Huawei has returned with another set of wireless earbuds to lure you, and the FreeBuds 4 provide active noise cancellation, swipe touch controls, and Bluetooth 5.2 for a fair price. They’re remarkable for the asking price of £129, although there are certain features that may entice you to pay for the FreeBuds Pro, and the open-fit design isn’t for everyone.
The casing is spherical once more and looks like a beer pong ball stuck in a vise – notably in the Ceramic White edition, but the headphones are also available in Silver Frost. While the cover seems good in press photos, I’ve found it to be rather a nuisance in real life — similar to other Huawei earbuds.
The glossy coating is slick, and while the earbuds are slightly simpler to remove than the FreeBuds 4i, they are still difficult to remove. They have the same issue in that they face outwards and must be rotated 180 degrees before being inserted into your ears.
Once you’ve gotten beyond these hiccups, the FreeBuds 4 are remarkably comfy and secure. I’ve always been opposed to the AirPods design with no silicone tip, yet the earphones suit me extremely well.
At 4.1g apiece, they are exceptionally light, and Huawei’s promise of ‘an almost weightless’ experience is mostly fulfilled. They are also splashproof to IPX4.
However, many individuals will prefer the classic feel – and increased noise isolation – of the old technique over the one-size-fits-all approach. Despite being a nice fit for my ears. The FreeBuds 4 is to be a touch unpleasant after a few hours of use. They appear to be absent, yet the plastic is strong and finally makes an impression.
In comparison to the inexpensive 4i model, the FreeBuds 4 include more complex touch controls that allow you to tap, press, and hold. Also swipe to adjust playback, noise cancellation, and volume. It’s not perfect and takes some getting used to. Also, have it and occasionally do things twice than not have it.
The noise cancellation is adequate and can block out a significant quantity of ambient noise. If this is a critical factor for you, there are better options on the market. You just cannot top the classic ear-tip seal combined with ANC for a completely silent bubble experience. Which is not what you want while using the London Underground.
Huawei calls it Open-fit Active Noise Cancellation 2.0. This sounds sophisticated, but there’s no ‘conscious mode,’ in which the headphones employ external microphones to allow sound surrounding you so you can hear announcements and so on. This noise cancellation is either on or off, with no adjustment over the volume.
It makes sense because Dynamic ANC is kept for the FreeBuds Pro which has Cosy, General, and Ultra settings, while the 4i also has an Awareness mode. The Pro model also has Dynamic EQ, which is not available here.
While there is no sound control, the FreeBuds 4 have bigger 14mm drivers and overall sound quality is extremely high. There’s more than enough electricity to make them louder than necessary. They sound better at the medium level than at low volume, with a more well-rounded carrier frequency. There are a lot of basses. As well as the semi and top-end are also allowed to shine when they need to.
Listening to my normal playlist of various tunes to evaluate loudspeakers and headphones, the FreeBuds 4 perform admirably across a wide range of genres. Dance, vocal-led pop, and folk melodies, for example, all sounded fantastic in their own right. The complex blend of frequencies used in rock music, such as that of the Foo Fighters, provides a muddier outcome. It’s not horrible; it’s just not as sharp as other types of music.
This set of headphones, which sits between the FreeBuds 4i and the FreeBuds Pro, costs £129.99, making them reasonable but not exactly in the budget bracket.
Because of the 4i, the FreeBuds 4 compete with pairs like the RHA TrueConnect 2, Samsung Galaxy Buds+, and Apple AirPods 2. While they are available via stores such as Very and AO, you’re better off heading to the official Huawei store. Where you can get a free Huawei Band 4 Pro valued at £44.99 at the time of writing.
Alternatively, Amazon offers a package with the Band 6 and the FreeBuds 4 for £129. The fact Huawei is presently selling the FreeBuds Pro for only £109.99. Albeit without a complimentary activity tracker, throws a wrench in the works. The FreeBuds 4, like Huawei’s other headphones, are not yet available in the United States.
If you want open-fit earphones that don’t clog your ears, the FreeBuds 4 are a good option. They have a lot of features, and the ability to regulate volume by sliding up or down is a nice touch. If you’re looking for good AirPods replacements, these are worth investigating.
The Freebuds 4 are also IPX4 water-resistant, making them suitable for runners and gym-goers. Each ear will have its own unique sitting position. But we discovered that we could wear them for hours without issue.
The earbuds may connect to two Bluetooth devices at the same time, including smartphones, tablets, PCs, and watches (but they are not compatible with MacBook series laptops). The earbuds will not connect to a watch that is already linked to another device.
While the FreeBuds 4 are a good pair of wireless earbuds, they fall in between the 4i and Pro variants. Active noise cancellation is still available on the 4i. Also, the Pro model adds a lot more, including Dynamic ANC and Dynamic EQ, as well as longer battery life. Even the less expensive model has an Awareness mode that we don’t have. While the noise cancellation and music quality are superb, it’s the open-fit style that sets the FreeBuds 4 apart from the competition.
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