Earbuds
HUAWEI FreeBuds 6i Review: Impressive ANC Earbuds Without Breaking the Bank

In today’s crowded world of wireless earbuds, features often come at a premium price. But what if you could silence the outside world and crank up your favourite tunes without breaking the bank? Enter the HUAWEI FreeBuds 6i, a pair of earbuds promising top-tier noise cancellation on a budget.
Design and Comfort
The HUAWEI FreeBuds 6i sport a familiar in-ear design with a short stem. They come in three colours: white, black, and purple – the one reviewed here is the purple variant. The earbuds themselves are lightweight and comfortable to wear for extended periods. The included silicone ear tips come in three sizes, allowing for a customised fit that creates a good seal for passive noise isolation. The charging case is small and pocketable, with a glossy plastic finish that feels surprisingly sturdy.
An LED indicator on the case displays the battery level for the earbuds and the case itself. The controls are touch-sensitive, and located on the flat stem of each earbud. A single tap plays or pauses music, a double tap skips tracks, a triple tap activates the voice assistant, and swiping up or down adjusts the volume. The touch controls are highly responsive.
Sound Quality
Despite their budget price tag, the HUAWEI FreeBuds 6i deliver surprisingly good sound quality. The 11mm dynamic drivers with a quad-magnet design produce clear, detailed audio. These are also Hi-Res certified, producing as low as 14 Hz punchy bass. Having said that, the bass is present but not overpowering, allowing mids and highs to shine through. The soundstage isn’t the widest, but it’s sufficient for most genres of music.
HUAWEI also offers the AI Life app, which allows for some customisation with a five-band equaliser. This offers control over the listening experience. The FreeBuds 6i support SBC, AAC, and the higher-fidelity LDAC codecs. LDAC offers near-lossless audio transmission, but it requires a compatible device. If you have a HUAWEI phone that supports LDAC, you’ll get the best possible sound quality from these earbuds.
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
The star of the show for the HUAWEI FreeBuds 6i is undoubtedly the ANC technology. HUAWEI boasts its Intelligent Dynamic ANC 3.0, which uses an algorithm to adjust noise cancellation based on your environment. This allows the earbuds to effectively block out low-frequency noises such as aeroplane rumble and traffic noise.
The ANC is particularly impressive for the price range. Call quality is also decent, with the earbuds doing a good job of filtering out ambient noise for clear conversations. It does so by using the deep neural network (DNN) algorithm to distinguish voices from noise and cancel out noise during calls.
Battery Life
The HUAWEI FreeBuds 6i boast a battery life of up to 8 hours on a single charge. The charging case provides an additional 27 hours, bringing the total listening time to 35 hours. These numbers are competitive with other earbuds in this price range. The case supports fast charging, providing 4 hours of playback time with a 10-minute charge.
App and Features
The HUAWEI FreeBuds 6i connect to your device via Bluetooth 5.1. The connection is stable with minimal latency issues. The earbuds also support wear detection, automatically pausing playback when you remove one earbud and resuming when you put it back in.
As mentioned earlier, the HUAWEI AI Life app allows for some customisation, including ANC mode selection (Cozy, Awareness, and Dynamic), touch control settings, and equaliser adjustments. The app is user-friendly and provides all the necessary controls for your earbuds.
Verdict
The HUAWEI FreeBuds 6i are a compelling option for those seeking a balance between affordability and good features. They offer surprisingly good sound quality, impressive ANC performance for the price, and a comfortable design. The battery life is pretty good, and the included app provides some helpful customization options. The HUAWEI FreeBuds 6i are thus, a strong contender in the budget ANC earbud market.
Price: AED 349
Photography by Ryan Chris
HUAWEI FreeBuds 6i AED 349
Summary
The HUAWEI FreeBuds 6i sport a familiar in-ear design with a short stem. They come in three colours: white, black, and purple – the one reviewed here is the purple variant.
User Review
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Audio Devices
Soundpeats PearlClip Pro Review: Gentle on the Ears

In a market saturated with traditional in-ear and over-ear headphones, the Soundpeats PearlClip Pro emerges as a distinctive contender, offering a fresh take on personal audio. This innovative device combines a unique open-ear, clip-on design with a focus on comfort, situational awareness, and impressive battery longevity, similar to Huawei FreeClip.
