Huawei Freebuds 5i test: good sound quality at a very attractive price

Note also that the headphones offer a form of adaptive equalization thanks to the microphones integrated inside. If the 5i freebuds spot that the adjustment is not perfect in your ears, they will increase the bass in order to compensate for the potential sound leaks.

Freebuds 5i – Ceramic White

Tea Cutting-Edge of fashion
The Trendy Design is highlighted by graceful curves. Isle Blue and Nebula Black Feature Frosted, Pebble-Like Textures, and Ceramic White Gives Off the Look and Feel of Cool Jade, Evoking Effortless Elegance at Just a Glance. Compact and Comfortable The earbuds are shunts and 11% lighter than the previous product. With 3 Sizes of Soft Skin-Friendly Silicone Ear Tips, You can Enjoy Customized Wearing Comfort. The Lightweight Charging Case Makes It Highly Portable in Daily Life, so that it’s always on handy you need a boost. Hi-res audio to tickle your ears Huawei Freebuds 5i is Hi-Rés Audio Wireless Certificated, featuring a wider Frequency Response, Full-Link High-Resolution Sound for HD Audio Sources, and multiple eqs to match with a wide rage of different styles, for a tailor-made listening experience. The earbuds’ 10 mm Dynamic Driver Units Work in tandem with its polymer composite diaphragm, to deliver sterling sound at low, medium, and high frequencies, making it an ideal for pop music. Carefree Wearing, as you please Huawei Freebuds 5i Reduces Low-Frequency Loss when the earbuds are not a seamless fit with your ears, or when they are being sub-optimally, delivering crystal clear audio audio audio audio audio audio audio audio audio audio audio audio audio audio audio audio audio audio. Versatile Noise cancellation, Tailored to Daily Life Feel free to choose Among Ultra, General, and Cozy Noise Cancellation Modes, To Adapt the Effects to the Surroundings, Such As a Busy Airport, Subway Station, Restaurant, Office, Or Quiet Home. AI Noise cancellation, for Clear Calls Aon Noise Cancellation, Bolstered by Ai Neural Network Algorithms, Distinguisheshes Voices
from Ambient Noise, so that you can be heard loud and clear. All-Purpous Interconnections The Audio Connection Center in the ai life app makes it easy to manage devices connected to the earbuds, and switch listening devices at Moment’s notice. OPEN THE CHARGING CASE TO PAIR THE EARBUDS With a Nearby HUAWEI Phone or Tablet via An Automatic Pairing prompt Smart Connections, Seamless Transfers Huawei Freebuds 5i can simultaneously connect to Two Devices at Once, included TVS, PCS, Tablets, Mobile Phones, and More. When you connect the earbuds to a pc to Join a conference, and there is an incoming call on the phone, Simply Tap An Earbud Twice to Answer the Call Right Away. Low gaming latency to match sound with sight Enhanced Chip Performance and algorithm Optimizations Effectively Lower The Gaming Latency, Which is Retanéed throughplay, so that your onscreen actions are more immersive and rewarding.

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Huawei Freebuds 5i test: good sound quality at a very attractive price

Huawei returns with a new pair of wireless headphones at affordable prices. But what are these new Freebuds 5i are worth ? To find out, here is our full opinion.

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Our full opinion
Huawei Freebuds 5i

December 29, 2022 12/29/2022 • 18:58

Huawei has been offering several ranges of wireless headphones for a few years. Alongside the Proebuds Pro 2-high-end with intra-ear and double transducer-or Freebuds 4-Open-Fit format with noise reduction and LHDC codec-a range of entry-level headphones, models “models” models “models” I »». After very good iterations on 3i freebuds and 4i freebuds, the Chinese manufacturer returns with a new generation that prides itself not only from a noise reduction and multipoint Bluetooth, but also a hi-res wireless compatibility , the Huawei Freebuds 5i. Here is their full test.

Huawei Freebuds 5i Technical Sheet

Model	Huawei Freebuds 5i
Format	Wireless
Removable battery	No
Microphone	Yes
Active noise reduction	Yes
Announced autonomy	28 hours
Connector type	USB Type-C
Weight	9.8 g
Price	79 €
Product sheet

This test was carried out with headphones provided by the manufacturer.

Huawei Freebuds 5i Design

Nothing looks more like a pair of wireless headphones with stems than another pair of wireless headphones with stems. If the Huawei Freebuds Pro 2 could be distinguished by the design of a square rod with a flat surface, this is not the case for these freebuds 5i. We are dealing here with earphones in very traditional format with three -part molding, one for the outside of the rod, one for the conch and one for the central part. The stem also blends into the conch with rather ergonomic rounded lines.

We are entitled here to rather light headphones thanks to the shiny plastic used, with a weight of 4.9 grams per listener. It should be noted that the 5i freebuds are available in three colors: black, white or blue. Overall, the headphones are very comfortable to wear and I was able to put them in the ears for several consecutive hours without feeling the slightest discomfort.

For silicone tips, Huawei provides three pairs to allow you to best adjust the insulation to the shape of your auditory duct. As usual, we strongly invite you to try the three sizes to ensure not only optimal comfort, but also the best possible passive insulation, not only to strengthen the efficiency of noise reduction, but also avoid leaks of some sound waves.

The Huawei Freebuds 5i case

If the Freebuds 5i are, in themselves, particularly brilliant headphones, their case is clearly matt with a small spotted effect. A rendering that is reminiscent of the aspect of a pebble with its round ovoid shape.

On the buttons and connective side, the 5i freebuds housing does not play extravagance. We will find a single LED on the front, under the Huawei logo, indicating the level of load or pairing of headphones. Below, the Chinese manufacturer has integrated a USB-C socket for recharging. Finally, it is on the side of the pebble that we can access the pairing button to connect the headphones to your smartphone or its PC.

With a format of 48.2 x 61.8 x 26.9 mm, the 5i freebuds box is relatively compact and can easily slip into a handbag, a jacket pocket and even that of jeans without fear too much to distort it.

Waterproofing and sporting use of the Huawei Freebuds 5i

IP54 certified, the Huawei Freebuds 5i are therefore resistant to both dust and splash. You can therefore wear them without problem even in case of rain or perspiration. In my case, I had the opportunity to wear the headphones for two running sessions of almost an hour without feeling the slightest discomfort.

Huawei Freebuds 5i Use and Application

To connect 5i freebuds to your smartphones, two solutions are available to you. The first, if you have a Huawei smartphone, is simply to open the box near your device to see a pop-up appear on the screen thanks to the Huawei Pair Pop-Up Protocol. You just have to validate the connection so that it is effective. The second, if you have another smartphone or want to connect the headphones to a PC or another device, simply consists of pressing the pairing button for a long time until the LED flashes in white, then looking for the Freebuds 5i in the bluetooth settings of your smartphone, tablet, computer or television.

Unfortunately, the headphones are not compatible with Google’s Fast Pair Open Pair protocol, even if we understand why… They are however compatible with Microsoft’s Swift Pair solution for quick pairing under Windows.

Huawei Freebuds 5i touch controls

As on most headphones of the genre, Huawei has integrated sensitive touch surfaces on the stems of its freebuds 5i. What immediately allow you several types of touch controls:

• Double support: reading / break
• Long support: change in noise reduction mode
• Sliding up or bottom: volume adjustment

So here we have three rather simple controls to understand but it will however be missing the possibility of changing its musical track. To do this, we can however go through the options offered within the AI ​​Life application of Huawei. This allows you to dissociate the double support on the right or on the left to allow, for example, to keep reading/break on the left, but to assign this gesture to the following title.

Unfortunately, in the absence of triple support management, it is impossible to configure both reading/break, the following title and the backtracking.

For its part, maintenance on the left or right will allow you to choose only the level of noise reduction or the identification of the title played – only for Huawei smartphones – but not the controls of reading.

So we have simple gestures, but that we would have liked to be able to personalize more thanks to more possible controls such as simple or triple support to allow more easily to change songs. Otherwise, we still appreciate that the volume control is natively supported.

The AI ​​Life application

If you want to control the 5i freebuds more, you will necessarily have to go through the Huawei AI Life application. Installed by default on the brand’s smartphones, it can also be downloaded through the QR code displayed on the box. Be careful however, avoid the available version on the Google Play Store, it has not been updated for a few years … A dark story of American embargo.

Like all applications of the genre, AI Life will allow you to display the level of headphones of headphones – but also of the case – indicate to you when a firmware update is available or offer you to settle gestures, as seen previously.

AI Life also offers a connection hub to manage the various Bluetooth connections to your different devices. A very practical function since the 5i freebuds are Comptible Bluetooth Multipoint as we will see later. This is also where you can change noise reduction mode, take a tip port test to check that the earphones are well installed in your ears or activate port detection. A low audio latency mode is also offered to allow you to reduce the audio / video synchronization effect inherent in the Bluetooth protocol.

Note also that, on a Huawei smartphone, we can use the touch controls of the 5i freebuds with the double support to take a photo from a distance. Function ” H-Protect “Will allow you to ring your headphones if you cannot put your hands on it but they are indeed connected in Bluetooth to your smartphone.

The Bluetooth connection of the Huawei Freebuds 5i

The Huawei Freebuds 5i are headphones compatible with the Bluetooth 5 standard.2. These are also headphones compatible with Multipoint Bluetooth. In other words, you can use the headphones connected simultaneously to your smartphone and a laptop. An increasingly widespread function on wireless helmets and which now arrives, for our greatest pleasure, on earphones at accessible prices.

Concretely, you can find, in the AI ​​Life application, all the devices to which your headphones have already been connected. If you listen to music on your computer but you receive a call on your smartphone, also connected to headphones, it is the smartphone that will take control to offer you to answer the call.

On the other hand, I was able to note serious concerns of connectivity, especially when I used the LDAC codec on my vivo x80 pro. Regularly, connection to the headphones was lost when the smartphone was in my pocket or in a brassard while running before recovering two or three seconds later. A slightly better experience through the SBC codec, but far from being perfect either.

The Huawei Freebuds 5i are obviously not foreign to the Bluetooth latency problem. Without activating the low latency mode offered in the AI ​​Life application, I was able to measure a latency of 201 ms in SBC and 209 ms in LDAC. A substantial value that will make you perceive a certain lag in mobile games between sound and video. Fortunately, let us remember that video reading applications easily compensate for this latency.

Huawei Freebuds 5i Noise reduction

Like the previous models, the Huawei Freebuds 5i have an active noise reduction function. The Chinese manufacturer thus indicates that its headphones are able to reduce sounds up to 42 dB. Nevertheless, as often, it does not give more information and in particular not the frequency band on which this reduction is ensured. Obviously, these 42 dB are not affected throughout the audible spectrum, far from it.

Concretely, the Huawei Freebuds 5i effectively manage to manage constant substantive noises. In a building close to a highly frequented road, they will significantly reduce the purr of vehicles. On the other hand, don’t expect too much. Huawei’s headphones will not be able to reduce the most punctual sounds, whether it is a motorcycle noise, a little too talkative colleague or keyboard sounds. On these less predictable sounds, the noise reduction of headphones is just greater than passive insulation due to silicone tips.

We are therefore dealing with a suitable noise reduction, but hardly more. We don’t feel a real leap in front of what the Freebuds 4i already offered a year and a half ago. It is all the more unfortunate that the year 2022 was marked by a real performance gain of the ANC on high -end wireless headphones, whether it is Apple AirPods or Bose Quietcomfort Earbuds II. Above all, we can deplore a tendency of headphones to transcribe a little too much gusts of wind in the ears due to the lack of protection of microphones.

Note that Huawei offers three levels of noise reduction: cozy, general and ultra. It is up to you to manually manage the power of this functionality.

Perception mode

The perception mode will allow you to use the headphones of headphones to transcribe external sounds in transducers of headphones. The result is rather proposed with an effective and rather natural rendering. We nevertheless regret a slightly stifled sound, but nothing dramatic. The function will allow you to communicate quickly with someone or listen to a vocal ad in a station and that is all that is asked.

Huawei Freebuds 5i Audio

The Huawei Freebuds 5i each have a dynamic transducer 10 mm in diameter associated with a composite diaphragm of polymer. We therefore do not find the acoustic solution with two transducers already used by the firm on its freebuds pro 2, but a more classic architecture, with large bands supposed to be capable of taking care of the serious and the acute as well as the treble as.

The headphones are also certified hi-res audio wireless thanks to their compatibility with the LDAC codec. As a reminder, this codec is supposed to allow the user to choose between a priority for sound quality or connection. He can also vary his bandwidth from 320 to 990 kBps depending on the circumstances and stability of the signal. In addition to the LDAC, we will also find compatibility with the two most traditional Bluetooth audio codecs, namely SBC and AAC.

To test the sound quality of the 5i freebuds, I used them connected to a vivo x80 pro in LDAC with priority to sound quality. I then listened to titles not only on Spotify (quality ” very high »In OGG Vorbis at 320 kbps) but also on Tidal Hifi Plus (24 bits at 192 kHz).

The Huawei Freebuds 5i generally offer a rather pleasant sound rendering with a good highlighting of low frequencies and mediums without distorting the sound too much. On Bad Guy From Billie Eilish, the headphones of Huawei manage to reproduce both the bass tablecloth correctly, but also the singer’s voice. We do not have a low rendering here or too focused on the bass like some competing models, but a relatively natural rendering.

On the frequency response curve below, we particularly realize the qualities of the headphones. Indeed, if the infrared bass is there to establish the entire sound spectrum, the mediums are also present in order to strengthen the voices or the instruments. The result is both warm sound headphones and which do not forget the detail. After the 3000 Hz, there is also a drop in volume in high mediums and treble.

This choice allows freebuds 5i not to be too tiring in the long run, these frequencies being already naturally amplified by the atrial duct. In order to ensure detail in the treble, Huawei decided to create a peak around 13,000 Hz. He actually compensates for the treble to add more sharpness to the sound.

The result is particularly pleasant attentive, especially for headphones at less than 100 euros. On Come Away with me de Norah Jones, a title shaping the piano, cymbals and voice, the acoustic rendering is particularly effective. On Thriller From Michael Jackson too, the voice of the American singer manages to detach well without the bass tablecloth or the guitar riff being forgotten.

If the sound rendering of the 5i freebuds is not perfectly to your liking, it is also possible to modify the sound signature through the AI ​​Lifei application of Huawei. Two modes are proposed: amplification of the bass and amplification of the treble. Unfortunately, Huawei does not give more details on the consequences of these two modes. It is also impossible to finely adjust the equalizer with a system of keys as is often the case on wireless headphones.

Note also that the headphones offer a form of adaptive equalization thanks to the microphones integrated inside. If the 5i freebuds spot that the adjustment is not perfect in your ears, they will increase the bass in order to compensate for the potential sound leaks.

Huawei Freebuds 5i Micro

For vocal calls, freebuds 5i obviously use microphones not only to capture your voice, but also to reduce ambient noises to allow your interlocutor to focus on the voice. Huawei also incorporates a function ” Ai noise cancellation »To highlight your voice.

All this is the theory. In practice, Huawei’s headphones are struggling to transcribe the voice well as soon as a little too much background is present. On a Parisian avenue with a lot of traffic, my interlocutor heard only one in two words, with certain sentences cut by the too high noise reduction and a transmission which he described as ” pasty »». The same goes in a building hall with echo. The person on the phone had a hard time understanding what I could tell him, even if the capture was better than outdoors.

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Fortunately, the vocal capture is a little better in a calm environment without echo. The conversation then becomes more fluid for your interlocutor, without it being pleasant however. Rest assured, if it ends up hanging up with your nose, you can always tell yourself that it is the fault of the headphones, not yours.

Huawei Freebuds 5i Autonomy

Huawei has integrated 55 mAh batteries into each of its headphones and a 410 mAh accumulator in their housing. Enough to allow, according to the manufacturer, to offer up to 6 hours of autonomy with headphones alone in active noise reduction, and until 6.30 p.m. with the case. Without noise reduction, this duration would pass at 7:30 am for headphones and 28 hours in total using the recharge in the case.

For my part, however, I was able to measure a significantly more limited autonomy. With the noise reduction activated in ” ultra “, The volume at 50 % and the transmission by the LDAC codec in priority mode to sound quality, I was able to use the Huawei Freebuds 5i for 4:07 before they fell into a battery harbor. An autonomy which is therefore 30 % lower than that which Huawei prevails. It is all the more unfortunate that rare are now the wireless headphones to offer autonomy less than five hours with noise reduction. Note, however, that the LDAC codec is particularly energy -consuming and that autonomy can only be better by going through more codecs lossy Like AAC or SBC.

Regarding the recharge of headphones in their housing, Huawei announces that an hour is enough for a complete recharge. There too, I obtained a difference difference, but more in favor, this time, of the Chinese manufacturer, with a full load of the 5i freebuds in 30 minutes in their housing.

Unfortunately, the 5i freebuds housing is not compatible with the wireless load. So you will have to go through the wired load. The firm also provides a short USB-A cable to USB-C, but no sector adapter. You will therefore need to use a computer or recover a smartphone USB-A charger if you have one available.

Huawei Freebuds 5i Price and release date

The Huawei Freebuds 5i will be available in France from January 11, 2023 at a price of 99.99 euros. However, they will be offered as pre -order on the Huawei online store on January 4 with a discount of 10 euros, or a price of 89.99 euros. For the colors, Huawei declines its 5i freebuds in black, blue or white.

Where to buy the
Huawei Freebuds 5i at the best price ?
79 € discover the offer
79 € discover the offer
74 € discover the offer
77 € discover the offer
78 € discover the offer

Opposite, some pairs of headphones offer convincing alternatives at close prices. We think in particular of Nothing Ear (1), Realme Buds Air 3 or the Oppo Enca Free 2. Do not hesitate to consult our purchasing guide for the best cheap wireless headphones.

True headboard test Wireless Huawei Freebuds 5i: Excellent and affordable

Descendants of the 4i freebuds, the 5i freebuds have the heavy task of replacing one of the best quality/price ratios of 2022. The recipe was therefore slightly improved while maintaining an affordable price.

Presentation

More than six months after their release on Chinese soil, the Freebuds 5i finally point to their nose in our regions with the heavy task of replacing their predecessors, the freebuds 4i. Indeed, the latter were often presented as True Wireless headphones with unbeatable quality/price ratio, with remarkable comfort sensations and a clear, detailed and dynamic sound rendering.

For this new version, Huawei promises many improvements, especially in terms of active noise reduction performance but also acoustically thanks to new speakers and LDAC codec support.

Price & availability

Freebuds 5i have been available since January 16, 2023 at a price of € 99.

Test conditions

We tested them with version 2.1.0.160 of their firmware. The Huawei Ai Life app has been tested in its version 13.0.3.315.

Construction & Comfort

Headphones

Freebuds 5i adopt a design very close to 4i freebuds. We thus find a design with a branch directed towards the mouth of the user and a semi -intra -atrial format with silicone tip. However, the 5i freebuds underwent a slimming cure compared to their predecessors. They are lighter (4.9 g against 5.5 g), their stem is planed by 7 mm and their head is slightly more profiled to better marry the hollow of the ear.

The level of finish is identical to that of 4i freebuds, with several fully shiny plastic shells which has the annoying tendency to hang fingerprints. The traces of assembly are not the most discreet, but the whole seems robust to us. In addition, the headphones are certified IP54 and are therefore resistant to water splashes, perspiration and dust.

Sensations of comfort that is always so exemplary

If the 4i freebuds were absolute models of comfort, the 5i freebuds are just as much. The headphones perfectly match the hollow of the ear, without creating an annoying pressure point and without causing intrusion inside the auditory duct. Like many headphones, the comfort sensations offered by these freebuds 5i could however vary from person to person, but all the people we have tested these headphones made us excellent returns.

Maintaining headphones is also very good, so that they can be used during occasional sports sessions.

Housing

The Freebuds 5i housing takes over an extremely close to that of 4i freebuds, which is a good thing since it can easily slip into a pants pocket and be used in one hand. Huawei nevertheless had the good idea to swap a brilliant dress against a matte finish, much more pleasant in hand and for the eyes. The new speckled colors also greatly strengthen the small pebble look.

The only reproach we could make is the slight game that exists at the level of the hinge of the valve, but nothing very alarming. On the front, there is a light indicator light, and below a USB-C port dedicated to recharge. The case is not compatible with the wireless load.

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User experience

Connectivity

The pairing process is simple: just hold the button outside the case to throw it. The 5i freebuds then communicate in Bluetooth 5.2 and are compatible with the SBC, AAC and LDAC codecs. However, we did not manage to use the latter or on our usual test smartphone (Google Pixel 4A), yet compatible, or on the phones of the Huawei brand. To console themselves, the 5i freebuds have a multipoint function that allows you to pair up to two simultaneous sources.

In Bluetooth communication, latency is 243 ms by default. Such a delay causes a certain discrepancy between the image and the sound of a video, making any viewing extremely unpleasant. The good integration of the Bluetooth nevertheless makes it possible to automatically compensate for this latency in order to make it imperceptible to the eye. Video games are not affected by this automatic compensation, however and are difficult to pass. In this case, it becomes necessary to activate the “low latency” function, which makes latency drop around 140 ms. Unfortunately, this function implies a drop in connection stability, causing cuts at regular intervals (approximately 7-8 minutes). Without that, the connection was completely impeccable.

Orders

The 5i freebuds are ordered using tactile surfaces located on the back of each atrium. If they are reactive, the surfaces can be hard to reach their fingertips, and bad manipulations are therefore not rare.

If the headphones still recognize double support and long support, the 5i freebuds push the cap a little further than the 4i freebuds by taking charge of the shift along the rod. It is thus possible to manage the calls, reading, navigation between the tracks, the change in listening mode and the volume with your fingertips and the volume.

Application

All features can be managed through the Huawei Ai Life app, available on iOS and Android. Clear, concise and perfectly stable, this app contains settings to change listening methods, modify the controls assigned to touch areas or even view the remaining battery level in each earpiece and in the case. A more complete equalizer would not have been too much.