Huawei has two admitted ambitions with its brand new 4i freebuds: an active sound and cancellation of the ambient noise that compare itself to those of the Bluetooth headphones more expensive.Mission accomplished, we have noticed.But forget any additional configuration.

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First, because the price, of $ 138.99, is their main argument.They are not the only ones offered in this category, but they are among the very rare who claim to match AirPods and Galaxy Buds much more expensive.

It's true, we realize it from the first notes.Then after a dozen compared songs, from good heavy rock to classical music via jazz, we have to lift our hat: these 4i freebuds sound extraordinarily well.The bass is richer and the sound even better defined than for AirPods 2, and undoubtedly match the best Bluetooth headphones that we have tested in recent years.And if the Galaxy Buds Pro and the Jabra 75T outssemble them, the latter two have the advantage of being of the "button" type that closers up.And let us specify here, if necessary, that all these intra-ear headphones cannot compare themselves to good listening headsets.

Huawei has rather decided to improve the typical design of the Airpods - some will cry out for plagiarism - with headphones in the right golf iron that hold better in the ear while letting air pass.Our guinea pigs at home particularly appreciated.

The headphones also come with three sizes of silicone tips.

To connect these 4i freebuds to a phone, Android or iOS, there is only one method: a small white button is long pressing that makes the diode in white flash and the headphones appear in the Bluetooth menu.

In your hands, we have a plastic case that looks like a small white, red or black pebble that serves as a charger, capable of providing 22 hours of listening with its 215 mAh battery.The headphones themselves have a capacity of 10 hours, but only in optimal conditions, at medium volume and without active cancellation of ambient noise (active noise cancellation, or anc in English).

With this last function, the autonomy revolves around 7 hours, which is still greater than the average.But we lift our hat for a second time: the active cancellation of ambient noise, which we promise 99 %effective, is impressive.Constant background noises, traffic, metro, noise inside a surrounding automobile or rumble, disappear as if by.The ANC function, which consists in sending an antagonistic sound wave to detected noises, also has the advantage of further improving the sound of these headphones.

No way to get lost in the controls of these headphones, there are only two.By tapping any earpiece twice, you control the music stop or the end response of a telephone call.

This last function is well configured, our voice like that of the interlocutor are clear and deep.

By maintaining the finger on a listener for a long time, we go from the cancellation of the ambient noise to the "attention" mode (Awareness), which amplifies the sounds of the surroundings to hear better, for example, the cars approaching.

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There is no possibility of configuration by a mobile application.Ai Life, the Huawei devices control tool, does not recognize the 4i freebuds, unlike its predecessors 3 and 3i.No way, therefore, to use an equalizer, to move from one mode to another or to see the state of the battery.

It is also impossible to modify the volume from headphones, everything is done on the phone.And the 4i freebuds do not trigger the Google nor Siri assistant.

One buys ?

Such noise quality lined with a noise cancellation function at this price, it is exceptional.According to these three criteria, to which we can add their autonomy and their comfortable design, the 4i freebuds are obviously a very good purchase.But they are stingy in additional functions, be warned.

Freebuds 4i

Manufacturer: Huaweiprix: $ 138.99 (offered in three colors) Note: 4.5 out of 5