The biggest feature of Huawei FreeBuds 5i is the value of Hi-Res. In terms of sound quality, it also meets the expectations of high-definition transparency and delicate sound. Huawei FreeBuds 5i has strengthened the design details and technological functions, and the polishing and upgrading results are even more outstanding.
As for whether Huawei FreeBuds 5i is worth buying? The answer is definitely worth buying, not only has Hi-Res blessing, it also supports windproof mode and true wireless earphones with dual device connection. These selling points are sincere enough.
Huawei FreeBuds 5i specs and features:
- Bluetooth 5.2 with LDAC codec
- 42dB multi-mode noise cancellation
- Full scene dual device connection
- 10 – 28 hours of playback (ANC OFF)
- IPX4 dustproof and waterproof
- $63 – Check latest price on: AliExpress, Amazon US, Amazon Germany or other Amazon countries
Appearance Design & Accessories
The Huawei FreeBuds 5i charging case still continues the family-style cobblestone curve shape, and has a flat surface treatment for the back, so that it will not shake when placed on the table. The Huawei FreeBuds 5i that I experienced this time is an island blue color scheme, and the surface of the charging case forms a layer of micro-matte texture, which makes the appearance more delicate.
Huawei FreeBuds 5i earbuds are also very carefully designed. Through repeated polishing in many aspects, earbuds can achieve a comprehensive “slim down”. There is no obvious intrusion, there is a more comfortable wearing experience, and the ear pressure is small after noise cancellation is turned on. Compared with Huawei FreeBuds 4i, a single earbud is 0.9g lighter, reaching 4.6g, so you will not feel pressure even if you wear it for a day. The headset stem was shortened by 7mm to a length of only 29mm.
It is worth mentioning that Huawei FreeBuds 5i use soft silicone eartips, which are more antibacterial and skin-friendly. And in addition to the default M-size eartips, Huawei also provides two other sizes of silicone eartips to replace by yourself.
Battery Life & Charging
In terms of battery life, after simulating daily use, we found that Huawei FreeBuds 5i can last up to 10 hours in a single battery life with ANC turned off. According to official data, Huawei FreeBuds 5i can achieve up to 28 hours of battery life when used with a charging case.
Moreover, Huawei FreeBuds 5i also supports fast charging, charging for 15 minutes, and the music playback time can reach 4 hours. Even if you forget to charge when you go out in the morning, you only need to drink a cup of coffee for the charging time for the user to listen to the whole morning.
Noise Cancellation & Calling
In terms of noise cancellation and transparency mode (Ambient Mode) performance, Huawei FreeBuds 5i is equipped with internal and external dual microphones. While detecting external environmental noise, it will also pick up the excess noise in the ear canal, accurately emit noise cancellation sound waves, and make your call experience purer. It also supports the dual-mic call noise cancellation algorithm, which can extract the human voice from the noise more cleanly, and can make the other party hear clearly even in a noisy downtown.
In addition, with AEM adaptive technology and three modes of deep noise cancellation, balanced noise cancellation, and mild noise cancellation, the noise cancellation effect can match the user’s ears no matter if you are in a noisy street or a quiet library. This ensures that users can get a better noise cancellation experience.
In the actual test, the ANC effect experience of Huawei FreeBuds 5i is better. After the ANC mode is turned on, the high, medium and low frequency noise around you is significantly reduced, and the noise cancellation of the medium and low frequency noise is larger. The overall noise cancellation performance is remarkable among TWS earbuds at the same price. It is worth mentioning that Huawei FreeBuds 5i has also optimized the structure to ensure the airtightness of the audio and improve the passive noise cancellation effect.
The transparency mode (Ambient mode) of Huawei FreeBuds 5i is also excellent. Just press and hold the earbud to seamlessly switch between noise cancellation mode and transparency mode. After the transparency mode is turned on, the earbuds will slightly amplify the surrounding ambient sound, basically no delay is felt, and you can easily communicate with the people around you without removing the earbuds.
Connectivity & Interaction (Control)
Another advantage of Huawei FreeBuds 5i compared to other TWS earbuds is that it has a strong connection performance. In particular, with the distributed capabilities of HarmonyOS, the ability to collaborate with multiple devices has been greatly improved. Huawei FreeBuds 5i supports short-range bluetooth connectivity. If you are using a Huawei mobile phone that supports EMUI10 or above, when the earbuds are paired with a new device for the first time, a pop-up window will be automatically displayed on the screen for quick pairing.
