After practically three weeks using Huawei Freebuds 3 I have two clear things: if you use Android and are looking for an alternative to the AirPods, this is one of the most complete; the second is that, even so, I am not sure that everyone is willing to bet on them considering their price. But if they interest you, I tell you what you should know about them.
Huawei’s best bet on True Wireless headphones
Huawei Freebuds 3 have been since its launch, at the end of 2019, one of the true wireless headset models that have attracted my attention along with Apple‘s AirPods. The open-type design may have its disadvantages with respect to those that are in-ear type, such as that passive cancellation that favor silicone capsules or a feeling of sound with more body, but for the day to day I prefer this option since I They are more comfortable for long periods of use. But before entering the experience, let’s talk about design.
By design, weight and dimensions, Freebuds 3 I found very comfortable during the days I used it . They weigh little (4.5 grams each headset) and are not at all annoying in the ear. In addition, although I do not usually have many problems with this type of headphones, they are not headphones that fall easily.
As I say, physically they seem to me a very well finished product in every way, with good materials, quite discreet (although this red color is striking) and very up to what is expected of a product that costs around 170 euros .
Speaking of the box to store and load them, that is circular is not something that convinces me at all, but it is not a drama. What I do appreciate is that the cover does not open by itself, also that the headphones do not fall if it is open and that, beware of this, the case is compatible with wireless charging. And that’s very good, because you get home or the office, you leave the case on the base and it charges. And when you want to leave you don’t have to walk disconnecting cables. So, in that aspect, positive point with respect to other models. However, the important thing is the user experience.
Freebuds 3, user experience
I will divide the experience of use in two. On the one hand what concerns the issue of configuration, controls, etc., and on the other, everything related to sound quality. So let’s go parts.
If you have an EMUI device or if you install the Huawei AI Life application, pairing is very simple . You open the case and the app detects the headphones. If you do not use any of the above, just by pressing and holding the button on the side the headphones go into pairing mode and you can connect them to other devices with a bluetooth connection, such as a TV, computer, etc.
Returning to the application, this is very simple to use. In the screen where the device is listed you can check if they are connected or not. When you click on its icon information already appears with the charging of the headphones (individually) and the case, also access to the settings of the gesture control, noise cancellation and the option to update your software.
The only thing you need to know about gesture control and noise cancellation is:
- The gestures they allow are only the double tap on the left or right handset. For each of them you can define the action that interests you most. For example, play or skip to the next song, play and pause, activate the voice assistant or noise cancellation among others. It would have been great to have a more advanced control, something like a touch, two and three, thus being able to perform More actions And they would have won a lot if there was volume control. But it is not so, so you will have to take the phone out of your pocket or use the settings of the device to which they are connected.
- On the cancellation of noise , it is true that it helps reduce certain frequencies, but do not expect an ANC system like Sony’s, for example. Not being in-ear or over-ear headphones, it is very complicated (if not practically impossible) to isolate well. Here, what it does is use the microphone to analyze the type of noise and try to compensate. As I say, with certain noises it is effective and with others it does nothing. And no, although the level of cancellation can be varied, you should not buy these headphones thinking that you can isolate yourself from outside noise.
In general, the usability of the product is good , it responds well and the sensors it incorporates allow us to stop the music when we take them off. But let’s talk about the sound quality.
Freebuds 3 sound good, better than most models on the market, but they don’t offer outstanding sound. As with Apple AirPods, the experience is correct and for many day-to-day situations such as listening to podcasts, some music when we go for a walk, on the way to work or use them at home or the office are perfect. But if you are looking for a remarkable high experience, they are not the model you are looking for.
What I do highlight, because for me it is something vital, is that when playing video there is no lag . This is thanks to the Kirin A1 chip and the use of the Bluetooth 5.1 connection, this offers support in low consumption mode and the ability to send audio independently to each handset, improving that experience in the reproduction of all types of content.
Anyway, what makes these headphones special is the overall one between the experience of use and sound quality, something that in my opinion does.
Interesting headphones by experience but not by price
Are they a good product? And a good alternative to Apple AirPods if I use Android phones? The answer to both questions is yes, but I must also comment on a detail that is directly related to the price.
AirPods are not the best true wirelees headphones on the market, but the experience it offers to iOS and macOS users makes the investment worthwhile. With Huawei Freebuds 3 the feeling is that the product is worth what it costs, between 150 and 179 euros on Amazon according to color, but only with Huawei devices is the user experience more enjoyable . For the rest of the cases, there are already alternatives at a very good price that have nothing or little to envy.
Therefore, although my overall experience has been good, I am not sure how many users would be willing to pay what they cost. Of course, if you take advantage of any of the current promotions where you could say that they give them to you, then I think you will enjoy them a lot.
