Review of Huawei FreeBuds 4 headphones

The main difference from the top-end headphones of the previous version - FreeBuds 3 - is called ergonomics by the developers: they say that the gadget has become more comfortable and sits better in the ears. At the same time, the case lost a little weight, but the battery remained solid. Let's see how comfortable the updated case will be.

Specifications
Appearance and equipment
Control
Connection and application
Sound and noise reduction
Conversations and calls
Autonomy
Outcomes

Specifications

Type of emitters	Dynamic, 14.3 mm
Earphone weight	4.1g
Connection	Bluetooth 5.2
Supported codecs	SBC, AAC
Noise suppression	ANC
Moisture protection	IPX4 (only the headphones themselves, not the case)
Battery case	410 mAh

Appearance and equipment

When developing a new gadget, Huawei decided not to deviate from a proven and recognizable concept - a puck-shaped case. But the body itself became somewhat thinner and as much as 20% lighter. At the bottom, it traditionally has a USB-C connector.

In the box under the case is a recharging cable rolled into a ring, and at the very bottom is a cardboard pocket with a quick start guide, instructions and warranty information. FreeBuds 4 are in-ear headphones, not in-ear, so there are no earbuds included. But Huawei has thoroughly worked on ergonomics and promises that the gadget will suit a large number of listeners, even without special ear pads that improve the fit and sound insulation.

We got a gray model for the test. More precisely, she has a gray case - matte, rough, the color of wet asphalt. But the headphones themselves are chrome-plated and shine incredibly. But on such a glossy case, prints, earwax, and any adhering dust and hairs are perfectly visible, so you will have to wipe the accessory very often. In addition to the gray-silver version, there is also a white one - it is also glossy.

Headphones Huawei FreeBuds 4: glossy body

The shape of FreeBuds 4 is quite familiar: a long leg with the main module flattened on one side, in which the speaker is located. This module has three holes covered with meshes: the speaker itself and the microphones used in the noise reduction system. Another dark spot on the case is a sensor that determines whether headphones are inserted into the ears or not.

FreeBuds 4 sit tightly in the case, and due to the anatomical rounded shape, it is not so easy to pry them off and pull them out. If you have long nails, they come in handy.

Control

The main control elements of the headphones are touch panels on the legs. Three interaction gestures are available: swipe up or down, double tap, and long tap.

Swipe up-down the volume is adjusted - this function is the same for both headphones.

Double tap feet pauses and restarts playback by default. In the application, this function can be changed, and you can set different reactions for the left and right headphones. For example, a double tap on the first will stop the music, and on the second - rewind to the next track.

Long touch enables or disables noise canceling, and during a call allows you to reject the call.

We think it would be more convenient if Huawei made it possible to reassign swipes: for example, moving up and down on the right earphone - volume control, and on the left - switching tracks back and forth. But the very fact that at least some kind of customization in terms of management has been proposed is already encouraging.

Connection and application

An inconspicuous key on the side of the case is designed to connect headphones to a sound source. You need to open the case and press the button, holding it for a couple of seconds. The status indicator on the front panel will blink white when the FreeBuds 4 enter pairing mode. In the previous version, by the way, the LED was inside the case.

You can connect to two devices at the same time, such as a laptop and a smartphone. This is convenient, especially during work: you can quickly switch to a sudden call even in the messenger, even by phone.

It is recommended to use the Huawei AI Life app for deeper customization of the earbuds. Moreover, owners of Android-smartphones will not accept the version that is in Google Play, since it is outdated. The program should be downloaded from the official Huawei website: the instructions contain a QR code, with which you can directly go to the APK file download page. Also Huawei AI Life is available in the App Gallery store.

In the application, you can immediately see the charge level of both each connected earphone and the case. There you can also select the noise reduction mode: for places with a low noise level there is "Comfort", with a high one - "Normal" will do.

From the settings, in addition to reassigning gestures, there is also "Wearable device detection". Headphones with the help of a sensor understand whether they are inserted into the ears or not. If the accessory is pulled out, music playback stops automatically. The function can be disabled.

Under the item "Sound quality" there is an opportunity to enable cleaner voice recording and the choice of an equalizer effect for music playback (only two options are available).

