HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro 4 headphones: taking sound to a new level

HUAWEI has been developing its series of headphones for a very long time – and once even released full-size headphones, as if applying for the title of a brand that works across the entire spectrum of audio equipment. But HUAWEI Studio remains one of a kind – at least for now. Thus, the HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro series of TWS headphones continues to be the flagship series for the company, where it collects its main technologies in this field. And today we are talking about the fourth generation of firmware.

HUAWEI is developing the series very gradually, without radical changes from model to model, with light annual upgrades, but still the FreeBuds Pro 4 look like quite a serious leap forward relative to the FreeBuds Pro 3: the speakers themselves have been updated, the design has changed noticeably, and the microphones have become more perfect, and these are the company’s first headphones with HUAWEI SOUND technology. We’ll talk about what this technology is and how good the HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro 4 are in general in this article.

Globally, the design of the HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro 4, of course, has not changed – these are TWS headphones, more or less all the moves are recorded here. The same case in the shape of a well-hewn stone from the coast, the same headphones on high legs with a closed design (“plugs”), which is also inevitable for headsets that claim high sound quality and good noise reduction.

The case itself has all those familiar elements: a USB Type-C port, a charging indicator (in the same place, just below the lid), a speaker (so that you can find the case by sound) and a forced synchronization key on the side.

But many new touches have been added. Thanks to the metallic edging, the case looks more noble and “expensive”, and not only the edging around the perimeter and the USB Type-C port, but also the lid hinge are painted gold, that is, attention is paid to details that are not immediately noticeable. Both the logo on the case and the legs of the headphones are now not just covered with glossy paint, but have a pattern in the form of a musical staff. The headphones also feature the HUAWEI SOUND logo, which resembles a treble clef (or a paragraph icon). In general, there is more “premium” quality – while maintaining the general concept.

HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro 4 are available in three colors: as before, green, white and black – as in our case.

The box with headphones contains six (not three, as usual) pairs of ear pads of different sizes and types. Three are standard silicone and three more are with memory effect. Well, another one is immediately put on the headphones, these are just standard silicone size M.

Structurally, the headphones are identical to their predecessors – relatively large cups with silicone ear pads and a pair of speakers and rather thick legs with microphones, contact pads for charging and recesses in areas for touch control.

The dimensions and weight of the headphones have not changed (each weighs 5.8 grams), but the case has become lighter – 47 grams instead of the previous 57 grams. Naturally, there are no questions about the build quality: the hinge is designed for 100,000 cycles of opening and closing the lid, it works smoothly, and there is a closer. The headphones themselves are protected from moisture according to the IP54 standard – you can use them even in the rain. But you can’t swim in them.

HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro 4, in principle, do not require special software for normal operation – they appear in the list of devices available for pairing immediately as soon as you open the case – I did not have to press the forced pairing button even to pair with an iPhone, not to mention Android.

But for more detailed settings of headphones (equalizer, detailed noise reduction control) special software is required – and there is an important nuance here. The HUAWEI AI Life application is not available on Google Play, but is available in the App Store – it’s good that on Android you can always install the software via an executable apk file.

The headphones received a Bluetooth v5.2 module; the headphones can simultaneously connect to two devices. And, most importantly, they support the same HUAWEI Sound system – this has never happened before.

Actually, this means that these are currently the first (and only) TWS headphones that support lossless audio transmission at a speed of 2.3 Mbps (48 kHz/24 bit). True, the only smartphones capable of transmitting information in this format (using the L2HC codec) are the current older HUAWEI: Pura 70 Pro, Pura 70 Ultra, Mate 70/70 Pro and Mate X6. However, later, perhaps, others will catch up, but if you are just a user of HUAWEI flagship smartphones, you will be able to enjoy very detailed sound – if you have a wide enough channel for streaming huge files (or you downloaded FLAC in advance).

And there is something to enjoy. In fact, the FreeBuds Pro 4 speaker system has not changed compared to the FreeBuds Pro 3: two emitters, where one (with four magnets) is responsible for low frequencies, and the second (with a flat micro-diaphragm) for mids and highs. Many people complained about the insufficiently deep bass in the third generation of firmware, but, for my taste, this is more a change in emphasis than a really weakened bass. It’s just that the headphones place more emphasis on detailing the mids and highs, rather than rumbling lows. But yes, if you like accentuated bass, then FreeBuds Pro are not for you, these headphones are more about balance.

Noise cancellation works very effectively. In addition to passive noise insulation thanks to a tight in-ear fit (with a wide selection of ear pads, let me remind you), there is an active noise reduction system that operates in four modes: “dynamic”, “ultra”, “comfort” and “normal”. Essentially, these are three levels of noise reduction and the ability for the headphones to decide for themselves based on the surrounding environment. Noise is removed very efficiently. There is also, of course, a system that, on the contrary, amplifies sounds from the outside – the so-called “sound permeability” mode for situations when it is important for you to hear what is happening outside, but you do not want to stop listening to music or a podcast.

The FreeBuds Pro 4 is also excellent with voice transmission – it has its own active noise reduction that removes external sounds. Even in a noisy environment, you can be heard perfectly during a conversation.

The battery life of HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro 4 has not changed. Claimed to be up to 31 hours of playback when using the case (it contains a 510 mAh battery) and 6.5 hours for each earphone (55 mAh) – this is with noise cancellation disabled. With noise cancellation turned on (or in sound transmission mode, when ambient sounds are amplified), these figures are 22 and 4.5 hours, respectively. This is pretty much how it works in practice.

I can’t say that, as a result, the HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro 4 feel not only like a breakthrough, but even a big step forward relative to previous models, but in any case, these are extremely high-quality TWS headphones with a unique data transfer offer, excellent sound quality and high ease of use. Pre-order for HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro 4 starts on January 10, and sales will begin on January 23. The launch price will be 18,999 rubles.