Is the Xiaomi Redmi Buds 8 Pro worth the upgrade from the Huawei FreeBuds Neo?
Verdict
Downgrade
The Xiaomi Redmi Buds 8 Pro actually scores 5.3 points below the Huawei FreeBuds Neo, so on aggregate review consensus this is a step backwards. It loses ground on battery (8.0 to 5.5). Worth checking: weight goes 4.8 g to 10.6 g and battery incl. case goes 40 h to 35 h. It is at least $34 cheaper, so the lower score comes with a saving. Only worth it if a specific feature above matters more to you than overall quality does.
What actually changes
Sub-scores both products have, on the same 0-10 scale. Bars extend right for a gain, left for a loss.
- Sound8.08.0
- Noise cancelling8.08.0
- Battery8.05.5
- Calls8.07.6
- Value9.09.3
Spec differences
Only where the two genuinely differ - everything they share is omitted.
| Spec | FreeBuds Neo | Redmi Buds 8 Pro | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Codecs | LDAC | SBC, AAC, LC3, LHDC | |
| Weight | 4.8 g | 10.6 g | |
| Water resistance | IP55 | IP54 | |
| Battery incl. case | 40 h | 35 h | |
| Microphones | 4 | 3 | |
| Custom EQ | Yes | No | |
| Driver | dynamic | 3× 11 mm driver | |
| Frequency response | 10 Hz - 48 kHz | 20 Hz - 40 kHz |
About this verdict
Direction matters here: this page answers "FreeBuds Neo to Redmi Buds 8 Pro". The other direction is a separate question with a different answer. Scores blend published review verdicts across true wireless and shift as new reviews land, so a marginal call today may not be one next quarter.