The Realme Buds Air 5 Pro and the Huawei FreeBuds 5i are two popular true wireless earbuds that have garnered attention in the market.
When it comes to choosing the right pair of wireless earbuds, the options in the market can be overwhelming. Two popular contenders in the mid-range segment are the Realme Buds Air 5 Pro and the Huawei FreeBuds 5i.
In this article, we will compare the two models and analyze their key features, design, battery life, noise cancellation, sound quality, and pricing to help you make an informed decision.
Pros and Cons
| Realme Buds Air 5 Pro | Huawei FreeBuds 5i |
|---|---|
| Comfortable and lightweight design | Lightweight and comfortable earbuds |
| Effective noise cancellation | Compact charging case |
| Long battery life with fast charging | Touch panel controls |
| Good overall sound quality | Well-balanced sound profile |
| Customizable equalizer settings | Customizable equalizer settings |
| Affordable pricing | Unique design with matte finish |
| Plastic build quality for charging case | Less battery life compared to Air 5 Pro |
| May not fit all ear shapes perfectly | Wireless charging not supported |
Specifications
| Realme Buds Air 5 Pro | Huawei FreeBuds 5i | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Realme | Huawei |
| Model | Buds Air 5 Pro | FreeBuds 5i |
| Design | TWS Earbuds | TWS Earbuds |
| Type | In the Ear | In the Ear |
| Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.2 |
| USB | Yes | – |
| Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Voice Assistant | Yes | Yes |
| Water Resistant | Yes | Yes |
| Controls | Touch | Push/Scroll Control |
| Deep Bass | Yes | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 20 Hz (Min) – 40 kHz (Max) | 20 Hz (Min) – 40 kHz (Max) |
| Driver Unit | 6 mm | 10 mm |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| ANC | Yes | Yes |
| Sensors | HiFi-level coaxial dual unit, 3D spatial sound effect | Hall Effect Sensor, Cap Sensor |
| Battery Capacity | 460 mAh | 410 mAh |
| Battery Life | 40 hours with Case (ANC Off) | 28 hours with Case (ANC Off) |
| 11 hours Earbuds with ANC | 6.0 hours with ANC | |
| Water Resistance | IPX5 Rated | IP54 |
Key Differences
Major Key Differences between Realme Buds Air 5 Pro and Huawei FreeBuds 5i:
Realme Buds Air 5 Pro: Comfortable and lightweight design, well-resolved junction between earbud and protruding element, pocket-friendly charging case made of plastic.
Huawei FreeBuds 5i: Lightweight and comfortable earbuds, touch panel controls, compact charging case with a unique design and matte finish.
Realme Buds Air 5 Pro: Fast charging, 10 minutes of charging provides 7 hours of playback, long battery life of up to 40 hours in total.
Huawei FreeBuds 5i: Battery life lasts around 30 hours with low volume and transparency mode.
Realme Buds Air 5 Pro: Effective noise cancellation performance, customizable settings through the realme Link app.
Huawei FreeBuds 5i: Decent noise cancellation rated at around 42 decibels, configurable settings through the Huawei AI Life app.
Realme Buds Air 5 Pro: Good overall sound quality, powerful volume, customizable equalizer settings through the realme Link app.
Huawei FreeBuds 5i: Well-balanced sound profile, customizable equalizer settings through the Huawei AI Life app.
Realme Buds Air 5 Pro: Priced at around 90 USD.
Huawei FreeBuds 5i: Priced at around 111 USD.
Realme Buds Air 5 Pro vs Huawei FreeBuds 5i Design
Realme Buds Air 5 Pro: Comfortable and lightweight design, well-resolved junction between earbud and protruding element, pocket-friendly charging case made of plastic.
Huawei FreeBuds 5i: Lightweight and comfortable earbuds, touch panel controls, compact charging case with a unique design and matte finish.
Both the Realme Buds Air 5 Pro and Huawei FreeBuds 5i feature well-built cases constructed using quality materials. The Realme Buds Air 5 Pro has a glossy finish that is prone to scratches, while the Huawei FreeBuds 5i offers a more durable matte finish. The cases of both earbuds have a USB Type-C port for charging and pairing indicators.
While personal preference plays a role, both earbuds excel in delivering a comfortable and pleasant wearing experience.
Build Quality
The Realme Buds Air 5 Pro case features a silicone encapsulation, providing a comfortable fit, while the Huawei FreeBuds 5i case has a sleeker design. Overall, both cases offer good build quality and design choices.
Earbud Features
The Realme Buds Air 5 Pro and Huawei FreeBuds 5i are similar in terms of size and feature sets. They both have touch controls on the exterior, multiple microphones for noise cancellation, and silicone tips for a secure fit. Both earbuds have sensors that automatically pause and resume music playback when they are removed or placed back in the ear. The controls on both models are intuitive and responsive, allowing users to perform various functions easily. Additionally, both earbuds offer IP certification, with the Realme Buds Air 5 Pro at IPX5 and the Huawei FreeBuds 5i at IP54. This makes them resistant to sweat and light rain.
