Earbuds or just a translation app?
In both cases, an app does the translating. With translation earbuds, however, you hear the translation directly in your ear, and the other person wears the second earbud.
The app translates, the earbuds bring it to your ear
With NeoTranslate, the SITranslate app on your smartphone (iOS and Android) does the translating. The earbuds do not translate themselves: they connect to the smartphone via Bluetooth and play the translation directly into your ear. The app is free for buyers of the earbuds.
The difference in a conversation
With a translation app alone, the conversation usually runs through the smartphone: you hear the translation from the speaker or read it on the screen.
With translation earbuds, each person wears one earbud and the translation goes straight into the ear. One set is enough for two people.
When an app alone is enough
If you only want to translate a word or a short sentence now and then, an app alone may be enough for you. Translation earbuds are a better fit when you talk to someone for longer, for example when travelling or with family.
Good to know
With SITranslate, English also works offline, further languages can be downloaded as offline packs, the rest need an internet connection.
For music, you wear both earbuds. So they are not just for translating.