Realme recently launched their most hyped Buds Air7, stepping up the game in the budget true wireless earbuds market with a sleek design and upgraded features.
The Air7 keeps its price low, competing directly with its predecessor, the Buds Air6, which launched at the same cost but now often has attractive price cuts.
Both earbuds deliver impressive performance with high-end features such as active noise cancellation, Hi-Res Audio, and smooth app controls, but the Air7 brings new improvements.
This head-to-head comparison will examine how these two stack up, from their look and sound to battery life and more, to assist you in choosing which Realme product suits you best.
Price: Same Starting Line, Different Deals
Both the Buds Air7 and Air6 hit the market at $69.99, positioning them as direct rivals in the budget true wireless space.
However, the Air6, having been around longer, often dips to $40-€50 on sites like Amazon or AliExpress, making it a steal for cost-conscious buyers.
In contrast, the Air7, fresh off the production line, sticks closer to its full price, though discounts may creep in during sales.
They share the same value-driven ethos, but the Air6’s street price gives it a leg up for bargain hunters, while the Air7’s newer tech justifies its cost for those willing to splurge.
Best Deals:
Realme Buds Air 7: View on AliExpress
Realme Buds Air 6: View on AliExpress
Design: Familiar Comfort, Fresh Flair
Both earbuds nail the basics of comfort and durability, but their aesthetics tell different stories.
The Air7 flaunts a sleek, square charging case with a transparent lid—a bold, modern touch that lets you peek at the earbuds inside. It’s a smidge more pocket-friendly than the Air6’s rounded, glossy case, which feels compact but lacks the see-through charm.
On the other hand, the Air6’s external pairing button is a tad more convenient than the Air7’s internal one, though both cases are built like tanks with sturdy plastic.
The earbuds themselves share an IP55 rating, shrugging off sweat and light rain for workouts or commutes.
The Air7’s chunkier stems sport sharp angles, offering a larger touch-control surface but looking less refined than the Air6’s sleek, rounded design, which exudes understated elegance.
Both are featherlight, staying snug during runs or gym sessions, and come with multiple ear tip sizes for a tailored fit.
Color options add flair: the Air7 rocks Lavender Purple and Moss Green with transparent case variants, while the Air6 offers Titanium Sky Orange, Quiet Green, and Fantasy Purple.
In contrast, the Air6 leans classic, while the Air7 feels like a futuristic statement piece.
Features and Connectivity: Shared Smarts, Slight Edge
They share a treasure trove of features that make them feel pricier than they are.
Both sport customizable touch controls, tweakable via the Realme Link app (available on Android and iOS, though iOS can be quirky).
You can map gestures for playback, track skipping, or ANC toggling, and in-ear detection pauses music when you pop an earbud out. They share Google Fast Pair and dual-device pairing, effortlessly hopping between your phone and laptop.
Connectivity is a near tie, but the Air7 nudges ahead with Bluetooth 5.4 over the Air6’s Bluetooth 5.3. In practice, the difference is subtle—both deliver rock-solid connections with minimal hiccups.
They share support for LHDC 5.0, AAC, and SBC codecs, complete with Hi-Res Audio certification and 3D spatial audio for immersive vibes.
The Realme Link app is identical for both, letting you fine-tune ANC levels, transparency mode, equalizer settings, and more.
On the other hand, the Air7’s 45ms low-latency mode outshines the Air6’s 55ms, giving gamers a slight edge, though both handle videos and casual gaming like champs.
Noise Cancellation: Neck-and-Neck, with Nuances
Both earbuds bring impressive ANC to the budget table, but the Air7 ekes out a slight lead.
The Air7 blocks up to 52dB of noise, edging out the Air6’s 50dB, with both offering Smart, Max, Moderate, and Mild modes via the app. In real life, they both hush street noise or coffee shop chatter effectively, but the Air7’s extra 2dB shines in louder settings like busy trains.
On the other hand, the Air6’s ANC feels gentler, causing less ear pressure, which might suit sensitive listeners.
They share a stellar transparency mode, piping in ambient sounds clearly, with a voice-boost option and low latency. Popping out one earbud auto-switches to transparency, a neat touch, both nails.
In contrast, the Air7’s ANC is technically stronger, but the Air6’s lighter touch could win for comfort-driven users.
Sound: The Air7’s Secret Weapon
Sound quality is where the Air7 truly shines, though both earbuds punch above their weight.
They share a 12.4mm titanium-plated dynamic driver, but the Air7 adds an N52 magnet for deeper lows and a copper coil for tighter control across frequencies.
The result? Crisper mids and highs, with vocals and details popping in a way the Air6 can’t quite match. The Air6’s sound is bass-heavy by default, great for thumping beats, but its mids feel flatter in comparison.
Both deliver robust bass, ideal for EDM or hip-hop, and support LHDC 5.0 (though limited to select Android devices), AAC, and SBC codecs, with Hi-Res Audio and 3D spatial audio for immersive listening.
The Realme Link app’s equalizer offers presets like Pure Bass or Serenade, letting you dial in your vibe.
