As wireless earbuds become more and more accessible to consumers, it can only mean that choosing the best value-for-money option gets a bit more difficult. HUAWEI has a compelling option for a price point less than PHP 2K.
In comes the HUAWEI FreeBuds SE 4. For a more than affordable price, you get multi-mode ANC (first time in the SE line you get ANC actually), long battery life, fast charging, and good sound quality.
Design & build
The buds come in two classic color options – mainly black and white. You can’t really go wrong with either of the two. One downside, though is that due to the glossy finish, both the case and the earbuds are major fingerprint magnets.
In terms of weight, the case itself is thin and light, making it compact and easy to store in your pockets. It weighs just 44.6g and is 24.7mm thin. The buds themselves weigh 4.3g each, so they’re quite airy and light on your ears.
Speaking of the fit, the buds feel secure and seem to fit perfectly in my ears. Personally, I don’t get along well with earbuds because my ear canals are weirdly shaped (not confirmed, just an assumption). The silicone ear tips are comfortable as well and have three different size options for you to choose from.
If you plan to use the buds for working out, you won’t need to worry about sweating on the device. It features an IP54 dust and splash resistance.
Touch controls
Gestures on earbuds can be quite sensitive at times. Other times, they could be totally unresponsive. These seem to be just right.
The gesture controls are fairly straightforward, using double taps, triple taps, and touch and hold. On the HUAWEI Audio app, you can configure and customize these touch controls to do different actions.
Sound quality
We’re all for affordable earbuds, as long as they don’t sacrifice the sound quality. In the end, our main use for earbuds will still be for multimedia consumption. It features a 10mm dynamic driver which contributes to the satisfying sound quality.
Overall, the sound is well-balanced. The bass is punchy, but can be slightly overpowering at times. The mids are clear, so you can appreciate the vocals of your favorite ballad singers. You can also choose between preset EQ profiles to boost either the bass, the mids, or the highs. Adding a custom EQ profile is also a possibility. All this can be done on the HUAWEI Audio app.
Noise cancellation
The HUAWEI FreeBuds SE 4 is the first in the SE line to feature noise cancellation with a depth of up to 50 dB. It’s always great to see the entry-level or affordable models get noise cancellation features.
Additionally, the buds feature multi-mode ANC. Ultra is ideal for an extremely noisy environment. General on the other hand is for places with a significant amount of noise. And Cozy is ideal for more peaceful environments. There’s also a Dynamic option that adjusts the noise cancelling based on your environment.
For taking calls, the buds feature 3-mic call noise cancellation. It enhances the voices and keeps the noise out to ensure you can take your calls in the busiest of environments. A great addition for our runners and cyclists is the improved wind noise resistance as well.
Connectivity & compatibility
The HUAWEI FreeBuds SE 4, like most wireless earbuds, does feature a physical pairing button next to the charging port. It is paired via Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity. The pairing process is seamless, and once done, you can access all the different settings on the HUAWEI Audio app.
In terms of compatibility, the buds are compatible with various operating systems, so it’s not just HUAWEI users who can make use of this device. They are compatible with iOS, Android, and HarmonyOS devices. The HUAWEI Audio app is available on the various app stores as well.
Battery & charging
Enjoy multimedia consumption, uninterrupted. HUAWEI claims up to 10 hours of playback on a full charge (7 hours with ANC enabled) and up to 50 hours of playback when charging with the case (with ANC disabled).
Fast charging is supported as well on the device. HUAWEI claims that after 10 minutes of fast charging, you can get up to 4 hours of playback as long as ANC is disabled.
Verdict
The HUAWEI FreeBuds SE 4, with its noise cancellation features, long battery life, and ergonomic design, is a solid choice for music lovers who want capable and good-sounding earbuds without breaking the bank.
For under PHP 2,000, you get incredible value with the HUAWEI FreeBuds SE 4. You can check it out on Shopee, Lazada, and the Official HUAWEI Online Store.
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