Huawei FreeBuds Pro 5 Review: A Premium Audio Experience at a Competitive Price
Huawei has launched its latest flagship earbuds, the FreeBuds Pro 5, making bold claims about high-end sound quality, advanced noise cancellation, and a sleek design that aims to rival industry giants like Apple, Sony, and Samsung. Priced at £149.99, with an early launch discount of £30 available, these earbuds offer a compelling value proposition for audiophiles and everyday users alike.
Design and Build Quality
Upon unboxing, the FreeBuds Pro 5 come in a compact case available in four colors, with the blue option featuring a vegan leather coating that feels luxurious and durable. The case includes a central light that changes color to indicate battery status, adding a touch of smart functionality. The earbuds themselves have a design focused on comfort and practicality, with a chrome-ringed oval panel and a new logo. While their shape may resemble AirPods at first glance, especially in white, the build quality is exceptional, ensuring a premium feel.
Sound Performance
The standout feature of the FreeBuds Pro 5 is their sound quality, which leans towards a clean, hi-fi presentation rather than overpowering bass. This tuning results in a refined audio experience that surpasses many mainstream competitors. Bass is punchy and well-controlled, vocals are clear and natural, and higher frequencies remain crisp without causing fatigue. Additionally, the earbuds provide a surprising sense of spatial audio, creating a wider, more immersive soundstage that enhances music listening, especially with high-bitrate streaming services.
Noise Cancellation and Features
Active noise cancellation (ANC) is another strong suit, with Huawei investing heavily in technology that effectively reduces low-frequency noises like traffic, trains, and aircraft hum. Office chatter and background sounds fade away without the uncomfortable pressure effect common in some ANC systems. Transparency mode offers a natural experience for conversations, and call quality is impressive, maintaining clarity even in windy or noisy environments. A smart feature dims audio during conversations, eliminating the need to remove an earbud.
Comfort and Usability
Comfort is a key focus, with a refined stem design and lightweight construction ensuring a secure fit for extended use. While not designed for extreme sports, they are stable enough for daily activities. However, software and ecosystem support present minor challenges. On Huawei smartphones, features integrate seamlessly, but on other Android devices or iPhones, setup can be less straightforward due to companion app limitations. Bluetooth connectivity works flawlessly, but advanced controls and updates may require extra effort compared to more mainstream alternatives.
Battery Life and Overall Impressions
Battery life is solid, offering around five hours of listening with ANC enabled, and the case provides enough extra charge for a full day of mixed use. Fast charging helps minimize downtime, though some competitors offer longer single-charge endurance. In daily use, the FreeBuds Pro 5 excel with stable connections, reliable controls, and versatile performance across podcasts, music, and calls. They are engineered with a focus on audio quality rather than gimmicks, making them a strong contender in the high-end earbud market.
If you're shopping for premium earbuds, Huawei deserves serious consideration. The FreeBuds Pro 5 deliver excellent sound, effective ANC, and a premium design at a competitive price, especially with the launch discount. They offer a polished performance that challenges established brands and provide great value for money, making them easy to recommend for anyone seeking top-tier audio without breaking the bank.
