The HUAWEI FreeBuds 7i Review: Unbeatable Value?
HUAWEI FreeBuds 7i
The HUAWEI FreeBuds 7i deliver an undeniable premium experience for a fraction of the cost. Get yours today!
Positives
- Supports high-end, near-lossless audio codecs (LDAC, L2HC 2.0) which is rare at this price point.
- Excellent soundstage offering a spacious, stage-like listening experience.
- Superior vocal clarity, particularly in the mid-range.
- Effective Intelligent Dynamic ANC 4.0 system for the price.
- Exceptional battery life (up to 35 hours total).
- Matte charging case resists fingerprints.
- Includes a bone conduction mic for better call clarity.
Negatives
- Bass lacks deep sub-bass "punch."
- The IP54 rating only applies to the earbuds, not the charging case.
- Connectivity features like Proximity Pairing and Audio Sharing require specific Huawei/EMUI devices.
The entry-level earbud market is crowded, but Huawei is making a strong statement. The HUAWEI FreeBuds 7i aim to deliver high-end features at a budget-friendly price. But do they succeed?
We spent time with these new earbuds to see if they live up to the hype. This review dives into the build, audio quality, and features of the HUAWEI FreeBuds 7i, which may just be the new price-to-performance champion.
Overview: Design and Build
Build and Feel
Let’s start with the look and feel. The HUAWEI FreeBuds 7i are available in three chic Morandi colours: Pink, White, and Black. We tested the Black version, which features a matte surface. This is a smart choice, as it completely resists fingerprints and offers a touch of understated elegance.
The charging case is designed to be palm-sized. It feels buttery smooth and premium in the hand. Huawei tweaked the design this year, opting for a rounder shape compared to the oval case of its predecessor.
In terms of size, the earbuds are compact. Each bud weighs just 5.4g (31.9 x 21.0 x 24.6 mm). The charging case is also light at 36.5g (57.8 x 57.8 x 27.8 mm), making the entire package incredibly pocketable.
The earbuds themselves use a classic stem design with in-ear silicone tips. The handles are streamlined, making them easy to grip. To ensure a good seal, the HUAWEI FreeBuds 7i come with four sizes of ear tips (XS, S, M, and L). The medium pair is attached by default, so you can find your perfect fit right out of the box.
Durability
What about durability? The HUAWEI FreeBuds 7i earbuds are rated IP54 for dust and water resistance. This means they can easily handle sweat during a workout or a light rain shower.
It’s important to note, however, that this IP54 rating only applies to the earbuds. The charging case is not water-resistant, so you’ll want to keep it dry.
Drivers
Inside each earbud, the HUAWEI FreeBuds 7i packs a single 11mm quad-magnet dynamic driver. Huawei emphasizes that this driver is engineered to unlock lifelike vocals and deep textures.
The tuning aims for a studio-grade, natural balance, which Huawei claims is an improvement over previous models. The frequency response range is specified from 20 Hz to 40 kHz. If the default sound isn’t for you, the audio can be customized using a 10-band EQ and personalized audio styles in the app.
Audio Quality
High-End Codecs
This is where things get interesting for the HUAWEI FreeBuds 7i. They support standard SBC and AAC codecs, but they also include L2HC 2.0 and LDAC.
This is genuinely surprising. L2HC and LDAC are high-end, near-lossless codecs often reserved for expensive, hi-fi level gear. With Hi-Res Audio certification and support for up to 990 kbps (LDAC), these buds are built for high-quality streaming.
Listening Experience
So, how do those fancy drivers and codecs actually sound? We broke down the listening experience for this HUAWEI FreeBuds 7i review.
Treble The treble is very crispy and agile. It’s well-defined and has plenty of headroom. On fast-paced, treble-heavy songs like “Triangle” by Maaya Sakamoto, the audio feels like it’s flying. The joy and energy of the track are delivered with little effort.
Mid The mids are the most stand-out frequency. Vocals are superior, especially male vocals. They are well-defined with clear layering and don’t get mixed up with other frequencies. In “One Headlight” by The Wallflowers, the main vocal plays beautifully with the melody, avoiding that muddy, fatiguing sound.
Bass The bass is present, but it’s not overpowering. If you’re looking for a deep, sub-bass punch, you won’t find it here. However, the bass it does deliver is smooth, detailed, and well-defined. The 40 kHz frequency limit is understandable, as the deepest bass just rolls off. This makes the HUAWEI FreeBuds 7i more suitable for complex audio, like a symphony or the “Hoist the Colours (Bass Singers Version)”.
Soundstage This might be the main reason to buy these earbuds. The soundstage is very good when the track allows for it. Listening to “Zankoku na Tenshi no Thesis” by Yoko Takahashi was one of the better experiences I’ve had on an earbud. The vocal was free from the busy melody, creating a true “stage-like” listening experience.
Noise Cancellation
The HUAWEI FreeBuds 7i are equipped with an advanced system called Intelligent Dynamic ANC 4.0. This updated algorithm claims an average noise cancellation depth of 28 dB across a wide frequency range.
Huawei states this new system is 30% more effective in frequency bands sensitive to human ears compared to the FreeBuds 6i. The algorithm is also faster, with a 0.5-second response time. The cancellation is among the more visible we experienced, and at this price point I would consider this as a steal.
For call clarity, the hardware is impressive. The HUAWEI FreeBuds 7i uses three standard microphones plus a new bone conduction mic. This setup powers an AI call noise cancellation system, using a DNN algorithm to pick up your voice clearly, even in noisy or windy conditions. You also get Awareness and Voice modes. You can switch between these by using a simple touch-and-hold gesture. This ANC is highly effective for common loud environments, creating serene moments in a café or on a noisy metro commute.
Performance and Connectivity
Connectivity
The HUAWEI FreeBuds 7i pairs over the latest Bluetooth 5.4. This provides a stable and efficient connection.
A key feature is the support for simultaneous dual-device connection. You can connect to two devices at once and switch between them seamlessly.
If you have a Huawei phone (EMUI 10.0 or later), you also get Proximity Pairing. Just open the case, and a pop-up appears on your phone to connect. Audio Sharing with another pair of earbuds is also available on EMUI 13.0 or later.
I was, however, a little disappointed that Huawei Nearlink isn’t supported. While it’s similar to Bluetooth, the convenience of that near-field pop-up pairing is a feature I enjoy.
Battery Life
Battery life is a strong suit for the HUAWEI FreeBuds 7i. Each earbud holds 55 mAh, with a large 510 mAh battery in the charging case.
Charging is done via a USB-C cable. The earbuds take about 40 minutes to charge inside the case, while the case itself takes about 1 hour to charge.
Fast charging is also supported. A quick 10-minute charge can give you up to 4 hours of listening time.
As for longevity, the HUAWEI FreeBuds 7i offers 8 hours of playback with ANC disabled and 5 hours with ANC enabled. With the case, you get a total of 35 hours (ANC off) or 20 hours (ANC on). These are very solid numbers.
Conclusion: Our Final Verdict
Priced at just RM329, the HUAWEI FreeBuds 7i is a perfect choice for anyone who enjoys treble-heavy and vocal-forward music.
The combination of Hi-Res audio codecs like LDAC, a fantastic soundstage, and strong ANC at this price point is rare. When you add the premium build and excellent battery life, the value is undeniable.
If you’re looking for new earbuds that punch way above their price tag, you simply can’t go wrong with this purchase.
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