Spec sheets are full of short forms. Here are common audio, wearable and delivery terms in plain words. Features differ by model, so check the listing and the brand's manual or app.
Sound and noise control
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ANC | Active Noise Cancellation: mics pick up outside noise and the device plays an opposite signal to cancel it. Best on steady, low sounds like engine hum. |
| Hybrid ANC | ANC using both outer (feedforward) and inner (feedback) mics, usually cancelling a wider range of noise. |
| ENC | Environmental Noise Cancellation: cuts background noise from your mic on calls so others hear you clearly; it does not reduce what you hear. |
| ENx | boAt's name for its ENC-style noise reduction for calls. |
| Beamforming mics | Multiple mics working together to focus on your voice and reduce sound from other directions. |
| Transparency mode | Outer mics let outside sound in so you hear your surroundings. Also called Ambient Aware, HearThrough or Ambient Mode. |
| dB (decibel) | A unit of sound level. In "up to 50 dB ANC" claims, it is the brand's best lab figure; real results vary. |
| Spatial audio | Processing that makes sound seem to come from around you, sometimes with head tracking. Results depend on content and device. |
| EQ (equaliser) | Settings that adjust bass, mids and treble, usually through presets in the brand's app. |
| Driver | The small speaker inside, sized in millimetres. Bigger is not automatically better; tuning and fit matter. |
| Hz / kHz | Units of frequency (pitch); 1 kHz is 1,000 Hz. "20 Hz–20 kHz" is the usual human hearing range, not a measure of quality. |
Connectivity and codecs
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| TWS | True Wireless Stereo: two separate earbuds with no wire between them, recharged in a case. |
| Bluetooth 5.3 | A Bluetooth version. Newer versions improve efficiency, but features depend on both devices; versions are backward compatible. |
| SBC | The basic codec (audio compression format) all Bluetooth audio devices support, used when devices share no better codec. |
| AAC | The main codec used by iPhones and iPads; many Android phones support it too, with varying results. |
| aptX | Qualcomm codecs, including aptX HD and aptX Adaptive, found on many Android phones; not supported by iPhones. |
| LDAC | Sony's high-bitrate codec (up to 990 kbps) for supported Android phones, not iPhones; bitrate may drop to keep the link stable. |
| Latency | Delay between sound being sent and heard, in milliseconds (ms). Lower keeps games and videos in sync; brands quote game-mode figures. |
| Multipoint | Staying connected to two devices at once, such as a phone and laptop, and switching between them. Varies by model. |
| Dual pairing | A term many brands use for multipoint. Check the listing or manual for how it works on that model. |
| Google Fast Pair | An Android pop-up for one-tap pairing when supported earbuds in pairing mode are near a compatible phone. |
| Swift Pair | Microsoft's version for Windows 10 and 11: a notification offers to connect a nearby device in pairing mode. |
Battery and charging
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| mAh | Milliampere-hour, a measure of battery capacity. Battery life also depends on volume, ANC, calls and display settings. |
| Fast charge | A short charge for hours of use, quoted like "10 min = 2 hrs". Names include ASAP Charge, Rapid Charge and Speed Charge. |
Water and dust resistance
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| IP rating | Ingress Protection rating: first digit for dust (up to 6), second for water (up to 9); "X" means not tested. |
| IPX4 | Resists splashing water from any direction, such as sweat and light rain. Not for swimming or showering. |
| IP54 | Dust-protected and resistant to splashing water. |
| IP68 | Dust-tight and protected against continuous immersion beyond 1 metre, under conditions set by the manufacturer. |
| 5 ATM | Resists pressure equal to 50 metres depth in a static test; usually fine for pool swimming, not diving, hot showers or saunas. |
Smartwatches
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| AMOLED | A display where each pixel lights itself, giving deep blacks and vivid colours; dark watch faces can save battery. |
| LCD | A display lit by a backlight behind liquid crystals, so blacks look less deep than on AMOLED. |
| AOD | Always-On Display: a dimmed watch face stays visible without raising your wrist, but uses more battery. |
| SpO2 | An estimate of blood oxygen saturation from the watch's optical sensor, for general wellness only, not medical diagnosis. |
| Bluetooth calling | Calls on the watch's mic and speaker, routed through your connected phone, which must be nearby. |
Shopping and delivery
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Open-box | A returned or display unit in like-new condition, checked and cleaned before listing; packaging may not be mint. Not used or refurbished. |
| Unboxed | The word our product titles use for open-box items (some say "Openbox"). |
| Brand New / Fresh Pack | New, sealed products. |
| AWB | Air Waybill: the courier's tracking number, sent with a tracking link after dispatch. |
| COD | Cash on Delivery: paying when the parcel arrives, where available at checkout. |
| RTO | Return to Origin: an undeliverable parcel (wrong address, no one available) going back to the seller. |
| GST invoice | A tax invoice under India's Goods and Services Tax, included with every IndiasBuy purchase. |
| Unboxing video | A continuous video from the first cut of the sealed package, required for damaged, wrong or missing-item claims. |
More detail: our guides on ANC vs ENC, Bluetooth codecs and water resistance ratings, what unboxed means and all guides.