With its FreeClip, Huawei is going against the current trend of wireless headphones which seek to always better isolate from the outside world. Their astonishing look combines with pleasant sound, as long as you stay calm.

With its FreeClip, Huawei is going against the current trend of wireless headphones which seek to always better isolate from the outside world. Their astonishing look combines with pleasant sound, as long as you stay calm.

A few years ago, it was easy to recognize iPhone (or iPod) users. All you had to do was take a look at their ears where you could easily see the white stems of the AirPods (or wired EarPods) protruding from them. Today, anyone who could submit to this little game without making a mistake is very skilled, as the concept and style initiated by Apple have been taken up and imitated by numerous brands. In 2024, Huawei is relaunching the game with its FreeClip. The Chinese giant, which has decided to now focus mainly on its headphones and connected watches, is in fact inaugurating a new design, unique in its kind and, at the same time, immediately recognizable like the AirPods in their time. At first glance, these wireless headphones look more like earrings than headphones. A surprising concept and not without its advantages. Still, looks aren’t everything. This first version still suffers from some defects inherent precisely to this atypical design. We were able to test the Huawei FreeClip for several weeks. Here is our verdict.

Huawei FreeClip: an atypical and super comfortable design

We’ve never worn headphones like this before…and it’s confusing. FreeClips are unlike anything that currently exists. So much so that, when you take them out of their case, you don’t really know how to go about “hanging” them on your ears. They consist of two distinct parts connected by a flexible U-shaped stem. The bulkier part, shaped like a bean, fits behind the ear. It is this which carries all the electronics necessary for the operation of each earphone (battery, Bluetooth module, amplifier, etc.). The second part, in the shape of a small ball, is nestled in the conch. It is she who broadcasts the sound using a 10.8 mm transducer.

After a few seconds of hesitation, putting each earphone in place ultimately turns out to be quite easy. And, after a few days, we no longer think twice before putting them on with one hand. No need to pay special attention to the left or right side either. The two headphones are completely identical and can be inserted into the left or right ear without disturbing either listening or stereo management. An accelerometer nestled in the bean is responsible for detecting the chosen orientation. Well seen. Same thing when it comes to storing them in their case, which simplifies the operation. On this point Huawei has done an excellent job.

With this amazing shape, one might expect a lack of stability from the headphones in the ears. It is not so. They stay perfectly in place even when moving. Above all, they provide a feeling of comfort that we have never experienced until now. Their weight of 5.6 g (each) is forgotten after a few minutes. So much so that on many occasions we have had to keep them in our ears for several hours without realizing it. Bluffing.

Despite this original shape, the FreeClips display IP54 certification. They can thus resist dust, splashing water and sweat, but you should however avoid dropping them into a puddle or swimming pool. Immersion is not on the program like the majority of competing headphones elsewhere.

Huawei FreeClip: ergonomics to be refined

Once positioned in the ears and paired via Bluetooth to the smartphone, the FreeClips are ready for use. Or almost. You still need to use the manufacturer’s AI Life app, available on iOS and Android (but not through the Google PlayStore from which Huawei is ousted) to configure them. And there, we become a little disillusioned. The app provides relatively few settings. The FreeClip thus offers some touch controls operated by tapping on the stem. You can answer and hang up a call, pause a song, or skip to the next one with one, two, or three taps. Not always a pleasant operation. However, it is impossible to raise or lower the volume. To do this, you will need to use the buttons on the smartphone. It’s a shame that Huawei hasn’t found the solution to exploit the surface offered by the bean at the back of the ear to make it a truly tactile area.

Another complaint is that the app does not offer a personalized equalizer either. Four pre-recorded modes are available to amplify the treble, focus on vocals or the Motivation mode which generates more bass without really knowing in what proportion.

Huawei FreeClip: balanced sound to listen to in peace

This atypical look and unrivaled comfort, however, have a drawback. The FreeClips are open headphones. By that (precisely) mean that they offer neither active nor even passive insulation. The small ball that carries the transducer is placed in the concha, ultimately quite far from the ear canal. First consequence: all surrounding sounds are perceptible. Rolling noises on public transport, conversations from neighbors, clicking of footsteps on the tarmac, blowing of the wind, creaking floorboards, chirping of birds… you will have understood, the FreeClips do not isolate anything. A good point for continuing to perceive your environment, for example during a running session or in the street to stay attentive to traffic, but which has another consequence: turning up the volume doesn’t do much good. The perceived sound becomes truly inaudible. It blends in with the surrounding noises without ever taking over. Damage.

It is quite different in a calm and silent environment where the FreeClips reveal their full potential. The bass inevitably remains too timid due to the open design of the headphones and nevertheless, listening is pleasant. The mids and especially the highs benefit from a little too much intensity (where we once again regret the absence of a customizable equalizer) but nothing really painful either. In fact, the FreeClips do not seem suitable for contemporary music addicted to predominant bass. On the other hand, for classical or pop, the result remains quite pleasant with a very good balance. Great work.

For telephone conversations, the FreeClips do quite well, provided, once again, that you do not attempt to make calls in a noisy environment. The audio processing applied by Huawei is very effective and relevant. Voices remain clearly audible on both sides of the line.

Huawei FreeClip: excellent autonomy

Unlike the vast majority of wireless headphones sold today, the FreeClips therefore do not have an active noise reduction system, which consumes a lot of energy. As a result, they are really enduring. They easily hold the length for just over seven hours of continuous use. The charging case, which we haven’t recharged in two weeks, offers up to three full recharges. This can be recharged with a USB cable or wirelessly. The app mentions the charge level of the headphones and the case so you don’t get caught off guard.

Huawei FreeClip: should you go for Huawei’s jewelry headphones?

Inevitably, FreeClips arouse the curiosity of those around you. And we understand why their look and style are so different from usual wireless headphones. It is also this very particular design that gives them real comfort on a daily basis. Rare are the headphones that manage to make themselves forgotten after a few minutes. On this point too, Huawei strikes a major blow. This feeling of comfort is also linked to the fact that we are dealing with open headphones which therefore do not obstruct the ear canal and do not modify the surrounding sound environment. But it is also their biggest fault since they let all the surrounding sounds pass through without the slightest possibility of isolating any part of it. Also, if you want to wear headphones in a quiet environment, at home or in a closed office for example, they may well meet your needs. The sound delivered remains accurate – even if we would have appreciated a little bass reinforcement – ​​and pleasant to the ear. Telephone conversations also benefit from good processing to appear natural. On the other hand, if it is a question of putting them on to take transport or work in an open space, go your way. You will definitely be disappointed.

The fact remains that Huawei must still rework the ergonomics to make them even simpler to handle (tapping on the stem is not the most pleasant) and above all offer more options including a customizable equalizer in the app in addition to the presets.

Finally, the price of 200 euros still seems a bit high to us if we take into account the very limited optimal conditions of use to get the best out of it.