Design and Build Quality
The most striking feature of the Soundpeats PearlClip Pro is its design. Unlike conventional earbuds that fit directly into the ear canal or hang loosely, the PearlClip Pro adopts a clip-on, open-ear design. The earbuds themselves are remarkably small and lightweight, weighing only 5.85g each. They are connected by a short, flexible cable to a larger unit that houses the battery and main electronics.
Regarding how the earbuds are placed, these small, lightweight earbuds are designed to rest gently on the outer ear, typically on the concha (the bowl-shaped part of the outer ear), without entering the ear canal. This open-ear placement is key to their comfort and situational awareness. Furthermore, an innovative directional hole design is incorporated, which helps to direct sound straight into the ear canal, minimising sound loss and maximising sound clarity despite the open-ear nature.
The build quality feels surprisingly good for its price point of AED 152. The plastics used are smooth and have a matte finish, resisting fingerprints. The clip mechanism is sturdy and provides a firm grip without feeling flimsy. The overall construction suggests a product designed for active use and portability.
The Unique Shape and Its Purpose
The unique “clip-on” and “open-ear” design of the PearlClip Pro serves several key purposes. Firstly, for comfort and awareness, by not being inserted directly into the ear canal, these earbuds eliminate the common discomfort associated with in-ear monitors, especially during long listening sessions. The open-ear design, which places the earbuds gently on the outer ear, also allows users to remain aware of their surroundings, making them ideal for outdoor activities, commuting, or office environments where situational awareness is crucial. This is a significant safety feature for runners or cyclists.
Secondly, for stability, the clip-on mechanism of the central unit ensures that it is securely fastened to your clothing or accessory, preventing the entire setup from bouncing around or falling out during movement. This makes them highly suitable for workouts, walks, or any activity where traditional earbuds might become dislodged.
Thirdly, for hygiene, the open-ear design reduces direct contact with the ear canal, potentially leading to better hygiene compared to in-ear designs that can trap moisture and earwax. Finally, regarding audio leakage versus openness, while traditional in-ear earbuds aim for sound isolation, the PearlClip Pro embraces an open soundstage. This means some sound leakage is inherent, but it’s a trade-off for the increased comfort and environmental awareness, though the directional hole design helps mitigate this somewhat.
Tech Specs
The Soundpeats PearlClip Pro comes equipped with Bluetooth 5.3, ensuring a stable connection, lower latency, and improved power efficiency. It supports SBC and AAC audio codecs, providing decent audio quality for most users. The earbuds feature 12mm dual-magnet drivers and incorporate dynamic EQ for clear highs and deep bass. It also boasts a water resistance rating through IPX5, making them splash-proof and sweat-resistant, which is suitable for workouts. Charging is convenient via a USB-C port.
Battery Life
The Soundpeats PearlClip Pro excels in the battery department, leveraging its larger unit to house a more substantial battery than typical truly wireless earbuds. During our tests, we got around 6 hours of playback from the earbuds on a single charge, with an additional 18 hours provided by the charging case (the central unit), totaling an impressive 24 hours of combined playback. This is significantly higher than many compact TWS earbuds, making them excellent for long commutes, extended work sessions, or multiple workout sessions without needing to recharge.
The PearlClip Pro takes around 1.5 to 2 hours to fully charge from empty to 100% using a standard USB-C cable and a 5V/1A charger. A convenient feature is the 10-minute quick charge, which provides 2 hours of playtime. This is a reasonable charging time given the extended playback it offers.
Overall Audio Quality
The audio quality of the Soundpeats PearlClip Pro, considering its open-ear design, is surprisingly competent. It’s important to set expectations; open-ear designs inherently struggle to deliver the same bass impact and sound isolation as in-ear models. However, the PearlClip Pro does a commendable job within its category, enhanced by its 12mm dual-magnet drivers and dynamic EQ.
For the lows, the bass response is present but not overpowering. It’s more about subtle warmth and rhythm rather than deep, thumping impact. For an open-ear design, the bass is surprisingly articulate and doesn’t sound overly thin, providing a decent foundation without muddying the rest of the frequencies, with the dynamic EQ contributing to this enhanced bass.
