REVIEW: Huawei FreeBuds SE 2 headphones

The wireless headphones market is undeniably crowded, with different brands trying to get a share of this market. One of the brands is Huawei, which recently launched the FreeBuds SE 2, an interesting option for those who want to enter this world of wireless communication at an affordable price.

Check the review of showmetech Next:

design and battery

The first notable detail of the FreeBuds SE 2 is its new charging case, which takes away from the look of the previous model which was long and, according to reports from those who tested them, uncomfortable to keep in the pocket, for a look more similar to that found on more popular earbuds. high-end, being a slightly rounded rectangular case that takes up very little space in your pocket. 

According to Huawei's specifications, the phone with the case weighs 33g, and this explains the feeling of comfort they give. The buds are fixed to the case using a magnetic system, and the case also has a USB-C port for charging.

The headphones, weighing around 3,8g each, have an ergonomic simulation design, that is, they were made so that any ear can receive them comfortably. Furthermore, they place little pressure on the ear canal thanks to this design decision, allowing them to be worn for long periods of time without any discomfort.

Each earphone has a small hole at the bottom where the microphone captures the sound. They are discreet and functional, and can be used beyond listening to music, for example. 

Furthermore, the phone is certified IP54K for water resistance, allowing it to withstand light splashes of liquid and can also resist accumulated dust — something great for those who live, for example, in regions where dust ends up easily accumulating.

The case has a 510mAh battery, and the phone itself has a 41mAh battery. In our tests, this allowed approximately 8 hours of audio playback or even use of the microphone during calls, and the case was able to fully charge the phone 3 times before it even needed to be charged via its USB-C input. Your battery can be monitored via the Huawei AI Life app or by the LED on the front of the case, which flashes red when the battery is low.

pairing

When taking the headphones out of the case for the first time, they are already in pairing mode, simply connecting via cell phone and they can be used — all using Bluetooth 5.3, technology that allows greater connection stability. Generally, I have a lot of trouble understanding how to access the device's pairing mode, so it's still a positive point when something comes so prepared for the new user.

If you want to connect to another device, then you need to know how to enter pairing mode, but there isn't much of a secret here either: just press the bottom of the device for a few seconds so that it can enter this mode and be used with a new device.

In general, it is simple to use, but to have even more customization and access to the few functions still present on the phone that are not addressed with the initial pairing, you need to use HUAWEI's AI Life application, available through a QR Code on the company's official website.

Audio quality

Well, the most important part of any headphone is the audio, right? And in that, the FreeBuds SE 2 It doesn't disappoint in the slightest. Through its ergonomic design, the experience of using the device is great, with a feeling of being surrounded by sound that almost approaches audio surround thanks to its 10mm drivers that allow good equalization and sound emission.

The headphone volumes are also fantastic, allowing a wide range of intensity without losing sound clarity. Furthermore, the audio control proved to be very effective, with double tapping on the left earphone allowing you to play and pause content or end a call, while the same action on the right side allows you to answer a call and play the next track. be reproduced. 

The headset's microphone is also excellent, with simple noise reduction and essential quality for communication. In tests, it wasn't better, obviously, than the cell phone itself, but considering that I was on Discord calls and didn't want to keep the device on my ear, the result was fantastic and served its purpose as a discreet phone. and functional.

Huawei AI Life App and Customization

through the app Huawei AI Life - available to Android e iPhone (iOS) — it is possible to customize the headphones so that they can both be touch controlled and check the battery level and find the headphones through a beep.

In general, the options are nothing very incredible, but they offer a more customizable experience, as even the gestures can be customized within a range of the following options:

• Play or pause content;
• Next music;
• Previous music;
• Wake up voice assistant;
• No function.

Just like its previous version, the Huawei Freebuds SE, there is no possibility of configuring different functions for different touches, with only double tapping being available as a feature for anyone who wants to use the device, with only one function for each side of the earbud being possible. to configure.

Conclusion

In an extremely competitive market like wireless headphones, Huawei stands out for launching a more accessible product with quality that borders on premium. Of course, compared to the Huawei FreeBuds 5i, its performance and options are still somewhat inferior, but for a product considered entry-level, it is undeniable how good the Freebuds SE 2 it works. 

In general, the only function I missed in it was greater clarity regarding the need to download the Huawei app to take advantage of it 100%, as for many users this can go unnoticed – but it still works well even without the joint configuration of the application.

Anyway, considering its price of R$ 229 at Amazon, Huawei FreeBuds SE 2 It's a great choice for those looking for an affordable headset with interesting functions. We recommend. 

Technical Specifications

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reviewed by Glaucon Vital in 18 / 10 / 23.