Huawei FreeBuds 5i review

The price of wireless earbuds has plummeted in the last year due to the sheer number of options on the market. So much so that it is difficult to find the most interesting price point where, due to the specifications, they are also attractive. 

In the case of the new FreeBuds 5i, Huawei seems to have it clear by presenting a cut-down version of the Freebuds Pro 2 (the flagship model) but maintaining key aspects such as active noise cancellation and high-quality codec support. 

They come in at just £89.99/€99, fully competing with the Ear (Stick) from Nothing or the Galaxy Buds 2 from Samsung, to name two examples.  

Design & Build

• lighter than before 
• They admit pressure controls 
• Support IPX4 
• No wireless charging 

At the design level, little has changed compared to the previous generation FreeBuds 4i. They use a very similar egg-shaped case format in which the earphones slide in and out easily. A flat part means it remains stable when on a table. 

There is a greater variety of finishes to choose from this time. I received the blue ones, but you can also buy them in black or white. Instead of providing a uniform color, Huawei sprays certain textures in the form of emerald gray to give them a differentiating finish.  

The case has powerful magnets, so it is unlikely that as a result of a fall, the earbuds will fall out. In any case, we still have the search function if we use the mobile app.  

Regarding the dynamic drivers of the headphones, they are again 10mm with a frequency response between 20 Hz and 40 KHz, which improves the range. They’re also lighter, weighing in at 4.9g versus 5.5g for the FreeBuds 4i. 

Alfonso Casas / Foundry

I have personally verified that the earbuds fit perfectly in the ear, with the possibility of interchanging the silicone tips of different sizes and better adapting to each user. In essence, they are comfortable to wear for long periods of use.  

A single LED indicator allows you to visually identify how the headphone case is charging. There is the typical button to enable synchronization with devices, and at the bottom, the USB-C charging port is located.  

As seems evident in this price range, there is no wireless charging. Where there is an evolution is in resistance to water and dust, since the FreeBuds 5i take a step forward and includes IPX4 certification compared to the previous ones that did not have any rating.   

It is a great step forward that is very necessary if you want to use them for sport and prevent sweat or splashes of water that can put them out of play at the first use. 

Sound Quality & ANC 

• Different ANC modes 
• Noise cancellation on calls 
• Hi-Res Audio support 

The sound quality the FreeBuds 5i offer is very well-rounded, whether you’re listening to music from your favorite streaming service or you’re communicating with someone through a voice or video call.  

Huawei points out that these headphones have a DNN algorithm that works on the two microphones in order to activate noise cancellation automatically when you answer a call in a noisy place. It’s something I didn’t particularly notice, although it’s the receiver who will get a clearer signal of your voice.  

The bass frequencies are well presented, without being boomy when you raise the volume above average. For most styles of music, the mid and high frequencies also sound good without that metallic feel, offering a pleasant experience. 

Alfonso Casas / Foundry

Not to forget, the Freebuds 5i feature LDAC Hi-Res Audio capabilities – a rare find on even more expensive earbuds. Within the Android or iOS application, we can access the equalizer settings, where the bass and treble are amplified, or you can leave the settings in default mode.  

Depending on your musical style, you may find an improved fit. With the bass turned up, I tried playing Taylor Swift’s ‘Willow’ and it allowed me to appreciate the guitar plucks and vocal twists in all their glory.  

As It Was by Harry Styles sounds with good bass, as well as LLYLM by Rosalía, which has the handicap and the complication of making the artist’s flamenco voice sound along with the musical pop rhythm, with good tones in both situations. 

Regarding the control and management of ANC noise cancellation, a priority factor for most users who opt for headphones in this price range, the advantage is that there are several different modes. 

We can have noise cancellation activated, deactivated, or set the attention mode in which the cancellation is slightly attenuated so as not to miss anything that may happen around you, ideal if you are walking through busy streets with traffic.

Alfonso Casas / Foundry

Huawei defines three different modes: comfortable, general or ultra. The ‘ultra’ mode is designed to be able to isolate yourself in more extreme high-decibel situations, such as traveling by plane, or riding a crowded subway car.   

For the most part, it is the one I liked the most, regardless of whether I was on the street or working from home. It’s not extreme cancellation, as even if someone knocks on your door, you’ll still be able to hear the sound.  

Huawei claims you can achieve similar noise cancellation at 42dB, but I’d say it’s more about removing noise that arises around you, rather than blocking it out completely. I tried snapping my fingers and still heard them, unlike more advanced ANC modes.  

