Huawei continues to expand its wireless earbuds lineup, with the FreeBuds SE 4 joining the affordable SE family and the FreeBuds 7i arriving as a premium mid-range option.
At first glance, both look like solid picks, but they target very different audiences.
If you’re debating between the two, here’s a full breakdown of what each model brings and which is worth your money.
Also see: Huawei FreeBuds 7i vs FreeBuds 6i – What’s New and What Stayed the Same?
Design and Comfort
The FreeBuds SE 4 stick to Huawei’s familiar stem-style design, almost identical to last year’s SE 3. They’re lightweight at just 4.3g per earbud, which makes them comfortable for extended wear. The charging case is pocket-friendly, weighing only 36g, and available in White or Black.
Meanwhile, the FreeBuds 7i refine the look with a sleeker, more rounded charging case. At 5.4g per bud, they’re slightly heavier than the SE 4, but still comfortable. The extra ear tip size could make a big difference for users who struggle to find the right fit.
Both earbuds come with an IP54 rating, making them resistant to dust and splashes. That’s solid for workouts or commutes, though not designed for swimming.
Sound Quality
Huawei has given the SE 4 10mm dynamic drivers, tuned for clear mids and decent bass. They support SBC, AAC, and mSBC codecs, which cover most casual listening needs.
The FreeBuds 7i take things a step further with 11mm quad-magnet drivers and a much broader codec lineup, including LDAC and L2HC 2.0, alongside SBC and AAC. They’re also Hi-Res Audio certified and offer a 10-band equalizer plus 360-degree spatial audio support. Simply put, the 7i are aimed at audiophiles and anyone who wants finer control over their sound profile.
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
This is where things get interesting. The FreeBuds SE 4 are the first in the SE lineup to feature ANC. They use a three-mic system with multi-mode ANC (Ultra, General, Cozy), cutting noise by up to 24dB.
The FreeBuds 7i, however, bring Huawei’s Intelligent Dynamic ANC 4.0, which responds in just 0.5 seconds and reduces noise by up to 28dB. The algorithm adapts automatically depending on your environment, offering a more refined experience.
Features and Controls
Both earbuds run on Bluetooth 5.4 and support fast pairing on Huawei devices.
- SE 4 controls: double-tap, triple-tap, and touch-and-hold gestures.
- 7i controls: more advanced—double-tap, triple-tap, swipe for volume, and touch-and-hold.
The FreeBuds 7i also include more sensors: infrared for in-ear detection, a gyroscope, accelerometer, and bone voice sensor for clearer calls. They support multi-point connection (two devices at once) and spatial audio, while the SE 4 keep things simple with standard EQ presets and tap gestures.
Battery Life
FreeBuds SE 4:
- Up to 7 hours with ANC on, 10 hours with ANC off
- Total playback up to 50 hours with case
- 41 mAh battery per bud, 510 mAh in case
FreeBuds 7i:
- Up to 5 hours with ANC on, 8 hours with ANC off
- Total playback up to 35 hours with case
- 55 mAh battery per bud, 510 mAh in case
The SE 4 clearly win in endurance, offering some of the longest battery life in Huawei’s lineup, especially when ANC is off. The 7i trade off battery life for better sound features and advanced ANC.
Price and Availability
- Huawei FreeBuds SE 4: £59 / $79
- Huawei FreeBuds 7i: CNY 599 (~$84)
The surprising part here is how close the two are in price. The 7i, despite offering more premium features, aren’t dramatically more expensive than the SE 4.
Best Deals:
- Freebuds SE 4: View on AliExpress
- Freebuds 7i: View on AliExpress
Huawei FreeBuds SE 4 vs FreeBuds 7i: Specs Comparison
| Features | Huawei FreeBuds SE 4 | Huawei FreeBuds 7i |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions (earbud / case) | Earbud: 32.3 × 21.3 × 24.0 mm Case: 46.5 × 61.8 × 24.7 mm | Earbud: 31.9 × 21.0 × 24.6 mm Case: 57.8 × 57.8 × 27.8 mm |
| Weight | Each earbud: 4.3 g Case: 36 g | Each earbud: ≈5.4 g Case: ≈36.5 g |
| Driver | 10 mm dynamic driver | 11 mm quad-magnet dynamic driver |
| Audio codecs | SBC, AAC, mSBC | SBC, AAC, L2HC 2.0, LDAC (Hi-Res support) |
| ANC (Active Noise Cancelling) | Multi-mode ANC (Ultra / General / Cozy) — up to ~24 dB reduction | Intelligent Dynamic ANC 4.0 — adaptive algorithm, ~28 dB avg reduction |
| Battery (earbud / case) | Earbud: 41 mAh each Case: 510 mAh | Earbud: 55 mAh each (min.) Case: 510 mAh (min.) |
| Battery life (single charge / with case) | With ANC: ~7 h (earbuds) · ~35 h (with case) Without ANC: ~10 h (earbuds) · ~50 h (with case) | With ANC: ~5 h (earbuds) · ~20 h (with case) Without ANC: ~8 h (earbuds) · ~35 h (with case) |
| Charging | USB-C wired charging Approx. case charge: ~110 min / Earbuds from case: ~60 min | USB-C wired charging Earbuds in case: ~40 min · Case: ~60 min (wired) |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.4 · Proximity pairing prompt (Huawei devices) | Bluetooth 5.4 · Pop-up pair · Multi-point (simultaneous connection to two devices) |
| Sensors | Hall effect sensor · Touch sensor | Infrared, Hall, Touch, Gyroscope, Accelerometer, Bone voice sensor |
| IP rating | Earbuds: IP54 (case not water-resistant) | Earbuds: IP54 (case not specified as water-resistant) |
| Colors | White, Black | Black, White, Pink |
| Launch price (regional) | UK: £59 (≈$79) | China: CNY 599 (≈$84) |
Final Verdict
Both are really fantastic earbuds, so:
Go for the FreeBuds SE 4 if you:
- Want the best battery life in this price range
- Prefer a lightweight, all-day design
- Need ANC but don’t care if it’s the most advanced
- Want the lowest possible price without cutting essentials
Go for the FreeBuds 7i if you:
- Care about sound quality and Hi-Res support
- Want smarter, stronger ANC for frequent travel or noisy environments
- Appreciate extras like spatial audio, multi-point pairing, and swipe gestures
- Don’t mind charging more often
At the end of the day, the FreeBuds SE 4 are the safe, practical choice for everyday users who just want earbuds that last forever and block out enough noise to get by. The FreeBuds 7i, however, punch above their price — they’re the better buy if you want something closer to a premium audio experience without paying flagship prices.
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.
