- Comfortable open-ear design
- Strong AI noise reduction
- Stylish design
- Long battery life
- Expensive
- Limited features
Huawei’s FreeClip 2 refines its open-ear design with improved comfort, AI-powered audio, and longer battery life. Featuring Bluetooth 6.0, IP57 water resistance, and enhanced call clarity via a new NPU chip, it’s a premium option for those who prefer awareness-friendly earbuds without compromising on sound quality or smart features.
When Huawei first unveiled the original FreeClip, it felt like an experimental step into the open-ear audio space. The idea was bold — earbuds that don’t block your ear canal but still deliver rich, immersive sound.
Fast forward to 2025, and Huawei is back with the FreeClip 2, and I’ll be honest — this might just be one of the most underrated pairs of earbuds this year.
I’ve been testing them for a while now, and they’ve surprised me in more ways than one. Here’s my full review of the Huawei FreeClip 2 — the upgrades, the design, sound quality, battery life, and where it still falls short.
You might like:
Huawei FreeClip 2 – Specifications
| Design | Open-ear clip-style (Comfort Bean + Listening Ball + C-shaped bridge), left/right agnostic |
|---|---|
| Drivers | Dual dynamic drivers, 10.8 mm (20 Hz–20 kHz) |
| Audio chip | 3rd-generation AI audio chip with NPU (10× processing) |
| Microphones | 6 mics total (3 per side) |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 6.0, dual/multi-device support |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, L2HC (HarmonyOS 3.0+). No LDAC/aptX/LHDC |
| Battery | Up to 8–9 h (earbuds) — 33–38 h with case (varies by codec); Calls: ~6 h (earbuds) / 25 h (case) |
| Charging | USB-C wired |
| Resistance | Earbuds IP57, Case IP54 |
| Weight & Dimensions | Earbuds: 5.1 g each; Case: ~37.8 g; Case ~50×49.6×25 mm |
| Controls & Sensors | Tap/slide gestures, head-gesture answer/decline, infrared/Hall/gyro/accelerometer, bone voiceprint |
| App & Ecosystem | Huawei Audio / AI Life app; HarmonyOS deep features |
| Colors | Blue, Sand White, Black |
| Launch Price & Availability | 1,299 CNY (~$182) |
Design and Comfort
At first glance, the FreeClip 2 doesn’t look drastically different from its predecessor — but when you put them on, the improvements are instantly noticeable.
Huawei has refined the entire structure around a three-part design: the Comfort Bean that rests behind your ear, the Listening Ball that sits just outside your ear canal, and the C-shaped bridge made of liquid silicone and memory metal that connects them.
This C-bridge is softer than before — Huawei says it’s 25% more flexible — and it genuinely feels that way. The earbuds clip gently onto your ears without pinching, and I could wear them for hours without discomfort. Each earbud weighs just 5.1 grams, and Huawei actually used data from over 10,000 ear models to perfect this fit.
What’s also clever is that both earbuds are completely symmetrical. There’s no fixed left or right side. Whichever ear you put them in, they automatically detect and switch the audio channel. It’s a small detail that makes everyday use far more convenient.
In terms of build quality, Huawei has stepped it up. The FreeClip 2 now carries an IP57 rating for water and dust resistance (the case is IP54). It’s perfect for workouts or outdoor runs, and the charging case itself is 17% smaller and 14% lighter than before — compact, stylish, and easy to pocket.
Sound Quality
Let’s be real — open-ear earbuds have always struggled with one major problem: bass. The FreeClip 2 is Huawei’s answer to that. Inside, it packs a dual 10.8mm dynamic driver system, which is a big leap from the single-driver setup of the first generation.
The difference is obvious. There’s actual depth in the sound now — the low end finally feels present and punchy without overpowering the mids or highs. Vocals sound crisp, instruments have room to breathe, and Huawei’s new “Starlight” audio enhancement system does a good job of keeping everything balanced even at higher volumes.
