rewrite this title Huawei FreeClip 2 Review: The Best of Open-Ear Headphones! | Metaverse Planet

We reviewed the Huawei FreeClip 2, which stands out with its open-ear design. What does the FreeClip 2 offer with its stylish look and 9-hour battery life? What are the differences between the first generation and the FreeClip 2?

Huawei has launched its true wireless earbud model with an open-ear design, the FreeClip 2, to the global market. We had the opportunity to review the FreeClip 2 prior to its launch. In this content, we share our experiences from approximately two weeks of use.

Fashion Icon Design and High-Level Comfort

The new Huawei FreeClip 2 has been developed with a groundbreaking design at the intersection of wearable technology and fashion. While Huawei introduced the stylish “earring-like” design into our lives with the first generation, the new model offers improvements in comfort, sound quality, and AI capabilities. So, what does this device, which is “forgotten by the wearer and admired by the viewer,” change in our daily lives?

Huawei FreeClip 2 offers a comfortable listening experience with its open-ear form factor while serving as a fashion accessory. To prove this, the company brought the FreeClip 2 to the podium at Paris Fashion Week. Models appeared with FreeClip 2s in colors matching their outfits. You can add elegance to your style by combining these headphones with different outfits for a night out, daily wear, or going to the gym. Four different color options are available: Blue, White, Black, and Rose Gold.

Aside from elegance, the most distinct advantage of the FreeClip 2’s design is comfort. Huawei’s open-ear headphone has a design different from its competitors. Instead of a structure that squeezes the ear or adds weight, a design that offers a stable but pressure-free grip like an earring is used.

The C-Bridge, which connects the “Acoustic Ball” and the “Comfort Bean,” is now softer. A nickel-titanium shape memory alloy is used in the C-Bridge, and a structure that is 25% softer has been achieved with skin-friendly liquid silicone on the outer surface. With this change, problems of pressure on the auricle and slipping during long-term use are eliminated. It sits comfortably and securely on the ear. It stays in place while on the move and during long sessions. Even if I move, it does not fall off.

The weight per earbud has been reduced to 5.1 grams, achieving a 9% weight reduction compared to the previous generation. It manages to create a “barely there feeling” even if it stays in your ear all day. The headphones did not disturb me in any way at the office, during sports, studying, or watching series/movies. The fact that the pressure created by traditional in-ear headphones is absent provides great comfort.

In addition to design comfort, since it does not completely block the ear, you maintain your connection with the outside world. You can easily hear when someone calls out to you or the sound of a passing car. This provides a distinct sense of comfort and safety.

More Compact Charging Case

In the new generation, the charging case has been completely renewed. Moving away from the oval design, a more compact, nearly square form has been adopted. The 11% reduction in the box’s volume takes up less space in the pocket and provides more ergonomic use.

Improved Sound Quality

All open-ear headphones on the market generally offer lower sound quality because they do not completely seal the ear. Huawei FreeClip 2 minimizes this disadvantage with its 10.8 mm dual-magnet high-sensitivity driver. Moreover, it is stated that a two-fold increase has been achieved in both volume and bass power compared to the previous generation.

When compared with the first generation of FreeClip, this difference is felt distinctly. A more detailed music experience is obtained thanks to stronger bass and a fuller, higher sound quality.

Note: Although FreeClip 2 stands out among open-ear headphones with its sound quality, I can say that the audio fidelity is still limited when compared to closed-type headphones like the FreeBuds Pro. Therefore, you need to manage your expectations. If details like stylish design and a comfortable listening experience are more important to you, choose FreeClip 2; if you prioritize music isolation and deep bass, the FreeBuds series would be a more accurate choice.

Reduced Sound Leakage

Open-ear headphones transmit the music you listen to to your surroundings. To prevent this, Huawei uses the Reverse Sound Field system, which transmits sound waves directly into the ear canal and minimizes sound leakage to the outside. This means you can listen to music in an office environment or on public transport without disturbing the person next to you.

