Huawei FreeBuds Pro 4: Premium Audio at a Competitive Price

Huawei’s latest release, the FreeBuds Pro 4, raises the bar in the world of wireless earbuds, offering features and specifications that set it apart from competitors. As the first earbuds on the market to deliver 48kHz audio at 24-bit resolution, the FreeBuds Pro 4 is a significant leap forward, particularly for audiophiles. However, to unlock their full potential, you’ll need one of Huawei’s latest foldable phones.

One of the most notable aspects of the Huawei FreeBuds Pro 4 is their groundbreaking audio performance. For the first time in the wireless earbud industry, these earbuds can transmit 48kHz audio at 24-bit resolution. To put this in perspective, most premium earbuds, like Apple’s AirPods Pro 2, only deliver audio at a 20-bit resolution, while Google’s Pixel Buds 2 provide even lower-quality audio. The FreeBuds Pro 4’s ability to achieve such high-quality audio stems from Huawei’s proprietary connection technology, which enables a lossless transmission rate of 2.3Mbps between the earbuds and a compatible device. However, there is an important caveat: in order to achieve this maximum audio quality, the FreeBuds Pro 4 must be paired with Huawei’s newest foldable phone, the Mate X6, which runs the latest software updates. If you connect the earbuds to any other phone, whether it’s an older Huawei model or a device from another brand, you won’t be able to access the full 2.3Mbps lossless audio. In those cases, the earbuds will still perform well, with a respectable 1.5Mbps for older Huawei phones and 990Kbps for non-Huawei devices.

To truly appreciate the FreeBuds Pro 4’s 24-bit, 48kHz audio, you also need lossless audio files. Streaming music from platforms like YouTube or Spotify, especially on their free tiers, will not deliver the same audio quality. For many users, this won’t be a dealbreaker, as most people are content with the music quality available from these services. As a result, the FreeBuds Pro 4’s ability to deliver high-fidelity audio will appeal primarily to a niche market of audiophiles, who appreciate the finer details of lossless sound. However, even if you don’t have access to lossless audio, the FreeBuds Pro 4 still excels in several areas. These earbuds provide excellent comfort, impressive active noise cancellation (ANC), and a transparency mode that allows you to hear the environment when needed. The overall experience is smooth and enjoyable, making them versatile enough for regular users who might not necessarily seek out high-end audio quality.

The FreeBuds Pro 4 retain the design language of Huawei’s previous models, featuring a blocky stem that’s thicker than those on many competing earbuds. While the shape may not be to everyone’s taste, it serves a functional purpose. The bulkier stem houses four microphones in each earbud, which help deliver superior active noise cancellation. It also accommodates an 11mm dynamic driver that powers the audio output, contributing to a fuller, more dynamic sound. Though the blocky design may not appeal to everyone, the thicker stems make the earbuds easier to hold and control. The touch-sensitive panels on the stems allow users to adjust the audio and switch between different listening modes with a simple tap or swipe. While some may prefer a more streamlined, stem-free design, the added functionality and ease of use make the FreeBuds Pro 4 a practical choice.

The sound quality of the FreeBuds Pro 4, even when not paired with lossless audio, is impressive. With the 11mm driver, the earbuds produce a lively and full sound, with a noticeable bass kick that enhances the listening experience. During tests with music streamed from Spotify and YouTube Music, the FreeBuds Pro 4 performed admirably, offering clear mids and highs along with solid bass. When tested with lossless tracks, the sound quality was undeniably impressive, but it’s worth noting that the difference in sound quality may not be discernible to all listeners. For audiophiles who are finely tuned to the subtleties of sound, the FreeBuds Pro 4 will certainly deliver an exceptional listening experience. However, for the average user, the difference between 24-bit and standard audio might not be as noticeable.

The active noise cancellation (ANC) on the FreeBuds Pro 4 is among the best in the industry. Thanks to the four microphones in each earbud, including one bone conduction mic that picks up vibrations from your skull, the earbuds excel at blocking out external noise. The ANC performance is comparable to that of the AirPods Pro 2 and Bose’s high-end earbuds, making them ideal for use in noisy environments like airports or bustling city streets. Additionally, the bone conduction microphone enhances voice pickup, making your voice clearer during calls, even in loud environments. In tests with both the FreeBuds Pro 4 and the AirPods Pro 2, the FreeBuds Pro 4 provided a noticeably louder and clearer voice on calls, thanks to its ability to capture vibrations from your skull rather than external noise.

The FreeBuds Pro 4 offer a solid battery life, providing approximately 6.5 hours of continuous playback on a single charge. During a recent 7-hour flight, the earbuds almost lasted the entire duration, which speaks to their endurance. The charging case can provide an additional four full charges, giving you a total of over 30 hours of listening time, making them a reliable choice for long journeys or all-day use. Despite their cutting-edge features, the Huawei FreeBuds Pro 4 are priced competitively. At around $210, they are more affordable than the top-tier earbuds from competitors like Samsung and Apple. In fact, the FreeBuds Pro 4 match or exceed the performance of these brands in many areas, including audio quality, ANC, and microphone pickup. For audiophiles who prioritize lossless audio, the FreeBuds Pro 4 offer something that Apple and Samsung’s offerings cannot.

The Huawei FreeBuds Pro 4 offer a unique proposition in the wireless earbud market, with their ability to deliver lossless 24-bit, 48kHz audio for a fraction of the price of competing products. While the niche appeal of lossless audio may limit their appeal to a specific audience, their overall performance, including impressive ANC, microphone quality, and battery life, make them an excellent choice for anyone looking for high-quality wireless earbuds.