In contrast, the Air7’s balanced, direct sound suits vocal-driven tracks or podcasts, while the Air6’s bass-forward profile caters to low-end lovers. If clarity and nuance are your jam, the Air7 is the one to beat.
Microphones
They share triple microphones with environmental noise cancellation (ENC), delivering crystal-clear calls and voice notes, even in noisy spots like busy streets.
Both suppress background chatter like pros, making them top-tier for work calls or casual chats. There’s no daylight between them here—both are budget mic champs.
Battery Life: The Air7 Takes the Crown
Battery life is where the Air7 flexes its muscles. Both earbuds impress for their price, but the Air7’s redesigned case and optimized guts pull ahead. With ANC on at 40-50% volume, the Air7 pumps out 7-7.5 hours per charge, while the Air6 taps out at 5.5-6 hours. Without ANC, the Air7 hits 13 hours, and its 480mAh case stretches total playback to 52 hours (AAC, no ANC) or 30 hours (AAC with ANC).
In contrast, the Air6’s case maxes out at 40 hours, still solid but less marathon-ready.
They share USB-C fast charging, with a 10-minute top-up yielding 7 hours of juice—a lifesaver for on-the-go users. Unfortunately, both skip wireless charging, a bummer at this price.
For those who need earbuds that last through long commutes or workdays, the Air7’s extra endurance makes it the clear winner.
Realme Buds Air7 vs Buds Air6: Specs Comparison
| Specifications | Realme Buds Air7 | Realme Buds Air6 |
|---|---|---|
| Release Date | March 2025 | May 2024 |
| Charging Case Design | Square, transparent lid (Lavender Purple, Moss Green), opaque (Ivory Gold), matte finish base | Rounded, pebble-like, glossy finish |
| Earbuds Design | Flat, chunky stems, matte outer finish, glossy inner | Rounded stems, glossy finish |
| Weight | Earbuds: ~4.7g each, Case: ~39g | Earbuds: ~4.5g each, Case: ~37g |
| IP Rating | IP55 (dust and water resistant) | IP55 (dust and water resistant) |
| Colors | Lavender Purple, Moss Green, Ivory Gold | Flame Silver, Forest Green, Titanium Sky Orange, Fantasy Purple, Royal Violet |
| Driver Size | 12.4mm titanium-plated dynamic driver with N52 magnet, copper coil | 12.4mm titanium-plated dynamic driver |
| Audio Codecs | LHDC 5.0, AAC, SBC | LHDC 5.0, AAC, SBC |
| Audio Features | Hi-Res Audio, 360° Spatial Audio, custom EQ, bass boost | Hi-Res Audio, Dynamic Bass Boost, custom EQ |
| Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) | Up to 52dB, Smart/Max/Moderate/Mild modes | Up to 50dB, Smart/Max/Moderate/Mild modes |
| Transparency Mode | Yes, with voice-boost, auto-activates on single earbud removal | Yes, with voice-boost, auto-activates on single earbud removal |
| Microphones | 6 (triple per earbud) with ENC | 6 (triple per earbud) with ENC |
| Battery Life (Earbuds, ANC On) | 7-7.5 hours | 5.5-6 hours |
| Battery Life (Earbuds, ANC Off) | 13 hours | 10 hours |
| Total Battery Life (with Case) | 52 hours (AAC, no ANC), 30 hours (AAC, ANC) | 40 hours (AAC, no ANC), 24 hours (AAC, ANC) |
| Charging | USB-C, 10-min charge = 7 hours playback | USB-C, 10-min charge = 7 hours playback |
| Battery Capacity | Earbuds: 62mAh each, Case: 480mAh | Earbuds: 58mAh each, Case: 460mAh |
| Wireless Charging | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.3 |
| Latency | 45ms (Game Mode) | 55ms (Game Mode) |
| Connectivity Features | Google Fast Pair, Swift Pair, dual-device pairing | Google Fast Pair, dual-device pairing |
| App Support | Realme Link (Android, iOS) | Realme Link (Android, iOS) |
| Additional Features | In-ear detection, volume enhancer, tap controls | In-ear detection, tap controls, mindflow mode |
Should You Upgrade or Pick One?
If You’ve Got the Air6
If you’re rocking the Air6, the Air7’s upgrades—longer battery life, sharper sound, and slightly better ANC—are enticing but not must-haves. The extra 1-2 hours per charge and clearer audio are nice, but with shared features like LHDC 5.0 and killer mics, the Air6 still slaps. Unless battery or sound quality is a pain point, hold tight or sell your Air6 to fund the Air7 if you’re craving the latest.
If You’re Choosing Fresh
New buyers, listen up. Grab the Realme Buds Air7 if you want cutting-edge design, marathon battery life, and refined sound for vocal-heavy tunes. At €69.99 (or less during sales), it’s a future-proof pick. On the other hand, the Realme Buds Air6 is a no-brainer at $40-$50, delivering near-identical features, solid ANC, and thumpy bass. If cash is tight, the Air6’s value is unmatched.
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.
