TWS (True Wireless Stereo) noise canceling headphones have become a very popular device thanks to their compact design and because they offer a more immersive experience by isolating us from surrounding noise.
Huawei has introduced its FreeBuds 5i wireless headphones ( €99). These headphones arrive with H-Res high definition audio, noise cancellation technology with 3 intensity levels, a low latency game mode, a great battery life. and a compact and lightweight design.
I’ve had a chance to thoroughly test the new FreeBuds 5i for several weeks and here’s my in-depth review.
design and construction
The FreeBuds 5i are very light headphones with each unit weighing just 4.9 grams. This means that we can carry them in the ear for many hours without being heavy at all.
In addition to the medium size ear tips that come with it, Huawei has included small and large size ear tips in the box so you can choose the best fit for your ear.
This is not only important for your comfort but also to improve noise isolation. It is possible to perform an eartip fit test from your smartphone to determine if you should try another size that fits you better.
In my experience, the FreeBuds 5i are comfortable even after long sessions with them listening to music or having phone calls. They stay in place even if you make sudden movements, so you can use them in the gym.
The FreeBuds 5i have an elongated stick that protrudes about 1.5 centimeters from the ear. Other earphones like the FreeBuds Pro protrude less and therefore look more discreet.
The headphones have a tactile exterior surface that allows you to control music playback and control calls.
As we will see later, a double tap allows you to play / pause music, as well as answer / cancel a call; a long press allows you to change the active noise cancellation mode; and slide your finger to increase or decrease the volume.
The FreeBuds 5i arrive with an oval case with a very soft touch and light weight. The drawback of this case is that it is so slippery in my hand that it is almost impossible for me to open it with one hand.
The case has magnets that prevent the headphones from coming out even when placing the case upside down. In fact, they are so firmly attached that it is a bit difficult to remove them from the case. The lid closes firmly, so there is no danger of them coming off.
On one side of the case, there is a button that allows us to pair the FreeBuds 5i with a smartphone if we hold it down for a few seconds. Finally, at the bottom we find a USB Type-C connector that allows us to charge the case (and the headphones if they are inside) using a cable.
The headphones are available in three colors: blue, white and black. In my case, I have had the opportunity to test the headphones in blue, as can be seen in the photographs. The case is not a uniform blue color, but is dotted with brown specks.
The FreeBuds 5i are IP54 certified, making them resistant to splashes, water and dust. Therefore, you can take them to the gym without worrying that they will be damaged by sweat.
Setting
The initial setup of the FreeBuds 5i is simple. Simply open the FreeBuds 5i case near a smartphone and hold down the side button for a few seconds for the headphones to go into pairing mode.
I have linked the FreeBuds 5i with the Huawei P50 Pro and, as expected, the process is immediate and, from the Bluetooth section of the smartphone, it is possible to control all the settings of the headphones without having to download any app.
I have also linked the headphones with an Android smartphone from another brand (in my case, the OPPO Reno 8 Pro). In this case, to access the headset settings, you need to download Huawei’s HUAWEI AI Life app.
The fastest and simplest way to download the HUAWEI AI Life app is to scan the QR code that comes with each Huawei audio device. Android users can also download and install the HUAWEI AI Life app from HUAWEI AppGallery.
AI Life Download QR Code
From the AI Life app it is possible to access the charging level of the headphones/case, configure the shortcuts through touches, select the noise cancellation mode, update the firmware, etc.
AI Life app in Android
If you’re thinking of using the FreeBuds 5i with an iPhone, you’ll need to download and install the AI Life app, which luckily is available on the App Store.
Using the Huawei FreeBuds 5i
As soon as the FreeBuds 5i are inserted into the ears, a little sound is heard indicating that they are ready to work. The connection to the smartphone is made via Bluetooth 5.2.
As with other headphones, when we are listening to music, it is enough to remove one of them so that the playback is interrupted. If you enter it again within a few minutes, music playback will resume.
The FreeBuds 5i include a pressure sensor in the upper part of the elongated part, which can be customized with different actions for a double press or a long press.
Among the actions that can be chosen with a double press are: Play / stop, Next song, Previous song and Activate voice assistant. It is also possible to answer a call or hang up.
