The i12 TWS are clones of the Apple AirPods. The first True Wireless (100% wireless) headphones from Apple were released in December 2016. It was a big commercial success with the public. From that moment, it was quickly noticed that people wander the streets or in transport with long white stems sticking out of their ears. It was indeed amazing if we did not know the product. But at that time, there was only one genuinely wireless headphone reference. So it was easy to tell that they came from the Apple brand. Today the situation has changed.

This commercial success has inspired other brands, so many different references of True Wireless headphones have appeared on the audio market. There have also been brands unknown to the public who have started making copies identical to the Apple model. The first models to hit the audio market were of inferior quality. But gradually, the prints have improved. Their designs changed, the sound quality was more pleasant, and the integrated technologies came closer and closer to what Apple offered.

In this test, we are interested in the i12 TWS, which are real copies of the AirPods (identical design). They are sold five times cheaper than the Airpods, but what are they worth? Find out the answer in our full test.

Good points

- Price

- Design, manufacturing quality

- Autonomy

Negative points

- Sound rendering

The i12 TWS earphones are delivered in a small white cardboard box. A small red border is printed in the upper right corner (the letters TWS are printed). The manufacturer also printed the model number (i12) and a photo that represents the two earbuds. Once the box is opened, you get the i12 earphones, the box that used to transport the True Wireless, and recharged them. A USB cable to Lightning to recharge the battery of the case and one of the paperwork. The 100% wireless i12 earphones are available for around 20 euros online.

Once in hand, we quickly notice that the copy of the design is identical. The i12 TWS did not only draw inspiration from AirPods; they all simply take on the same shape and design. The case and earbuds are identical to the Apple models. It’s very simple if you place the i12 TWS next to Apple’s AirPods. You will wonder that it is the copied version. The only distinguishing element between the two versions is the words “designed by Apple in California.” This is the only way to know if you have the AirPods in hand. The design is really identical. The transport/recharge case and the two earbuds of the i12 TWS are the same sizes as the apple brand model. The manufacturing quality is also the same. The manufacturer used practically the same plastic. The i12 TWS earphones are robust enough to withstand everyday use. The advantage of the identical design is that you can enjoy the accessories that are sold for the AirPods. There are many references available on the internet. You will find different types of accessories: removable tips, protective silicone shells, fancy, etc.

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With the same design, the headphones offer the same comfort and stability. Once placed in your ears, the headphones are comfortable and offer good support. You can wear them for several hours straight without feeling embarrassed. People who have been able to test the AirPods and who have appreciated their uses will obtain the same satisfaction with the i12 TWS. The i12 TWS headphones are slightly lighter than the AirPods. The i12 weighs 31 grams on the scale, while the Apple model weighs 47 grams. The light design contributes to good comfort. A headset alone weighs 3 grams (4 grams for an AirPods). The i12 TWS offers practically the same manufacturing quality. But in addition, they are IPX6 certified. Apple models have no IPX certification.

The IP protection rating is an international standard for sealing. This index ranks the level of protection of a device against the intrusion of solid and liquid bodies. IPX6 means that the headphones are protected against strong water jets from all directions. They resist water and your sweat but beware they are not waterproof. You cannot immerse them in water.

Apple has integrated a W1 chip on the first generation of AirPods. The second-generation incorporates an H1 chip. These two chips allow simplified pairing with devices running IOS. This is one of the other things that differ with the i12 TWS: pairing. This model does not take advantage of Apple’s chips, but of Bluetooth connectivity in version 5.0. Wireless connection is done manually by selecting the headphones in the Bluetooth menu of your device. The wireless connection is stable during use, but the i12 loses points on this part. It is clear that the ease of pairing of AirPods is really nice on a daily basis. Now you will have to spend 150 euros to be able to take advantage of this function. It’s up to you whether you really need this feature. It’s a question of budget, because 130 euros difference is not anything. Not all users can afford to put that much money into True Wireless headphones. The I12 TWS is compatible with Ios and Android devices.

Audio Performance and Quality

The design of the i12 TWS is identical to that of the AirPods, but the sound is different. Once the music has started, you quickly realize that the bass is not present enough. The Apple model suffers from this same problem, but it is even more accentuated on the i12 TWS headphones. After the Apple AirPods are clearly not the best choice for audio. The sound of the i12 TWS is not great, but it will suit the majority of users. You will need to adjust the bass and treble through your device’s equalizer to get the best sound experience.

You had to suspect that headphones sold at this price can not work miracles on the audio side. When you buy a pair of headphones sold between 100 and 200 euros you pay the brand awareness, that’s the marketing side. A company like Sony or Bose is necessarily better rated than a brand like Xiaomi (at least in terms of audio products). But in addition to the marketing aspect, you pay for the know-how and especially the technologies integrated into the headphones. This includes good quality speakers. So that’s why a pair of True Wireless headphones sold for less than 20 euros can never offer high-fidelity sound.

The earphones of the i12 TWS earphones are both equipped with 55 mAh battery. Thanks to this, the autonomy is about 3–4 hours. The performance varies according to the sound volume. This is more than adequate performance for truly wireless headphones (especially when you take into account their selling prices). Once the earbud batteries are flat you no longer have to replace them in the case to recharge them. When the battery of the case is fully charged you get five full charges. So you get about 15 hours of total battery life. You can enjoy your music for many hours without having to recharge the case. The manufacturer has really made sure that the i12 TWS are completely identical to the AirPods, it has integrated a Lightning socket under the housing. So you can use the cable from your Apple product or the one offered in the box.

Conclusion

The i12 TWS are true clones of Apple’s AirPods, especially in terms of design. They use the same shapes and dimensions. It’s hard to tell the difference between the i12 TWS and the AirPods when they’re next to each other. For the rest the quality is not identical. The manufacturing is slightly more fragile, there is no W1 or H1 chip to simplify the wireless pairing and the sound rendering is not the same. The i12 TWS fulfill their roles, but you should not be demanding on the sound (an adjustment with the equalizer of your source device is necessary). They can all accompany you on a daily basis. The i12 TWS headphones will satisfy those on a budget.