The midrange is where the PearlClip Pro truly shines. Vocals are clear, natural, and forward, making podcasts, audiobooks, and vocal-centric music very enjoyable. Instruments such as guitars, pianos, and strings are well-represented, offering good detail and separation.
The highs are clear and extend well without being harsh. There’s enough sparkle to add detail and airiness to the sound, contributing to a pleasant listening experience.
To assess the audio quality, we used a wide range of songs. “Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson was used to test bass presence, clarity of the iconic bassline, and overall separation of instruments; the PearlClip Pro handled the bassline with decent definition, and Michael Jackson’s vocals were front and center.
“Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen helped evaluate vocal harmonies, dynamic range, and instrument layering, with various vocal tracks and instrumental shifts being well-articulated, showcasing the strong midrange. “Hotel California (Live Acoustic)” by Eagles allowed for assessment of acoustic detail, guitar tonality, and vocal intimacy, where the nuances of the acoustic guitars and Don Henley’s voice came through clearly.
“Bad Guy” by Billie Eilish was used to push the bass response and test the clarity of electronic elements and Billie’s whispered vocals; while the sub-bass rumble wasn’t as impactful as closed-back headphones, the unique textures and vocals were well-reproduced. Finally, “Symphony No. 5” by Ludwig van Beethoven (various movements) helped gauge orchestral dynamics, instrument separation, and overall soundstage; the PearlClip Pro managed to present a reasonably wide soundstage for an open-ear design, allowing for decent appreciation of the orchestral arrangement.
Verdict
The Soundpeats PearlClip Pro is a niche product that excels within its specific design philosophy. It’s not for audiophiles seeking immersive, bass-heavy sound isolation, but rather for those who prioritise comfort, situational awareness, and long battery life in a highly portable package. Its unique clip-on design is a genuine innovation for active users.
On the positive side, its exceptional comfort stems from the open-ear design, which eliminates ear canal fatigue. It offers excellent situational awareness, making it ideal for outdoor activities and safe commuting. The secure clip-on mechanism keeps the unit stable during movement. A significant advantage is its outstanding battery life, providing 6 hours from the earbuds and an additional 18 hours from the charging case for a total of 24 hours.
The earbuds deliver clear midrange and treble, ensuring vocals and instruments sound natural and detailed, and provide good call quality with ENC for clearer voice transmission. Furthermore, it boasts solid build quality, feeling durable and well-made, and is highly portable and lightweight, easy to carry and forget it’s there. The quick charge feature is also a notable convenience.
However, there are some drawbacks. Due to its open-ear design, it has limited bass impact and is not recommended for bass enthusiasts. Sound leakage is inherent, meaning others nearby might hear your audio at higher volumes. It lacks Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) as it’s not designed for noise isolation. Lastly, it’s not suited for immersive listening, as it lacks the sealed-off soundstage of in-ear or over-ear headphones.
The Soundpeats PearlClip Pro is a highly recommended option for individuals who value comfort, safety, and extended battery life over deep bass and complete sound isolation. It’s a fantastic companion for workouts, outdoor adventures, or simply for those who want to enjoy audio while remaining connected to their environment. If you’re looking for an alternative to traditional earbuds that won’t fall out and will keep you aware of your surroundings, the Soundpeats PearlClip Pro is a compelling choice.
Price: AED 152
Soundpeats PearlClip Pro AED 152
Summary
The audio quality of the Soundpeats PearlClip Pro, considering its open-ear design, is surprisingly competent. It’s important to set expectations; open-ear designs inherently struggle to deliver the same bass impact and sound isolation as in-ear models.
User Review
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Acer Gadget Intros New AI-Powered Wearables and E-Mobility Products

Acer Gadget, a subsidiary of Acer Inc., has announced its latest innovations at COMPUTEX 2025: the Acer FreeSense Ring and Acer AI TransBuds. These new products signify the company’s expanding focus on AI-powered wearables and real-time communication tools. In addition, Acer Gadget showcased its expanded smart mobility portfolio, featuring new e-scooters and e-bikes, underscoring a broad innovation strategy that encompasses wellness, connectivity, and mobility.
