Huawei FreeBuds 4i headset review: price, battery and ANC

Huawei has been creating accessories for its mobile phones for many years, but it is only recently that it has started to dramatically improve its audio segment. To do this, she has created laboratories that study sound, body ergonomics and the materials that help create better products.

Huawei FreeBuds Studio review: quality headphones at a good price

We analyze the new Huawei headphones, the company’s first circumaural. We give you our opinion on the Huawei FreeBuds Studio.

Their Freebuds family of headphones is fast becoming one of the biggest in the market not only because they offer a good price, but they also deliver great sound and performance.

A few weeks ago, Huawei introduced its new inexpensive wireless earphones in China, the Huawei Freebuds 4i, which despite its price boasted of active noise cancellation, which the Huawei Freebuds Pro or Apple Airpods have.

Now the company has brought them to Europe and we have been using them for a week. We tell you our experience and our opinion.

Specifications Huawei FreeBuds 4i

• Drums:
  • Auricular: 55 mAh.
  • Case: 215 mAh.
  • Battery life: up to 10 hours without ANC (7.5 hours with).
  • Case charging time: 90 minutes.
• Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.2.
• Diaphragm: 10 mm.
• Other:
  • Active noise cancellation.
  • Gesture control.
• Dimensions:
  • Little finger: 37.5 x 23.9 x 21 mm.
  • Case: 48 x 61.8 x 27.5 mm.
• Weight:
  • Helmet: 5.5 grams.
  • Case: 36.5 grams.

Good design, no crazy stuff

Huawei has changed the design of its Freebuds 3i but increased the size of the case. This makes it something bigger than we would like, but that’s understandable given the autonomy they give us.

The box is great because the headphones are too, at least compared to high-end models. It is also something that we accept without major problems.

The Freebuds 4i are comfortable on the ears and the sales box includes three pairs of pads so that we can best adapt them to our body.

Sound quality

Assuming that these are entry-level or mid-range headphones, we have to praise the sound we get. It is not the same as in the models which cost twice as much, but the quality is very high.

The noise-canceling headphone trap: not everyone has the same thing

Noise cancellation has become one of the trending extras for headphones. However, be very careful, because there is a catch.

In addition, we have active noise cancellation, which is not normal in the segment of headphones under 100 dollars.

We can choose whether to enable it or not, as well as use the transparency mode which reproduces the music or audio we want but also lets outside noise through.

Noise cancellation works better at some frequencies than others, but it’s more than enough for walking the street without interruption or being in closed rooms with background noise.

Gestures and controls

These headphones are not particularly distinguished by the large number of gestures that can be chosen. We only have the option of using double tap or long press.

By default we have to use the double tap to stop and play and hold to toggle between ANC on, ANC off and transparency mode.

We can change some settings from the Huawei AI Life app. Of course, we’ll need the version ending in 308, and for now it’s only in the AppGallery, not the Play Store. So we can download the Huawei store and install it from this link.

This application will also help us to update the firmware of the headphones.

It lacks being able to configure one or three keys to have more control over actions, as well as the ability to change the volume in the headphones although being honest in this price range is not normal.

Another drawback is the presence sensor. If we listen to music and take off headphones, the playback will not stop. And if we remove both, we only do it if we put them both in the crate.

A first-rate battery

One of the main improvements the Freebuds 4i has over its predecessors, in addition to the ANC, is battery life.

In each of the two headphones, Huawei has included a high-density 55 mAh battery that provides a battery life of up to 10 hours of continuous use

. It varies depending on volume and other factors, such as connectivity. If we have the box, we will have up to 22 hours of total use.

Finally, we have to talk about fast charging, which allows you to use it for up to 4 hours with just 10 minutes of charging.

The best option for less than 100 dollars

Huawei has fully hit the mark with these Huawei Freebuds 4i. These are inexpensive headphones without being the cheapest, but given their performance we would expect them to cost a lot more.

If you are looking for a comfortable headset, with plenty of battery life and active noise cancellation, this model should be considered.

They can be purchased in three colors, red, white or black from the distributors that Huawei works with.