If your budget is under 100 bucks, then two of the most underrated options right now are the Huawei FreeBuds 7i and the Realme Buds Air 7 Pro.
I’ve personally tested both of these, and honestly, they surprised me in different ways. So if you’re trying to decide which one to go for, you’re in the right place.
Here, I’ll share my personal experience with both to help you choose the one that’s better for you.
Design and Comfort
Right out of the box, these two earbuds couldn’t feel more different.
The Realme Buds Air 7 Pro case has a premium, almost leather-like finish that gives it a more high-end vibe. It feels solid and stylish — something you wouldn’t mind showing off on a desk.
Huawei’s FreeBuds 7i, on the other hand, go for a cleaner, matte plastic look. It’s well built and pleasant to hold, but it doesn’t quite have that “luxury” touch Realme managed to pull off.
Both cases have a pairing/reset button, which is great to see, and both earbuds themselves fit extremely well. They’re light, comfortable, and stay secure even during workouts or a quick run. Each also features wear detection and touch controls.
That said, Huawei scores an extra point for usability — you can slide your finger along the stem to adjust volume, something Realme still doesn’t offer. It’s a small thing, but it makes a big difference once you get used to it.
In terms of protection, Realme gets an IP55 rating versus Huawei’s IP54 — so both can handle sweat and splashes, but Realme offers slightly better durability.
Winner Realme edges it here with the more premium feel and slightly higher water resistance, though Huawei’s volume control gesture is a nice touch.
Connectivity and Smart Features
Both Huawei and Realme have moved up to Bluetooth 5.4, so connection stability and range are excellent.
There’s a slight difference in codecs: Huawei sticks to AAC, which is widely compatible, while Realme supports LHDC 5.0, a higher-resolution codec — but it only shines if your phone supports it.
Each brand has its own companion app:
- Huawei AI Life
- Realme Link
Both apps are genuinely well made. You can tweak the EQ, customize touch gestures, test fit, and even adjust ANC strength.
Realme gets creative here by integrating Google Gemini AI (in global versions), which unlocks features like live translation and smart assistance. Huawei goes for something different — a head gesture system that lets you nod or shake your head to answer or reject calls. It’s clever, though admittedly a bit gimmicky in daily use.
Winner: A draw. Realme’s AI integration is cool, but Huawei’s gesture control adds a fun edge too.
Microphone Quality
When it comes to call clarity, Huawei’s FreeBuds 7i are simply outstanding for the price. Voices sound clean, clear, and natural — even when you’re outside or in a noisy environment.
The Realme Buds Air 7 Pro also sound great, but Huawei’s mic tuning feels more polished overall. For frequent callers, or anyone who spends time in Zoom meetings, this could make a real difference.
Verdict: Huawei takes the mic crown here.
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
Both pairs deliver impressive ANC, but they do it in different ways. Realme advertises up to 53dB of noise reduction, while Huawei’s Intelligent ANC 4.0 focuses on adapting to your surroundings automatically.
In everyday use — on public transport, in cafés, or on busy streets — Huawei’s ANC feels more natural and less “pressurized.” Realme’s approach blocks a lot of sound but can create that familiar ear pressure after a while.
Winner: Huawei wins for comfort and tuning.
Sound Quality
Now to the main event — sound.
Realme’s Buds Air 7 Pro pack a dual-driver setup (11mm + 6mm), while Huawei’s FreeBuds 7i rely on a single 11mm driver with four magnets. The difference is noticeable.
The Realme Buds Air 7 Pro simply sound better out of the box. The mix is balanced, vocals are clean, and the bass has depth without muddying the mids. Highs are crisp but never harsh.
Huawei’s tuning, meanwhile, feels a bit too bright by default — especially on tracks with strong female vocals. It can be adjusted through the app, but out of the box, Realme has the more pleasant and refined sound signature.
Winner: Realme wins comfortably here.
Latency and Gaming
Both earbuds perform great for streaming, videos, and casual gaming, but Huawei pulls slightly ahead when it comes to ultra-low latency.
If you play fast-paced titles like Call of Duty Mobile or PUBG, you’ll notice Huawei feels just a touch more responsive.
Winner: Huawei wins this one — just by a hair.
Battery Life
Battery performance is neck and neck. With ANC turned on and volume hovering around 50%, both earbuds deliver roughly 4.5 to 5 hours of playback on a single charge.
Realme is a bit more consistent — you’ll almost always hit that five-hour mark, while Huawei sometimes lands a little short.
Neither offers wireless charging, which feels like a missed opportunity at this price point, but both charge via USB-C and top up quickly.
Winner: Realme takes this one too, by a slim margin.
Huawei FreeBuds 7i vs Realme Buds Air 7 Pro: Specs Comparison
| Feature | Huawei FreeBuds 7i | Realme Buds Air 7 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $99 (depends on region) | $99 (depends on region) |
| Driver(s) | 11 mm quad-magnet dynamic driver | Dual drivers: 11 mm + 6 mm (dual-DAC) |
| ANC (Active Noise Canc.) | Intelligent Dynamic ANC 4.0 | Up to ~50–53 dB real-time ANC (manufacturer claim) |
| Battery | ≈ 4–5 hrs playback (ANC on) | ≈ 5 hrs per charge (ANC on) |
| Charging | USB-C (no wireless charging) | USB-C; fast charge (10 min → hours of playback) |
| Bluetooth & | Bluetooth 5.4 | Bluetooth 5.4 |
| Codecs | SBC / AAC; LDAC | SBC / AAC / LHDC 5.0 (Hi-Res certified) |
| Water resistance | Earbuds IP54 | Earbuds IP55 |
| Microphones | Multi-mic system (improved call clarity) | 6-mic array with call noise cancellation |
| Controls & app | Touch controls + swipe volume on stem; Huawei AI Life app | Touch controls; Realme Link app (AI features like Live Translation in global build) |
| Latency | Very low latency (good for gaming) | Low latency (~45 ms advertised in some markets) |
Which Should You Buy?
Both of these earbuds are genuinely excellent — feature-rich, well-built, and far above average for their price. But they do cater to slightly different users.
If you’re all about sound quality and design, go for the Realme Buds Air 7 Pro. They look better, sound better, and are easier on the wallet.
If you value clearer calls, smoother ANC, and slightly better gaming latency, the Huawei FreeBuds 7i will be the smarter pick.
Best Deal:
- Huawei FreeBuds 7i: View on AliExpress
- Realme Buds Air 7 Pro: View on AliExpress
Nick, the Co-founder of Earbuds Arena, is a seasoned freelance tech journalist with over ten years of experience covering wearables, apps, headphones, and gadgets. When he’s not immersed in the tech world, you’ll likely find him unwinding with video games, going for a run, or enjoying a game of soccer on the field.
