If you’re looking at Huawei’s wireless earbuds lineup and wondering whether the new FreeBuds 7i are worth upgrading from the FreeBuds 6i, you’re not alone.
Huawei’s FreeBuds line has become a top choice for budget-friendly ANC earbuds without much fanfare. Each new version sees the company making small improvements to the overall experience.
But do the latest 7i offer real enhancements, or are they just a slight update with a new label?
I’ve used both, so let me break down how they stack up – from their look and feel to sound quality, noise cancellation capabilities, and day-to-day usefulness.
Design and Comfort
At first glance, the FreeBuds 7i don’t look radically different from the 6i. Both share Huawei’s signature minimalist design, compact stems, and silicone ear tips that ensure a secure and comfortable fit.
The biggest visible change comes from the charging case — the FreeBuds 7i now use a rounder, “mini cheese wheel” design that feels a bit chunkier but more premium in the hand. The older FreeBuds 6i case was slightly flatter and easier to slip into a pocket, though it didn’t feel as refined.
The earbuds themselves are nearly identical in shape, with the only noticeable change being the microphone layout and a tiny increase in size for the 7i.
Despite that, they remain lightweight and comfortable enough for long listening sessions, gym workouts, or even runs. Both models feature IP54 water and dust resistance, so you don’t have to worry about sweat or a bit of rain during outdoor use.
Controls are also the same — tap gestures for playback and calls, long presses for ANC modes, and even swipe gestures for volume adjustment — all customizable through the Huawei AI Life app.
In short, you won’t feel much difference in comfort or handling between the two. The FreeBuds 7i feel slightly more refined, but not in a way that changes how they fit or wear in daily use.
Sound Quality and Performance
When it comes to sound, Huawei hasn’t changed the hardware much — both the FreeBuds 6i and 7i use 11mm quad-magnet dynamic drivers.
However, that doesn’t mean they sound exactly the same. The new FreeBuds 7i are tuned differently, delivering a louder and more energetic sound profile.
The treble is noticeably crisper, and vocals have a bit more presence, but the upper frequencies can occasionally feel too sharp out of the box. Huawei seems to have pushed for a more lively sound signature, which can be great for pop or electronic music but may become fatiguing during long sessions.
The FreeBuds 6i, on the other hand, offer a slightly warmer and more balanced presentation. They don’t reach the same volume peaks, but their smoother tuning makes them easier to listen to for hours.
Bass response is punchy without being overbearing, and the midrange feels more natural. In short, the 6i have the more relaxed tuning, while the 7i bring a brighter, more dynamic sound that’s better suited for energetic listening.
What really sets the 7i apart, though, is their support for Hi-Res Audio and LDAC codec, alongside AAC and SBC. This gives them an edge if you’re streaming from a high-quality source or using a Huawei or Android device that supports LDAC.
The new model also adds spatial audio and even head tracking, allowing sound to move naturally as you turn your head. It’s a fun addition for movies or immersive tracks, even if not something you’ll use every day.
Active Noise Cancellation and Call Quality
This is where the FreeBuds 7i truly pull ahead. Huawei has upgraded the noise cancellation engine from ANC 3.0 on the 6i to ANC 4.0 on the 7i, and the difference is noticeable the moment you switch them on.
The newer model does a far better job of suppressing low-frequency sounds like engine hums, public transport noise, and busy café chatter.
The 6i were already solid for their price, but the 7i feel like a genuine step forward, with better isolation and a more adaptable system that adjusts dynamically to your surroundings.
Huawei has also improved the microphone setup. The 7i use a combination of external mics and a bone-conduction microphone, which helps pick up your voice more clearly during calls — even when you’re in a noisy environment.
Voices sound cleaner and more natural, while background noise is filtered more effectively than on the 6i. For anyone who takes frequent calls or meetings on the go, this upgrade alone might justify choosing the newer model.
Connectivity and Latency
Connectivity is another area where Huawei made small but meaningful improvements.
The FreeBuds 7i upgrade to Bluetooth 5.4, offering a slightly more stable connection and lower latency, especially in gaming or video playback modes.
Both earbuds can connect to two devices simultaneously — a laptop and a phone, for example — and switch between them seamlessly using the pairing button on the charging case.
In everyday use, connection stability is excellent across both generations, but the 7i feel a bit more responsive when switching or reconnecting between devices.
