At Huawei’s press conference on November 26, alongside the launch of the Mate70 and Mate X6, a Bluetooth headset called Huawei FreeBuds Pro 4 supporting native HarmonyOS NEXT also grabbed much attention.
I thought the previous generation, the FreeBuds Pro3, had already reached its peak with 1.5Mbps high-resolution sound quality. However, the FreeBuds Pro 4 has taken it a step further, being the only headset in the industry to support 2.3Mbps high-resolution lossless sound, delivering audio up to 48KHz/24bit. This upgrade marks a significant improvement in sound quality and introduces Huawei’s first Yuezhang earbuds.
In addition, noise cancellation has received a significant upgrade with innovative three-stage memory earplugs that intelligently adapt for the best noise reduction ratio to create a quiet listening experience for users in different environments.
Integrated with HarmonyOS NEXT, the FreeBuds Pro 4 introduces a new voice assistant. Besides that, it offers voice translation and real-time interpretation.
In terms of design, the FreeBuds Pro 4 boasts a more refined look, and the battery life has been significantly enhanced. For the first time, the charging case includes Star Flash search technology, so you’ll never have to worry about losing your earbuds again.
Now, let’s dive into the user experience of the Huawei FreeBuds Pro 4.
Appearance
With the inherited classic design of its predecessors, Huawei FreeBuds Pro4 has further ironed out many key details for a sleeker appearance. It has three colors to choose from: Obsidian Black, Spruce Green, and Snow White. The unit that we had for review comes in Spruce Green color, bringing in freshness and naturality.
It is made of matte material that provides a premium finish and avoids fingerprints. The cover of the case is underlined by fine gold lines, giving it an air of grace and modernity.
The logo on the back of the charging case is ceramic-made, giving it a smooth and delicate feel. The earbuds themselves come with both memory foam and silicone ear tips, which let them comfortably fit various ear canal sizes. With improved ergonomics, even during extended wear, the FreeBuds Pro4 remain comfortable.
The ergonomic design ensures it is comfortable and snug, hardly felt when worn. Both the earbud stems feature the distinctive Huawei logo, coupled with the “Yue Zhang” branding, making them appear even more refined in their outlook.
Sound Quality and Noise Reduction
Sound Quality Performance
Huawei FreeBuds Pro 4 was the only TWS earbud in the industry to support lossless transmission at up to 2.3MBps, thanks to the Huawei L2HC 4.0 protocol and star flash connection technology. Both together allow playback of up to 48KHz/24-bit for great sound quality.
In *Crossing*, for example, the drums and percussion sounded so rich and full in the beginning that it felt like there was almost no space not filled. Every beat felt weighty with the low frequency tuning of the drums, although the vocals were clear as crystal and soft throughout.
In contrast, *Sixth Sense* was a bit more powerful to listen to. The percussion instruments at the beginning sounded so real that I felt as though I was in the studio. The high-pitched notes were sharp and clear without distortion; the vocal and instrumental blend was perfectly in sync.
*One I Love* showcased how the FreeBuds Pro4 can deliver soft, pure vocals with delicate detail, creating a serene and ethereal atmosphere.
Considering it is an industry-leading device with 2.3Mbps lossless transmission, FreeBuds Pro4 isn’t expected to have anything less in sound quality, especially when it comes to dealing with low frequencies, high frequencies, or vocals.
In collaboration with the Central Conservatory of Music’s chief tuning team, Huawei developed two specialized sound effects: “Central Conservatory of Music Master Classical Sound Effect” and “Central Conservatory of Music Master Balanced Sound Effect.” These settings enhance the precision and purity of the listening experience, catering to users who appreciate high-quality music. Whether listening to pop or symphonic music, the FreeBuds Pro4 ensures an outstanding audio experience.
Noise Reduction Experience
Noise reduction capability has increased significantly in FreeBuds Pro4. The earbuds use four noise cancellation modes supported by three microphones and a highly sensitive reverse bone conduction pickup mic, combined with an upgraded AI noise reduction algorithm for enhanced noise cancellation performance.
Newly added three-level memory ear tips intelligently adjust the depth of noise reduction, increasing the overall effect by 30% compared to the previous generation. Whether in an office, taking subways, or outdoors where the environment is noisy, the deep noise cancellation mode blocks ambient noise and offers silent listening.
Headphone Translation
The FreeBuds Pro 4 also features face-to-face translation and simultaneous interpretation in a number of languages. Translation content will be directly played in Mandarin in the earbuds, which is convenient to use for tourists and business persons. High translation accuracy has given great ease and full confidence during communication in different languages.
Star Flash Search
Another first from Huawei, the FreeBuds Pro 4 supports Star Flash technology in finding the charging case with precision. It provides real-time navigation and tracking to ensure that you will never lose your earbuds. If the earbuds are nearby, they can ring loudly within a 10-meter radius to make retrieval swift and easy.
Charging and Battery Life: 9 Hours of Extended Playback, Eliminating Battery Anxiety
Battery Life Test
We started by testing the battery life of the Huawei FreeBuds Pro4. Setting the volume to about 30%, spatial audio off, deep noise reduction mode on, and sound quality to its highest by default, we measured for how long the earbuds would last during regular music playback.
After one hour of listening, the left earbud burned through 13% of its battery, while the right earbud used 7%. Based on this, on a full charge, even with deep noise reduction, the FreeBuds Pro4 can deliver up to 9 hours of continuous playback, which is quite impressive.
Charging Test
Next up was how fast the earbuds charge. Starting at 70% and placing them in the case, they reached 98% in 15 minutes, gaining 28% of their charge. With this information, we estimate that from 0 to 100%, a full charge can be achieved in about 30 minutes, making for pretty fast and convenient charging.
Overview
Huawei FreeBuds Pro 4, the first pair of earbuds native to HarmonyOS NEXT Bluetooth, raises sound quality to new heights to further enhance smart experiences and boost ultra-long battery life.
In terms of sound, these earbuds utilize Huawei’s self-developed L2HC 4.0 protocol and Star Flash core technology, delivering the industry’s only 2.3Mbps high-resolution lossless sound. With the ability to play 48KHz/24bit music, the FreeBuds Pro 4 offers a rich, detailed, and pure audio experience. Whether it’s deep, resonant bass, crisp mid-range vocals, or clear high-frequency instruments, the FreeBuds Pro 4 excels in sound reproduction.
Furthermore, the Huawei phone comes with chief tunes courtesy of the Central Conservatory of Music’s tuning team: specific auditory enhancements are “Master Classical” and “Master Balanced”.
The upgrade in noise-canceling technology offers a more comprehensive and effective experience. Equipped with three microphones and a high-sensitivity bone conduction microphone, the earbuds use an AI noise reduction algorithm and offer four different modes, improving noise reduction by 30% over the previous generation. Newly introduced memory earplugs intelligently adjust noise-canceling depth, providing users with an immersive, quiet listening experience across various environments.
Equally impressive are the intelligent features of the FreeBuds Pro 4: hands-free voice control through the Xiaoyi voice assistant, face-to-face translation, and simultaneous interpretation-easy to communicate and travel with. The newly added Star Flash search technology in the charging case locates misplaced earbuds in real-time, accurately helping users find them with a loud alert signal.
On the battery performance side, the FreeBuds Pro 4 provides up to 9 hours of continuous playback in deep noise reduction mode, with extended battery life when combined with the charging case. It offers fast charging, bringing the earbuds to a full charge within 30 minutes for quick and efficient use.