Premium sound and design at a price that undercuts the obvious choice
In the ongoing negotiation between quality and cost that defines the premium audio market, Huawei has introduced the FreeBuds Pro 4 — earbuds priced at roughly $208 that quietly challenge the assumption that excellence must come at Apple's price. Released in late 2024 and available across Europe, Asia, and the United States, they represent a familiar human pursuit: the desire to access beauty and refinement without surrendering more than necessary. The trade-offs are real but modest, and for most listeners, the value proposition is difficult to dismiss.
- At $208 versus Apple's $250, the FreeBuds Pro 4 apply direct pressure to the premium earbuds market by offering comparable audio quality at a meaningfully lower price.
- A shifting sound profile tied to ANC modes and noticeable gaming latency introduce friction for users who expect seamless, consistent performance across all use cases.
- Huawei counters these limitations with a deeply flexible control scheme, thoughtful context-aware switching between modes, and 33 total hours of battery life that matches or exceeds key rivals.
- The best features — spatial audio, the L2HC 4.0 codec at full potential — remain locked behind Huawei device ownership, narrowing the ceiling for users in the broader Android or cross-platform ecosystem.
- For music listeners and everyday users, the FreeBuds Pro 4 are landing as a credible premium alternative; for gamers and ANC purists, the gap to class leaders remains real.
Huawei's FreeBuds Pro 4 arrive at 199 euros — around $208 — sitting well below Apple's AirPods Pro 2, which command 280 euros in Europe and $250 in the US. For shoppers in the premium earbuds category, that gap is hard to ignore.
The earbuds follow Huawei's established formula of refinement over reinvention. New additions include the L2HC 4.0 audio codec capable of bitrates up to 2.3 megabits per second, and a head-gesture control feature for answering or rejecting calls. The design feels genuinely premium — the black and gold model in particular carries an understated luxury, and the case closes with a satisfying snap. Multiple ear tip sizes and materials help most users find a comfortable fit.
Sound quality is the FreeBuds Pro 4's strongest argument. The audio is detailed and punchy, though listeners should know that the sound profile shifts noticeably between ANC on, off, and awareness modes — becoming bassier with noise cancellation active. An EQ app and, for Huawei phone owners, spatial audio add further customization, though these refinements will be imperceptible to most streaming listeners.
Controls are extensive — pinch, double-tap, triple-tap, swipe — and the earbuds switch intelligently between modes depending on whether one or both are worn. Battery life holds up well: seven hours from the buds alone with ANC off, stretching to 33 hours total with the case, competitive with Apple's figures especially when accounting for the case capacity.
The ANC is capable for daily use but falls short of the AirPods Pro 2's isolation in demanding environments. Gaming latency is also a real limitation. But for music listeners and general users who want premium design and audio without paying Apple's premium, the FreeBuds Pro 4 make a compelling, honest case.
Huawei has released a new set of wireless earbuds that manage to feel expensive while costing considerably less than their most obvious competitor. The FreeBuds Pro 4, priced at 199 euros—roughly $208—sit comfortably below Apple's AirPods Pro 2, which sell for 280 euros in Europe and $250 in the United States. For anyone shopping in that premium earbuds category, the gap matters.
The FreeBuds Pro 4 are the latest addition to Huawei's long-running line, and they follow a familiar formula: take what worked before, refine the details, add a few new tricks. This time around, Huawei included their L2HC 4.0 audio codec, which can handle bitrates up to 2.3 megabits per second, and a head control feature that lets you answer or reject calls by nodding or shaking your head. The design has been slightly reworked, and the overall experience feels more polished than its predecessor. The black and gold model in particular carries a certain understated luxury—the case snaps shut with a satisfying click, and the whole package has genuine heft to it. The Huawei branding on the stems is perhaps a touch aggressive, but the included ear tips come in multiple sizes and materials, giving most users options for a comfortable fit.
