Huawei introduced a new generation of TWS in-ear headphones – FreeBuds 6. The new headphones received an updated sound module. The manufacturer took the sound system from FreeBuds 5 and added a microplanar tweeter for reproducing high frequencies. The Bluetooth headphones added a proprietary sound codec L2HC 4.0. Built-in support for simultaneous translation, real-time translation in 20-21 languages, as well as voice assistant – Celia.
An 11mm dual-magnet dynamic driver and a microplanar tweeter are responsible for the sound of the wireless headphones. The headphones can reproduce sound in the frequency range of 14 Hz – 48 kHz, while the FreeBuds 5 had 16 Hz – 40 kHz. Usually, these numbers are pure marketing, but adding a separate high-frequency driver to the headphones is generally considered a good thing..
Audio transmission is available via proprietary L2HC 4.0 codec with a bandwidth of 2.3 Mbps and support for 48 kHz/ 24-bit. At that, the codec works only on devices on fresh Huawei devices with HarmonyOS 4.3+ and smartphones with EMUI15 shell. All others have access to AAC, SBC and LDAC codecs. However, there is no need to be upset. I recommend watching the review of Huawei FreeBuds Pro 4, where Vladimir Papazov highly appreciated the sound quality of headphones with LDAC codec.
The manufacturer has integrated the Celia voice assistant, featuring Artificial Intelligence (AI), into the earbuds. The voice assistant will help with everyday tasks such as planning events, making calls, and setting alarms, etc. Face-to-face translation is supported in 21 languages, along with simultaneous translation in 20 languages that automatically converts speech to text. The two-way communication function allows users to communicate comfortably in noisy places. The voice assistant works only on devices with HarmonyOS 4.3+.
FreeBuds 6 has 3 microphones in each earcup and a bone conduction sensor for active noise cancellation. The new product blocks low-frequency noise in a slightly wider range of 50-2000 Hz, compared to the previous generation’s range of 100-2000 Hz. The headphones offer a run time of 6 hours without noise cancellation and other features, and 36 hours with the case, an increase of 6 hours compared to the previous model. Also, 5 minutes of charging in the case will provide 2.5 hours of use. 2W wireless charging is still available. However, the Bluetooth version is still 5.2 (similar to the 4 Pro version), which doesn’t affect the sound quality. The current Bluetooth version is 5.4, and Bluetooth 6.0 was introduced in September 2024.
Other features include spatial audio with head tracking. You can use head tracking to answer and end a call by shaking your head (similar to the 4 Pro model). The headphones support Nearlink, enabling an accurate map search for nearby locations up to 50 meters away. You’ll receive a notification if the connection to the headphones drops. A proprietary app with equalizer settings and a multipoint function is available, with quick switching between devices.
The appearance of the headphones and case is minimally different from FreeBuds 5. The weight of each earpiece is 4.9 g, a reduction of half a gram, and the weight of the case is 40.3 g. There is a choice of three colors: purple, black and white.
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