Huawei recently enriched its ecosystem with several significant technological innovations. After exploring the Huawei Fit 4 Pro smartwatch, our attention now turns to the Huawei FreeBuds 6 earbuds. We have used them intensively for over three weeks. Therefore, it is time to share an in-depth analysis of these newcomers to the audio market.

Refined Design and Handling of the Huawei FreeBuds 6

Aesthetically, the Huawei FreeBuds 6 do not revolutionize the formula compared to their predecessors. However, for earbuds, consistency in excellence is often appreciated. Users remain loyal as long as the appearance appeals and performance follows. Thus, Huawei continues with a semi-open design. It integrates its latest audio technology, Huawei Song.

These earbuds retain an elegant water-drop shape. This signature pleasantly distinguishes them from the often uniform, AirPods-inspired competition. Furthermore, a metallic and glossy finish gives the product an undeniably premium look. The stems of the FreeBuds 6 are 12% more compact than those of the FreeBuds 5. Each earbud measures approximately 30.6 mm by 18.5 mm by 24.3 mm. They weigh a feather-light 4.9 grams. This lightness ensures a discreet presence in the ear, even after several hours. Huawei offers three colors: purple (our test version), black, and white. Their recommended price is €160. A potential launch offer may be available via Huawei’s official website. The box logically contains the earbuds. It also includes a charging cable and ear tips for a personalized fit.

Everyday Comfort and Adaptability

Comfort is paramount for earbuds. The FreeBuds 6 are pleasant to wear. They can accompany the user throughout the day. However, it is fair to note that other models might offer superior comfort. This is especially true for some users preferring in-ear types like the FreeBuds 4 Pro (which we previously reviewed). The choice will heavily depend on personal preferences.

For sports activities, these earbuds hold remarkably well in place. You can sprint or run intensively without fearing they will fall out. Moreover, their IP54 certification protects them against dust, sweat, and light rain. Importantly, they are not designed for full water immersion. Their resistance is limited to moderate moisture exposure. This versatility makes them suitable for various uses. This includes the office, commuting, or during your workout sessions.

Intuitive Connectivity and AI Life App

Pairing the Huawei FreeBuds 6 is very simple. They are compatible with iOS, Android, and, of course, Huawei smartphones. Simply open the case. Place them in your ears. Then, search for Bluetooth on your phone to detect them instantly. A discreet button on the case allows Bluetooth pairing reset. This facilitates resale, second-hand purchase, or specific connections like airplane screens.

The companion application is called AI Life. Its interface is familiar to Huawei product users. It centralizes the management of your connected devices. By selecting the FreeBuds 6, you access a comprehensive dashboard. This displays connection status and battery levels for each earbud and the case. Just below, the connection center lists paired devices. For example, it can show they are connected to one phone but were previously used with another Huawei device. This multi-device feature is very practical. It allows simultaneous connection to two distinct sources.

Advanced Settings via the App

The AI Life app offers granular control over the FreeBuds 6 features. The “Sound” section lets you activate and configure noise cancellation. Several modes are available. Dynamic mode adjusts automatically to the sound environment. Cozy mode provides light attenuation. General mode offers the strongest noise reduction. An adaptive mode is also present. It adjusts volume based on your routine and ambient noise. This lets the earbuds intelligently manage the listening experience.

Next, the Huawei Song section corresponds to the equalizer. It offers various presets: default, balanced, classic, bass boost, treble boost, human voice, and Hifi Live. These options add real value. They allow you to tailor the sound output to your preferences. For the more demanding, a custom equalizer (“My Song”) is available. This allows manual fine-tuning of each frequency. The “Sound Quality” section lets you choose. You can prioritize connection stability or maximum sound quality. Generally, sound quality is preferable, as transmission remains very reliable.

Other features include gesture customization (taps, swipes). These control playback, calls, or the voice assistant. An innovative “Head Control” option allows answering or rejecting calls with a simple head nod. Finally, the “H Protect” (Find My Earphones) feature emits a distinct sound on a misplaced earbud to locate it. Software updates, currently on HarmonyOS 5.0, and various settings like low latency or wear detection (auto play/pause) complete these rich options.

Exceptional Call Quality

One of the major strengths of the Huawei FreeBuds 6 is call clarity. When you communicate with these earbuds, your callers hardly hear any surrounding noise. Only your voice reaches them distinctly. The ambient noise suppression is remarkably effective. It cancels sounds up to 95 dB in the background and filters wind up to 8 m/s. This performance, already notable on previous Pro models, reaches a new level here.

To illustrate concretely, during a call from a noisy gym in Berlin, my contact perceived none of the typical treadmill sounds. This was true even when I approached the machines. She confirmed hearing only my voice, smoothly and clearly. A test recording, made near colleagues in a loud meeting, confirmed this voice isolation. Their discussions were inaudible on the recording, though they were only one or two meters away. The result is truly stunning.

Comfortable Battery Life for Extended Use

Regarding battery life, each earbud integrates a 39.5 mAh battery. The case has a 510 mAh capacity. Huawei claims up to 36 hours of total listening time with the recharged case. This is under specific conditions (noise cancellation off, volume at 50%).

In practice, after a round trip flight to Berlin and regular use (music at 70% volume, noise cancellation always fully active), the earbuds still showed 33% battery in the case. Considering they were initially 75% charged upon receipt, this performance is very satisfactory. It validates the brand’s promises. You can therefore rely on solid endurance for several days of moderate use.

A Rich and Balanced Sound Experience

Let us now discuss audio quality. Without delving into excessive technical details, the main question is whether the sound is good. The FreeBuds 6 integrate a “True Sound” dual-driver system. They feature UHF planar diaphragm drivers reaching up to 48 kHz. Powerful bass extends down to 14 Hz thanks to “Bass Turbo” technology. They are HWA and Hi-Res Wireless Audio certified. They also support LDAC, AAC, and SBC codecs.

Specifically, this translates to crystalline highs and ultra-powerful bass. The bass is even more present with the dedicated boost mode or via custom equalizer settings, without ever distorting. Huawei here offers an overall very balanced sound, characteristic of its audio products. Lossless transmission is ensured, provided you stay within a reasonable distance of the source device.

Effectiveness of Active Noise Cancellation

Active noise cancellation is present and adjustable through several levels, as seen in the app. It is always tricky to accurately convey its effectiveness in writing. Nevertheless, overall, it performs correctly. While not the most impressive on the market, it proves sufficient for most situations. On an airplane, it will allow for a nap. However, you might still perceive nearby flight attendant announcements. In the city, without music, you will still distinguish some engine noises. This can be an advantage for safety. As soon as music plays, even at low volume, isolation becomes almost total.

In conclusion, the Huawei FreeBuds 6 are excellent wireless earbuds. They combine a neat design, appreciable comfort, rich sound quality, solid battery life, and above all, exceptional call quality. They represent a very serious option in the current true wireless earbuds market.