Category: Audio

  • Samsung Galaxy Buds 3: Major Redesign Boosts Performance

    Samsung Galaxy Buds 3: Major Redesign Boosts Performance

    Samsung is rumored to be significantly redesigning the Galaxy Buds’ “kidney bean” shape with the forthcoming Galaxy Buds 3 series. According to a Korean publication, the new design will incorporate a stem, making the earbuds longer and giving the impression that the bean is sprouting.

    While the description remains somewhat unclear and no prototype images are available, the inclusion of a stem hints at a design similar to Apple’s AirPods.

    Possible Advantages of the Longer Design

    Samsung has maintained the same design since the initial release, and call quality has been considered subpar due to the microphone not being directly oriented towards the sound source. Incorporating a stem, similar to the AirPods, could facilitate improvements in this area.


    Samsung Galaxy Buds 3: Major Redesign Boosts Performance
  • OPPO Enco R3 Launched in China with AirPods-Like Design

    OPPO Enco R3 Launched in China with AirPods-Like Design

    Alongside the introduction of the Reno 12 smartphones and Enco Air 4 Pro, OPPO unveiled the Enco R3 TWS earphones. These earphones are a follow-up to last year's Enco R2 and come with several incremental improvements. The Enco R3 bears a striking resemblance to Apple's AirPods, providing an affordable option with all the necessary audio features. Here's a closer look at what the Enco R3 offers.

    OPPO Enco R3 specifications and features

    The OPPO Enco R3 shares the same design as Apple’s AirPods, featuring a stem and earbuds. They are IPX4-rated for dust and water resistance. The earphones include touch controls for various functions and support for Xiaobu’s assistant.

    On the audio side, the OPPO Enco R3 is equipped with a 13.4mm titanium-plated dynamic driver. These TWS earphones deliver Spatial sound effects for a more immersive experience. A single microphone with AI noise cancellation ensures clear call quality. Additionally, the Enco R3 offers a unique sound tuning called ‘Purple Galaxy’ to enhance vocals. For gamers, there is a low latency gaming mode. The audio device also includes a customized pop-up window specifically for Reno 12 series users.

    Battery Life and Pricing

    The OPPO Enco R3 is powered by a 480mAh battery, offering up to 35 hours of life. Each earbud contains a 32mAh cell, providing up to 5.5 hours of use on a single charge.

    Available in a White color, the OPPO Enco R3 is priced at CNY 299 (~$42) and will be available for purchase starting May 31.

  • Honor Earbuds A: 9-Hour Playback, Bluetooth 5.3, Only $19

    Honor Earbuds A: 9-Hour Playback, Bluetooth 5.3, Only $19

    Budget-conscious audiophiles, Honor has unveiled its new Honor Earbuds A, boasting impressive features at a wallet-friendly price. The Honor Earbuds A have been certified by the China Electronic Audio Industry Association’s “Golden Ear” program, ensuring they meet a high standard for sound quality. This is achieved through a combination of factors:

    • Built-in polymer titanium-plated diaphragm for crisp audio
    • Large 10mm dynamic unit for powerful bass
    • HiFi 5 DSP high-performance computing for clear and detailed sound
    • Four customizable sound effects (treble, bass, vocal, and original sound) to tailor your listening experience

    Comfortable Design and Long Battery Life

    The budget-friendly earbuds last for 9 hours on a single charge. These earbuds prioritize comfort with their lightweight design, weighing only 3.8 grams per ear. The semi-in-ear design ensures a secure and comfortable fit for extended listening sessions. Battery life is impressive too. The earbuds themselves offer 9 hours of playback on a single charge, and the charging case extends that to a total of 40 hours. Plus, a quick 10-minute charge provides enough juice for 3 hours of music playback.

    Seamless Connectivity and Smart Features

    The Honor Earbuds A integrate seamlessly with your mobile device thanks to Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity. They also offer intuitive touch controls for answering calls, managing music playback, and switching songs. For those who tend to misplace their earbuds, a handy “ringing search” function comes in clutch. By activating this feature through the companion app, you can make the earbuds emit a sound to help you locate them. The earbuds boast IP54 dust and water resistance, making them suitable for workouts or light rain. Built-in call noise reduction ensures clear communication during calls.

    The Honor Earbuds A are available for pre-order now, priced at just 129 yuan (approximately $19 USD). With its combination of impressive sound quality, comfortable design, long battery life, and smart features, the Honor Earbuds A offer a compelling option for budget-minded listeners.

