The market for totally wireless Bluetooth headphones is very large, but it is strongly restricted if one is looking for high-end proposals with noise cancellation. In this comparison we will put the AirPods Pro (2022) and the Huawei FreeBuds Pro 2 face to face, two of the best options that can be purchased today.
Features AirPods Pro 2 and Huawei FreeBuds Pro 2
|
specifications |
AirPods Pro (2nd generation) |
Huawei FreeBuds Pro 2 |
|---|---|---|
|
Dimensions and weight |
Ear cups: 1.25″ high x 0.75″ wide, 0.95″ thick, 0.2 ounce | Case: 4.52 cm high x 6.06 cm wide x 2.17 cm d thickness and 50.8 grams of weight |
Helmet: 2.91 cm long x 2.18 cm wide and 2.37 cm high and 6.1 grams in weight | Case: 6.79 cm long x 2.45 cm wide x 4.75 cm high and 52 grams |
|
sound technology |
Apple custom high excursion driver, custom high dynamic range amplifier, active noise cancellation, adaptive ambient mode, slotted pressure compensation, spatial audio with dynamic head tracking and adaptive EQ |
Digital Crossover, Triple Adaptive EQ, “Smart” Active Noise Cancellation, Call Noise Cancellation and Transparency Mode, Wireless Hi-Res Audio |
|
Sensors |
Two beamforming microphones, an inward-facing microphone, skin sensor, motion-detecting accelerometer, voice-detecting accelerometer, and touch control |
Four microphones, bone sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope and infrared |
|
Chip |
Apple H2 chip for headphones and U1 chip in MagSafe charging case |
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|
controls |
Press once to play audio, pause it or answer a call; double tap to skip to next song; triple tap to return to the previous song; press and hold to switch between active noise cancellation and adaptive ambient sound mode; swipe up or down to adjust volume, and say “Hey Siri” to play a song, make a call, get directions, and more. |
Touch control (one, two, three times and long press), slider (up and down) |
|
Sweat and water resistance |
IPX4 (helmet and case) |
IP54 |
|
charging case |
Compatible with MagSafe charger, Apple Watch, Qi certification and Lightning charging |
USB-C and Qi charger |
|
Autonomy |
Up to 6 hours of audio playback on a single charge (up to 5.5 hours if spatial audio is enabled), or up to 4.5 hours of talk time | With the case, you get up to 30 hours of audio playback or up to 24 hours of talk time. Five minutes of charging equals one hour of reading or talking |
Up to 6.5 hours of playtime per charge (up to 30 hours with case) |
|
connectivity |
Bluetooth 5.3 and H2 chip |
Bluetooth 5.2 |
|
Compatibility |
iPhone and iPod touch models with the latest version of iOS, iPad models with the latest version of iPadOS, Apple Watch models with the latest version of watchOS, Mac models with the latest version of macOS and models of Apple TV with the latest version of the latest version of tvOS |
iOS, Android, Windows, etc. |
|
Price |
299 dollars |
199 dollars |
AirPods Pro (2nd generation)
HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro 2, Wireless Bluetooth Headphones, Devialet, Dual Speakers, Crystal Clear Voice, Smart ANC, Triple Adaptive EQ, Dual Connection, Hi-Res Audio, Silver Blue, 38 Months Warranty
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Design: the appearance of the Huawei FreeBuds Pro 2 is very similar to that of the AirPods Pro 2which maintain the design of the first generation, so we have two elegant and detailed wireless Bluetooth headphones, not very large and with a system of pads, something necessary for a feature that we will talk about later: active noise cancellation.
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sound technology– The most sought-after feature in these types of headphones is active noise cancellation, and they both have it. The Huawei FreeBuds Pro 2 have a “intelligent” system that switches to optimal noise cancellation mode in real time. They are also compatible with Hi-Res Audio Wireless, offer simultaneous connection to two devices and have a triple adaptive equalizer. AirPods Pro deliver spatial sound with dynamic head tracking and adaptive equalization.
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Chip: Apple released in the AirPods Pro (2022) the H2 chipfor better connection and efficiency with Apple devices, and the case includes the U1 chip so that it can be located in case of loss. Huawei does not specify that of its headphones.
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controls: one of the control novelties of the AirPods Pro (2022) can also be found in the Huawei FreeBuds Pro 2: increase or decrease the volume by performing the swipe gesture. This is something that many headphones of their specs don’t offer.
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Autonomy: The battery is similar in headphones, with up to 6.5 hours on Huawei FreeBuds Pro 2 and up to 6 hours on AirPods Pro 2. This figure is with active noise cancellation turned off. If activated, battery life is significantly reduced. The cases offer a similar level of recharge, up to 30 hours in total.
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Compatibility– While the AirPods Pro (2022) also works with other non-Apple devices as they have Bluetooth 5.3, the maximum benefits can only be obtained with an iPhone, iPad, Mac, etc.. Huawei says its FreeBuds Pro 2 can also be used with iOS and Windows, as well as Android. It’s worth remembering that its Huawei mobile devices no longer use Google services, and the company is also following Apple’s path of providing better integration when using Huawei-only devices.
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Price: the AirPods Pro (2022) have a recommended retail price of 299 dollars. The Huawei FreeBuds Pro 2, although also expensive, are more affordable: 199 dollars.
AirPods Pro (2022) VS Huawei FreeBuds Pro 2, which should you buy?
We are facing two of the best wireless Bluetooth headphones on the market. Similar in design, they offer similar functionality, although there are instances when it’s better to opt for one or the other. If Apple devices are mainly used, with the AirPods Pro (2022) we will obtain a better result thanks to its great integration with the ecosystem, in addition to using spatial audio with dynamic tracking.
The Huawei FreeBuds Pro 2 are a better option if you have devices with different operating systemslike Android, iOS and Windows. Moreover, its RRP is $100 less than Apple’s AirPods Pro, and they still have great sound and good noise cancellation, along with a sleek design.
AirPods Pro (2nd generation)
HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro 2, Wireless Bluetooth Headphones, Devialet, Dual Speakers, Crystal Clear Voice, Smart ANC, Triple Adaptive EQ, Dual Connection, Hi-Res Audio, Silver Blue, 38 Months Warranty
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