Is the Huawei FreeBuds 4 worth the upgrade from the Sony WF-1000XM5?
Verdict
Downgrade
The Huawei FreeBuds 4 actually scores 22.0 points below the Sony WF-1000XM5, so on aggregate review consensus this is a step backwards. It loses ground on noise cancelling (9.0 to 5.0) and sound (9.0 to 6.5). On paper: full charge time 90 min to 60 min and driver size 8.4 mm to 14.3 mm. Worth checking: battery life goes 12 h to 4 h and codecs goes SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 to SBC, AAC. It is at least $94 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.
- Sound9.06.5
- Noise cancelling9.05.0
- Battery8.05.5
- Calls8.06.0
- Value7.06.0
Spec differences
Only where the two genuinely differ - everything they share is omitted.
| Spec | WF-1000XM5 | FreeBuds 4 | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery life | 12 h | 4 h | |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 | SBC, AAC | |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.2 | |
| Battery life (ANC on) | 8 h | 2.5 h | |
| Battery incl. case | 24 h | 22 h | |
| Full charge time | 90 min | 60 min | |
| Driver size | 8.4 mm | 14.3 mm | |
| Microphones | 6 | 3 | |
| Custom EQ | Yes | No | |
| Quick charge | 5 min = 1 h | 15 min = 2.5 h |
About this verdict
Direction matters here: this page answers "WF-1000XM5 to FreeBuds 4". 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.