Huawei FreeArc, your perfect training companions [Review]

Huawei continues to expand its catalog of headphones with innovative proposals. This time it brings us the HUAWEI FreeArc, a design model open ear which focuses on comfort, safety and high-quality sound without isolating you from your surroundings. Find out with us if these new headphones live up to the promises of the Chinese firm and if they are really worth it for everyday use or for the more athletic.

Materials and design

Huawei has wanted to go a step further with the FreeArc, developing an ergonomic design based on more than 10.000 studies of the auricular curvature. The result is a stable and comfortable fit, thanks to its C-bridge made of nickel-titanium alloy with shape memory and optimized weight distribution. This allows for a natural fit that adapts over time, avoiding discomfort even during prolonged use.

• 140° triangular design for a secure, ergonomic fit.
• Ultra light weight and finished in ultra-soft liquid silicone.
• IP57 water and dust resistance, ideal for training and daily use.
• Available Colours: Grey, Black and Green.

The balance between aesthetics and functionality is very well achieved. Its S-shaped structure helps reduce pressure points on the ear, avoiding discomfort after several hours of use. In addition, the high-quality silicone material is hypoallergenic, reducing any risk of skin irritation.

Audio quality

One of the key points of the HUAWEI FreeArc is your commitment to technology open ear, allowing you to enjoy audio without losing awareness of your surroundings. This is ideal for athletes and urban users who need to stay aware of their surroundings. While these headphones do not offer complete isolation, their directional sound system largely compensates for this aspect.

• 17x12mm driver unit with PU and titanium PEN composite diaphragm to improve frequency response.
• Adaptive Equal-loudness Algorithm, which optimizes the sound at different volumes.
• Reverse Sound Waves Technology, which minimizes audio leakage and avoids disturbing those nearby.
• