Huawei FreeBuds Pro 5 Review: A Premium ANC Earbud Contender

Huawei has launched the FreeBuds Pro 5, its new flagship true wireless earbuds, aiming to succeed the well-regarded fourth generation. Priced at €199, these earbuds position themselves firmly in the premium segment, promising to set a new standard for TWS (True Wireless Stereo) in-ears. This review details a comprehensive evaluation of the FreeBuds Pro 5 across design, features, performance and value.

Technical Specifications

• Bluetooth Version: 6.0
• Bluetooth Codecs: L2HC, AAC, and SBC
• Maximum Operating Range: 12m (without obstacle)
• Battery Life: Up to 6 hours (with ANC), up to 9 hours (without ANC)
• Total Battery Life (with charging case): 38 hours (varies with volume and audio content)
• Charging Time: 1.5 hours (USB-C or wireless)
• Charging Case Size: 65.5 mm x 46.7 mm x 22.98 mm
• Weight: 5.5g per earbud; 55g (charging case & earbuds)
• Key Features: Dual-engine AI-ANC, Transparency mode, Wear detection, Wireless charging, IP57
• Price: €199

Design and Build Quality

The HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro 5 immediately stand out with their design. The “Star Oval” design features a shimmering oval with the HUAWEI SOUND logo on each earbud, lending a high-quality aesthetic. Available in sand gold, black, white, and dark blue, the earbuds offer a visually modern and sophisticated appearance.

The charging case is noticeably more compact than its predecessor (reduced by 5.5%), offering a seamless hinge that opens and closes with a satisfying click. Its size makes it easily pocketable.

Ergonomically designed for a secure fit, the earbuds remained stable during intense exercise, cycling, and gym workouts. They are also comfortable for extended listening sessions of two to three hours, avoiding the pressure typically associated with ill-fitting in-ears.

Features and Connectivity

The HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro 5 are equipped with a dual-drive acoustic system, featuring an ultra-linear dual-magnet driver for low frequencies and a micro-planar membrane driver for high frequencies. They support the proprietary L2HC 4.0 audio codec, achieving a data rate of up to 2.3 Mbps and supporting 48 kHz / 24-bit lossless audio. T3 notes this surpasses aptX Lossless’s maximum of 1.2 Mbps.

Connectivity is provided by Bluetooth 6.0 and dual-device pairing, allowing simultaneous connection to a smartphone and laptop. Automatic device switching functions reliably, seamlessly transitioning between devices during calls or music playback.

Audio sharing allows wireless streaming to a second pair of compatible HUAWEI headphones. Control and sound adjustment are managed through the HUAWEI Audio Connect app (available for iOS and Android), offering four preset HUAWEI SOUND profiles (Balanced, Voice, Classical, and Bass).

Performance: Audio Quality, ANC, and Microphones

The FreeBuds Pro 5 deliver exceptional sound quality, enhancing the already excellent performance of the fourth generation with increased detail and airiness. The dual-driver system provides a precise sound rarely found in in-ear headphones, with deep, powerful bass that doesn’t overpower the mids, and controlled, clear trebles even at higher volumes. Vocals are warm and natural, and complex musical arrangements exhibit impressive frequency separation.

The Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) represents a significant advancement. Huawei’s dual-engine ANC architecture utilizes both low-frequency and high-frequency drivers as independent noise suppression engines. The MIMO AI sensing model analyzes ambient noise up to 400,000 times per second, generating counter waves in real-time. This effectively suppresses monotonous background noises like airplane hum or subway rumble, and attenuates sudden noise peaks.

Call quality is also strong, utilizing three microphones plus a bone conduction microphone and AI voice filtering to separate voice from ambient noise. Calls remain clear even in noisy environments up to 100 dB, and the wind noise suppression system ensures intelligibility in wind speeds up to 10 m/s.

Battery Life

The FreeBuds Pro 5 offer solid battery life. Huawei claims up to 9 hours of playback without ANC and 38 hours total with the charging case. With ANC enabled, earbud runtime is approximately 7 hours. Real-world testing largely confirms these figures, providing sufficient power for a full workday with moderate volume and ANC activated. The case supports quick recharging and wireless charging.

Pros and Cons

• Pros: Elegant design, strong ANC, great sound quality, modern features, good battery life
• Cons: Full lossless audio experience best realized within the Huawei ecosystem, lack of aptX/LDAC support, ANC not quite at the level of top competitors

Conclusion

The HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro 5 are an impressive piece of technology that firmly establishes Huawei in the premium TWS market. With the world’s first dual-engine ANC architecture, lossless audio transmission via L2HC 4.0, a refined design, and sophisticated connectivity, they offer a compelling package comparable to the best in-ears available. While not flawless, and with some features optimized for the Huawei ecosystem, the FreeBuds Pro 5 represent a significant step forward and a strong contender in the premium earbud space.