Review: Is Skullcandy Indy as good as Apple AirPods?

The Skullcandy Indy can be an affordable alternative to Apple Airpods if you are willing to settle for inferior audio quality, says Khalid Anzar.

The Skullcandy Indy wireless earbuds are inspired by the Apple Airpods (see review here) in the tail-hanging design, and cost half as much.

But do they match the latter in looks and audio quality?

Let's find out.

Design (4/5)

The true wireless earbuds come with an in-ear design, with soft gel tips and removable stability gels for a comfortable and secure fit.

They are made of plastic and are lightweight, which makes it easier to wear them for long hours.

Both ear pieces have capacitive touch controls to change tracks, attend calls, adjust volume and wake up the phone's digital assistant.

Performance (3/5)

The audio output is satisfactory, but nowhere close to what the Apple Airpods offer.

The average loudness, minimal bass and rich treble is not enough to impress audiophiles.

For calls, both earbuds have dedicated microphones that struggle in loud outdoor environments.

The earbuds are water, dust and sweat resistant and carry an IP55 protection rating.

The average on-battery time is around three hours, which is inadequate.

Thankfully, the charging case can keep the earbuds going for another nine hours.

Verdict (3.5/5)

For Rs 7,499, the Skullcandy Indy true wireless earbuds cover a wide spectrum of specs and are an affordable substitute to the Apple Airpods (Rs 14,900) -- but only if you are willing to compromise on battery and audio quality.