  • Oppo Enco Air 4 Pro: 49dB Noise Cancellation, 44-Hour Battery Life

    Oppo Enco Air 4 Pro: 49dB Noise Cancellation, 44-Hour Battery Life

    Oppo has introduced the Enco Air 4 Pro true wireless earbuds, presenting a set of impressive features at an attractive price. Here’s a look at the key specifications.

    Key Features

    The Enco Air 4 Pro earbuds offer a maximum noise cancellation depth of 49dB, making them ideal for reducing distractions during activities like commuting, working out, or traveling. They come equipped with a three-microphone noise cancellation system that efficiently minimizes ambient noise across a frequency range of up to 4000Hz. Moreover, the earbuds incorporate an intelligent wind noise resistance algorithm, which reduces wind interference during calls even at speeds of up to 20km/h.

    Audio Quality and Customization

    Regarding sound quality, the earbuds are fitted with 12.4mm titanium-plated diaphragm drivers and hold a Hi-Res Audio Wireless certification, promising rich and detailed audio. They also support the LHDC 5.0 audio codec, which enhances the listening experience by transmitting audio data at a higher bitrate compared to standard codecs like SBC and AAC.

    For those wanting to customize their listening experience, the Enco Air 4 Pro offers various Enco Master sound tuning options.

    Battery Life and Connectivity

    Battery life is an important consideration for wireless earbuds. The Enco Air 4 Pro provides a total playtime of 44 hours with the charging case. With ANC turned off, users can get up to 12 hours of playtime from a single charge. The earbuds also feature fast charging, offering 4 hours of playback from just a 10-minute charge.

    They utilize the latest Bluetooth 5.4 protocol, ensuring a stable and reliable connection. Additionally, the earbuds feature low latency of 47ms, making them perfect for gaming or video playback.

    Design and Usability

    The Enco Air 4 Pro supports automatic connection when the charging case is opened and allows seamless switching between multiple devices with compatible Oppo or OnePlus phones running ColorOS 13.1 or later.

    Available in Dawn White and Night Shadow Grey, the earbuds sport a sleek design with a delicate matte texture and have an IP55 dust and water resistance rating, making them suitable for workouts or light rain.

    Pricing and Availability

    The Oppo Enco Air 4 Pro is available for pre-order in China at an introductory price of 269 Yuan (approximately $38). The earbuds are expected to launch in global markets soon, as indicated by their recent certification listings in Singapore and Malaysia.

  • Samsung Launches Furry Panda-Themed Fubao Case for Galaxy Buds

    Samsung Launches Furry Panda-Themed Fubao Case for Galaxy Buds

    Earlier this year, Samsung introduced a “Twin Bao” edition of the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro in South Korea. The company has now unveiled a new Panda-themed charging case for the Galaxy Buds FE, Galaxy Buds2 Pro, Galaxy Buds2, Galaxy Buds Pro, and Galaxy Buds Live. This design celebrates the birth of the giant panda “Fubao” and visually resembles the panda.

    Pricing and Availability

    This new case is priced at 44,000 won (approximately 233 Yuan or $32) and can be purchased from Samsung’s official website.

    The case comes in a “Furongji” (Fubao + Nourungji) color and features a furry texture along with plush panda ears, enhancing grip. Additionally, Samsung will release a limited edition “Galaxy Buds 2 Pro Fubao Set” for around 196,000 won (~1040 Yuan or $143) on their website.

    Previous Editions and Future Plans

    This isn't Samsung's first venture into thematic cases. The company earlier released the “Rui Bao” and “Hui Bao” cases for the Galaxy Buds series, which were also well-received.

    Samsung may also launch a “Galaxy Buds Panda Family Case Set” featuring Fubao, Ruibao, and Huibao cases with beautiful panda illustrations. This set will be priced at 129,800 won (~$95 or 688 Yuan) and will be available starting May 24 on the official website.

    Future thematic cases inspired by Disney movies might also be in the pipeline. We will provide updates as more information becomes available.

    Features of Galaxy Buds 2 Pro

    For those not familiar, the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro features a custom co-axial 2-way speaker, six high signal-to-noise ratio microphones for noise cancellation, Bluetooth 5.3, and IPX7 water resistance. The earbuds weigh 5.5 grams and offer up to 18 hours of battery life without Active Noise Cancellation (ANC).

