Key Takeaways
1. Affordable Option: The Huawei FreeArc earbuds are priced under £100, making them a budget-friendly choice for fitness enthusiasts compared to higher-priced models like the Powerbeats Pro 2.
2. Innovative Design: The earbuds feature a secure hook design and a 140º optimal triangle shape for stability during physical activities, marking a new design approach for Huawei’s open-ear models.
3. Comfort and Build Quality: Weighing only 8.9 grams, the FreeArc earbuds use a shape-memory alloy for flexibility and soft liquid silicone for enhanced comfort during extended wear.
4. Performance and Connectivity: With an IP57 rating for dust and water resistance, a dual-resonator antenna for extended connectivity, and advanced call noise cancellation, these earbuds prioritize performance, though they do not include Active Noise Cancellation.
5. Battery Life and Compatibility: Offering 7 hours of playback on a single charge and 28 hours with the charging case, the FreeArc supports dual Bluetooth connections and quick charging for convenience.
The Huawei FreeArc marks the latest entry in the open-ear earbud market from the well-known Chinese company, Huawei. Priced at less than half of the Powerbeats Pro 2, the FreeArc offers a more affordable option for fitness enthusiasts seeking reliable earbuds.
Innovative Design Features
While the FreeArc isn’t Huawei’s first attempt at open-ear earbuds, following the unique FreeClip launched in December 2023, it does bring new features to the table. The most notable addition is the hooks designed for a secure fit, a first for the brand’s open models. Huawei claims that the earbuds feature a 140º optimal triangle design that ensures stability and keeps them in place during physical activities.
Comfort and Build Quality
Each earbud weighs just 8.9 grams and sports an S-shaped curve that reduces pressure on the tragus while increasing contact area. The hooks are crafted from a shape-memory Nickel-Titanium alloy, making them both strong and flexible. To enhance comfort for longer wear, the earbuds are coated in soft liquid silicone.
Performance and Connectivity
The FreeArc earbuds are also Huawei’s inaugural model with an IP57 rating for dust and water resistance, though it’s important to note that this does not apply to the charging case. Each earbud is equipped with a highly-sensitive 17 × 12 mm driver unit and utilizes a reverse sound wave system to reduce sound leakage. Additionally, there are two microphones on each earbud, along with triple call noise cancellation for clear conversations.
Huawei claims that the FreeArc earbuds can maintain a connection of up to 400 meters in open areas, or 100m² in an office, courtesy of the dual-resonator antenna. They include touch controls for playback, call management, and volume adjustments. It’s worth mentioning that the FreeArc earbuds do not come with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), which is somewhat expected, and they lack an adaptive EQ. However, users can manually tweak the equalizer via a companion app.
Compatibility and Battery Life
These earbuds support SBC and AAC codecs, enabling simultaneous connection to two Bluetooth devices, along with Audio Sharing for users with Huawei phones or tablets. The battery life is impressive, offering 7 hours on a single charge and up to 28 hours when using the charging case. Although there’s no option for wireless charging, a quick 10-minute charge provides an impressive 3 hours of playback.
The Huawei FreeArc earbuds are available in Green, Grey, and Black. They can be purchased now in the UK for £99.99 and in Europe for €119.99, making them a more budget-friendly choice compared to the £119/€149 Nothing Ear (Open), which is listed on Amazon for $129.
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