With the FreeBuds Pro 2, Huawei presented a strong in-ear headphone last year, which was especially convincing in terms of sound and wonthe Gold Award in our review. Now the Chinese manufacturer is going one better and wants to have improved all aspects of the new edition. Our Huawei FreeBuds Pro 3 review clarifies whether they succeeded.
Technical data
| Product | Huawei FreeBuds Pro 3 |
| Bluetooth version | 5.2 |
| Bluetooth codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Maximum operating range | 12m (without obstacle) |
| Battery life | Up to 6.5hrs, 31hrs total with charging case; (varies depending on volume level and audio content) |
| Charge Time | 1.5 hrs (for charging case via USB-C) |
| Size charging case (H x W x D) | 46.9 mm x 65.9 mm x 24.5 mm |
| Weight | 5.8 g per earbud; 58 g charging case & earpiece |
| Most important features | ANC; Transparency mode; Wear detection; Dual driver; Multipoint |
| Price | € 178.45 * |
Huawei FreeBuds Pro 3 review: design and workmanship
- Chic, eye-catching design
- impeccable build quality
- Rightly susceptible to fingerprints
From a visual perspective, not too much has changed with the Huawei FreeBuds Pro 3. The ANC earbuds still rely on an eye-catching, glossy design complete with a 25-mm-long stylus with a flat exterior that bears the manufacturer’s logo on the outside and the designation for the respective ear on the inside.
The microphones inside and out are set off in black, while the silicone top is a semi-transparent gray on our test model in the “Silver Frost” color. On the inside, the pens feature a grippy grain, which enables a better feel of the touch surfaces.
The design of the charging case is also reminiscent of last year’s model with its rounded edges and dimensions of 65 mm x 45 mm x 20 mm, but it is said to be around 32 percent better protected against scratches and wear and tear thanks to nanoglass coating and is a touch smaller to fit better in a pocket.
It once again features a USB-C port for charging, as well as a pairing button on the side. The metal opening bracket looks sturdier than last year, which is generally true for the overall build quality of the FreeBuds Pro 3.
Wearability of the Huawei FreeBuds Pro 3
- Four sizes of silicone ear inserts
- Wearing comfort improved …
- – … but not yet on par with the competition
The Huawei FreeBuds Pro 3 come with a total of four pairs of silicone ear inserts in sizes XS, S, M (pre-installed) and L, so everyone can find the perfect fit. With a weight of 5.8 grams per earbud, the third edition has become a bit lighter, which is good for the wearing comfort.
Thus, the in-ears sit comfortably tight in the ear and that without pressing or falling out during quick movements. Compared to the predecessor, however, the wearing comfort has been noticeably improved.
While the Huawei FreeBuds Pro 3 still don’t sit quite as deep in the ear canal as some of the competition, it no longer feels like they’ll slip or fall out at any time. That’s pleasing, although the best in-ear headphones – such as the Sony WF-1000XM5 (our review) feel even more comfortable.
The features of the Huawei FreeBuds Pro 3
- modern Bluetooth including multipoint
- High-resolution codecs on board
In terms of features, the Huawei FreeBuds Pro 3 leave almost nothing to be desired. Thanks to modern Bluetooth connectivity, the in-ears reach a range of around 12 meters and can even be paired with two devices simultaneously thanks to Multipoint.
Furthermore, an IP54 certification is offered, thanks to which the earbuds are also protected from rain showers. There’s also a mono mode that allows only one earbud to be used at a time, as well as a wear detection feature that automatically pauses playback when removed and resumes when inserted.
Some features like proximity sharing the ability to share audio with another person are unfortunately only available in the Huawei ecosystem with smartphones that rely on the EMUI operating system.
Otherwise, the Huawei FreeBuds Pro 3 promise compelling and high-resolution sound thanks to L2HC 2.0, LDAC and Hi-Res Audio Wireless, but more on that later.
Operation
- precise and successful touch controls
- practical swipe gestures
The Huawei FreeBuds Pro 3 is operated via the motion-sensitive touch surfaces on the earbuds’ pins. Two and three presses, swipes or squeezes are possible here.
Commands are confirmed by a quiet tone in the ear. In practice, the control is much more precise and reliable than in the predecessor.
Both the touch and swipe gestures for increasing and decreasing the volume are recognized better, so there is absolutely nothing to complain about here – top!
Within the companion app, the operation can also be customized, although the options here are severely limited. For most commands, the action can only be deactivated, and only when the touch surfaces are held down can the change between modes be replaced by an activation of the voice assistant.
Battery life of the Huawei FreeBuds Pro 3
- Good battery life of up to 6.5 hours without ANC
The battery life of the in-ear headphones is perfectly fine, but cannot keep up with the best competitors. Without active noise cancellation, the in-ears still manage a good 6.5 hours of music playback – 31 hours are possible in combination with the charging case.
