Tarun Verma
Table of Contents
A few years ago, the affordable true wireless segment was dominated by a few budget-conscious brands, but that is no longer the case. As a result, the market for true wireless earphones on a budget has become flooded with options. The issue is that interesting design and style have traditionally been lacking in this market. The Rs. 2,399 Dime, Skullcandy’s latest true wireless headset, aims to change that.
Skullcandy’s most affordable true wireless headset to date. Skullcandy has a compact design in addition to its distinct aesthetics and sound quality. Continue reading to learn more.
The much-anticipated OnePlus Buds were the company’s first foray into the true wireless audio market this year. Despite being reasonably priced and attractive, the company’s first true wireless earphones did not excite me enough to recommend them over some of the better competing options in my review. According to some reports, the company’s second wireless headset is already on the market and appears to address many of the issues raised by its more expensive competitors.
The following is a side-by-side comparison of the two products.
Skullcandy Dime True Wireless Vs Oneplus Budz Z: Comparison Table
| Features | Skullcandy Dime True Wireless | Oneplus Budz Z |
| Launching Year | 2019 | 2017 |
| Brand | Skullcandy | Oneplus |
| Model Name | Dime True Wireless Earbuds | Budz Z |
| Connector Type | Bluetooth | Bluetooth |
| Available Colors | Red, Orange, Blue, Black | White |
| Average Battery Life | 11 hours | 20 hours |
| Charging Time | 1 hour | 1 hour |
| Compatibility | Smartphone, Tablet, PC, All Bluetooth Devices | Smartphone, Tablet, PC, All Bluetooth Devices |
| Bluetooth | Version 5.0 | Version 5.0 |
| Connection Distance Range (Bluetooth) | 66 feet | 10m |
| Driver | 6mm | 10mm |
| Online Price Ranges | Rs.2,399 | Rs.2,990 |
| Customer Ratings | 4.2/5 | 4.6/5 |
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Skullcandy Dime True Wireless Earbuds VS Oneplus Budz Z: Detailed Analysis
Design
Skullcandy’s Dime charging case is a cute but out-of-date accessory. True wireless headsets, such as the Oppo Enco Buds and the Skullcandy Dime, are advertised as being more compact, and they are, but not by much. Though Skullcandy does not specify the weights of the earpieces and charging case, they claim that the entire set weighs 32g, which is very light for an all-plastic, no-frills charging case for a wireless headset. In comparison to the OnePlus Buds, which feature an outer-ear fit, the OnePlus Buds Z has a more traditional appearance. The design of the earpieces is very similar to the Bullets Wireless 2 and Bullets Wireless Z. This includes the outside glossy texture, in-canal bulge, and casing bulge.
Audio of the Highest Quality
The OnePlus Z Buds have excellent sound quality. Due to bass-heavy tuning, OnePlus’ first attempt at truly wireless earphones failed miserably. The audio quality of the OnePlus Buds Z has vastly improved since its initial release. The sound is clear and focused thanks to the in-canal fit, which provides proper noise isolation and directional sound, but also because of this Rs. 3,000 pair of true wireless earphones supports the AAC Bluetooth codec.
Talking about other things, despite the “safe” sound signature, the OnePlus Buds Z does a commendable job of reproducing enough fine detail and precision in the sound. OnePlus. As a result, this U-shaped sonic signature is also enjoyable and entertaining. For this review, we tested the Buds Z on an iPad mini (2019), a MacBook Air, and a Google Pixel 3a XL in addition to my OnePlus phone.
Battery, Built, and Connectivity
However, there are flaws in the design, the specifications and features are basic, and the battery life is only mediocre. The Skullcandy Dime’s sound quality, on the other hand, more than compensates for the device’s shortcomings. Because of its high-quality drivers and tuning, SBC Bluetooth is only supported, but this does not detract from an enjoyable listening experience. For the majority of my testing, I used the Skullcandy Dime and an iPhone 12 mini (Review) to listen to music on Apple Music.
The Skullcandy Dime produced a clean, spacious sound, which was surprising given the headset’s hardware and Bluetooth codec capabilities. Even though they weren’t lacking in low-end response, earphones that excelled in detail and feel brought out both the upbeat, positive vibe and the drive and attack of this drum-and-bass track.
