I already tested both the Huawei FreeBuds 7i and the OnePlus Buds 4, and I can tell you right away — the difference isn’t just about price tags or spec sheets.
On paper, both promise strong ANC, hi-res audio, and long battery life at a budget-friendly cost. But once you actually wear them side by side on a noisy commute, during long calls, or while streaming your favorite playlists, their personalities become clear.
The FreeBuds 7i lean toward versatility and feature-packed customizations, while the Buds 4 focus on delivering refined sound and powerful noise cancellation that feels more premium than their price suggests.
So, which one is actually the better buy for you? Let’s dive in.
Huawei FreeBuds 7i vs OnePlus Buds 4: Specs Comparison
| Spec | Huawei FreeBuds 7i | OnePlus Buds 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Drivers | 11 mm quad-magnet dynamic driver | 11 mm woofer + 6 mm tweeter |
| Audio Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC, L2HC 2.0 | SBC, AAC, LHDC 5.0 |
| Bluetooth | 5.4 | 5.4 |
| ANC / Noise Control | “Intelligent Dynamic ANC 4.0” with fast adaptation | Yes, Up to ~55 dB claimed |
| Battery (buds + case) | Up to 35 h total (ANC off) | Up to 45 h total (without ANC) / ~24 h with ANC |
| Fast Charging | 10 min → ~4 h playback | 10 min → ~11 h Playback |
| Water/Dust Resistance | IP54 | IP55 |
| Weight | ~5.4 g per earbud | ~4.7 g per earbud |
Design, Fit & Comfort
Putting both pairs on, the difference is subtle but noticeable:
The FreeBuds 7i feel dependable and solid. The earbuds have a bit of weight, but not enough to fatigue my ears. The three/four tip options help ensure a decent seal. The case is slightly larger in hand, but the rounder shape gives it a nice grip. The touch controls (taps, swipes) are responsive, but not perfect — sometimes I’d misregister a gesture when in a rush.
The Buds 4 are impressively light; I sometimes forgot they were in. That’s a compliment. Their fit is snug — for my ears, I didn’t feel pressure even after an hour of listening. The case is compact with a matte texture that resists fingerprints. However, their touch zones felt a little more touchy (i.e., accidental touches) when adjusting on the go.
If I had to pick for all-day use, Buds 4 just edged ahead in comfort and stealthiness.
Features & Ecosystem
This is where the two earbuds diverge most based on how deep into an ecosystem you want to go.
Huawei’s FreeBuds 7i aim to punch way above their weight. They support Bluetooth 5.4 and a range of codecs (SBC, AAC, LDAC, and Huawei’s L2HC 2.0), offer multipoint connectivity, and integrate tightly with Huawei’s AI Life app. Inside the app, you’ll find modes like Dynamic, Cosy, Balanced, Ultra ANC, a full 10-band EQ, spatial audio with headtracking, head gestures (nod-to-accept, shake-to-reject), and a fit-test tool. I tested the headtracking: it’s fun in quiet moments, but when I turned my head fast, the virtual “center” sometimes lagged or stayed stuck to one side before correcting. It’s more of a novelty sometimes than a flawless feature.
On the other side, Buds 4 aim for a refined, strong core experience, with extras when you’re in OnePlus’ sphere. They support LHDC 5.0 for high-res audio, include dual DACs (one for the woofer, one for the tweeter), and bring 3D Audio, Game Mode with 47 ms latency, and AI translation (though translation often remains locked to OnePlus phones). In my use, the Game Mode was crisp and responsive — negligible delay when switching to gaming tasks.
The catch: outside OnePlus/Oppo phones, some features like AI translation or deeper system-level integration may not work fully. TechRadar reports issues where the HeyMelody app didn’t reliably re-pair or save preferences. During my tests, the connection remained solid, but I did see the app missremembering some settings after reboots — mild annoyance.
Noise Cancellation & Transparency
I used both on a noisy bus, on city sidewalks, and outdoors in wind.