  • Sennheiser Unveils Accentum TWS Earbuds with Hybrid ANC in China

    Sennheiser Unveils Accentum TWS Earbuds with Hybrid ANC in China

    Earlier this month, Sennheiser introduced the Accentum TWS earbuds to the global market, and now they have made their way to the Chinese market. Let’s delve into the key specifications of these earbuds.

    Sennheiser Accentum Specifications

    The Accentum earbuds are outfitted with 7mm TrueResponse dynamic drivers, which promise clear and detailed audio playback. Sennheiser’s acoustic expertise is further complemented by a five-band equalizer accessible via the Smart Control app. This feature allows users to customize the sound profile to their liking, ensuring a pleasant listening experience across various music genres.

    These TWS earbuds feature hybrid ANC technology that merges feedforward and feedback mechanisms to effectively suppress external noise, providing a distraction-free listening environment. Users can also switch to transparency mode to stay aware of their surroundings without needing to remove the earbuds.

    Sennheiser asserts that the Accentum earbuds are crafted for long-term comfort. Achieving a secure and comfortable fit is made possible through a partnership with Sonova, a hearing aid manufacturer. The earbuds offer up to 8 hours of playback on a single charge, which can be extended to 28 hours with the charging case. The case itself supports both USB-C wired charging and Qi wireless charging.

    Key Features and Connectivity

    The Accentum earbuds utilize Bluetooth 5.3 for a stable connection and support a variety of Bluetooth codecs, including SBC, AAC, aptX, and LC3. They are also future-ready, supporting the upcoming LE Audio standard for improved audio transmission efficiency and Auracast sharing (enabled through future firmware updates). Auracast allows users to connect to public audio broadcasts in specific locations like airports or train stations.

    Boasting an IP54 rating for dust and sweat resistance, the Accentum earbuds are suitable for workouts or light rain. The Smart Control app offers additional functionalities like FitTest to ensure a proper fit for optimal sound quality and customizable sound modes.

    Availability and Pricing

    The Sennheiser Accentum true wireless earbuds can now be purchased in China on JD.com for 1399 yuan (approximately $193).


  • Baseus Bass 35 Max Headphones: 40mm Drivers, 65hrs Playtime

    Baseus Bass 35 Max Headphones: 40mm Drivers, 65hrs Playtime

    Chinese tech accessory manufacturer Baseus has introduced a new set of over-ear Bluetooth headphones, the Baseus Bass 35 Max. These headphones emphasize long battery life and affordability, making them an attractive choice for cost-conscious listeners who seek powerful bass and immersive sound experiences.

    Baseus Bass 35 Max Specifications:

    The Bass 35 Max sports a conventional over-ear design with fully enclosed earcups that provide passive noise isolation. The earcups are well-padded with memory foam, ensuring comfort even for individuals who wear glasses.

    The adjustable headband is designed to fit various head shapes, and the headphones can be folded for convenient portability. Despite the plush padding, the headphones are relatively light, weighing just 234.5 grams.

    Internally, the Bass 35 Max is equipped with 40mm dynamic drivers, promising clear and detailed audio output. Bass enthusiasts will enjoy Baseus’ Bass Enhancement Technology, which can be activated by triple-clicking the multi-function button. The headphones also feature dual microphones with noise reduction capabilities, ensuring clear voice calls even in loud environments.

    Impressive Battery Life

    Regarding battery life, Baseus claims the headphones can provide up to 65 hours of playback on a single charge at 70% volume. This makes them perfect for long commutes, road trips, or extended gaming sessions without the need to worry about battery depletion. The built-in 600mAh battery supports this extensive playtime and can be fully recharged in approximately 2 hours using the included Type-C cable.

    Connectivity and Sound Features

    The headphones utilize Bluetooth 5.3 for connectivity, offering a stable and reliable connection with minimal latency. Additionally, the headphones feature 360-degree spatial surround sound effects, designed to create a more immersive listening experience, particularly when watching movies or playing games.

    The Baseus Bass 35 Max is available in two classic color options: Star White and Cold Mountain Gray. They are currently listed for purchase on JD.com at an affordable price of 123 yuan (approximately $17).

  • OnePlus Nord Buds 3r spotted at FCC: New budget TWS earbuds coming

    OnePlus Nord Buds 3r spotted at FCC: New budget TWS earbuds coming

    OnePlus is preparing to introduce a new Nord Buds 3 model to the market shortly. While we've seen it through certifications and leaks, a recent certification has disclosed that a Nord Buds 3r TWS is also in development. This seems to be another budget-friendly earbud option, so here’s what we know so far.