A long press allows you to modify the noise control, being possible to choose between noise cancellation mode, deactivated mode or attention mode. If any of these modes does not interest us, we can remove it from the list so that it does not go through it.
A sliding gesture on the surface of the stick allows you to turn the volume up and down, which is very useful to avoid having to reach for the phone.
Sound and functionalities
Huawei has taken interest in offering good sound quality including a 10mm dynamic driver and a polymer diaphragm. The audio profile of these headphones has been optimized for pop music, with a focus on instrumental sounds and vocals.
Although there is no band EQ functionality, you can choose between Bass Boost and Treble Boost in the AI Life app.
The headphones are certified Hi-Res Audio Wireless for high-resolution sound with support for the LDAC HD codec, which offers a wider frequency response.
Hi-Res Audio Wireless is officially defined as “the ability to reproduce the full range of sounds from recordings that have been mastered from higher-than-CD quality music sources”, and is widely accepted and recognized among enthusiasts. of the audio. FreeBuds 5i is one of the few earbuds priced under $100 that is Hi-Res certified.
The listening experience of a headset varies depending on the structure of each person’s ear canal and how the headset is worn. HUAWEI FreeBuds 5i use a dual adaptive equalization algorithm, in which the highly sensitive in-ear microphone monitors sound fed back from the ear canal and compensates for the effect of the canal to ensure excellent audio quality.
The FreeBuds 5i produce a pleasant sound, with punchy bass without sounding too intrusive and crisp highs without being harsh. The headphones do not distort at high volumes and offer full-bodied sound despite their small size.
They incorporate active noise cancellation up to 42 dB, a feature that until recently was reserved for high-end headphones and that allows you to cancel outside noise so that we can focus on the music or sound we are listening to.
The FreeBuds 5i are equipped with two microphones located inside and outside the ear, which not only detect external noise, but also pick up additional noise in the ear canal. It then uses this information to accurately generate inverse noise canceling sound waves,
Huawei offers three noise cancellation modes — Ultra, General, and Comfortable — to match the effects to the environment, such as canceling the typical noise of a shopping mall, the sound of the engine when traveling in public transport or the hum of the engine of the airplane.
Comfortable applies just a bit of noise cancellation, and is ideal when you’re at home and want to filter out annoying noise from your appliances. The General option is better suited for crowded places, and Ultra applies the maximum 42 dB of noise reduction, canceling out a fair amount of outside noise.
The FreeBuds 5i manage to greatly reduce the ambient noise in the environment, especially in places with constant background noise, such as an airplane cabin, a train carriage or at home with the washing machine running, etc. If the background noise is more erratic — for example, a conversation between two people next door — the cancellation isn’t as effective.
These headphones have an attention mode that allows us to listen to the sounds of the environment without having to remove the headphones, while improving the hearing of voices. This mode is more appropriate than off mode if you want to talk to someone, since in the latter everything is muffled by the isolation produced by the ear pads.
It also supports dual-microphone call noise cancellation algorithm, which can separate human voice from noise more cleanly, and can make the other party hear you clearly even in a noisy center when you make a call.
The FreeBuds 5i remain paired with the smartphone at all times, even if you are several meters away. I find them especially practical to be able to talk on the phone while moving around the house with my hands full.
They also allow you to take photos remotely by double-tapping the headphones, so you can take photos without fumbling with a selfie stick or fumbling with focal length controls from too close a distance.
The headphones can simultaneously connect to two devices at once, including TVs, PCs, tablets, mobile phones and more. So, for example, when the FreeBuds 5i are connected to a PC for a video conference, you only have to touch an earphone twice to answer a call that comes into the phone.
Huawei claims that improved chip performance and algorithm optimizations have helped reduce latency in games. To enjoy this quality, it is necessary to activate the low latency mode in the AI Life app.
The FreeBuds 5i incorporate a Find functionality that rings the headphones in case you have lost them and they are less than 20 meters from the phone.
Autonomy and battery charge
The FreeBuds 5i have a high-density 55 mAh battery in each earbud and 410 mAh in the charging case.
On a full charge, you can listen to music for up to 6 hours with noise canceling on, and 7.5 hours if it’s off. If we add the autonomy provided by the charging case, we can reach 18.5 / 28 hours of music playback with / without active noise cancellation.
