Realme recently introduced the Buds Air 7 Pro, and a couple of months ago, they launched the Buds Air 7, delivering two budget-friendly wireless earbuds packed with premium features.
After testing both, I’m the one you can trust. Here, I’ll compare both earbuds to help you choose the one that best suits your needs.
Design and Build
The Buds Air 7 and Buds Air 7 Pro look like twins at a glance, with compact, square charging cases and in-ear designs that feel light and comfy, even during workouts.
Both are IP55-rated, so sweat and light rain won’t faze them, and they come with multiple ear tip sizes for a snug fit.
The Buds Air 7’s case rocks a matte plastic finish, with some colors (like Lavender Purple or Moss Green) sporting a cool transparent lid. It’s practical, feels nice in hand, and slips easily into your pocket.
The Buds Air 7 Pro, though, dials up the sophistication with a leather-textured plastic case (or aluminum in some regions) in sleek shades like Glory Beige or Fiery Red. It just screams premium. The earbuds themselves are nearly identical, but the Pro’s outer stem has a slightly shinier flair.
Both cases have a front LED, a USB-C port, and a pairing button, so functionality is the same.
For comfort and durability, they’re evenly matched, but the Pro’s upscale materials give it a slight edge if you care about that high-end feel.
Winner: Buds Air 7 Pro for its luxurious case, but the Buds Air 7 is just as practical for everyday use.
Connectivity and Features
Both earbuds come equipped with Bluetooth 5.4, the high-res LHDC 5.0 codec (think LDAC-level quality), and Hi-Res Audio Wireless certification, so you’re getting crisp, detailed sound.
They pair effortlessly with Google Fast Pair, support dual-device connectivity, and offer a 45ms low-latency mode for gaming or videos. The Realme Link app (Android and iOS) lets you tweak touch controls, ANC modes, and spatial audio.
Where the Buds Air 7 Pro pulls ahead is its extra smarts. In global versions, it integrates Google Gemini AI, bringing cool tricks like real-time translation (AI Live Translator, Face-to-Face Translator) and voice assistant features.
It also has a “Golden Sound” mode that tunes the audio to your hearing profile via a quick test—super handy for personalized sound. The Buds Air 7 skips these, sticking to the essentials.
Both have six-mic setups for calls, and they’re great indoors and out. The Pro’s mics, however, handle background noise (like wind) a tad better, making calls slightly clearer in tough conditions.
Winner: Buds Air 7 Pro for its AI features and custom EQ, but the Buds Air 7 nails the core connectivity needs.
Sound Quality
Sound is where the $30 price difference shines. Both earbuds deliver great audio for the money, with LHDC 5.0 and app-based EQ tweaks, but their vibes are different.
The Buds Air 7 uses 12.4mm titanium-plated drivers with an N52 magnet, cranking out booming bass that’s perfect for EDM, hip-hop, or anything beat-driven. The downside? Vocals and higher frequencies can get a bit buried, making it less ideal for nuanced genres like acoustic or jazz.
The Buds Air 7 Pro, with its dual-driver setup (11mm woofer + 6mm tweeter) and dual DAC, brings a more balanced sound. Vocals are crystal-clear, mids pop, and bass hits hard without overwhelming.
No matter if you’re tuning into pop, classical, or podcasts, the Pro delivers clearer and more polished sound. Its Golden Sound feature takes this a step further by adjusting the EQ to fit your ears.
If you love bass-heavy tunes, the Buds Air 7 won’t disappoint. But for all-around clarity and versatility, the Pro is a cut above.
Winner: Buds Air 7 Pro for its crisp, balanced audio.
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
ANC is a big draw for both earbuds, and they don’t disappoint for budget models. You can toggle modes (strong, moderate, transparency) via the Realme Link app, and both block out everyday noises like traffic or chatter effectively.
The Buds Air 7 offers up to 52dB of noise cancellation, which is impressive but can feel heavy-handed, creating a slight pressure in your ears that might bug you over time.
The Buds Air 7 Pro, with 53dB ANC, is a smidge more powerful and noticeably gentler, reducing that “plugged” feeling while still silencing low-frequency hums like airplane engines.