    OnePlus Nord Buds 3r Appears on FCC

    The Chinese company's Nord Buds 3 was earlier spotted on the BIS certification, and its complete design was shown through CAD renders. However, it's not the only new Nord Buds model, as the Nord Buds 3r was just found on the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) database, bearing the E511A model number. The FCC listing confirmed that the Nord Buds 3r will feature a 58mAh battery, which is significantly larger than the previous generation Nord Buds 2r’s 36mAh battery.

    Battery Specifications

    Conversely, the charging case of the TWS will house a 440mAh battery pack, which is around 40mAh smaller than the earlier model. The earbuds themselves carry the 112570 model number, while the charging case is labeled with the 761832-B1 model number. These battery specifications suggest that the earbuds will have an extended battery life without needing frequent recharges in the case.

    Regrettably, more detailed information such as specifications, pricing, and design remains unclear at this point. However, it is possible that these earbuds will be launched alongside the Nord Buds 3 model. Additionally, OnePlus is also developing the Nord 4 smartphone model, which might be introduced along with these mid-range earbuds.

  • boAt Nirvana Zenith earbuds launch in India: 50dB ANC, Dolby Audio

    boAt Nirvana Zenith earbuds launch in India: 50dB ANC, Dolby Audio

    boAt has recently launched a new TWS earbuds model in India. The Nirvana Zenith is set to go on sale later this week. Ahead of its release, the earbuds' specifications, features, and pricing have been disclosed. Let's delve into the details.

    boAt Nirvana Zenith Specs

    The company's latest teaser has revealed all the significant details about the earbuds. They are equipped with 11mm deep bass audio drivers that deliver Hi-Fi audio and Dolby Audio for an enhanced listening experience. The earbuds feature a dual-core processor and support Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity. Additionally, they offer ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) up to 50 decibels. For improved call quality, the earbuds come with 6 microphones integrated with AI ENCx technology.

    The boAt Adaptive EQ, powered by Mimi, makes a comeback. The device can last up to 50 hours with a charging case on a single full charge. A quick 5-minute charge can provide 1 hour of audio playback. Other notable features include IPX5 water resistance, Google Fast Pair, multi-device connection, and in-ear detection.

    Pricing and Availability

    The boAt Nirvana Zenith TWS is available in two color options, both featuring a dual-tone design: Cream with Pink and Black with Silver. These earbuds are listed on Amazon and Flipkart at a price of 3,999 INR. The first sale is scheduled to go live in India on 24th May 2024. This launch closely follows the recent announcement of the Airdopes 800 by the brand.

  • Realme Buds Air6 with 50dB ANC, Hi-Res Audio Launched in India

    Realme Buds Air6 with 50dB ANC, Hi-Res Audio Launched in India

    Realme introduced the GT 6T smartphone in India earlier today. Alongside the new smartphone, the brand also unveiled a new pair of TWS earphones called the Realme Buds Air6. These earphones are the successors to the Buds Air 5 and bring incremental upgrades. They compete with other products in the market such as the Redmi Buds 5 and OnePlus Buds 3.

    Realme Buds Air6 specifications and features

    The Realme Buds Air6 maintain the same design as their predecessor, featuring a stem and slightly angled earbuds with silicone ear tips. The device is IP55-certified for water resistance and supports smart touch controls for various functionalities.

    In terms of audio quality, the Realme Buds Air6 are equipped with a 12.4mm mega titanizing driver and dynamic bass boost for rich and clear bass. The TWS earphones are Hi-Res Wireless audio certified and support LHDC 5.0 audio decoding to ensure high-quality sound during streaming. They feature 50dB active noise cancellation and intelligent adaptive noise cancellation that adjusts to the surrounding environment. Each earbud includes three microphones to ensure clear call quality. Additionally, there is a 55ms low latency mode.

    The Realme Buds Air6 are claimed to offer up to 40 hours of battery life, with the earbuds providing 10 hours of usage with ANC turned off. The earphones also support Google Fast Pair.

    Available in Flame Silver and Forest Green color options, the Realme Buds Air6 are priced at Rs 3,299. However, they will be available at a special launch price of Rs 2,999 from May 27 to May 29. The earphones can be purchased from Amazon and the brand’s website.