HUAWEI FreeArc: Probably the most comfortable TWS earphones

Wireless compact headphones are the maximum base for today. Of course, you can live without them, but it is not entirely clear how. At the same time, there is a choice – closed with noise reduction (most of them) or open – yes, there is no noise isolation, but the sensations are more natural, plus they are suitable for sports, running, cycling. But there are many questions about their convenience. HUAWEI FreeArc is in a hurry to remove these questions.

This is not the first time that HUAWEI has experimented with the format of headphones. Among the most recent bright experiments, we can recall, for example, HUAWEI FreeClip, another open TWS headphones that did not fall out of the ear. But they had a very specific design and construction, which will not suit everyone’s taste. HUAWEI FreeArc is a variation on the same theme, but with an attempt to make it less exotic, more mass-produced and, most importantly, even more convenient.

Like any headphones with any degree of “sports” focus, these are not simple earplugs that are either attached inside the canal (like closed headphones) or should be held outside the canal (like conditional Apple Airpods – they simply never stay in my ears), but headphones equipped with additional fasteners. In specialized headsets, these can be full-fledged neckbands (remember HUAWEI FreeLace Pro 2). Here we see silicone ear mounts with weights, thanks to which the headphones fit very well on the auricles.

The body of the headphones is made of silicone and matte plastic (polycarbonate), they are pleasant to the touch and well protected from moisture and dust – according to the IP57 standard, which means they can be used in heavy rain (but not while swimming). The headset, as you can see in the photo, is quite large, but not at all heavy – each earphone weighs 8.9 grams, you can wear them as much as you like, you don’t get tired of them at all.

HUAWEI FreeArc is available in three color variations: black, green and light gray, which we tested.

HUAWEI FreeArc find an external balance between the elegance (but originality) of the FreeClip “earrings” and the strictly practicality of sports headsets like the aforementioned FreeLace. They are not too large, but at the same time they sit really chic on the ears. Even with the sharp movements that accompany sports, they not only do not fall out of the ears, but do not change their position at all.

At the same time, of course, the part with the speaker does not fit very tightly to the ear canal – here the earphone is even further from the ear than in the usual “earbuds” (for example, HUAWEI FreeBuds 5). Accordingly, you cannot count on passive noise isolation and active noise reduction – HUAWEI FreeArc has other values, for users of such headphones it is important to maintain “sound permeability”, especially since constant wearing of headphones with noise reduction can lead to a violation of information perception in noisy places (or may not lead to it).

Yes, in noisy transport you have to turn up the volume to the maximum or to values ​​close to the maximum, but, for example, just on the street I had no problems not only with listening to music on HUAWEI FreeArc, but also listening to podcasts or even calling colleagues. The headphones have very powerful and high-quality emitters (and very large: 17 mm × 12 mm). Yes, due to external “impurities” the sound as a whole does not seem as “clean” as on overhead or in-ear headphones, but in general the sound quality pleasantly surprised me: the stage is felt excellent, the detail is high, there is enough power, there is a special feeling of volume (which is characteristic of high-quality open headphones). The bass is not pronounced, but also felt – another HUAWEI headphones that sound great.

Those around you will hear your music, but less than you would expect from headphones with such a design – even in a quiet room, my loved ones only noticed the fact that I was listening to something, and not the melody itself.

The disadvantage of HUAWEI FreeArc is its very large case (dimensions: 67.8 mm × 67.8 mm × 26.5 mm, weight – 67 grams), and it is rectangular – it sticks out noticeably from the pocket. The case design itself is traditional – a lid with a closer, a forced synchronization key, a charge indicator, inside – sinuses for headphones with contact pads for charging. The case is made of matte plastic, and in addition to compactness, I missed a more noble, or something, hinge, the lid slams shut with a loud sound.

The headphones are synchronized with the smartphone via Bluetooth (v5.2), SBC and AAC profiles are supported.

For detailed settings (in particular, the equalizer), control settings (there are touch pads on the earcups, of course) and installation of updates, it is worth installing the HUAWEI AI Life application on your smartphone – it is available for iOS (but you can no longer control the headphones normally from it), and on Android it must be installed either from third-party stores (like AppGallery) or as an apk file.

Like any modern headset, HUAWEI FreeArc is equipped with noise-canceling microphones. In general, they cope with their duties, but in loud noise environments, interlocutors complained about a noticeable “gurgling” from my side.

Each earphone has a 55 mAh battery, the case has a 510 mAh battery. It is stated that the earphones can play music for 7 hours without recharging – a lot depends on the volume, but you can easily count on 5-6 hours. A fully charged case will add another 25-28 hours. It takes 40 minutes to fully charge the earphones in the case, and an hour to charge the case via cable.

HUAWEI FreeArc currently costs 9,999 rubles, and when you buy it from the official HUAWEI store, you also get a Band 9 fitness bracelet as a gift and a guarantee that your lost earphone will be replaced for one year.