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Huawei FreeBuds 5i vs OnePlus Buds Pro 4: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the OnePlus Buds Pro 4 comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 84. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: OnePlus Buds Pro 4 - Great overall at around $130.

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

Huawei FreeBuds 5i
Sound7.5
Noise cancelling7.0
Battery7.0
Calls6.5
Value8.5
OnePlus Buds Pro 4
Sound8.5
Noise cancelling8.0
Battery8.5
Calls7.5
Value9.0

Specifications

Specification comparison of Huawei FreeBuds 5i vs OnePlus Buds Pro 4
SpecHuawei FreeBuds 5iOnePlus Buds Pro 4
TypeTrue WirelessTrue Wireless
Price (USD)$99$130
HearWiki score76 / 100 · Great84 / 100 · Great
Released20232026
Audio
Driver10mm dynamicdual drivers; 11mm woofer + 6mm tweeter
Driver size10 mm11 mm
Drivers per side21
Frequency response20Hz-40kHz10Hz-40kHz
Impedance16 Ω-
Sensitivity110.8 dB/mW-
Wireless
Bluetooth5.25.4
Bluetooth version5.2-
CodecsAAC, SBC, LDACSBC, AAC, LHDC 5.0
Multipoint pairingYesYes
Latency-47 ms
Wireless range-10 m
Battery
Battery life7.5 h13 h
Battery life (ANC on)6 h7 h
Battery incl. case18.5 h45 h
Full charge time60 min70 min
Quick charge15 min = about 4 h playback10 min = 11 hours playback
Wireless chargingNoYes
Features
Active noise cancellingYesYes
ANC typehybridadaptive
Transparency modeYesYes
Companion appYesYes
Custom EQ-Yes
Wear detectionYesYes
Controlstouchtouch
Voice assistantsupportedyes
Design
Weight4.9 g4.73 g
Case weight33.9 g50.62 g
Water resistanceIP54IP55
USB-CYesYes
Model code-OnePlus Buds 4
Calls
Microphones23

What reviewers said

Huawei FreeBuds 5i

The Huawei FreeBuds 5i deliver a surprisingly premium feel and a rich feature set for their modest price, including hybrid ANC, LDAC support, and multipoint pairing. While they excel in overall value and sound quality, their noise cancellation isn't top-tier, and the lack of wireless charging plus reliance on the companion app for full functionality are notable trade-offs.

  • Pro:Excellent value with premium design
  • Pro:Supports LDAC and multipoint connectivity
  • Pro:Effective hybrid ANC for the price
  • Con:ANC is not class-leading
  • Con:No wireless charging support
  • Con:Best experience requires Huawei app

OnePlus Buds Pro 4

The OnePlus Buds Pro 4 are a well-rounded pair of true wireless earbuds that deliver impressive audio, adaptive noise cancellation, and strong battery life for their price. They're particularly suited for active lifestyles thanks to their IP55 rating and secure fit, with a feature set that includes multipoint, wireless charging, and customizable EQ. Overall, they offer excellent value and perform above their price point across most key areas.

  • Pro:Rich dual-driver sound with LHDC support
  • Pro:Effective adaptive ANC and transparency mode
  • Pro:Long battery life with wireless charging case
  • Con:Touch controls may require a learning curve
  • Con:No official mention of wear detection
  • Con:Slightly bulky case compared to rivals

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

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