You can also update the software of the headphones in the application and start searching for them: they will start emitting an unpleasant signal of increasing volume.

Sound and noise reduction

Huawei FreeBuds 4 has a built-in 14.3 mm speaker, with which the developers promise incredibly powerful bass and crystal clear high frequencies up to 40 kHz. True, with the AAC codec over Bluetooth, you will not be able to receive a signal with a frequency higher than 20 kHz.

The sound very much depends on whether the seating is suitable for the listener. If the accessory simply cannot hold firmly enough in the ear, then there is no question of any quality. The sound will be excessively sibilant, without any bass, noise cancellation will not be able to work at full strength, and the listening process itself will be accompanied by a constant feeling that the headphones are about to fall out.

But this is a feature of the in-ear form factor, which does not use any earbuds that would allow you to somehow adjust the fit. If you are one of those lucky ones to whom the geometry of FreeBuds 4 suits, then your headphones will play well. They are distinguished by a very accurate, but at the same time noticeable bass, which sounds quite advantageous in hip-hop, and in K-pop, and even in progressive rock with harsh drums.

Voices are reproduced very pleasantly, primarily female voices. Although FreeBuds 3 were distinguished by an unprecedented quality, sensual and lively reproduction of vocals, it is good that this sound feature has been preserved. Listening to the calm romantic ballads of Madonna is a pleasure.

In general, it turned out to be a rather multi-genre model. The only thing is that you should not include any multi-layered electronic music with too fast bass pounding. And it's probably best to stay away from the djent. On FreeBuds 4, this kind of music can turn into mush.

The operation of the noise cancellation system is noticeable primarily by noise: when you turn on the headphones, they begin to rustle a little. At the same time, the sounds of the outside world become quieter, but not enough. During the test, I almost always wanted to turn the volume up harder to help the system drown out the surrounding reality, but this was not enough. The gadget almost always worked at the maximum of its capabilities, so the battery was discharged faster, and the sound quality deteriorated: a whistle appeared, and the bass rolled into an unpleasant hoot.

Again, the effectiveness of noise canceling depends on the fit. In our case, for example, FreeBuds 4 coped well with the hum of buses, but the noise of old metro trains was too tough for them. Jingles in supermarkets, music in the gym - all these sounds were muffled, but not much.

Conversations and calls

The array of microphones used in Huawei FreeBuds 4 provides a fairly good voice transmission - the interlocutors do not complain about the quality, they hear well. The wind howling on the street does not interfere with the call: the headphones isolate them. There is no need to raise your voice in order to talk comfortably: the microphones pick up words without any problems at normal volume.

But it is worth turning off the noise canceling mode during calls. Apparently, it somehow conflicts with microphones for voice transmission and greatly degrades the quality - the voice becomes too deaf.

Autonomy

On a single charge with noise canceling on, the headphones, according to the manufacturer, will last up to 2.5 hours. In our case, they lived a little more than 2 hours, which is quite consistent with the specified parameters. Without damping noise, the operating time on a single charge increases to 4 hours - we got somewhere 3, 5.

The complete case allows you to recharge the accessory 4, 5 times - that is, together with the case, the headphones will work from 14 to 22 hours, depending on the mode of use.

If the gadget suddenly turns off, it's okay: there is a quick recharge function. 15 minutes of power from the outlet will give the headphones power for 2.5 hours of work.

Outcomes

The miracle did not happen: it was not possible to achieve adequate noise cancellation in the headphones without noise isolation. Yes, the outside world sounds quieter, but not enough to sacrifice more than a third of the battery. And the fact that noise reduction spoils voices during calls is very strange.

At the same time, Huawei FreeBuds 4 has a very pleasant sound - properly balanced, lively and involving into music. So if the in-ear form factor is right for you, then it is worth looking at this model precisely because of the audio characteristics.

If you are quite happy with in-ear models, then take a look at the Huawei FreeBuds Pro, which we recently tested. Thanks to their silicone tips, noise cancellation works many times more efficiently, and the sound is similar in character to FreeBuds 4, but differs in greater bass and saturation.