FreeBuds 4i: Huawei returns to the quality / price key

Sound products and especially TrueWireless headphones (TWS) are taking giant steps to add features like active noise cancellation (FACILITATE) and the rest of capacities that generally raise its possibilities and its price. However, Huawei seems to have found the secret of the quality / price ratio.

Discover with us all its characteristics and most relevant details in a new in-depth analysis in which we are going to tell you absolutely everything you need to know. We analyze the new Huawei FreeBuds 4i, headphones with noise cancellation, fast charging and an innovative design.

As has happened on other occasions, we have decided to accompany this analysis with a video that will lead the same, In it you will be able to find the unboxing of the Huawei FreeBuds 4i, as well as a small tutorial about its configuration and the most interesting tests that we have been able to carry out, That's why we recommend that you take a look at the video and take the opportunity to subscribe to the channel. Actualidad Gadget where we are going to continue bringing you the best analyzes on all types of products in general, are you going to miss it? In the same way, If you liked the new Huawei FreeBuds 4i you can buy them at the best price in the Huawei Store.

Design and materials: A breath of fresh air

Lately the little innovation that TWS headphones from all kinds of brands were undergoing was causing a stagnation in the sector, and for the umpteenth time Huawei has put all the meat on the grill with slight novelties that make yours a unique product, or at least differentiated. The Huawei FreeBuds 4i bet on an oval case, slightly more compact than that of the FreeBuds Pro and with a flat back that greatly improves its placement on surfaces.

• Dimensions Case Size: 48 x 61,8 x 27,5mm
• Headphone Dimensions: 37,5 x 23,9 x 21mm
• Weight : of the case: 35 grams
• Headphone weight: 5,5 grams

They once again choose "glossy" plastic and quality finishes that will be displayed in three different colors, red, black and white (the unit analyzed). Betting on a fairly compressed "tail", halfway between the FreeBuds 3 and the FreeBuds Pro, As well as a hybrid in-ear and traditional system, it makes the headphones rest on the ear with plenty of resistance, betting on silicone rubbers that create a sensation of "pressure" in the ear and avoid unwanted movements, thus significantly improving the cancellation passive noise. Our perception of quality is evident, and the comfort in my hours of use has been proven.

Sound quality and technical characteristics

Huawei has opted for the FreeBuds 4i by Bluetooth 5.2 to ensure the most recent connectivity in the market in this section. For its part we will have a playback frequency from 20Hz to 20.000Hz, tactile response that will give us a fairly simple multimedia control system and some 10 mm drivers quite generous. This translates directly into a fairly high maximum volume, surprising I would say in my analysis.

The sound quality of the mids and highs has seemed quite adequate, they are correctly adjusted as standard and it does not suffer when playing music that requires this type of equalization such as Queen or Artic Monkeys, where we have correctly differentiated the various instruments and vocal differences. The bass is quite present, as in most of this type of headphones, and in excessively commercial music it can cover the rest of the content, although it is precisely what is sought in those genres. In terms of sound quality, they are indisputably the best I have tried in their price range.

Autonomy and battery capacity

We begin to see here what has been the mechanism used by Huawei to adjust the price, and that is that the difference with the FreeBuds Pro in terms of cost is great despite conserving much of its functionalities. The first thing that has disappeared is wireless charging, in response we find a USB-C port that with just 10 minutes of charge it will allow us to enjoy up to seven hours of playback (without ANC). The generously sized USB-C cable is included in the packaging.

• 55 mAh for each earbud
• Something over 200 mAh for the case

For its part, we have an autonomy promised by the brand of 10 hours of playback without noise cancellation activated and 7,5 hours with noise cancellation activated, which in our reviews it has gone to about 9,5 hours without noise cancellation and about 6,5 hours with noise cancellation. They are figures very close to the data promised by the brand, taking into account that we have tested them at volumes higher than those recommended. Huawei has used high-density batteries and the firm already has a previous reputation in terms of the autonomy of its devices, no complaints in this section.

Noise cancellation and user experience

Setup is extremely easy thanks to its synchronization button and of course to the application AI Life available in the Huawei App Gallery. There we will be able to update the firmware, configure the touch response and much more. Regarding the latter, by making different touches on the upper part of the headset we will be able to pick up / hang up calls, play or pause the music and, with a long touch, even change the mode between active cancellation and external listening. Evidently, with Huawei devices running EMUI 10.0 onwards we will have a more immersive experience.

The noise cancellation has been satisfactory, a lot seems to have to do with the good use of the silicone rubbers as well as the design of the headphones. The isolation in a standard environment such as the office has been exceptionally good, at least with an identical result to the FreeBuds Pro, quite remarkable in this regard.

Our experience has been especially satisfactory, considering that the launch price in Spain it will be around 89 euros, I have a hard time finding an alternative that offers better sound quality and better ANC for a similar price, from this moment they become my recommendation in relation to value for money in this range of products.