TL;DR
The Huawei FreeBuds Neo are true wireless in-ear headphones priced at 1,500 kr. They offer balanced sound, strong call clarity via bone conduction, and comfortable 4.8-gram buds with IP55 protection. However, the case lacks wireless charging and Android users must sideload the companion app. They suit buyers seeking high-end audio performance and sleek design in the mid-range segment.
The category for wireless in-ear headphones (TWS, which stands for True Wireless Stereo) has become crowded, to say the least. To stand out today, it requires either extreme innovation and high-level sound quality or an unbeatable price tag—ideally both. My colleague Björn gave the second-highest rating to Huawei FreeBuds 5 Pro and now we have arrived at the new mid-range earbuds for the autumn from the Chinese giant – Huawei FreeBuds Neo, which will be released in Sweden on October 12. These headphones offer flagship features in the upper mid-range and clearly aim to challenge the giants. After spending a few weeks with these earbuds, here are my impressions, and the question I ask immediately is: are these the best mid-range in-ear headphones you can buy right now?
Design and Fit
The first thing that strikes you is how much the FreeBuds Neo resembles the Apple AirPods 3 or AirPods Pro in its design language, though with Huawei’s own “Light Mini Stem” design. The short stem and the rounded “Mini shuttle” charging case provide a stylish, sober, and almost jewelry-like impression. Huawei deserves praise for having a magnet with a proper “tug” in the case, which truly locks the buds in place, easily and without fuss.
It is standard nowadays that accessories and Apple phones come without a wall adapter. However, I was a bit surprised when not even a USB-C cable was included in the package. Now, most of us probably have plenty of those, but it’s still a bit odd, even if it’s not a major issue.
When it comes to comfort, Huawei has hit the mark perfectly. The buds weigh in at a feather-light 4.8 grams each. My personal impression is that the headphones sit incredibly comfortably during long sessions – but it requires being meticulous with the included silicone tips. In my case, it actually required different sizes in the right and left ear respectively to achieve the perfect seal, something I have actually never experienced before, but which likely has to do with the angle at which the buds are inserted into the ear. What fits your ear canal best is also something the app can help you verify. Once in place, the buds sit firmly for a run or a gym session, and the IP55 rating (which protects against rain and sweat) makes you feel confident enough to use them in everyday life as well.
Sound Quality and Noise Cancellation (ANC)
The sound is driven by an 11-millimeter dynamic driver that delivers a frequency range of 10 Hz to 48 kHz. The sound profile is well-balanced but leans towards the brighter, more neutral side with a subtle V-shape, meaning the bass is distinct and powerful without drowning out the midrange. What really stands out to me is the volume and power of the buds – I could significantly lower the volume and still get plenty of bass and “punch” in the soundscape. Jerusalema is just as catchy as it is on a large system, but I miss a bit of the openness and warmth I get from more expensive headphones, for example in Carolina Wallin Pérez‘s fine interpretation of Kent’s Pärlor. Podcasts, audiobooks, and radio sound crystal clear, and thanks to support for the high-resolution LDAC codec (up to 990 kbps), you get plenty of detail – provided you have a compatible Android phone, that is (which, on the other hand, has other challenges, but more on that below).
The noise cancellation (here called Intelligent Dynamic ANC) is surprisingly competent. It dampens monotonous low-frequency noise, such as airplane engines and bus rumbles, in an excellent way. Huawei claims “up to 95 dB,” which is quite noisy but was difficult to measure exactly. If we compare objectively with the challenger Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Max, Soundcore probably comes out on top when it comes to most effectively picking up and neutralizing ambient sound, though they are also in a higher price bracket.
The trend of “spatial audio” is present here too, and it can be a bit of fun for, say, an action movie while traveling or a suitable mobile game, but for the most part, all such types of digital signal transformations are best left turned off—at least if you, like me, love music and want to hear sound the way it is supposed to sound.
Something that truly deserves praise is the call quality. Huawei has integrated three microphones plus a dedicated bone conduction sensor (VPU) that picks up vibrations directly from your jawbone. This, combined with the design that counteracts wind noise, means you are heard exceptionally well even if you are walking in strong winds or standing at a noisy train station. On the downside, the FreeBuds Neo is not quite as sharp at picking up whispers as the challenger from Soundcore (when you want to talk secrets on the subway), but these are, in my opinion, a significantly more attractive product to be seen with in public, with a more discreet fit in the ear.
Battery life is approximately 9-10 hours without noise cancellation and 6-7 with it, depending somewhat on how loud you play; LDAC also consumed a bit more battery than AAC / SBC. With the charging capacity in the case, you get another 20-30 hours, which should more than suffice for even the longest trips and needs.
Software and Controls
As usual, this is where we unfortunately find the product’s Achilles’ heel for a large part of the market. If you use an iPhone, the HUAWEI Audio Connect app is easily available in the App Store. However, if you use an Android phone from, for example, Samsung or Google, the app must be sideloaded via Huawei’s servers due to the American Google Play embargo against Huawei. This often triggers Android’s built-in security system (Google Play Protect) to block the installation with a bright red “Unsafe app blocked” warning, forcing the user to manually go in and bypass the system’s security warnings. It works, but it is unnecessarily cumbersome and can create an unfortunate and unnecessary sense of uncertainty for the consumer.
Once the app is up and running, however, you get access to fun features. A favorite is head tracking: you can actually answer an incoming call by nodding, or reject it by shaking your head – brilliant when your hands are full with, for example, cooking and you’re listening to music in the kitchen while the kids are watching TV. The touch controls on the stems themselves are also extensive (among other things, you can swipe for volume), but they are at times slightly too sensitive, which can lead to accidental presses when you just want to adjust the bud in your ear.
Conclusion
Huawei FreeBuds Neo is an impressive build both in terms of design and technology. They are stylish, incredibly light, and deliver a sound and call experience that really belongs in a significantly higher price bracket. If you can overlook the lack of wireless charging and the fact that the Android installation requires a bit of effort, these are among the most affordable and great-sounding headphones in their price class on the market right now, and new everyday favorites for both music and talk on the go.
Huawei provided a review unit for this test. Senders of material have no editorial influence on our tests; we always write independently with our readers and consumers in focus.
Review Highlights: Q&A
How good is the sound quality and noise cancellation?
The Huawei FreeBuds Neo feature 11 mm dynamic drivers and LDAC support for detailed, punchy audio. Their active noise cancellation effectively dampens low-frequency engine and bus noise.
How long does the battery last on a single charge?
The earbuds provide 6 to 7 hours of playback with noise cancellation enabled and 9 to 10 hours without it. The charging case adds another 20 to 30 hours of power.
Are these earbuds comfortable for workouts?
Weighing 4.8 grams each, the earbuds sit comfortably and securely during runs or gym sessions. An IP55 rating also provides protection against sweat and rain.
What are the drawbacks on Android devices?
Android users must sideload the companion app from Huawei rather than Google Play, which triggers security warnings from Google Play Protect during installation.
Does the charging case support wireless charging?
No, the compact charging case does not support wireless charging, and the package does not include a USB-C charging cable.
