At the end of the year, at an event in Dubai, Huawei unveiled earphones in a new format for them – “Open Wireless Stereo.” They are called Huawei FreeClip and have, to put it mildly, a peculiar look. Last spring, I tested the FreeBuds 5 and claimed that these were very strange-looking earphones, but the FreeClip has surpassed them. Well, let’s take a closer look at this novelty.
Huawei FreeClip Specifications
- Connection: Bluetooth 5.3 A2DP 1.3, simultaneous connection to two devices
- Codecs: SBC, AAC, L2HC 3.0 (only in Huawei phones)
- Batteries: case 510 mAh, earphones 55 mAh; full earphones charging in the case takes about 40 minutes, 10 minutes of charging = 3 hours of listening; full case charging without earphones inside takes about 60 minutes, and in wireless mode – approximately 150 minutes.
- Battery life: about 8 hours (36 hours, including charging in the case) Frequency range: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
- Sensor: 10.86 mm with dual magnets
- Microphones: two microphones + bone conduction sensor (in each earbud)
- Dimensions and weight: headphones 26.7×22.0×25.3 mm, 5.6 g; case 59.70×51.95×27.35 mm, 45.5 g
- Dust and moisture protection: IP54
Read also: HUAWEI FreeBuds SE 2 Wireless Headphones Review
Format, positioning and price
FreeClip is the first headset in the OWS (Open Wireless Stereo) format, also known as Open-Ear or Air Conduction. This format is relatively young and is distinguished by the fact that the headphones do not block the user’s ear canal, meaning all ambient sounds are audible as if there were no headphones. Who is this important for? Well, for example, for people who engage in outdoor sports, ride bicycles, or rollerblade. In theory, it’s also suitable for office workers or young parents who want to take care of household chores while being aware of what their children are doing.
Yes, there are in-ear headphones that also do not lead to the “plugging” effect, but nonetheless, they partially cover the ear canal. There are also bone conduction headphones where there are no traditional speakers (and they don’t fit into the ear canal), but these headphones have a frame connecting them, which may not be comfortable for everyone. Besides, there are questions about the sound quality in bone conduction headphones.
So, the Open-Ear format emerged, where speakers are still present, and the sound is transmitted not through bones but through the air (hence air conduction), but in a specifically directed manner. There aren’t many such headphones, with the most popular probably being Shokz OpenFit and JBL Soundgear Sense, along with a few analogs from lesser-known brands (a selection of gadgets on this topic). Another option is the Sony Linkbuds, which we once tested. However, the Huawei FreeClip stands out, perhaps, due to its most whimsical design.
As for the manufacturer’s lineup, Huawei decided to position the FreeClip alongside their flagship FreeBuds Pro 3 (our test here) and priced the new product at $250. In our modest opinion, this is a bit of an overstatement, as such a price significantly reduces the number of potential buyers. But let’s get acquainted with the new headphones more closely to make more informed conclusions in the end.
Read also: Samsung Galaxy Buds FE Review: Most Affordable TWS Earbuds from Company
Package contents
In the standard cardboard box, besides the headphones, you’ll find a short USB-A to USB-C cable and a quick start guide.
Huawei FreeClip Design
When I first saw the headphones at the presentation, they reminded me of a certain adult toy (excuse me). And not for the first time, with FreeBuds 5, we also compared them to a Satisfier in a review. Well, associations vary for everyone, but one thing can be said for sure — the headphones grab attention.
But let’s start with the case. It’s oval, slightly elongated in height compared to the FreeBuds Pro 3 case. Made of a pleasant-to-touch matte plastic that doesn’t scratch easily (judging from the long experience with FreeBuds).
The case features a button for pairing mode activation, a charge level indicator light, and a Type-C port surrounded by a metal rim.
In the open position, the LED on the case indicates the earbuds’ charge. If the earbuds are removed or the case is closed, it shows the case’s charge level. It can display green (75% and above), yellow (25% to 75% charge), or red (less than 25%).
Huawei FreeClip is available in two colors – metallic gray, known from the FreeBuds series, and purple. We are testing the purple variant, a delicate shade that may vary slightly under different lighting conditions. I believe this option would be suitable for girls.
Describing the external appearance of the earphones is difficult in words; it’s easier to illustrate with photos.
Huawei compares them to ear clips, and the design consists of three parts:
- Acoustic Ball that fits into the ear
- External part containing microphones and batteries, which sits behind the earlobe (Comfort Bean)
- Elastic connector (C-bridge).
The manufacturer assures that the C-bridge is made of a nickel-titanium alloy (with a silicone-like coating on top) and can withstand any load. It is flexible, and you can easily bend it without causing any damage.
The earphones are made of glossy plastic, and a similar concern exists as with the FreeBuds models – the material tends to get dirty from skin contact and doesn’t have a very presentable appearance.