The experience of Huawei FreeBuds 5i between multiple devices is also excellent, and two devices can be connected at the same time without switching back and forth. Support the connection of various devices such as TV, PC, tablet, mobile phone and so on. For example, when you use the Huawei FreeBuds 5i to connect to the computer, and you happen to encounter a mobile phone call, you can quickly answer the call with just the double-tap earbud without switching between the PC and the mobile phone. In addition, in the audio connection center of the Smart Life APP, the connection of earbuds can be managed visually to realize fast switching of earbuds connection.
In terms of interactive operation, compared with Huawei FreeBuds 4i, a sliding volume adjustment function has been added. When connecting for the first time, we can also watch the text prompts on the APP for learning operations. For example, slide the left/right earbud up/down to achieve volume +/-. Double tap the earbud to play/pause music or answer/end calls. Long press the earbud to turn on or off the noise cancellation mode and other functions.
Controls of Huawei FreeBuds 5i:
- Double tap L or R earbud: play/pause music
- Long press L or R earbud: ANC ON/OFF, Transparency mode
- Double tap L or R earbud: answer/hang up
- Swipe up L or R earbud: volume+
- Swipe down L or R earbud: volume-
Sound Quality of Huawei FreeBuds 5i
Of course, sound quality is the biggest selling point of Huawei FreeBuds 5i. Huawei FreeBuds 5i is currently the only true wireless earbuds with Hi-Res certification at the price of 500 CNY. The official definition of Hi-Res is “the ability to restore full-range lossless music from music sources with higher quality than CDs”. That is to say, when Huawei FreeBuds 5i is playing high-definition music, the bluetooth transmission process from the mobile phone to the earbuds is high-definition transmission, and it also has the strength of high-definition decoding on the earbuds side. Preserve more high-definition details and achieve full-link high-definition sound playback from mobile phone to ear.
Huawei FreeBuds 5i adopts a combination design of 10mm dynamic driver + polymer composite diaphragm. It is the best in low frequency performance, and also guarantees the extension ability of high frequency. In addition, Huawei FreeBuds 5i also maintains an independent rear cavity design, which has a good dynamic response range and ultra-low frequency response capability, which can better ensure the consistency of the sound.
In the actual listening experience, I chose Passenger’s “Simple Song” as the test song. The low drum beats run through this song, which is a test of the extended depth of the earbuds. The performance of the Huawei FreeBuds 5i is satisfactory, the sound of the instruments is very powerful, the vocals are also clean and clear, and there is no obvious squeeze in the transient.
The consistency of the mid-range sound transients and the high frequencies are well maintained, and this relatively peaceful style makes people feel very comfortable. The resolution of the human voice is good, the sound dynamics and layering are stable, the sound is fairly clean, and the performance of the metal texture is particularly transparent.
The high frequency dynamic performance is good, the sound density is neutral, and the coordination with the mid frequency is very natural. The high-frequency sense of space is still well preserved and has good resolution. Although the high frequency part is not too aggressive and the sound quality is not too delicate, there is no harsh sound at high sound pressure. The performance in the tws earbuds at the same price is considered to be medium to upper level.
In addition, Huawei FreeBuds 5i is equipped with ear canal adaptive adjustment technology, which can detect the wearing status of earbuds and the shape of the wearer’s ear canal, match appropriate sound effects parameters, and bring better listening effects. At the same time, it supports the EQ adjustment function, and users can freely adjust the music effect on the APP. Whether it is “bass boost” or “treble boost”, you can always find the most suitable music effect.
Other Features (Waterproof, Latency)
Huawei FreeBuds 5i also supports some user-friendly functions, such as support for earbuds search function. Turning on the search function on the “Smart Life APP” can control the ringing of the left and right earbuds, which is convenient for users to quickly find earbuds.
Huawei FreeBuds 5i earbuds also support IPX4 dustproof and waterproof. When the earbud accidentally gets into the water, just wipe it clean, and it can be used normally after it dries naturally. The low-latency mode of 94ms also marks that Huawei FreeBuds 5i has perfected the function of the low-latency mode of the game. When playing the game, the sound effect and the picture when the skill is released are basically synchronized.
Check the Huawei FreeBuds 5i price:
- Check latest price on AliExpress
- Check latest price on Amazon US
- Check latest price on Amazon Germany
- Check latest price on other Amazon countries