With active noise cancellation, on the other hand, the Pro 3 run out of breath after about 4 hours. 22 hours of runtime are possible with the charging case. These are both decent, but by no means outstanding values.
Here, the competitors from Sony and especially Creative with the Outlier Pro (our review) are clearly ahead, but Huawei presents itself on par with Apple.
Audio quality, ANC and microphones
- Very good, detailed sound
- high frequency response
- pleasant, warm mixing
Already the predecessors offered a convincing sound thanks to dual drivers, unsurprisingly, the Huawei FreeBuds Pro 3 also rely on two drivers per earbud, which in conjunction with the high-resolution LDAC codec should cover a frequency range of 14 Hz to 48,000 Hz and realize a detailed sound.
The cooperation with Devialet, which was prominently advertised on the packaging or charging case of the predecessor, seems to be over – there are no more hints of it in the current model.
Nevertheless, the sound is pleasantly round and rich in detail. The mids are on a broad stage and the bass foundation is also nicely pronounced and clearly accentuated.
On the other hand, the trebles are a bit behind the mids and basses, and it can also get a bit shrill at high voices and maximum volume. Freddy Mercury’s vocals in “Bohemian Rhapsody” are an example of this. So turn it down a bit and the whole thing fits:
The basic sound is very pleasing in the factory setting and the spatiality that the in-ears bring to light is quite impressive.
The FreeBuds Pro 3 are better tuned ex-works than many much more expensive headphones and are also ahead in a duel against the Sony WF-1000XM5, for example – at least until you have fine-tuned the Sony model.
The Huawei in-ears also have no problems with spoken content. Podcasts, audio books or videos score with clear voice reproduction. If you like, you can also use one of six equalizer presets – but I could not really hear a difference. It is also possible to create your own EQ presets in ten bands.
ANC and transparency mode
- Excellent, effective ANC
- good transparency mode
When it comes to ANC and transparency mode, the second edition of Huawei’s earbuds still had some catching up to do. Accordingly, the manufacturer has also improved again in this area. According to the manufacturer, the adaptive ANC algorithm has been improved in active noise cancellation.
The “intelligent ANC 3.0” is now supposed to react better to changes in real time and filter out 50% more noise compared to the FreeBuds Pro 2.
In fact, the Huawei FreeBuds Pro 3 improve a lot in terms of ANC and are on par with the best ANC in-ear headphones. Especially muffled and monotonous, low-pitched noises are almost completely blocked out. While typing this test, I can still hear my keystrokes on the mechanical keyboard, but everything around me is perfectly wrapped in a silent robe – excellent.
The transparency mode, here called “Awareness”, also does a good job and amplifies ambient noise like voices. However, Apple or Sony, for example, deliver the better results here.
Microphone quality
- Average quality of the microphone
The microphone quality marks a step backwards in my eyes. Although ambient and wind noise are suppressed very well, the voice lacks dynamics and detail. In addition, recordings sound as if you were underwater.
Huawei FreeBuds Pro 3:
Sony WF-1000XM5:
App connectivity: Huawei Ai Life
- clear app
- orderly feature set
As with the predecessor, Huawei Ai Life is used as the companion app. The design is tidy and clearly structured, the feature set comes up with the usual options.
In addition to information about the Earbuds’ charge status and the case, you can switch between the modes (ANC, transparency or normal) in the app and choose from four options for quiet, normal or particularly loud environments in adaptive ANC.
In addition, various equalizers and the option to create your own presets are available for selection here. Besides the option to (minimally) adjust the gesture control, you can check the fit of the in-ears with a sound test, trigger firmware updates, or activate or deactivate the intelligent wear detection and a low audio latency mode.
In addition, “Find Device” gives you the option to play back audio in one or both Earbuds should you ever misplace them.
Huawei FreeBuds Pro 3 review: conclusion
The Huawei FreeBuds Pro 3 once again make a decent step forward and noticeably improve on the predecessor in terms of workmanship, operation and, above all, active noise cancellation.
Thus, the new Earbuds are on par with the much more expensive competition in some areas, which scores with additional features. Only the microphone quality and wearing comfort are not quite good enough for a place on the podium.
Nevertheless: If you are looking for convincing and stylish in-ear headphones, you will be very well served with the Huawei FreeBuds Pro 3 – especially (but not only) in combination with a Huawei smartphone.
Huawei FreeBuds Pro 3
Workmanship
Comfort
Sound quality
Recording quality
Features
Value for money
91/100
Stylish and high-quality in-ear headphones that are right up there with the best in terms of sound and ANC, but fall a bit short in terms of wearing comfort and microphone quality. Nevertheless, the overall package is right for the price.
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