For open-ear earbuds, the soundstage is surprisingly wide. I could easily pinpoint directions in games and movies, and there’s a good sense of space. Huawei also claims the volume output is now 100% higher, and while that might be a marketing exaggeration, these do get impressively loud.
Of course, open-ear means some sound leakage — if you’re blasting music on the subway, people next to you might hear it faintly. But that’s a tradeoff that comes with this design philosophy.
AI Audio Chip & Connectivity
Huawei didn’t just upgrade the drivers — they’ve also equipped the FreeClip 2 with their third-generation AI audio chip, featuring a neural processing unit (NPU) that’s ten times more powerful than before.
This chip handles everything from real-time audio optimization to noise filtering, spatial sound, and voice clarity. It also enables some pretty smart HarmonyOS-exclusive features, like AI-powered translation, navigation voice prompts, and anti-loss alerts if you drop a bud within 50 meters.
The earbuds connect over Bluetooth 6.0, which is a big leap from Bluetooth 5.3 in the previous model. The connection is rock solid — I didn’t experience a single dropout during my testing.
Supported codecs include SBC, AAC, and Huawei’s own L2HC codec (for HarmonyOS 3.0+ devices). There’s no LDAC, LHDC, or AptX, which might disappoint some audiophiles, but the overall stability and latency are excellent.
If you’re deep in the Huawei ecosystem, these earbuds feel like they were made for you. On other Android or iOS devices, you can still manage settings and updates through the Huawei Audio / AI Life app.
Call Quality
Each earbud is equipped with three microphones, making it a total of six across both sides. Huawei uses a deep neural noise reduction (DNN) algorithm that’s been trained on thousands of real-world scenarios.
In calls, my voice came through loud and natural. Even in windy or moderately noisy conditions, the background suppression was impressive. It’s not at the same level as high-end ANC earbuds, but for open-ear design, this is one of the best call performances I’ve heard yet.
Features and Controls
Huawei’s gesture control system continues to evolve. You can tap or slide on the Listening Ball or Comfort Bean to control playback, adjust volume, or answer calls. There’s also a cool head gesture feature — nodding to answer a call or shaking your head to decline.
Everything is customizable through the AI Life app, where you can tweak gestures, check battery levels, adjust sound profiles, and even locate your earbuds if misplaced.
The seamless integration with HarmonyOS devices is worth mentioning again — connecting to a Huawei phone or tablet feels instant, and the ecosystem-level features like spatial audio and device control are genuinely useful.
Battery Life
Battery life is another area where Huawei has made real progress. The FreeClip 2 offers up to 9 hours of continuous playback on a single charge (AAC codec) and 38 hours total with the case.
If you’re using the L2HC codec, it’s about 8 hours + 33 hours with the case, and for calls, around 6 hours + 25 hours. A quick 10-minute charge gives roughly 3 hours of playback, and yes — it supports wireless charging up to 3W, up from 2W in the first gen.
In everyday use, I could easily go four to five days without reaching for the cable. That’s excellent endurance for earbuds this small.
Price and Availability
Huawei didn’t pull a pricing stunt here — the FreeClip 2 costs the same as the original model at 1,299 yuan (around $182).
You can get them in Blue, Sand White, or Black, all of which look sleek and modern. For the technology you’re getting, the price feels more than fair.
Final Verdict
After spending time with the Huawei FreeClip 2, it’s clear this isn’t just another wireless earbud release — it’s a refinement of an entirely new category.
Huawei has managed to solve one of the biggest problems with open-ear earbuds — weak bass — without sacrificing comfort or design. The dual drivers, AI-powered sound processing, and improved ergonomics make these stand out not just in Huawei’s lineup, but in the open-ear market as a whole.
They’re not perfect — audiophiles might miss higher-end codecs, and noise isolation simply isn’t possible in this form factor — but for everyday listening, calls, workouts, or office use, these might be the most balanced and practical earbuds you can get right now.
If you’ve overlooked them, it’s time to take another look. The Huawei FreeClip 2 isn’t just innovative — it’s genuinely underrated.
Best Deal: 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.