Huawei has also added a few clever motion-based features to the 7i, including the ability to answer or reject calls by nodding or shaking your head. It’s not something everyone will use daily, but it works surprisingly well and adds a touch of smart functionality that you won’t find on the 6i.
Battery Life
Despite the upgrades, Huawei has kept battery life nearly identical between both models. Each earbud packs a 55mAh cell, and the charging case adds around 510mAh.
In real-world use, both deliver about 4 to 5 hours of playback with ANC on, and close to 8 hours without ANC, reaching roughly 30–35 hours total with the case.
Neither model supports wireless charging, but both charge via USB-C and feature fast charging — around ten minutes plugged in gives you up to four hours of playback.
If you were hoping for a battery upgrade in the new generation, this is one area where Huawei stayed conservative.
Pricing
At launch, both earbuds carried similar price tags of around $99, though the older FreeBuds 6i are now often found for $70–$80, or even less during sales.
The FreeBuds 7i currently sit near the original retail price, making them roughly 20–30 bucks more expensive depending on where you buy them. That’s not a huge difference, but enough to make you pause if you’re shopping on a budget.
Best Deals:
- Huawei FreeBuds 7i: View on AliExpress
- Huawei FreeBuds 6i: View on AliExpress
Huawei FreeBuds 7i vs Huawei FreeBuds 6i: Specs Comparison
| Features | HUAWEI FreeBuds 7i | HUAWEI FreeBuds 6i |
|---|---|---|
| Driver | 11 mm quad-magnet dynamic driver | 11 mm quad-magnet dynamic driver |
| Water/dust resistance | Intelligent Dynamic ANC 4.0 (multi-mic adaptive ANC) | Intelligent Dynamic ANC 3.0 (average full-range reduction ~27 dB) |
| Microphones / Call tech | Multi-mic array + bone-conduction mic for clearer voice capture | Multi-mic array (standard configuration) |
| Bluetooth version | Bluetooth 5.4 | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Supported codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC (and Huawei L2HC where supported) | SBC, AAC (standard support) |
| Battery (each earbud) | ≈ 55 mAh | ≈ 55 mAh |
| Battery (charging case) | ≈ 510 mAh | ≈ 510 mAh |
| Playback time (earbuds) | Up to ~8 hrs (no ANC) / ~5 hrs (with ANC) — real use ~4–5 hrs with ANC | Up to ~8 hrs (no ANC) / ~5 hrs (with ANC) — real use ~4–5 hrs with ANC |
| Total playback with case | ~30–35 hrs (with charging case, no ANC) | ~30–35 hrs (with charging case, no ANC) |
| Charging | USB-C wired; fast charge (short charge gives several hours playback) | USB-C wired; fast charge (10 min ≈ several hours playback) |
| Wireless charging | No (wired USB-C) | No (wired USB-C) |
| Water / dust resistance | IP54 (earbuds) | IP54 (earbuds) |
| Sensors & special features | Proximity sensor (auto-pause), head-movement gestures (answer/reject), spatial audio with head tracking, 10-band EQ in AI Life app | Proximity sensor (auto-pause), standard touch gestures, EQ/profile control via AI Life app |
| Dimensions (each earbud) | Approx. 31.9 × 21.0 × 24.6 mm | Approx. 31.4 × 21.3 × 23.7 mm |
| Weight (each earbud) | ~5.4 g | ~5.4 g |
| Charging case dimensions & weight | Approx. 57.8 × 57.8 × 27.8 mm; ~36.5 g | Approx. 48.2 × 61.8 × 27.0 mm; ~34 g |
| Colors | Multiple colorways (market dependent) | Multiple colorways (market dependent) |
Should You Upgrade?
After comparing both generations side by side, the Huawei FreeBuds 7i are clearly the more capable pair. Their improved noise cancellation, cleaner microphone system, and enhanced codec support make them feel more premium and ready for 2025.
The FreeBuds 6i, while still impressive, now feel like the safer mid-range choice — ideal for those who want reliable performance without spending extra for features they might rarely use.
If you’re buying fresh, go for the FreeBuds 7i. The difference in price is small compared to the improvement in real-world usability.
But if you already own the 6i, you can comfortably hold onto them a bit longer. They still sound great, deliver solid battery life, and remain one of the most balanced pairs of earbuds Huawei has released so far.
You might like:
- Huawei FreeBuds 6i vs FreeBuds 5i: What’s the Difference?
- Huawei FreeBuds 7i vs OnePlus Buds 4: A Complete Comparison
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.
