It’s been about 18 months since Huawei released their highly rated FreeBuds Pro. Huawei FreeBuds Pro 2 has a lot to live up to in terms of its lineage but also in terms of competition. The premium TWS market is more crowded than ever as practically every single company that produces smartphones has now tossed at least one hat in the ring.

Huawei aren’t sending FreeBuds Pro 2 out into the fray unarmed. The set boasts partnership with Devialet, planar diaphragm dual drivers and automatic canal scanning for each ear.

Polished Pebble

Huawei have produced a gorgeous little number with FreeBuds Pro 2. The near-endless and smooth curve that wraps around our device draws the eye. Our Ceramic White is polished and cool all-round.

When laid down, there is a flat bottom that houses a polished metallic square than covers the hinge. This mirror-finished metal is gently engraved with Huawei and Devialet logos.

The buds themselves retain the squared and short stalks from FreeBuds Pro. A band of darker white with a Huawei logo runs along each stalk, offering some outward-facing detail.

The case is very minimal while the buds offer a greater level of ornamentation. It’s a interesting contrast that gives the device a slightly different visual quality depending on what you are looking at, or what the user is doing with FreeBuds Pro 2.

The device is smaller in every dimension that FreeBuds Pro 2. The case shrinks in all directions and the hypercurving of the case gives it a much smaller hand and pocket feel.

Similarly, the resized buds carry less weight in the stalks which are also shorter. The buds stay firmly in place when you move.

The build quality is typical Huawei. The engineering is tight and feels like every single cubic millimetre has been used.

It can be a little difficult to extract the buds from their case at times due to the tight fit. The hinge has a satisfying snap to it and FreeBuds Pro 2 feel like premium buds should.

The device is also IP54-rated, offering splash and sweat resistance.

Tiny Hi-Fi

Huawei FreeBuds Pro 2 feature what the company are calling ‘Ultra-hearing True Sound Dual Driver’. A system that coordinates two drivers, ensuring they work in perfect cohesion for excellent audio performance.

Huawei FreeBuds Pro 2 uses a planar diaphragm for the higher registers as well as a quad-magnet dynamic driver for medium and lower frequencies. This system is usually found in high-end earphones and Huawei feel this arrangement is worth shouting about.

In practice, it’s a step up from the already stellar sound of 2021’s Huawei FreeBuds Pro. Instrumentation and clarity are excellent throughout its extended range.

Acoustic instruments and analogue synths sound especially good. Drums, dry-mic’d or wet, are incredibly well-defined, almost live-sounding in a way you don’t expect from in-ear audio. Similarly, the accents and nuances of strings are preserved in way that will wow a moderate audiophile playing a suitable audio file.

Huawei FreeBuds Pro 2 supports LDAC and HWA Hi-Res (the next-gen LDHC) and from what we have heard across our favourite test tracks, the hardware handles the extra quality with notable finesse.

A Perfect Fit

Huawei FreeBuds Pro 2 also come with ‘Triple Adaptive EQ’ technology. Using the AI Life app, Huawei FreeBuds Pro 2 automatically tunes audio according to ear canal structure, earbud position and volume, delivering personalised sound in real time.

Huawei have co-engineered the set with Devialet, the French audiophile hardware company. The default EQ has been tuned by Devialet – to us, it sounds like an attempt at mostly transparent with a hint of upper emphasis to express the finer details.

I like a U-shaped sound generally but found the default EQ had a particular sparkle I couldn’t get from the other options. So after poking about and testing the sound, I gladly returned to the Devialet-tuned default.

Background Din

Huawei FreeBuds Pro 2 bring a ‘Triple Mic ANC System’ that boosts the average ANC depth by an industry-leading 15% compared to its predecessor.

In use, the ANC’s overall improvement is noticeable and a nice step up in this regard. But the biggest improvement is in consistency.

The set uses ‘Intelligent Dynamic ANC 2.0’ to identify the external sound field environment and select a suitable noise cancelling mode to eliminate noise for optimised listening.

Huawei have included the exclusive Intelligent Dynamic ANC 2.0’s aircraft noise cancellation curve to tackle roaring aircraft engine noises. Something frequent flyers may appreciate but we couldn’t test.

2020’s FreeBud’s Pro had a ‘breathing’ ANC effect in some scenarios – something we mentioned in our review. While it wasn’t particularly noticeable and many wouldn’t hear it, it’s been eradicated from FreeBuds Pro 2.

In addition, Huawei have included a 4-Mic Call Noise Cancellation system, combined with the company’s exclusive deep neural network (DNN) noise cancellation algorithm.

The set also adopt a new ‘hidden’ wind-proof design which reduces wind noises for users. This design, which also places the mics in an optimum location, allows for impressive call quality while outside.

Stamina

Huawei FreeBuds Pro 2 run for around four hours with the ANC on with another 14 hours’ worth in the charging case. With the ANC off, you can enjoy 6.5 hours of listening and a total of 30 hours with the case.

However, using ANC and SmartHD will drain the buds in just under three hours. While this is still usable – longer journeys will see you sticking the buds in the charging case.

The set support wireless charging and can be easily topped up on the go using a device with reverse wireless charging.

Huawei FreeBuds Pro 2 will be available in Ireland from end of July, priced at €199

Review unit provide by Huawei