Battery Life
Realme Buds Air 5 Pro: Fast charging, 10 minutes of charging provides 7 hours of playback, long battery life of up to 40 hours in total.
Huawei FreeBuds 5i: Battery life varies depending on usage, lasts around 30 hours with low volume and transparency mode.
When it comes to battery life, the Realme Buds Air 5 Pro has a slight advantage. Realme claims up to 11 hours of music playback on a single charge, with the case providing an additional 29 hours, totaling up to 40 hours. On the other hand, Huawei claims around 6 hours of playback with noise cancellation active and 7.5 hours with it deactivated. With the charging case, the Huawei FreeBuds 5i can provide up to 28 hours of total playback. In real-world usage, the Realme Buds Air 5 Pro delivered approximately 7 to 8 hours of battery life, while the Huawei FreeBuds 5i lasted around 5 hours and 45 minutes, both with noise cancellation activated and at medium-high volume. While the Realme Buds Air 5 Pro offers better battery life, both models provide satisfactory performance and can be charged multiple times using their respective cases.
Connectivity and Compatibility
Both earbuds offer Bluetooth connectivity, with the Realme Buds Air 5 Pro featuring Bluetooth 5.3 and the Huawei FreeBuds 5i using Bluetooth 5.2. Both models support LDAC, a high-quality audio codec for wireless audio, offering excellent audio transfer rates. However, it’s important to note that LDAC is only available on Android devices, while on iOS, the maximum supported audio codec is AAC. The Realme Buds Air 5 Pro also has Google Fast Pair compatibility, allowing for quick and easy pairing with Android devices. The Huawei FreeBuds 5i, on the other hand, has a proprietary pop-up feature that is limited to Huawei phones or recent models. In terms of compatibility, both earbuds work well with their respective companion apps, offering various customization options and firmware updates.
Sound Quality and
Realme Buds Air 5 Pro: Good overall sound quality, powerful volume, good brightness, and details, customizable equalizer settings through the realme Link app.
Huawei FreeBuds 5i: Good sound quality, balanced sound with decent brightness and details, customizable equalizer settings through the Huawei AI Life app.
The Realme Buds Air 5 Pro and Huawei FreeBuds 5i both deliver satisfying sound quality. The Realme Buds Air 5 Pro, equipped with an 11mm woofer and a 6mm micro-flat treble unit, offers a more refined audio experience. The Huawei FreeBuds 5i, with its 10mm dynamic driver, provides good sound quality but lacks a bit of bass strength at higher volumes. The Realme Buds Air 5 Pro, in comparison, delivers better bass response without the need for additional equalizer adjustments. Both earbuds excel in medium and high frequencies, offering clear and detailed sound reproduction.
Active Noise Cancellation
Realme Buds Air 5 Pro: Good noise cancellation performance, comfortable and effective noise cancellation, customizable settings through the realme Link app.
Huawei FreeBuds 5i: Decent noise cancellation, rated at around 42 decibels, configurable noise cancellation and transparency through the Huawei AI Life app.
The active noise cancellation (ANC) on both models is effective, with the Realme Buds Air 5 Pro providing slightly better noise isolation, especially in noisy environments like airplanes. The transparency mode on both earbuds allows for easy conversation while wearing them, and even without ANC activated, both models passively block a significant amount of external noise.
Microphone Quality
Both the Realme Buds Air 5 Pro and Huawei FreeBuds 5i feature high-quality microphones suitable for calls and voice recordings. While both models perform well in terms of voice pickup and external noise cancellation, the Huawei FreeBuds 5i’s microphones offer a slight advantage in terms of voice clarity. However, it is worth noting that the difference between the two models’ microphone performance is minimal, and both provide excellent microphone quality overall.
Pricing
In terms of pricing, the Realme Buds Air 5 Pro are priced at around 90 USD, making them an affordable option for budget-conscious consumers. On the other hand, the Huawei FreeBuds 5i are priced slightly higher at around 111 USD. It’s worth considering the features and performance of each model to determine which best suits your needs and budget.
Conclusion!
In conclusion, the Realme Buds Air 5 Pro and Huawei FreeBuds 5i are both impressive true wireless earbuds that offer value for money. The Realme Buds Air 5 Pro has a slight edge in terms of sound quality, battery life, and overall features. However, the Huawei FreeBuds 5i provides a strong performance with its own unique strengths, including a durable matte finish and a slightly more refined microphone quality.
Ultimately, your choice between the Realme Buds Air 5 Pro and Huawei FreeBuds 5i will depend on your specific preferences and requirements. Consider factors such as design, battery life, noise cancellation, sound quality, and pricing to determine which pair of earbuds aligns best with your needs. Both models offer respectable performance and are worth considering in their respective price ranges.