FreeBuds 7i’s Dynamic ANC 4.0 is impressive. In my commute, hums, engine noise, and distant chatter were softened significantly. Huawei claims responses to ambient changes in ~0.5 seconds, and I found that to be mostly true in moderate noise. However, when wind hit directly, I heard hiss or micro-distortion, especially in quieter moments. Transparency mode is decent and natural — announcements and conversations came through — but I’d sometimes wish for a more aggressive “voice boost” mode (Huawei includes a “speech‐focus” transparency, but it didn’t always deliver huge benefits in my tests).
Buds 4’ ANC was one of their standout moves. In my office environment and on street noise, they blocked more aggressively than FreeBuds 7i in many cases. OnePlus claims adaptation 800× per second via its algorithms. But, full ANC at its highest sometimes felt a little “over-filtered”— voices or important ambient cues got too muted. Their transparency mode worked well; I often toggled it mid-listening when someone spoke to me. The caveat: in some tests (especially with adaptive ANC), I detected inconsistency (voices cutting in/out).
If I had to pick, I felt Buds 4 tolerate rougher noise better; FreeBuds 7i feel more “gentle” in how they treat ambient surroundings.
Sound Quality
The Huawei FreeBuds 7i deliver a well-balanced sound profile with clear mids and good overall detail. Bass can feel slightly underpowered at times, but the built-in EQ lets you tweak it to your preference. Spatial audio adds an immersive layer, although the headtracking isn’t always accurate during fast movements.
The OnePlus Buds 4 offer a more dynamic sound thanks to dual drivers (11mm woofer + 6mm tweeter) and dual DACs. This setup results in punchier bass, crisp highs, and strong vocal clarity. LHDC 5.0 support ensures hi-res playback on compatible devices, and OnePlus’s Golden Sound personalizes audio to your ear canal for added detail.
If you’re after natural, versatile audio, Huawei is solid. But for more energetic, hi-res sound with stronger bass and treble separation, OnePlus Buds 4 come out on top.
Call Quality
Both earbuds use multiple microphones and AI-powered algorithms to improve call clarity. Huawei employs a three-mic setup with bone-conduction technology, which helps isolate your voice even in noisy environments.
OnePlus Buds 4 also impress, thanks to three ENC microphones and effective wind noise suppression. In real-world use, they perform slightly better outdoors, especially in windy conditions.
Both are solid, but if I had to choose, then it’s the OnePlus Buds 4 for sure.
Battery Life & Charging
This is where numbers often diverge from reality, so I tested both in daily patterns (mixed use, some calls, variable volume).
FreeBuds 7i promise up to 35 hours total (without ANC), and in my experience I got ~5–6 hours per ear on ANC mode before needing a recharge. The quick-charge is useful: 10 minutes gave ~4 hours of playback, which saved me a few times when I forgot to charge overnight.
Buds 4 push the endurance further. Out of the box, with ANC off, 45 hours total is plausible; with ANC on, somewhere around 24 hours spread across uses feels realistic. I observed 6–7 hours on a single ear in ANC mode at moderate volume. Their fast-charge is strong: 10 minutes gave me ~11 hours of “system” playback (earbuds + case) in my sessions.
So, Buds 4 are more forgiving if you forget to top them up.
My Verdict — Which I Would Pick
If I had to carry just one pair for months, I’d go OnePlus Buds 4. For me, stronger ANC, better battery, and more immersive sound tilt the balance.
FreeBuds 7i is a close contender — and in some niche cases (e.g. if you really care about those gestures or you’re on Huawei) it might even be the better pick. But for general use, I want fewer compromises.
That said: if your priority is maximum customization or you live in a slightly windier environment often, FreeBuds 7i may surprise you with how capable they are for the price.
Best Deals:
- Huawei Freebuds 7i: View on AliExpress
- OnePlus Buds 4: View on AliExpress
You might like:
- Huawei FreeBuds SE 4 vs FreeBuds 7i: Which Should You Buy?
- OnePlus Buds 4 vs Soundcore Liberty 5: Which Wins?
- Huawei FreeBuds 7i vs FreeBuds 6i – What’s New and What Stayed the Same?
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.
