Dizo GoPods D: The New Affordable Contender in True Wireless Earphones

Realme, which began as an offshoot of the larger and well-established Oppo, has made significant strides in India since its introduction in 2018. Following the launch of its successful lineup of affordable and feature-rich audio devices such as the newly unveiled Buds Q2 Neo, Realme has also introduced a new brand named Dizo to challenge competitors in the same market. Dizo has recently unveiled its first budget audio offerings, including the GoPods D, which I will be reviewing here.

With a price tag of Rs. 1,399, the Dizo GoPods D share many similarities with the Realme Buds Q2 Neo in terms of appearance and specifications, yet they are just slightly more affordable. This new model will compete against brands like Redmi and Noise. Are these the top choice for true wireless earphones priced under Rs. 1,500 in India? Read on to discover more in this review.

The Dizo GoPods D feature 10mm dynamic drivers, and hold an IPX4 rating for water resistance

App integration and low-latency gaming mode for the Dizo GoPods D

Let’s address this early on; the Dizo GoPods D look strikingly similar to the Realme Buds Q2 Neo and Buds Q2. That said, I appreciate their design and comfort. Each bud features a textured outer layer that serves as a touch control interface. The earbuds are lightweight and provide a secure in-ear fit, making them comfortable for prolonged use.

The Dizo GoPods D come in two colors: black and white. The touch controls allow for playback management, voice assistant activation, and low-latency gaming mode toggling. I found these controls to be responsive, largely due to the generous touch area. Volume adjustments must be made via the connected device, as the earphones don’t support volume control.

The charging case, though simple, boasts a thoughtful design and is compact enough to carry in your pocket. A subtle Dizo logo is placed on the lid, with a Micro-USB port for charging located at the back. It’s disappointing to see Micro-USB charging at this price level. The earphones automatically enter pairing mode when not connected to any device, and there’s a small LED indicator at the front to show the case’s charging status.

In terms of specs, the GoPods D are nearly a carbon copy of the Buds Q2 Neo, featuring 10mm dynamic drivers, a frequency response spanning 20-20,000Hz, Micro-USB charging, and IPX4 water resistance. For connectivity, they utilize Bluetooth 5, supporting only the SBC codec, which distinguishes them from the Buds Q2 Neo, which also supports the AAC codec.

The package includes a charging cable and three pairs of silicone ear tips. Although there is no active noise cancellation, environmental noise cancellation is present to enhance call quality.

It’s still quite rare for budget true wireless earphones to offer app support, so the Dizo GoPods D stands out in this area. The collaboration between Dizo and Realme has made it possible to utilize the capable Realme Link app with these earphones. Currently, this app is only available for Android; the iOS version has not yet been updated to support the Dizo GoPods D at the time of this review.

The Dizo GoPods D connect with the Realme Link app, allowing users to customize controls, select equalizer presets, and more

The app offers a few functionalities, including battery level monitoring for the earbuds (not the case), three equalizer presets to choose from, low-latency gaming mode activation, and customization options for touch controls. While the features are not as extensive as those found in premium headphones, they exceed typical expectations for true wireless offerings at this price point.

The Dizo GoPods D provide commendable battery life considering their price, with each earbud lasting approximately four hours per full charge. The charging case supplies three additional full charges for the earbuds, resulting in a total battery life of 16 hours per cycle. Fast charging is also available, with a quick 10-minute charge yielding a claimed two hours of listening time.

Sound performance of the Dizo GoPods D is satisfactory for the cost

While the mid-range and premium segments of true wireless earphones witness rapid developments, the budget category has remained fairly stable regarding design, features, and audio performance. There are numerous options available at or below the Rs. 1,500 price mark, but the Dizo GoPods D will particularly compete with the Redmi 2C.

With not too many extravagant features, the Dizo GoPods D prioritize design and audio quality. Overall, the sound performance is quite satisfying and pleasant for this budget tier. It is mostly clear and doesn’t exhibit any significant gaps in frequency coverage or sound quality. The sound profile will accommodate most mainstream music genres, featuring decent enhancements in high and low frequencies.

Listening to «Fire» by Ferry Corsten, I found the Dizo GoPods D to be loud, engaging, and impactful (in a positive way). Although the bass in fast-paced electronic tracks sometimes overshadowed other frequency ranges at high volumes, most consumers shopping in this price range are likely to appreciate it. The combination of high volume and effective noise isolation was helpful in overpowering background noise.

The sound profile of the Dizo GoPods D tends to be a touch bass-heavy, which many consumers in this price range may enjoy

Even with the bass possibly being overwhelming, the audio didn’t become muddled or unpleasant, with occasional details emerging clearly. While listening to «If I Were A Folkstar» by The Avalanches, the GoPods D managed to convey some of the nuances that make this delightful sample-heavy track enjoyable, but the soundstage felt somewhat confined.

At maximum volume levels, the audio appeared a bit coarse; however, lowering the volume to around 50 percent yielded a commendably pleasant and clear listening experience. Higher-quality codec support might have improved audio fidelity by allowing the earphones greater data capacity, yet the sound remains adequately pleasant, particularly for those who enjoy a bit more bass.

The Dizo GoPods D offer a couple of additional useful features: environmental noise cancellation for voice calls and a low-latency mode tailored for gaming. Similar to the Realme Buds Q2, the low-latency mode did enhance response times slightly, although not enough to make a significant difference in fast-paced multiplayer gaming. Call quality remained acceptable in quiet indoor environments and somewhat calm outdoor surroundings, with ENC helping to mitigate background noise such as wind.

Final Thoughts

Most budget true wireless offerings emphasize the design rather than additional features; thus, the Dizo GoPods D distinguish themselves due to their app compatibility and rapid charging. When it comes to fundamental elements, the GoPods D performs adequately and provides a good overall experience relative to their cost. They offer a comfortable fit, impressive battery life, and sound quality that meets expectations. At a price of Rs. 1,399, these earphones are worth considering.

Despite some shortcomings – including Micro-USB charging, support for only the SBC codec, and a slightly overwhelming bass response – these issues may be justifiable given the price point and the backing from Realme. Additionally, options from brands like Noise and Redmi are also worth exploring, but the Dizo GoPods D present a commendable overall experience for Rs. 1,399.