For example, the Freebuds Pro 2 raise this active noise cancellation up to 47dB, handling the same modes of use as those mentioned here. Technically, they also have a flat diaphragm that provides improvements in this section.  

App & Features

• Touch and swipe operation 
• Customisable features 
• Interaction with Android 

Regarding the interaction supported by the Freebuds 5i, I have to say that it is possible to use them to a large extent by touching and swiping on the earphones themselves. It’s the typical functions of playback, track skipping or noise cancellation, all at your fingertips.  

In general, they respond well to interactions and failures only occurred on a few occasions. What I would have liked is to get an improved response time, since it is difficult to get used to pressing and waiting a few moments for the action to take place.  

Compared to the more professional headphone models, I have missed the possibility of using gestures or pinches that seem more intuitive movements, but who knows, it’s maybe an improvement that Huawei saves for the next generation.  

By default, it is possible to slide up or down to change the volume. The good news is that all of these movements can be customized through the Huawei AI Life companion app, which you won’t find in the Google Play Store. 

Alfonso Casas / Foundry

You will have no problem downloading it, either through the Huawei AppGallery store, or directly from the company’s website. In it, you will find all the devices of the brand if it turns out that you already have an ecosystem.  

In order to ensure a fast and easy connection experience between your devices, the Freebuds 5i support Bluetooth 5.3, and they can be simultaneously connected to two devices at the same time. Taking it out of your ear and stopping playback also works well.  

During my test period, the connections were quite stable, with the typical connection animation shown on the smartphone screen appearing immediately when you open the cover of the case, in my case the Huawei P40 Pro. 

Battery Life & Charging 

• Earbuds last 5.5 hours 
• Maximum total of 28 hours 
• 2 hour charging time 
• No wireless charging 

For battery life, there is an improvement compared to the previous Freebuds. Now up to five and a half hours of continuous playback with ANC in normal mode.  

If you opt for the Ultra mode of noise cancellation, the times are reduced because the headphones have to work harder getting rid of the unwanted sound.  

In any case, they are also longer lasting with the support of the Freebuds 5i case, which now allows you to reach 28 hours of use without ANC activated. 

Alfonso Casas / Foundry

Playing music occasionally, such as using them on the go for at least an hour, I verified that the charge level remains high, around 82%, which indicates that they are efficient.  

There’s no wireless charging support for the case, but it’s an extra you’d normally expect on higher-priced models. In any case, a full charge of the case and earbuds took me almost two hours on a typical 33W charger.  

Huawei includes only the USB C charging cable in the box, along with different sized ear tips for your ears. 

Price 

I’ve already mention the affordable price at the top, but nevertheless, the suggested retail price of £89.99/€99 seems very much in line with everything we’ve seen so far, supporting different ANC cancellation modes and integrating equalization.  

The Freebuds 5i can be purchased through the Huawei website, where you can find offers associated with other products, such as the possibility of purchasing other Huawei devices at reduced prices.

You can also buy them from Amazon, Currys, Argos, AO and Very.  

If what you are looking for is the highest sound quality, do not settle for the new Freebuds 5i and bet on the Freebuds Pro 2, which you can purchase for an extra £80.  

Take a look at our guide to he best budget wireless earbuds as well as the best wireless earbuds.

Verdict 

Offering ANC active noise cancellation as standard with different modes of use, as well as support for different codecs such as LDAC usually results in a high price, but it’s something Huawei’s Freebuds 5i offer at a budget cost.  

I like how comfortable they are for daily use, mainly due to the lightweight design. The quality and finishes of the case can be improved if we want to get away from the appearance of the cheapest models, but that will be the next challenge for Huawei.  

At this point, there aren’t many rivals that can offer the same set of features. Alternatives include the Nothing Ear (1), Anker Soundcore Life A2 NC and Xiaomi Redmi Buds 4 Pro.  

Obviously, there is room for improvement in the type of ANC that is applied, as well as in the sound quality. But the incorporation of IPX4 type water resistance is a great step forward for all those users (and there are many), who use them for fitness and sport. 

Specs 

• 10mm aluminum alloy dynamic driver 
• 2 x microphones per unit 
• proximity sensors 
• ANC (multimode) 
• Supported codecs: Sony LDAC, AAC and SBC 
• surround sound mode 
• Bluetooth 5.3 
• Simultaneous multi-device connectivity 
• IPX4 certified 
• Headphone weight: 4.9g 
• Case weight: 34g
• Up to 6 hours of battery life 
• Up to 28 hours with the case