There’s no distinction between the left and right earphones – you can place them in the case as you like, and they adjust the audio channels automatically when in the ears.
I’ll show you how Huawei FreeClip looks on the ears. These are not just earphones but also an accessory; they definitely stand out against regular buds, and the ring-shaped bracket catches the eye.
Whether it looks beautiful or not is a matter of personal preference. I can say that I like these earphones on myself and other girls, but among men, they have a divisive appearance. There are men who wear piercings, earrings, and other jewelry, and maybe they will like it, but it’s definitely not a one-size-fits-all option.
To conclude this section, I’ll add that Huawei FreeClip is water-resistant according to the IP54 standard. You don’t need to intentionally wet or wash them under the tap, but they can withstand accidental water droplets, sweat, or light rain. However, be cautious with the case, as it doesn’t have water protection.
Read also: Introduction to Huawei Watch Ultimate Design: 18-carat gold and $3000
Ergonomics and convenience
Huawei claims to have analyzed over 300,000 ears to create the perfect form factor for the FreeClip. They recommend FreeClip for those who find regular TWS earphones uncomfortable for some reason.
Whether FreeClip is comfortable is difficult to determine unequivocally. People are different, and so are their ears. It’s essential to try them out and draw your conclusions. I can’t speak for everyone, but I can share my experience—I find the earphones comfortable in my ears; they are lightweight (5 grams each), and I don’t feel them. Although putting on such “clips” was initially challenging for me as I didn’t understand how to approach them. The sound quality depends on how you wear the earphones. However, this is a matter of practice and habit.
It’s important to understand that with FreeClip, you have not only the round capsule in your ears but also an additional part on the back of your ear. Some people might find such an ergonomic format inconvenient. However, personally, I got used to it, and I quickly stopped noticing the unusual construction.
Another point to consider – it’s currently winter, and I wear a hat. The protruding rings are simply inconvenient in this situation; they even cause some discomfort. Moreover, the hat can fit differently around the ears, requiring constant adjustments to ensure proper sound, sometimes causing them to switch almost to mono mode.
Overall, the impressions are mixed. In my personal opinion, Huawei FreeClip cannot be the primary earphones. They are more of an additional option for people who run, train, or cycle. The open format and clip design come in handy here – the earphones hang on the ears securely and won’t just fall off. Additionally, there are no ear supports or attachments typically found in sports-oriented earphones, which can cause discomfort. However, if you consider them as earphones specifically for sports – in my view, FreeClip comes at too high a price for this purpose.
Additionally, Huawei FreeClip could be suitable earphones for people for whom all other earbuds simply don’t stay in their ears. For instance, my son constantly loses earphones, and these would solve that issue. However, a new challenge arose – he mentioned that he wouldn’t wear these “earrings”.
Read also: HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro 3 flagship headphones review
Pairing, use, control
As in other Huawei earphones, users have two connection options – through Bluetooth settings on the phone or via the Huawei AI Life app.
In the first case, it’s straightforward. You open the case, press the button on the side for a few seconds until the indicator starts blinking, and then search for the desired model in the list of available Bluetooth devices. However, this simplified method doesn’t allow you to use all the features of the earphones, so I recommend installing the Huawei AI Life app (the Android version needs to be downloaded from the Huawei website).
The app provides several useful settings and information. For example, you can check the battery levels of the earphones and the case, locate the earphones (they will emit a sound signal, and if you’re using a Huawei smartphone, you can see their location on the map), enable auto-pause when taking them out of the ear, low-latency mode for players, and software updates. There’s also an “additional volume” option (volume higher than the system limit), but keep in mind that it may affect the sound quality.
There are ready-made presets, but unfortunately, there is no equalizer, as in other Huawei headphones.
The implementation of gestures is a bit disappointing. For example, there is no option to adjust the volume. I understand that it can be challenging to implement in the FreeClip format, but it’s very inconvenient – you have to look for your phone to adjust the volume.
The Huawei FreeClip is controlled by gentle “tapping” on the earbuds. Single-tap is not an option, as it would lead to numerous errors during adjustment. Double-tapping on each earbud allows you to answer a call, and for both the right and left, you can choose from several options (play/pause, next song, previous song, voice assistant, or nothing). There is also the option to switch tracks with a triple tap.
A pleasant feature of the Huawei FreeClip is that they work with two devices simultaneously and seamlessly switch between them. Initially, I connected the earbuds to both my smartphone and laptop, and then everything happened automatically. For example, if I received a call on my smartphone while watching a video on my laptop, the earbuds would switch to the smartphone. When I resumed the video after the call, I could already hear the sound from the laptop.
