A little under a year ago I reviewed the Huawei FreeBuds Pro wireless earphones and was impressed with how good they were, so much so they have become my go-to wireless earphones and I use them most days. Huawei has now released the second generation of its flagship wireless earphones series – the FreeBuds Pro 2. Initially I wasn’t sure how much improvement there could be, but after using the FreeBuds Pro 2 for the past few weeks it’s obvious they are a step up from the first generation in almost every way and one of the best pairs of wireless earphones on the market.
The major addition to the FreeBuds Pro 2 is the collaboration with French high-end audio brand Devialet. It’s the third time Huawei and Devialet have partnered together (the first time was the Huawei Sound, which we reviewed) and it’s a clear sign that Huawei is serious about making a name for itself in the audio sphere.
The partnership sees the FreeBuds Pro 2 now using an 11mm quad-magnet driver in tandem with a planar diaphragm to elevate the audio experience with punchier bass and enhanced clarity. With a frequency range of 14Hz to 48kHz, the amount of detail that users can hear is excellent. The FreeBuds Pro 2 also supports high-res and lossless audio thanks to an LDAC codec, so if you’re an audiophile then you’re in for a treat.
Ceramic White, Silver Blue, and Silver Frost
My primary use for the FreeBuds Pro 2 is listening to music and here they excelled. I like to think I have an eclectic taste in music, so I tried to sample as many styles as possible. I have to admit though, the thumping kicks, catchy riffs and soaring vocals of Phil Beyer made listening to my new favourite band Floya an absolute blast. The amount of bass these buds produce is super impressive and the audio quality easily ranks among the best for wireless earphones. Whether it was the melodic house beats of Mark & Lukas, the emotive compositions of Atis Freivalds, or the gravelly vocals of Chad Kroeger as he begs not to go to San Quentin, everything sounded clear and full of detail.
Feature-wise the FreeBuds Pro 2 aren’t too different from its precursor. Dual connectivity is here, which allows users to connect to two separate devices at once, as is Smart Wear – a feature that pauses music when an earbud is removed and continues when reinserted. The FreeBuds Pro 2 are also rated IP54 water resistant, meaning you can get jacked at the gym sporting these without an issue. Gesture controls are also present, allowing you to pause or skip music, increase volume, or cycle through ANC modes at the push or swipe of an earbud.
Dynamic Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) has become an important feature for potential buyers and the Huawei FreeBuds Pro 2 offer some of the best noise cancelling going around thanks to a triple noise pick-up system. The ANC does a great job of blocking out background noise whether you’re at home, in the office, on public transport or out and about. Loud sounds will still overpower the ANC but the FreeBuds Pro 2 will do its best to mitigate it. With three different modes: Ultra, General, and Cozy, users can choose what level of ANC is best for them. Alternatively, you can let the earphones dynamically switch as the background noise varies but this can cause a somewhat annoying transition every time the device switches ANC mode. Awareness Mode is another option for those who want some ANC but also to maintain some awareness of what’s going on around them.
The microphone on the FreeBuds Pro 2 does a fine job with my voice coming through nice and clear. I wouldn’t recommend it for recording a podcast, but using them for phone calls, Zoom or Teams meetings will yield solid results.
Sounds just as good as it looks
The amount of bass these buds produce is super impressive and the audio quality easily ranks among the best for wireless earphones
The easiest way to connect the headphones to your phone is to use the Huawei AI Life app, while if you own a Huawei phone, syncing the two devices is as simple as opening the FreeBuds Pro 2 case. The case is much the same as before, employing a lightweight flat oval shape that fits nicely in the palm of your hand or pocket. The USB-C port charging port is located on the bottom and the button for enabling pairing is on the side, while a metal plaque of sorts with the names Huaewi and Devialet gives it a little touch of class. It also supports wireless charging if you prefer to charge without cables. Removing the FreeBuds from the case takes a little bit of getting used to but once you have it down pat it’s simple enough, and with the bottom of the earphones magnetised, they won’t drop or fall out.
The biggest change aesthetically is that the FreeBuds Pro 2 are now significantly slimmer (14% thinner and 9% shorter according to Huawei) and utilises more rounded edges while keeping the piano key style of its predecessor. Huawei has kept its Silver Frost and Ceramic White colours in service, but Carbon Black has been replaced with the new Silver Blue flavour. The gloss finish remains, which might put some people off and make them look a little tawdry, however I quite like the design.
Thanks to the smaller form factor the comfort of the Pro 2’s is even better than the first-gen Pros, with the buds feeling even snugger than before. Once again Huawei includes three tip sizes with the FreeBuds Pro: large, medium and small, so ears of all sizes shouldn’t have a problem finding a fit that suits. To help ensure that you’ve got the best fit, you can utilise the fit test on the AI Life app which will tell you if need to make any adjustments.
The FreeBuds Pro 2 are sexy and stylish, case closed
The AI Life app is where users can control and customise their experience, and with the FreeBuds Pro 2 the app has been improved thanks to the inclusion of some much-needed features. Basic features like checking battery life, switching noise cancelling modes and customising gestures can be found here. New features include a Find Earphones option, which will ping your earphones if they are in close vicinity. However, the two standout additions are the option to choose your preferred audio device and (finally) the ability to set your own EQs.
The former is handy because when using the earphones between two devices, such as a phone and a PC, the earphones will usually prioritise the phone, meaning they will switch over when you simply open your phone even if you’re using them on your PC. I had this happen several times with the first-gen model, where I was recording a podcast or listening to music and opened my phone to check a notification and the connection switched over to my phone. It’s super annoying but this new feature means that I can set my PC as my preferred device and it won’t switch over.
Secondly, I’ve bemoaned the lack of EQ settings on Huawei earphones multiple times before, and thankfully the company has included it with the FreeBuds Pro 2. Despite its Devialet partnership, users should have the option of tinkering with EQ settings to find a sound that suits them. Although I will admit that the default Devialet setting hits the mark most of the time.
The AI Life app has a couple new welcome additions
Battery life has always been one of Huawei’s strengths, with their devices packed with juicy batteries that can last for days, even weeks, without needing a charge. Much like the first-gen FreeBuds Pro, the case will offer users up to 30 hours of usage with ANC off, while the buds themselves will give you up to four hours of use with ANC and six and half hours without.
During my review time with the first-gen FreeBuds Pro, I rarely used the earphones for more than a couple of hours at a time, which meant that I never had any issues with battery life. However, this time around I needed the FreeBuds Pro 2 for longer sessions and the four-hour battery life with ANC on did feel a little on the short side. While it’s easy enough to whack them in the case for a quick charge while you grab a coffee or take a break, those who use them all day everyday will certainly feel the pinch at times.
Final Thoughts
Over the past couple of years I have become a massive advocate for Huawei’s audio products and the FreeBuds Pro 2 are no different. Improvements on the first-gen model aren’t everywhere, instead they have been made where it matters. Huawei is asking for $349 for the FreeBuds Pro 2, which is a little high, but the value and quality speak for themselves. If you’re in the market for a set of premium wireless earphones, the Huawei FreeBuds 2 should be at the top of your list.
Review unit supplied by the manufacturer
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