Sound quality is where these earbuds make their case. They deliver what amounts to some of the best audio you'll get from a pair of wireless earbuds, with a detailed, punchy character that rewards careful listening. But there's a quirk worth understanding: the sound profile shifts noticeably depending on whether you have active noise cancellation on, off, or set to awareness mode. With ANC disabled, they sound fine and you get longer battery life. Switch to ANC or awareness mode and they become noticeably bassier, which may or may not suit your taste. The app includes EQ presets to dial things in, and Huawei phones unlock additional features like spatial audio. For most people listening to compressed music on streaming services, these refinements won't make an audible difference, but the option exists for those who care. One oddity: when you switch between modes, the earbuds take a moment to adapt, so it's worth giving them a second or two rather than flipping settings constantly.
The control scheme is genuinely flexible. You can pinch the stem, double-tap it, triple-tap it, pinch and hold, or swipe up and down to control volume. It's a lot of options, and they work, though the small size of the earbuds means you'll need a bit of practice to hit the right gesture reliably. The earbuds are also smart about context: put both in and they default to noise cancellation; wear just one and they automatically switch to awareness mode so you can hear your surroundings. That's thoughtful design.
Battery life is solid. With ANC off, you get seven hours of continuous listening from the buds alone, stretching to 33 hours total with the charging case. Turn ANC on and those numbers drop to five hours and 23 hours respectively. Apple's AirPods Pro 2 manage seven hours with ANC off and six hours with it on, so the FreeBuds Pro 4 hold their own, especially when you factor in the case.
The active noise cancellation itself is competent but not class-leading. It reduces ambient noise effectively enough for everyday use, but it won't isolate you from nearby conversation the way AirPods Pro 2 can. If you're a serious gamer, there's another limitation: noticeable audio latency when playing games, even at the faster connection setting. For video watching, it's not an issue. For music listening, these are genuinely excellent.
The FreeBuds Pro 4 are available widely in Europe and Asia, and should be easy to find on Amazon for US buyers. They're built for people who want something more upmarket than budget options but don't want to pay Apple's premium. At $208, they represent an aggressive price point for what you're getting—a premium design, extensive customization, and audio quality that stands up to much more expensive alternatives. The trade-offs are real: weaker ANC than the best in class, gaming latency, and the best features only unlocking if you own a Huawei phone. But for music listeners and general users, they make a compelling case.
Notable Quotes
They deliver superb audio quality—one of the best earphones around for music listening, with a detailed, punchy and energetic tone.— Reviewer assessment
The ANC is good enough to reduce ambient noises, but will by no means allow you to isolate yourself from the environment.— Reviewer assessment of noise cancellation capability
The Hearth Conversation Another angle on the story
Why does the sound change so much between the different noise cancellation modes?
That's the question I kept coming back to. When ANC is off, they sound balanced and clean. But flip it on or switch to awareness mode and suddenly there's this pronounced bass boost. It's like the earbuds are tuned differently depending on what they're doing. I'm not entirely sure if it's an intentional design choice or some kind of algorithm adapting to the mode, but it means you really do have to experiment to find what sounds right to you.
So if you're someone who switches between modes a lot, that could get annoying?
Absolutely. And there's another thing—when you do switch, the buds take a moment to adapt. Not long, just a second or two, but you notice it. So if you're the type to constantly tweak your settings, you'll want to be patient with them.
The price is the big story here, right? How does $208 actually stack up against what you're getting?
It's genuinely aggressive pricing. You're getting a premium design that feels expensive, excellent sound for music, solid battery life, and a ton of customization options. The AirPods Pro 2 cost $250 and don't necessarily sound better for music. The FreeBuds Pro 4 are betting that most people will choose based on value, not brand loyalty.
But there are real limitations?
Gaming is a non-starter if that matters to you. The latency is pronounced. And the noise cancellation, while good enough for everyday use, doesn't match what Apple does. If you're someone who relies on ANC to completely shut out the world, these won't do it. They're best for people who want great music playback and don't need to play games through their earbuds.
What about the design? Does it actually feel premium?
Yes, genuinely. The case has real weight and snaps shut satisfyingly. The black and gold model looks classy. The only misstep is the Huawei logo plastered on the stems—it's a bit much for something you wear in your ears. But overall, they punch above their price point in terms of how they feel in your hands.