Huawei had a giant occasion in mid-September, the place the star of the present was the Watch GT4, however we additionally noticed the brand new Freebuds Professional 3 TWS earphones. We reviewed the smartwatch, and now we’re additionally prepared with the assessment of the brand new earphones.
We tried the Inexperienced earphones, which is the hero coloration within the present lineup. The paint job is new, however in any other case the Professional 3 look similar to their the predecessors, the Professional 2. For those who look nearer tiny variations begin to seem, however even Huawei itself says the actual adjustments are contained in the buds. And having spent a couple of weeks with the earphones we at the moment are able to share our impressions.
The case is ever so barely shorter than the earlier technology and general 4.5% smaller, with Huawei nonetheless written on a small reflective plate. There’s a small button on the facet for reset functions, whereas the buds sit comfortably inside. The case helps Qi wi-fi charging, however can be charged via the USB-C port on the underside.
Huawei modified the contact sensor on the stem and lowered the burden by 5% in comparison with the earlier technology. The contact space is now a tiny indentation, permitting gestures to really feel extra pure – no extra unnatural pinching. Software program-wise, nothing modified – you’ll be able to set options for one, two and three faucets whereas swiping up and down controls the quantity. The rubber suggestions hooked up are measurement M, and Huawei offers three different sizes for various kinds of ears.
Huawei Freebuds Professional 3 can join through Bluetooth to 2 units concurrently. We came upon that the swap between the 2 was unreliable when the units aren’t Huawei-branded.
Our exams included a Huawei smartphone, a Samsung smartphone, a Huawei pill, a Samsung pill, and a Bluetooth dongle for desktop PC. The Freebuds Professional 3 was having a significant challenge connecting to the desktop, dropping seemingly for no cause, even in the course of a music or video.
Connectivity to cellular units was barely higher, however nonetheless not perfect when two audio sources had been enjoying concurrently. On the upside so long as the Freebuds are used for listening to music on one gadget and take occasional calls (audio or video) on one other, twin pairing will work with out challenge.
There are additionally controls within the AI Life app, which it’s good to obtain from Huawei’s AppGallery to get the newest model. The Freebuds can robotically choose the popular gadget, however there’s a widget for Android and HarmonyOS to let customers management which audio supply to make use of even with out opening the app.
The buds themselves are pretty snug. There isn’t any sensible manner by which they are often put incorrectly within the ear, and whereas Huawei provides a tip match check, it merely validated our natual alternative with every measurement of suggestions.
The buds stayed in our reviewer’s ear on a regular basis, to the purpose of him forgetting they had been there. The stem can also be quick sufficient so it would not intrude with masks straps – sure, we at the moment are additionally testing with facial safety; welcome to the brand new regular.
Huawei additional improved the output of the Freebuds Professional 3, and for the third technology in a row, audio is extremely spectacular, whereas noise cancellation can also be usually improved.
Huawei’s buds really feel and sound as pure because it will get on this kind issue, greater than every other competitor we have examined. That is helped by Hello-Res audio streaming help via the LDAC (for supported Android telephones) and L2HC 2.0 (for Huawei units). Music simply sounds crisp with clear treble and well-defined bass that does not overpower the mid-tones.
Audio is well-balanced with all types of genres we tried, and whereas the Freebuds Professional 3 sound will not be the loudest in the marketplace, it’s positively among the many most correct.
Like most different premium buds today Huawei Freebuds Professional 3 have three microphones, enabling Energetic noise cancellation. There are 4 modes of noise canceling – Dynamic, which adjusts robotically based mostly on the environment, and three completely different energy toggles which you can manually choose.
The Consciousness mode, which lets exterior noises via comes with a brand new Voice Mode. For those who allow that it’s going to amplify voices, picked up by the mics. It could possibly be helpful in smaller places of work, however we don’t suggest utilizing this exterior, as a result of it might get loud and complicated.
Freebuds Professional 3 have the identical batteries because the earlier technology, with 580 mAh capability of the case and 55 mAh in every bud. We examined the battery life in all three modes and you’ll find the precise numbers within the desk beneath.
| Mode on a single cost | Marketed Playtime | Actual-life Playtime |
| Noise cancelling (Dynamic) | 4 hours | 215 minutes/ 3 hours 35 minutes |
| Off | 6.5 hours | 360 minutes/ 6 hours |
| Consciousness | N/A | 210 minutes/ 3h 30 min |
Clearly, the case has sufficient energy for practically 5 full recharges after accounting for charging losses, so you’ll be able to prolong the general endurance considerably. The typical charging of the buds was about 45 minutes – from 0% to 100%, which we don’t anticipate to occur usually in on a regular basis life.
The case with out the buds crammed in 70 minutes over a USB-C cable. Utilizing a wi-fi charger takes as much as three hours for the entire set to get from 0 to 100%.
Wrap-up
The Freebuds Professional 3 are undoubtedly the very best earphones Huawei has produced but. They’ve a number of the finest sound out there, nice design and competent noise canceling. You additionally get strong battery life with each wired and wi-fi charging help.
The €200/£180 worth is certainly not low, however you’re getting a no-compromise expertise and a few rivals to ship that value even greater. Extra so if you happen to contemplate numerous offers Huawei is operating – proper now you will get the Freebuds bundled with a Band 8 smartband for €20.
