REVIEW: HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro 2

After a two-year wait, HUAWEI finally released their new FreeBuds Pro earbuds. Although the HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro 2 looks very similar to its predecessor, HUAWEI has done its research and refined its flagship earbuds even further, emphasizing cutting-edge technology and unique solutions. The HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro 2 are the HUAWEI's first earbuds that I've tried out. Considering its attractive initial price and impressive list of features, I couldn't help but wonder about its performance.

The FreeBuds Pro 2 are a high-end pair of truly wireless earphones that were designed in collaboration with a prestigious French audio company, Devialet. HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro 2 can be purchased in three different colour options: silver blue, silver frost, and ceramic white. Devialet's logo shines brightly in the mirror-like hinge finish, and the rest of the case is coated in a matte material.

HUAWEI collaborated with audio firm Devialet to fine-tune the FreeBuds Pro 2's sound, as seen by the dual branding on the casing. It's tough to quantify the partnership's full impact, but there's no doubting the high quality of music emanating from the FreeBuds Pro 2.

The HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro 2 comes in a compact, matte white box. A picture of the earbud, their name, the HUAWEI logo, and their standout features—Co-Engineered with Devialet and Hi-Res Wireless Audio quality—are printed on the cover. There is quite a bit of information printed on the box's bottom.

From the box itself, you know that the earbuds have active noise cancellation, HD voice calls, dual-speaker premium sound, and are dust and water-resistant. The earbuds are packaged with their charging case, two extra bud tips (L and S sizes; the standard M-sized ones are already attached), a short USB-A to USB-C cable (25 cm), the user manual, and the warranty card.

In comparison to its forerunner, I prefer how the stems seamlessly integrate into the earbuds. Each bud weighs only 6.1 grammes, making them highly portable. At only 52 grammes, the case is also lightweight compared to competitors.

Despite their diminutive size, the earbuds provide just over six hours of playback time when active noise cancellation is disabled and just four hours when activated. With the case, you can extend the battery life by another 4-5 hours, bringing the total with noise cancellation to 15 hours and nearly 23 hours without activating ANC. The earbuds were simple to take out of the case and put back in. The case's USB-C port supports both wired and wireless charging.

All of the necessary controls for playing and pausing music, adjusting the volume, and turning off the noise cancelling feature are integrated into the stems of both earbuds. To control playback and ANC, pinch either stem to pause and skip tracks. Slide your finger up or down the stems to adjust the volume. These controls seemed intuitive to me, and I had no trouble picking them up.

The FreeBuds Pro 2 have excellent sound quality. On the technological front, HUAWEI introduced many enhancements and new developments centred on the dual driver. For the bass and other low notes, this consists of an 11mm quad-magnet driver, and for the highs, a planar diaphragm is used. According to HUAWEI, the lows go as low as 14 Hz, which is below the limit of audibility for a human being.

The volume of each earbud as well as its position in the ear canal are taken into account by the software, which makes real-time adjustments to the sound balance. The results are excellent; the sound is generally warm, the bass is satisfyingly deep, and the vocals and mid-range complex layers of instruments come across clearly. In conjunction with the efficient insulation and ANC, the FreeBuds Pro 2 have a sound quality that is difficult to criticize.

The active noise cancellation (ANC) on the FreeBuds Pro 2 works very well, thanks to the silicone tips that seal out a lot of outside noise. Noise cancellation can be turned on and off with a simple pinch of the earbuds' stems, and there are multiple ANC modes to choose from so you can find the perfect fit.

It's simple to pair the HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro 2. Hold the case's tiny button for a few seconds, and your earbud will begin searching for a compatible device. When you take them out of their charging case after they've been paired, they'll automatically reconnect to your phone. The HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro 2 are incredibly convenient in terms of comfort because of its lightweight design and compact size. Using them continuously for several hours with no discomfort was a huge plus.

Despite their diminutive stature, they won't even come close to falling out of your ears. The buds' ergonomic design ensures a snug fit in the ear and a secure hold, barring the use of silicone tips that are too large. The vocals are crystal clear, and the bass is the deepest I've heard from such little buds. Here's where HUAWEI's AI Life software comes in helpful; it has four essential Sound effects, essentially a high-end equalizer; the Bass boost setting is my personal favourite.

You also have the ability to create your own custom equalizer, in addition to turning on some other software features such as Smart HD and HD Voice, which aim to improve the output even further. However, it is obvious that these features only work well with certain tracks and will reduce the device's battery life.

The HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro 2 are exceptional earbuds to use while on the phone. Even though it would decrease the battery life, I decided to enable the HD voice feature that they offer. The outcome was fantastic: the audio quality was praised as being of high calibre by both myself and everyone else with whom I've had phone conversations.

HUAWEI's use of high-quality drivers, combined with Devialet's expert tuning, helps the FreeBuds 2 Pro stand ahead of similar products at the same price range. The sound is excellent, with punchy bass, smooth midrange, and pristine treble. And if you have an Android or iOS device, you can download the HUAWEI AI Life app and use its equalizer to fine-tune the sound to your liking. The latest iteration of the HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro 2 is loaded with cutting-edge features. The so-called Hi-Res Dual Sound System is the main focus here. Having dedicated high- and low-frequency transducers allows for cleaner and more balanced sound.

The FreeBuds Pro 2 has proven to be a highly excellent earbud in many uses. It cancels out ambient noise effectively and provides a musical experience that is highly satisfying. I was blown away by the environmental settings, sound quality and battery longevity. Compared to its predecessor, HUAWEI has succeeded in raising the bar. Therefore, we believe it will be appreciated by those searching for a premium wireless earbud.

Rating

Sound Quality & Features 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Battery Life 

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Anti Noise Cancelling (ANC) 

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Charging Feature 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Design & Build 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