FreeBuds Pro 4: the first Huawei headphones to run HarmonyOS Next
Huawei took advantage of the launch of its smartphones Mate 70 to unveil its new high-end true wireless headphones. Called Freebuds Pro 4, this iteration takes the format and aesthetics of its predecessors Freebuds Pro 3 while bringing its share of improvements and new features.
The Freebuds Pro 4 feature a semi-in-ear stem design, the advantage of which is to offer good passive isolation with a very relative feeling of intrusion. The touch controls by pinching and sliding should therefore be similar to those of their elders. Both on the case and on the headphones themselves, the dimensions and weight are unchanged. The headphones, however, benefit from new, more refined finishes, with gold lines and a ceramic plate placed at the back of the case.
Better noise reduction and HarmonyOS Next system
The Freebuds Pro 4 are the brand's first headphones to run under HarmonyOS Next, Huawei's new operating system. They can thus be configured natively via the brand's latest smartphones, without any additional app.
The integration of HarmonyOS Next would also have increased the responsiveness of head movements by 50%. It would therefore be possible to control the headphones with much gentler movements than before. Furthermore, the user can now chat naturally with the Xiaoyi AI via the earphone microphones.
Beyond the famous OS, Huawei promises other improvements such as better quality of phone calls and more effective noise reduction. On this last point, we appreciate the fact that Huawei has remained evasive, unlike some of its Chinese colleagues announcing utopian performances.
2-way sound architecture and Hi-Res connectivity
For its part, the audio part has not changed a bit, apart from the integration of new sound modes. Each earphone is equipped with an 11 mm bass transducer and a 4 mm tweeter which would be capable of reproducing signals over a bandwidth of between 14 Hz and 48 kHz. Connectivity is also similar, with a Bluetooth receiver compatible with Hi-Res L2HC and LDAC codecs. In addition, Huawei still mentions a meager autonomy of 4.3 hours with noise reduction activated, and 6.5 hours in passive isolation. Nothing new on that front either.
Huawei's Freebuds Pro 4 are currently only available in China for the price of ¥1,499. They should still come out of our house very quickly.
