Is the Huawei FreeBuds 3 worth the upgrade from the Technics EAH-AZ100?
Verdict
Downgrade
The Huawei FreeBuds 3 actually scores 38.8 points below the Technics EAH-AZ100, so on aggregate review consensus this is a step backwards. It loses ground on value (8.1 to 2.2) and battery (8.7 to 3.4). On paper: weight 11.8 g to 4.5 g, full charge time 120 min to 60 min and driver size 10 mm to 14.2 mm. Worth checking: battery life goes 12 h to 4 h and codecs goes SBC, AAC, LC3, LDAC to SBC, AAC. It is at least $42 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.
- Sound9.26.6
- Noise cancelling8.63.5
- Battery8.73.4
- Calls7.86.6
- Value8.12.2
Spec differences
Only where the two genuinely differ - everything they share is omitted.
| Spec | EAH-AZ100 | FreeBuds 3 | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery life | 12 h | 4 h | |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, LC3, LDAC | SBC, AAC | |
| Weight | 11.8 g | 4.5 g | |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.1 | |
| Multipoint pairing | Yes | No | |
| Battery life (ANC on) | 10 h | 4 h | |
| Battery incl. case | 28 h | 20 h | |
| Full charge time | 120 min | 60 min | |
| Driver size | 10 mm | 14.2 mm | |
| Case weight | 42 g | 48 g | |
| Transparency mode | Yes | No | |
| Companion app | Yes | No | |
| Custom EQ | Yes | No | |
| ANC type | hybrid | adaptive | |
| Driver | 10 mm dynamic | 14.2 mm dynamic |
About this verdict
Direction matters here: this page answers "EAH-AZ100 to FreeBuds 3". 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.