Adaptive Volume

One of the most useful innovations coming with FreeClip 2 is the Adaptive Volume feature. This feature automatically increases or decreases the volume according to the noise level of your environment. Since open-ear headphones are naturally affected by external sounds, I was happy that the need to constantly change the volume while moving—present in the previous model—was eliminated in FreeClip 2.

Noise-Canceling Microphone

Huawei FreeClip 2 uses a three-microphone system along with an NPU-supported neural network algorithm to filter out wind noise and background sounds. It clearly demonstrates its claim of crystal-clear microphone quality in real life. In tests I conducted in noisy environments, it transmitted my voice more clearly than I expected. To push the limits of the microphone, I used FreeClip 2 instead of my gaming headset in online games. My teammates stated that my voice came through cleaner and asked me to continue with these headphones.

10 Times More Powerful NPU

A new generation NPU AI chip is used in FreeClip 2. With a capacity of 51.2 Gops, this chip offers exactly 10 times more processing power compared to the first generation FreeClip. Thanks to this, it offers better performance in noise cancellation, call quality, adaptive sound features, and head tracking.

Smart Features for Ease of Use

Universal Compatibility: Huawei FreeClip 2 works seamlessly on all devices including Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, etc., regardless of the brand.Multi-Point Connection: With the dual device connection feature, it automatically switches between two devices such as a phone and a computer.Auto-Recognition: There is no left/right distinction in FreeClip 2. You can wear the earbuds on whichever side you wish. Thanks to the Auto-Recognition feature, it detects which side the earbud is worn on and automatically assigns the channel for stereo sound.Head Gesture Control: Huawei FreeClip 2 supports control via head movements in addition to touch. You can reject calls or change songs by nodding or tilting your head sideways without using your hands.Slide Control: A slide control feature has been added to the Comfort Bean. You can easily control the volume and track switching by sliding up and down.Spatial Audio: FreeClip 2 comes with Spatial Audio support for an immersive sound experience that tracks your head movements.

Battery Life Above Competitors

Huawei FreeClip 2 offers very long usage times, building upon the already good battery life of the previous generation. It provides 9 hours of continuous use on a single charge (1 hour more than the previous generation) and a total of 38 hours of battery life with the case (2 hours more than the previous generation).

Single Charge: 9 HoursWith Charging Case: 38 Hours

FreeClip 2 provides durations far ahead of its competitors in terms of battery life. Its biggest competitors in the open-ear class, the Shokz OpenFit, offers 7 hours, and the Bose Ultra Open offers 7.5 hours. It is worth emphasizing that the FreeClip 2 offers higher battery life than models like AirPods 4 (5 hours) and Galaxy Buds 3 (6 hours), although they are in a different class.

With fast charging support, FreeClip 2 gives 3 hours of listening time with a 10-minute charge.

More Durable: IP57 Rating

FreeClip 2 also jumps a class in terms of durability compared to the previous model. While the first generation had IP54, FreeClip 2 has an IP57 certification. It now shows resistance not only to sweat and rain but also to accidental immersion in water.

Verdict: Best in Class

Huawei FreeClip 2 is a perfect option for users who are uncomfortable with the intrusive nature of in-ear headphones, do not want to disconnect from their surroundings, and want to use technology as a style element. It offers significant improvements over the original FreeClip with a lighter structure, improved sound quality, a better microphone, and longer battery life.

FreeClip 2 Pros:

Stylish & Fashionable DesignExtremely Comfortable StructurePowerful Dual-Magnet DriversLouder volume and higher bass compared to the previous generationMicrophone that minimizes background noiseIP57 Water ResistanceLong Battery LifeSmart controls (Slide, Touch, and Head Gestures)

FreeClip 2 Cons:

Lower sound fidelity compared to closed-back audiophile headphonesLow noise isolation (by design)Bass is lighter than in-ear models

You Might Also Like;