For long listening sessions or sensitive ears, the Pro’s smoother ANC is a game-changer, though both are top-tier for their price.
Winner: Buds Air 7 Pro for its more comfortable and slightly stronger ANC.
Battery Life
Battery life is where things get interesting. You’d expect the pricier Pro model to last longer, but the Buds Air 7 steals the show.
The Buds Air 7, with a 62mAh battery per earbud and a 480mAh case, delivers up to 7.5 hours of playback with ANC on (tested at 40-50% volume) and 30 hours total with the case. Turn ANC off, and you get up to 13 hours standalone or 52 hours with the case. A 10-minute charge juices it up for 10 hours of combined use.
The Buds Air 7 Pro, despite a larger 530mAh case, lags behind with 5-6 hours of ANC-enabled playback and 26 hours total. Its fast charging is solid (7 hours from a 10-minute charge), but it’s a bummer that neither model supports wireless charging—a missed opportunity, especially for the Pro.
If you’re always on the go or forget to charge, the Buds Air 7’s extra juice (nearly 2 hours more standalone, 4 hours with the case) makes a big difference.
Winner: Buds Air 7 for its longer-lasting battery, perfect for all-day use.
Price & Avialablity
Although the Pro model of the Buds Air 7 costs more, priced at approximately $74 compared to the Buds Air 7’s $40, both deliver an impressive array of features that make them stand out in the budget wireless earbuds market.
You will find both models at the best price on Ailexpress.
Realme Buds Air 7 Pro vs Realme Buds Air 7: Specs Comparison
| Specification | Realme Buds Air 7 Pro | Realme Buds Air 7 |
|---|---|---|
| Design & Build | Square case, leather-textured plastic or aluminum, in-ear, IP55 | Square case, matte plastic with transparent lid option, in-ear, IP55 |
| Colors | Fiery Red, Glory Beige, Metallic Grey, Racing Green | Ivory Gold, Lavender Purple, Moss Green |
| Battery Life (ANC On) | 5–6 hours (earbuds), 26 hours (with case) | 7.5 hours (earbuds), 30 hours (with case) |
| Battery Life (ANC Off) | Up to 10 hours (earbuds), 48 hours (with case) | Up to 13 hours (earbuds), 52 hours (with case) |
| Battery Capacity | 60mAh (per earbud), 530mAh (case) | 62mAh (per earbud), 480mAh (case) |
| Charging | USB-C, fast charging (7 hours from 10-min charge) | USB-C, fast charging (10 hours from 10-min charge) |
| Audio Drivers | 11mm woofer + 6mm tweeter, dual DAC | 12.4mm titanium-plated dynamic driver, N52 magnet |
| Sound Profile | Balanced, clear vocals, customizable via Golden Sound | Bass-heavy, slightly less clear mids and highs |
| Codecs | LHDC 5.0, AAC, SBC, Hi-Res Audio Wireless | LHDC 5.0, AAC, SBC, Hi-Res Audio Wireless |
| Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) | Up to 53dB, smoother, less ear pressure | Up to 52dB, slightly aggressive, more ear pressure |
| Microphones | 6-mic system, better noise suppression | 6-mic system, good noise suppression |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.4, dual-device, 45ms low latency | Bluetooth 5.4, dual-device, 45ms low latency |
| Smart Features | Google Gemini AI (global), Golden Sound EQ, Realme Link app | Realme Link app, no AI or Golden Sound |
| Weight | 4.7g per earbud, ~47g with case | 4.7g per earbud, ~47g with case |
The Final Call
Buy the Realme Buds Air 7 if: You want marathon battery life (7.5 hours with ANC), love bass-heavy music, or need the most wallet-friendly option with solid ANC and connectivity.
Get the Realme Buds Air 7 Pro if: You prioritize clear, balanced sound, want gentler ANC for all-day comfort, or geek out over AI features like real-time translation.
My Pick: The Buds Air 7 Pro is the better buy if you can stretch your budget. Its refined audio, comfortable ANC, and smart features make it feel like a steal at its price.
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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.
