The new Huawei FreeBuds 5 headphones were released less than a month ago. Let’s examine them more closely – their features and cost. Let’s discuss the first impressions of using it. I’ve had them for a few days and can say something about them.
Specifications
| HUAWEI FreeBuds 5 | |
|---|---|
| Brand | Huawei |
| Model | FreeBuds 5 |
| Design | TWS Earbuds |
| Weight | 55.3 g (With Case), 5.5 g Per Earbud |
| Type | In the Ear |
| Connectivity | Wireless |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 |
| Bluetooth Range | 10 m |
| Water Resistant | IP54 Rated |
| Battery Capacity | 505 mAh (Case), 42 mAh Per Earbud |
| Battery Life | 30 hours with Case (ANC Off) 5 hours (Earbuds with ANC Off) 20 hours with Case (ANC On) 3.5 hours (Earbuds with ANC On) |
SOUND FEATURES
| Deep Bass | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 20 Hz (Min) – 40 KHz (Max) |
| Driver Unit | 11 mm |
| Driver Type | Dual Magnetic Circuit Dnamic Drivers |
| Noise Reduction | Triple Adaptive EQ Settings |
| Active Noise Cancellation | Yes, Hybrid ANC |
| Other Features | HWA/Hi-Res Audio |
The sound comes from 11 millimetre transducers. The headphones have high-quality LDAC codec, making them Hi-Res Audio Wireless certified. It uses Bluetooth 5.2 to communicate and supports SBC, AAC, LC3, L2HC 2.0, and LDAC protocols. The headphones could connect to two devices at once and switch between them easily.
Design
When we talk about this model, we have to mention their looks. These headphones look unique, but whether they are attractive or not is up to you to decide.
Huawei says the design was inspired by two water droplets connected to each other, also known as drops of Prince Rupert. FreeBuds 5 come in three colours: silver, coral, and white. The silver and coral colors have a mirror finish.
Noise cancellation (ANC)
The manufacturer included Open-fit ANC 3.0, which is a type of active noise cancellation. Each earphone has 3 microphones. Two detect outside noise and one detects sounds going into our ears. It uses deep neural network (DNN) algorithms to remove unwanted sounds and amplify the voice.
The device runs on batteries and can play for up to 5 hours without noise reduction (3.5 hours with it on). It can be recharged in the case for up to 30 hours (20 hours with ANC). We can charge the case using USB type C or wirelessly.
Price and Availability
Huawei FreeBuds 5 are available for purchase at a price of $132. If you buy headphones from the Huawei store between April 17 and April 30, 2023, you’ll get a free protective case. You’ll also get a 50% discount on replacing any lost or damaged headphones.
First impressions of using Huawei FreeBuds 5
I tested FreeBuds 5 for a few days. I think it’s too short to write a detailed review, so I won’t do it. Luckily, they were able to share their thoughts on time.
Let’s begin with the basics of construction and comfort. Some people think the FreeBuds 5 look strange and may remind them of something they don’t want to talk about. Let’s say they look like two tears or water drops. Using this model is convenient, but not perfect.
The Huawei FreeBuds 5 were uncomfortable and caused pinching in the ears after a few minutes of use because of their in-ear and rubber-free design. After a while, these problems become less noticeable, but they don’t go away completely. The silicone caps in the set help by preventing direct contact between the ears and the hard material.
For now, however, I do not make a final judgment, until the review I will check this aspect more thoroughly. The construction is of good quality, but I note that the silver color variant gets very dirty.
There is noise reduction available, but that’s all there is to say about it. The headphones work okay, but I can’t give a full review until later. The sound is really good and LDAC makes it even better. The bass is strong, the midrange is clear, and the treble is soft.
Connectivity
The headphones have good connectivity and work well without any issues. You can connect them to your laptop and smartphone simultaneously because they support multipoint. I haven’t tested the battery life yet, but the results I’ve seen match what the manufacturer claims. I get a little over 3 hours of use with ANC turned on. I see that it has inductive charging.
Conclusion!
Huawei FreeBuds 5 seem good right now. They are a good option for those who don’t prefer in-ear headphones, including myself. This group doesn’t have many options because most models are earphones with rubber bands.
