Huawei FreeBuds Pro 3 Review: The most advanced TWS yet
Huawei FreeBuds Pro 3
Huawei FreeBuds Pro 3's blend of innovation, design, and audio excellence leaves us with an extraordinary listening experience that surpasses expectations.
Positive
- Awesome sound quality
- L2HC 2.0 + LDAC Codec
Negative
- Casing sustainable to stretches easily
- No L2HC 3.0 Support
When it comes to true wireless earbuds, the Huawei FreeBuds Pro 3 series stands out as a compelling option. Huawei has always pushed the envelope of technology in audio, as evident in their L2HC codec that upports up to lossless audio bit rates, isochronous dual-channel data transmission technology for two separate audio streams, and the famous Huawei’s collaboration with renowned audio expert, Deviolett.
Enter the Huawei FreeBuds Pro 3, Huawei’s statement to the world about their breakthrough in the field of TWS. Packed with every bell and whistle they can offer, the FreeBuds Pro 3 are here to amaze the world.
In this review, we’ll delve into what makes the FreeBuds Pro 3 so advanced. We’ll explore their design, build quality, technology, sound quality, and whether they live up to the expectations set by their features.
Design and Build:
Exterior
The Huawei FreeBuds Pro 3 make a strong first impression with their sleek and minimalist design. Available in Green, Silver Frost, and Ceramic White, these three colors are inspired by the natural world. Similar to the FreeBuds Pro 2, the charging case features a concealed hinge thay looks stylish and deliver durability.
We got the Ceramic White variant. While as elegant as this snowy beauty is, the plastic cover is unable to within the slightest abuse. Merely being placed in the pocket for the days we testing it, it already suffer from multiple micro scratches and some fine hairline cuts.
The earbuds’ design is largely the same as the FreeBuds Pro 1, but now there is a clear cavity for touch control on the side. This redesign provides good sensory feedback for touch control and a satisfying click sound when pressed.
The earbuds are rated at IP54 dust- and splash-resistance, making them suitable for workouts at the gym or unexpected rain. Huawei also includes four sizes of ear tips to ensure a secure fit.
Internal
Inside the earbuds is a co-axial driver design. The first driver is optimized with a Halbanch array magnets, a unique formation that improves speaker efficiency and allows for better control over sound generation, resulting in high transient response. This driver can produce sounds as high as 48kHz, offering an impressive listening experience, especially for trained audiophiles.
The second driver is an 11mm ultra magnet bass driver, delivering bass as low as 14 Hz. This goes beyond what most human ears can detect, providing a stronger and more impactful bass experience for the listener.
Huawei Freebuds Pro 3’s Edge: L2HC 2.0
The FreeBuds Pro 3 feature two distinct hi-res codecs: Sony’s LDAC and Huawei’s L2HC 2.0.
| LDAC | LHDC | L2HC 2.0 | L2HC 3.0 | |
| Maximum Bitrate (kbit/s) | 990 kbits/s | 900 kbits/s | 960 kbits/s | 1.41 Mbps |
| Max Sample rate | 192 kHz | 96 kHz | 96 kHz | 96 kHz |
| Bit Depth (bit) | 16, 24 | 16, 24 | 24bit | 24bit |
| Latency | 300 | 400 | ?? | ?? |
| Developed By | Sony | Huawei | Huawei | Huawei |
| Remark | Only available with Mate 60 and Mate X5 series |
The domestic version of FreeBuds Pro 3 actually features LCHC 3.0, the most advance Bluetooth codec in the world now on paper. It outputting 1.41 Mbps bitrate, higher than lossless Audio CD.
However, the LCHC 3.0 is only available when connected with Mate 60 and Mate X5 series. Otherwise, the FreeBuds Pro 3 will only output L2HC 2.0.
Huawei FreeBuds Pro 3 Sound Quality
Treble
While listening to Ren’s “Hi Ren” (Thanks Idris, an awesome song), the vibration of the strings and the zing of the acoustic guitar is incredibly lifelike, as if Ren is playing right in front of me.
In this song, Ren sang in two distinctive vocal styles: one with teen-like higher frequency and the other with a deeper mid-range. With the higher vocal, he sang in a way that almost reached the breaking point, creating a sense of craziness.
With a 48 kHz extension beyond the range of human hearing, it works wonders, allowing the vocals to fill the room without limitations. It’s a very pleasant experience, making you feel the emotions Ren conveys in the song.
Mid-tone:
The mid-tone of the FreeBuds 3 Pro is among the most well-layered I’ve heard in a TWS. In the orchestra of Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War, the vocalist’s voice does not get mix with the instruments. Instead, it hovers above them, taking the leading role in the entire orchestra. The mid-tones are carefully balanced, allowing them to be clear, expressive, and articulated but not overpowering the other instruments.
Bass
If you place your hand in front of a speaker during a bass-heavy attack, you can feel the air pushing against your hand. This air pressure is an indication of the driver’s capability to deliver powerful bass. This was one of the first things I noticed with the FreeBuds Pro 3. The air pressure it generates is unexpected for a small earbud like this. With these earbuds, bass isn’t just something you hear; it’s something you feel.
The earbuds deliver such powerful bass that it surprised me. Watching “Chad Smith Hears Thirty Seconds To Mars For The First Time” I couldn’t help but be impressed by the amount of bass I could feel.
Every hit of the drum is palpable, punchy, and full. The bass it produces is well-layered, with each level of the drum having distinctive characteristics. The double bass is rich in energy and depth. The FreeBuds Pro 3 brings an unexpected experience, as the positioning of the drums is projected accurately with great precision.
Noise cancellation
Huawei utilizes Pure Voice 2.0 noise cancellation technology for phone calls, which uses 4 microphones to build noise profile. This technology enhances sound quality and ensures distraction-free calling. During our test, the earbuds provided clean call quality even in a crowded mall.
These optimized Huawei FreeBuds Pro 3 provide a remarkable audio experience, making them a standout choice among true wireless earbuds.
Huawei FreeBuds Pro 3 Conclusion: You cannot miss this
In summary, the Huawei FreeBuds Pro 3 have undoubtedly earned their place among the best earbuds on the market. They offer an exceptional audio experience, seamlessly merging advanced technology with an elegant design.
The treble performance immerses users in a world of lifelike sound, while the finely layered mid-tones allow vocal elements to shine without overshadowing other instruments. What truly distinguishes these earbuds is their ability to deliver powerful and tactile bass, providing an unexpected level of connection between the listener and the music.
There are two noteworthy setbacks to consider. The minor being the charging case’s susceptibility to scratches, which may affect its long-term appearance. The major concern is that the local version of the Huawei FreeBuds Pro 3 lacks support for L2HC 3.0.
Despite these minor shortcomings, the Huawei FreeBuds Pro 3’s blend of innovation, design, and audio excellence leaves us with an extraordinary listening experience that surpasses expectations. So iIf you’re in the market for top-tier TWS earbuds, Huawei FreeBuds Pro 3 should unquestionably be at the top of your list.