The Acer FreeSense Ring is a lightweight titanium smart ring designed for 24/7 biometric tracking and AI-driven wellness insights. Crafted from ultra-lightweight titanium alloy, it tracks vital physiological metrics such as heart rate, heart rate variability, blood oxygen levels, and sleep quality. A companion mobile app analyzes this data to generate personalized wellness insights and suggestions. Users can access all health data without additional subscription fees, making it “a practical and reliable daily wellness companion.”
The Acer AI TransBuds are lightweight and compact earbuds that enable real-time, two-way voice translation across 15 major languages. By connecting to a smartphone or tablet via a plug-in receiver, the device activates AI-based speech recognition and semantic analysis for translation. Notably, only one person needs to wear the earbuds for effective translation, making them suitable for various situations, including casual conversations, business meetings, livestreams, and online study sessions. The earbuds also support live captioning and transcription.
Acer Gadget also showcased its latest e-mobility solutions, expanding its smart urban and outdoor mobility offerings. This includes the Acer eScooter Series 4 Select, Series 5 Select, Predator ES Storm, and Predator ES Thunder, all equipped with 400W to 500W motors and adaptive brake and suspension systems. Riders can monitor performance and manage security settings via the Acer eMobility App. The Predator eRanger, a fat-tire e-bike previously introduced at the Taipei Cycle Show 2025, was also on display, demonstrating Acer Gadget’s commitment to developing versatile mobility solutions.
Earbuds
Soundcore by Anker Debuts Next-Gen AI Audio at Microsoft Build 2025

Anker Innovations recently participated in Microsoft Build 2025, highlighting its successful integration of Microsoft’s advanced technology with Anker’s product innovation. This collaboration aims to significantly enhance AI capabilities across its diverse range of consumer products.
During the event, soundcore, Anker Innovations’ premium audio brand, was prominently featured, demonstrating the seamless incorporation of real-time translation and generative AI into its wireless earbuds. This initiative underscores Anker’s overarching vision to transcend traditional hardware offerings and instead deliver intelligent, software-enabled solutions to its global user base.
“We’re excited to be part of Microsoft Build and to demonstrate what’s possible when AI meets everyday tech,” stated Dongping Zhao, President of Anker Innovations. “Built on deep technical integration and shared innovation goals, we’re able to deliver smarter, more intuitive, and responsive audio products for users around the world.”
The soundcore Aerofit 2, initially launched last year, received an update in March 2025 with the addition of built-in AI translation powered by Microsoft Azure AI. This enhancement has transformed the earbuds into an invaluable tool for effortless multilingual communication. The Aerofit 2 supports two primary modes: a face-to-face translation feature, allowing users to speak in their native language and receive real-time responses directly through their earbuds; and a simultaneous interpretation mode, which continuously streams translations during extended speeches like lectures or meetings, enabling users to follow with ease. With support for 100 languages and their variants, the Aerofit 2 empowers users to bridge cultural gaps and navigate global conversations with confidence. Balancing comfort with robust multifunctionality, the Aerofit 2 was recognized with both the prestigious iF Design Award and the Red Dot Design Award in 2025.
Looking ahead, Anker Innovations and Microsoft are actively collaborating on the next generation of soundcore earbuds. These upcoming models are set to support generative voice AI conversations utilizing Azure’s Voice Live API, which unifies speech recognition, generative AI, and text-to-speech within a single workflow. Leveraging Anker’s strong research and development foundation, these enhanced capabilities will include soundcore’s advanced noise suppression, echo cancellation, interruption handling, and sophisticated end-of-turn detection. These features are meticulously designed not only to facilitate natural, real-time AI interactions but also to significantly bolster the brand’s product competitiveness and leadership in the smart audio market.
Anker Innovations, a global technology company established in 2011, is dedicated to inspiring possibilities through ultimate innovation. Since its inception, Anker has introduced an extensive portfolio of consumer technology products, which are now trusted by over 200 million users across more than 140 countries and regions. As the company continues its evolution, it remains at the forefront of AI-driven innovation, consistently delivering intelligent, connected experiences that are redefining the role of smart hardware in everyday life.
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