd percentile) 83rd
- Strong anc (74th percentile) 74th
- Strong mic (70th percentile) 70th
Cons
- Below average comfort (28th percentile)
- Below average build (35th percentile)
What owners think
How owner sentiment changed over time
ExclusiveBased on when customers actually wrote their reviews - so you can see whether early praise held up.
Based on 3 dated customer reviews, grouped by calendar quarter. Period analysis is in English.
The proof
Performance
Specifications
Full Specifications
Design
| Form Factor | in-ear |
| Wearing Style | true wireless |
| Ear Tips | S, M, L |
Audio
| Driver Type | dynamic |
| Driver Size | 14.2 |
| Codecs | iPhone 17 Ear Buds Wireless Earbuds Bluetooth 5.4 for iPhone 17 Pro/17 Pro Max/Air 16e 16 15Pro Max/Pro/Plus, Bluetooth Headphones in Ear Earphones 48H Bluetooth Earbuds for Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra |
Noise Control
| ANC | Yes |
Connectivity
| Wireless | Yes |
| Bluetooth | 5.4 |
| Multipoint | Yes |
Earbud Battery
| Battery Life | 4 |
| Fast Charging | 10 min for 1.5 hours playback |
| Charging | USB-C |
Case Battery
| Case Battery | 40 |
| Case Charging | USB-C |
Microphone
| Microphone | Yes |
| NC Mic | Yes |
Features
| Voice Assistant | Siri |
| Touch Controls | Yes |
| Water Resistance | IPX7 |
vs Competition
| Spec | Apple S81 | JBL Live Free 2 | TOZO Crystal Pods | Sony WI-C100 WIC100/B | Nothing Buds 2 | Baseus Bass BP1 Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | in-ear | in-ear | in-ear | in-ear | in-ear | in-ear |
| Driver Type | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic |
| Wireless | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Active Noise Cancellation | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.2 | 5.4 | 5.0 | 5.4 | 6.0 |
| Battery Life Hours | 4 | 7 | 7 | 25 | 13.5 | 12 |
| Case Battery Hours | 40 | 28 | 35 | 25 | 55 | 55 |
| Water Resistance | IPX7 | IPX5 | IPX5 | IPX4 | IP55 | IP55 |
| Multipoint | true | true | true | false | false | true |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Anc | Mic | Build | Sound | Battery | Comfort | Connectivity | Social Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple S81 | 74.4 | 69.7 | 34.6 | 64.6 | 83.4 | 28.2 | 88 | 37.8 |
| JBL Live Free 2 Compare | 97.3 | 97.2 | 91.8 | 82.8 | 80 | 94.2 | 99.1 | 80.3 |
| TOZO Crystal Pods Compare | 93.2 | 91.2 | 91.8 | 90.9 | 84.7 | 71.6 | 96.7 | 80.3 |
| Sony WI-C100 WIC100/B Compare | 74.4 | 69.7 | 80.7 | 70.6 | 95.2 | 94.2 | 75.9 | 65.6 |
| Nothing Buds 2 Compare | 93.2 | 97.2 | 91.8 | 70.6 | 96.5 | 71.6 | 88 | 80.3 |
| Baseus Bass BP1 Pro Compare | 97.3 | 97.2 | 91.8 | 88.9 | 96.1 | 71.6 | 98.6 | 89.6 |
Price
Value & Pricing
Amazon 1 offer From $15
Price History
Usage Scores
A full written review is coming soon. The specs, scores, prices and charts above are always up to date.
