Huawei Freebuds 5i offers low-cost ANC and high-resolution audio.
True wireless in-ears that are less expensive promise longer battery life and better sound.
Huawei's latest true wireless in-ears are aimed at cord-free audiophiles on a budget. The Huawei FreeBuds 5i will be available in the UK and Europe in early January for £90, but they will still include active noise cancellation and LDAC Bluetooth support for high-resolution listening.
The FreeBuds 5i is lighter than the previous FreeBuds 4i, but they should still be able to last ten hours between trips to the charging case, which is also slimmer and lighter than before. The flip-open lid has been reinforced this time around so it doesn't accidentally fling open and send the buds flying, and it comes in three pebble-inspired colors: Ceramic White, Isle Blue, and Nebula Black.
It should add another 18 hours of listening time before needing to be charged via USB-C. We understand the lack of wireless charging as a value-conscious pair of in-ears.
Inside each bud is a 10mm dynamic driver with an all-new polymer composite diaphragm promising an incredible frequency range that tops out at 40kHz. Adaptive sonic optimization, multiple EQ presets, and an ear fit test with Huawei's AI Life companion app should ensure you get the best sound possible. Huawei phone owners will be able to use a low-latency mode to play games, while everyone else should be able to use the dual-device connection mode to swap between devices without having to repair each time.
Active noise cancellation employs an interior/exterior microphone combination to cancel out up to 42dB of outside noise, with three strength settings to match your environment. It can be turned up while traveling by public transportation and turned down when you arrive somewhere quieter.
Touch controls have been improved over last year's effort, with a new swipe gesture for on-the-fly volume adjustment. With a tap and hold, you can still play/pause music and activate ANC or answer incoming calls. The buds are also IP54 certified, so they should be able to withstand a trip to the gym or a brief rain shower.
The Huawei FreeBuds 5i is a significant upgrade over the FreeBuds 4i, with a longer battery life, improved sound and ANC, and a lighter body, all while maintaining an appealing design. The case for the FreeBuds 5i now has a softer, pebble-like texture and weighs 34 grams, with each bud weighing only 4.6 grams. Despite being 18% lighter than the 4i, the battery capacity increased dramatically to 410 mAh.
It's great to see Huawei use the more widely supported LDAC Bluetooth codec instead of the LHDC codec found in its top-tier smartphones. If you're looking for new in-ears, the Huawei FreeBuds 5i will be available from the Huawei online store on January 16th, with prices starting at £90 / €99. Pre-orders begin on February 9th and will be available on Amazon and other retailers in early February.
0 Comments