Despite its small size, the Skullcandy Dime’s battery life is underwhelming. On top of the 20mAh batteries in each of the earpieces, the charging case provides an additional 150mAh of power. This amounted to about 3 hours and 30 minutes of earpiece runtime with two additional charges from the charging case, for a total of just over 10 hours of battery life per charging cycle. When plugged into my laptop, a full charge of the case lasted about three hours. Battery life on the OnePlus Buds Z is slightly less impressive than on the more expensive Buds, but it is still adequate for a headset that costs less than $100. After four hours of mixed-use and three full charges from the case, the total battery life from the case was around 17 hours per charge cycle. You’ll be able to listen to 3 hours of music after only 10 minutes of charging.
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Details on the Features and Specification
The Skullcandy Dime specifications and features are straightforward. The earpieces’ 6mm dynamic drivers only support the SBC Bluetooth codec and have a frequency response range of 20-20,000 Hz. Active noise cancellation and app support are also unavailable. However, both earpieces can be used independently, and the device is IPX4-rated and waterproof.
The OnePlus Buds Z, in addition to white and grey, are only available in white and grey. The colors chosen by OnePlus are fine, but I found them to be a little dull and lifeless. The company’s low-cost true wireless headsets are safer and more subdued in color than previous products.
The charging case is similar to that of the Huawei FreeBuds 3i, with the earpieces slotting in horizontally. It’s a little trickier and less intuitive to use than vertically-oriented charging cases, and this arrangement, like on the Huawei headset, was a little confusing to me. The earphones, on the other hand, are magnetically held in place. A USB Type-C charging port and a pairing button are located on the back, while an indicator light is located on the front.
You can customize the OnePlus Buds Z with touch-sensitive controls on their outer sides if you have an OxygenOS smartphone.
Skullcandy’s Dime true wireless earphones are undeniably appealing due to their distinct design and styling. However, there are some fit issues, the charging case is a little too retro with its strange lid and Micro-USB charging port, only the SBC Bluetooth codec is supported, controls are awkward, and battery life is average, even for such a low-cost headset.
Skullcandy Dime True Wireless Earbuds Vs Oneplus Budz Z: Quick Result
| Particulars | Skullcandy Dime True Wireless Earbuds | Oneplus Budz Z | Which one is the best? |
| Battery Life | Good | Amazing | Any |
| Deep Bass | Great | Good | Both |
| ANC | ANC | ANC | Both |
| Sound Quality | Better | Best | Oneplus |
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Customer Reviews
Skullcandy Dime True Wireless Earbuds
- This technology has existed for much too long to be unaffordable.
- This technology has existed for much too long to be unaffordable.
- Superior fit – stem fits inside the ear canal, as opposed to AirPods, which protrude.
- Using a single bud is ideal for long hikes and zoom meetings, as you can charge one while using the other.
Oneplus Buds Z
- The sound quality is incredible, it fits well in your ears and doesn’t fall out easily, and it’s ideal for sports if you’re into that sort of thing.
- Oneplus created an incredible pair of earbuds that are unmatched in terms of sound and convenience.
- Quick Charge works flawlessly, as do all of the touch sensors on both Android and iOS smartphones.
- The case is so small and compact that it fits inside your friends’ pockets. Additionally, there is a lead indication for charging/pairing.
Skullcandy Dime True Wireless Earbuds VS Oneplus Budz Z: Final Verdict
When it comes to gadgets and technology, the second time around is often the charm for brands attempting to enter new product segments. The OnePlus Buds Z, which costs Rs. 2,000 less than the OnePlus Buds but is objectively superior in almost every way, is a great example. This is an excellent option for truly wireless earphones at a reasonable price.
However, its full feature set is only available if you own the most recent OnePlus smartphone, limiting the benefits of its excellent Dolby Atmos capabilities and resulting soundstage improvement. This is regrettable. Hey, Melody has enhanced the experience on non-OnePlus devices. Even without these OnePlus-exclusive features, this is an excellent pair of headphones for the price, and the one to consider most if you have a limited budget for truly wireless earbuds. Although Skullcandy Dime True Wireless Earbuds produce better sound quality, they can be considered a great buy for users who are looking to buy good earbuds at this price point.
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