This way, you won’t have to do it manually and turn off Bluetooth on your phone to prevent the device from trying to connect to the earbuds. This feature works with any operating system – iOS, Mac OS, Windows, Android. It’s very convenient!
Read also: Realme Buds Air 5 Pro review: I would have paid more!
Sound quality
Well, let’s get to the most interesting part. How do these unique Open-Ear headphones sound? I’ll reiterate that the sound is transmitted conventionally through the air. However, the “droplets” of the earbuds do not block the ear canal. Indeed, whether in headphones with or without these “droplets,” there is no difference. The sound is cleverly engineered and directed.
Can quality sound be achieved in this format? Yes, it can. However, it all depends on what you consider to be quality sound. Personally, I expected less from headphones in this format. Nevertheless, the sound turned out to be clear, crisp, deep, and immersive. It lacks bass, but it’s challenging to implement in this format. Also, attention should be paid to the positioning of the earbuds in the ears, as I mentioned earlier; even a hat can affect sound propagation.
In any case, there is no sense in comparing Huawei FreeClip and FreeBuds Pro 3, even if they cost the same. FreeBuds Pro is a top-tier model aimed at enthusiasts of quality sound, equipped with superior codecs, so the quality difference is night and day. If high sound quality is important to you, then Open-Ear headphones are definitely not for you. Although they sound more pleasant than counterparts with bone conduction.
In my opinion, the sound is quite okay for headphones targeted at sporty and active individuals. While climbing a mountain and sweating, you’re unlikely to pay attention to the width of the soundstage; instead, you’re probably listening for a rhythmic beat or podcasts/audiobooks. However, once again, Huawei headphones for such purposes turned out to be on the expensive side.
Clearly, implementing active noise cancellation (ANC) in open-format headphones wouldn’t make sense, so these headphones do not have it (unlike the FreeBuds 5 earbuds, which do have ANC and work quite well!). It’s essential to understand that in very noisy environments, it will be challenging to perceive music with such headphones.
The volume in the headphones is sufficient; usually, I found 40-50% to be satisfactory. The question arises – considering the open design of Huawei FreeClip, won’t it be the case that everyone on the bus will hear your music? Well, even though the manufacturer assures the use of a special acoustic system with a unique sound field, physics cannot be deceived, and at volumes of 60-80%, privacy might be compromised.
Read also: Huawei FreeBuds 5 review: Super headphones with a strange design
Phone calls
The four-microphone system with “smart” noise cancellation and bone conduction performs its task well. It recognizes ambient sounds and blocks them, leaving a clear, well-heard voice without any interference. Conversations were clear, and my voice was well-heard by the other party, even on a noisy street. However, unlike other headphones from the brand, the “clip” lacks the option for HD calls, so the sound isn’t crystal clear, but it’s not a tragedy.
Huawei FreeClip operating time
No need to nitpick here – the large ear modules allowed for accommodating substantial batteries, providing up to 8 hours of playback. With charging in the case, you can achieve a total usage time of approximately 36 hours. These are manufacturer’s figures, but our tests confirm them.
Fully depleted, the headphones charge in the case in about ~40 minutes. Moreover, just 10 minutes of charging provides up to 3 hours of enjoyment with your favorite tracks.
There is the option of wireless charging for the case, although it takes a bit over two hours. However, using the cable is more time-efficient, requiring only an hour.
Read also: OPPO Enco X2 headphones review: is sound the most important thing?
Huawei FreeClip: Conclusions
Impressions of the novelty are mixed. Setting aside the price, the FreeClip is an intriguing set of headphones with an unconventional design. It’s a reasonably successful attempt by Huawei to create a product in the Open-Ear format. In my view, these are primarily intended for sporty and active individuals – the clip-style earphones stay in place and allow you to hear everything happening around, which is crucial, for example, for cyclists. Moreover, they have a long battery life of up to 8 hours on a single charge. The sound quality can be considered decent, BUT considering the open format of the headphones. When compared to successful models priced at $70-80 or more, the sound lacks in the width of the soundstage and bass.
Additionally, the functionality is limited. There’s no option to adjust the volume directly on the earphones, and the app lacks a customizable equalizer. Noise cancellation is absent (understandable given the format), and it doesn’t support higher-quality audio codecs beyond standard ones (Huawei’s proprietary L2HC 3.0 is not taken into account). The design, as mentioned before, is interesting, but not everyone will appreciate these earring-like headphones, especially as they can be awkward to wear with winter headgear.
One could consider the Huawei FreeClip as an unusual niche model not meant for everyone, but the price tag of over $200 ruins the equation. They are asking as much for this novelty as for the top-tier FreeBuds Pro 3 with superb sound quality and a plethora of additional features. It seems like an overreach.
What do you think of Huawei FreeClip? Let us know in the comments!
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