The HUAWEI FreeClip series has always held a special place in my heart. It was actually the first gadget that I got to review (you can click here to revisit our review of the OG FreeClip), and it revolutionized the open-earbud market with its style, comfort, and quality.
Now on its second leg, does the HUAWEI FreeClip 2 have the chops to carry on the torch?
Let’s find out…
First Things First
When it comes to the unboxing, the HUAWEI FreeClip 2 doesn’t do much in the way of experience, as it’s basically the same experience as the OG.
It comes in the same, mostly white box with the model of the FreeClip 2 earbuds at the front and the name HUAWEI FreeClip 2 inscribed in the color of the buds you choose.
We don’t know for sure if the box shrunk, grew, or stayed the same from the original FreeClip’s box since we no longer have the first FreeClip with us.
Accessories-wise, the HUAWEI FreeClip 2 is as basic as it comes, with only the earbuds themselves tucked inside the redesigned charging case and a few documents, including the quick start guide and the warranty card.
Designed to Disappear
Aside from the earbuds themselves, what I think will stand out the most is the newly designed case of the HUAWEI FreeClip 2. Unlike the seashell-inspired charging case of yesteryear, the new one has been reduced in volume by 11% and is slimmer by 17%.
Not only has the footprint been reduced, it’s also stain resistant and easy to clean, thanks in part to the IP54 dust and water resistance rating. Just don’t soak it in a tub of water while cleaning it…
Honestly, when we unboxed the HUAWEI FreeClip 2, I was a bit confused as to how the earbuds would fit inside. But lo and behold, HUAWEI made it not just lighter, but also 11% smaller than the OG FreeClip.
How, you might ask? HUAWEI made it possible through the new Airy C-Bridge design that’s made out of 25% softer skin friendly liquid silicone and a high performance shape memory alloy.
That’s not to say that the OG was heavy. I mean, at 5.6 g, it’s already one of the lightest earbuds out there. But the HUAWEI FreeClip 2 took that a bit further, weighing only 5.1 g, lighter than a 1 peso coin (we know… that’s a 5-peso coin…).
But make no mistake, lighter doesn’t mean more fragile. It is still IP57 water resistant rated, an improvement over the OG’s IP54 sweat and water resistance.
The HUAWEI FreeClip 2 comes in a new Denim Blue color that features a refined, denim like matte texture. But if that’s not your style, there’s also the other new color, White, and the mainstay Rose Gold and Black.
Open Ear, Full Sound
One constant criticism of the open-ear design is the audio quality, which makes it seem like you’re strapping cheap speakers near your ear.
Well, that no longer seems to be the case with the HUAWEI FreeClip 2, as HUAWEI’s well established pedigree in the wearable market has made it possible to finally answer this problem once and for all.
The answer lies in HUAWEI’s dual-diaphragm acoustic system, which delivers 100% greater loudness and a bolder bass because of its deeper low-frequency performance.
What makes it even more impressive is that despite the smaller footprint, HUAWEI was able to fit in an NPU AI processor that allows the HUAWEI FreeClip 2 to do things like Adaptive Volume and Adaptive Voice Enhancement.
These features help recognize the environment you’re in and adjust the sound accordingly, so no more fumbling with the settings on your phone.
Loud and Clear
What the HUAWEI FreeClip 2 takes, it also dishes out. What do I mean by that? With the HUAWEI FreeClip 2, everybody wins because you, as the wearer, get clear audio and the person on the other end of the call also gets clear audio.
That’s thanks to HUAWEI’s 3-mic system, which combines 2 mics, a VPU (Voice Pick-Up) sensor, and an NPU driven algorithm that eliminates shoddy audio. Perfect for professionals, both young and old, especially in this day and age where almost everything is done online.
Gestures, Taps, and Nods
If you’re new to the FreeClip series, you’ll understandably assume that all the controls fall on the Comfort Bean, but HUAWEI already fool-proofed the FreeClip series and decided to put touch sensitive points everywhere on the earbud.
Sure, the OG tap controls are still present on the HUAWEI FreeClip 2, like tapping twice to pause, play, or end a call, or thrice to skip to the next song. But now, with the HUAWEI FreeClip 2, there’s a new swipe gesture for the Comfort Bean that adjusts volume or switches songs.
And if you’ve got your hands full at the moment, you can still nod or shake your head to accept or reject calls.
With the HUAWEI FreeClip 2, you don’t have to worry about which bud goes in which ear because the system automatically detects which is which. Pretty useful if you ask me, especially on those chaotic commutes.
Power That Keeps Up
Speaking of commutes, the HUAWEI FreeClip 2 is the perfect commute buddy because apart from being extremely light, it also lasts quite a long time. It’s rated for up to 9 hours of playback and 38 hours with the charging case, plus if you’re ever in a rush, a quick 10 minute SuperCharge should give you 3 hours of listening time.
Initial Thoughts
As far as first impressions go, the HUAWEI FreeClip 2 is more of a confident refinement than a radical overhaul. The OG FreeClip put a rather large foot at the door and now that the kinks have been sorted, the HUAWEI FreeClip 2 can freely go in and out as it pleases.
It doesn’t exactly scream “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” but it also doesn’t embody the spirit of reinventing the wheel. All the upgrades like the slimmer charging case, lighter earbuds, and smarter controls elevates the HUAWEI FreeClip 2 as a necessity in the hustle and bustle of the metro.