Apple iPhone 3G S Headphones

Design

Both headphones are really similar. They’re both white and gray, meaning anyone who sees you with them will assume ‘iPod’ and lose interest.

In terms of design, the iPhone 3G S headphones has some durability improvements in their superior cord guards, but the sold-separately model comes with sleeves. This helps prevent ear garbage from sullying your headphones’ internals. Also, if they’re not comfortable you can swap them out for smaller/larger ones.

Apple iPhone 3G S Headphones	Apple In-ear Headphones with Remote & Mic

Frequency Response

Interestingly enough, the free Apple headphones offer a comparable frequency response. It’s better on paper, but doesn’t have the bass that the sold-separately headphones have.

Apple iPhone 3G S Headphones	Apple In-ear Headphones with Remote & Mic

Distortion

Although the auxiliary headphones have some small issues with distortion towards the high end, their freebie brothers have quite a lot of low end distortion.

Apple iPhone 3G S Headphones	Apple In-ear Headphones with Remote & Mic

Tracking

The supplemental Apple headphones have a very even tracking, but the iPhone 3G S’ included headphones also have great tracking. As it turns out, the replacement model is slightly more balanced, but the differences between these two isn’t really perceptible.

Apple iPhone 3G S Headphones	Apple In-ear Headphones with Remote & Mic

Isolation

This isn’t really a contest. The ones that fit into your ears block out sound. The iPhone 3G S headphones, conversely, stand outside your ears like inept guards, letting all external noise sneak past.

Apple iPhone 3G S Headphones	Apple In-ear Headphones with Remote & Mic

Comfort

Our issue with Apple headphones continually manifests itself, regardless of the iteration. The things just don’t stay in well. Our issue with the replacements is that they pull free if you run the cable under your shirt. Also, in a lot of people around the office, they’d just pop out after a while, even when the wearer was just sitting still.

The packed-in headphones won’t outright pop out as easily, but that’s mainly because they’re never inside your ears to begin with. They balance on your tragus and antitragus, which will drive in-canal headphone users crazy.

If we had to pick the most comfortable one, we’d have the pick the iPhone 3G S headphones, simply because they stay in place more consistently.

Wear
Apple iPhone 3G S Headphones	Apple In-ear Headphones with Remote & Mic

Verdict

The freebie headphones really aren’t so terrible compared to their replacements. If you want an upgrade from the packaged-in headphones, these Apple replacements aren’t a bad idea. They aren’t the best idea either, however, because the Apple replacement headphones aren’t the best in-ears. If you want a great set of headphones with a built-in remote and mic, read the following comparison section.