Yes, this device has been around for a couple of years. However, Huawei have made some minor tweaks (mostly in software) that warrants another look at the FreeLace wireless earphones. It might not have the traditional wireless form factor with the neck strap connecting the two earphones, but this device is targeting a different audience than most wireless earphones. Some might say it isn’t true wireless for that reason, but in the review, we’ll find out what you’d be signing up for.
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In our Huawei FreeLace Review, we put Huawei’s activity-focused wireless earphones to the test to see how it stacks up to more traditional wireless earphones on the market.
Design and Build
Who knew that the Huawei Freelace could bring some excitement to your dull old earphones? Well, as long as you steer clear of the orange color option, these headphones are as unassuming as a sleepy sloth. Picture this: a typical band headphone design that connects the buds to the remote and mic. Riveting stuff, right?
But wait, there’s more! Brace yourself for the mind-blowing feature hiding under the hood. Grab the remote and give it a gentle tug, and voila! The headphones magically separate, revealing a USB C connector. It’s like a secret transformation that would make Optimus Prime jealous. And if you have a Huawei phone with the latest EMUI, the connection process is smoother than a baby’s bottom. Connecting to any Huawei device is really simple, but Android devices work just as well. I also tested it connected to a Windows laptop, but it’s range and connectivity wasn’t as reliable in that case.
Oh, and did I mention the added benefit of charging the headphones using any phone or tablet with a USB C input? It’s like borrowing power from a friendly neighbour (who in South Africa wouldn’t want to do that these days). Sure, it may not be the most elegant sight, resembling the original Apple Pencil’s awkward plug-in, but who cares about elegance when you can be efficient, right?
According to Huawei you can add four hours of playback with 5 minutes of charge, which we ahven’t been able to replicate. When I tried it, I expected my headphones to grow wings and sing angelic harmonies. But alas, it only gave me a decent 15-20 percent charge. Still, that was enough to survive a grueling gym session or survive a torturous commute in Cape Town traffic. Heavy usage, however, revealed the reality.
But hey, it’s not all serious business with the Freelace. The magnetic switch mechanism adds a touch of whimsy to your musical escapades. Simply put the two buds together, and ta-da! They stick together like magnets on a refrigerator. And when they’re united, a Hall sensor takes the hint and pauses the audio, giving you the power to freeze time. When you part them, the audio resumes as if you’ve unleashed the magical spell.
So there you have it, the Huawei Freelace: the unassuming headphones that transform like a superhero, charge like a sneaky thief, and play with magnets like mischievous kids. Who said earphones couldn’t bring a little adventure into your life?
Sound Quality
Ah, sound quality, the sacrificial lamb when a company with zero audio experience decides to dabble in the world of earphones. It’s like asking a cow to juggle flaming torches—things are bound to go haywire. But fear not, my friend, for the Huawei FreeLace earphones manage to offer audio that’s more than just “meh” for the price. They may not support fancy-schmancy aptX codecs, but hey, they’re trying their best.
Equipped with 9.2mm dynamic drivers, these headphones deliver audio that surprisingly doesn’t make your ears bleed. Sure, they tend to oversell the low end, resulting in a bass that’s a bit flabbier than a jellyfish on a trampoline. But hey, at least they don’t sound like a whale trying to sing opera, unlike certain competitors.
Moving on to the mids and highs, they’re suitably clear, like a crystal-clear stream gently caressing your eardrums. When I listened to classic jazz, the sax and piano parts had a delightful level of detail, and the overall tonal balance was more than satisfactory. The double bass wasn’t as tight as the security when we visited Huawei’s Facilities in China, but for this price range, you’ll be hard-pressed to find better audio quality.
Feeling good so far? Well, hold your applause because there’s one area where the FreeLace fails to deliver like a lazy pizza delivery guy: noise isolation. These earphones offer an okay seal for listening at home, but once you step into the wild, wild world of noisy environments, their isolation is about as effective as putting a band-aid on a broken dam. Even other earphones without ANC (active noise cancellation) perform better in this department. Ouch.
On top of that, wind noise becomes your annoying sidekick when using the FreeLace’s mic on the go. The person on the other end of the line will be left wondering if you’ve been swallowed by a tornado.
However, let’s give credit where credit is due. The signal stability of the FreeLace does partially make up for these shortcomings. They may not be as stable as the Apple AirPods, which miraculously survive in signal-warped zones that render most wireless earphones useless. But hey, they’re a step up from some of the competition I’ve tested.
Conclusion
The Huawei FreeLace provide a set of commendable features that set them apart from other Bluetooth earphones, but the overall sound quality does let them down at times. However, given that they aren’t brand new, you might be able to pick them up at a decent price, in which case it is a decent option for most.