It takes about 60 minutes for the earphones to be 100% charged inside the case, and the charging case takes about 110 minutes to charge. They have fast charging, so that, with only 10 minutes of charging, 4 hours of autonomy are obtained.
Charging of the case is done via the USB Type-C cable, but wireless charging is not possible.
Precio
The FreeBuds 5i are available in white, black and blue colors with a recommended price of €99 .
Since December 28, HUAWEI offers the possibility of making a deposit of €1 and obtaining a discount of €10 on the purchase. This offer is available until January 9, 2023.
conclusions
The FreeBuds 5i are very light headphones (4.9 grams), which are comfortable even after many hours of use. With ear cushions available in three sizes, the headphones fit snugly in the ear and withstand sudden head movements without falling out. In addition, they are resistant to water and dust with IP54 certification.
Huawei has included a pressure sensor on the sides of each earbud that allows you to start/stop music, skip forward/back tracks or activate voice assistant with a double press, as well as switch between cancel modes with a long press. It is also possible to increase/decrease the volume by simply sliding your finger along the protruding stick.
The initial setup process for the FreeBuds 5i is simple: Just open the case and press the side button to put them into pairing mode. In case you link it with a Huawei smartphone, you won’t have to do anything else, but with other Android brands or with iPhone you will have to download the AI Life app to have access to all the functions.
On a day-to-day basis, handling the headphones is very comfortable. You remove the headphones from your ear and the music stops. You introduce them again and the music continues.
The FreeBuds 5i offer good sound quality with a 10mm dynamic driver, although it does not reach the quality level of the FreeBuds Pro. The audio has been optimized for pop music and it is possible to choose between bass amplification and bass amplification. treble in the AI Life app.
One of the novelties of these headphones is the high definition audio support Hi-Res Audio Wireless thanks to the support of the LDAC HD codec. In addition, it also supports SBC and AAC codecs.
Another interesting feature of the FreeBuds 5i for its price is the presence of active noise cancellation of up to 42 dB with three levels of cancellation: Comfortable, General and Ultra.
So that you don’t have to remove your headphones if you want to talk to another person, Huawei has added an attention mode that reproduces the sound picked up by the microphones in your ear. In this way you can perfectly maintain a conversation despite wearing earbud headphones, which isolate to a great extent from external sound.
In my experience, noise cancellation works very well, especially with monotonous noises like airplane engines, road traffic, or the background sound of the washing machine at home. As for the attention mode, the external sound is heard well but your own time sounds quite muffled.
The FreeBuds 5i offer simultaneous Bluetooth connection with two devices, allowing you to quickly switch between your computer and your phone if, for example, you receive a call while you are using your computer.
Autonomy is one of the highlights of the FreeBuds 5i. Its battery of 6 hours of music playback with noise cancellation or 7.5 hours without cancellation is very high for its small size and features.
In addition, its case houses a battery for a total of 22 hours of playback and keeps them charged when they are inside. This case can be charged via a conventional USB Type-C cable, but does not support wireless charging.
The Huawei FreeBuds 5i are on sale for €99, which is a very attractive price for their features.
The best:
- Headphones with modern design in three possible colors (black, white and blue). Case with compact size and built-in battery.
- In-ear comfort thanks to a light weight (4.9 grams) and the availability of ear tips in three sizes for a better fit.
- Excellent support in the ear even when making sudden movements with the head.
- Simple setup with smartphones (app download required for non-Huawei smartphones).
- Comfortable operation through double or long presses on the earpiece surface as well as volume up/down swipe gesture.
- Good sound quality throughout the frequency range, although not quite as good as the excellent FreeBuds Pro. Hi-Res high-resolution audio support.
- Simultaneous connection of different devices.
- Good active noise cancellation with an attention mode that allows you to have conversations without having to remove the headphones.
- Excellent autonomy, which is improved with the fast charge that the case incorporates.
- IP54 certified for resistance to splashes, water and dust.
Worst:
- It is necessary to load the AI Life app outside of the Play Store on Android.
- Absence of a band equalizer to adjust the frequency response to our liking.
- Case without wireless charging.
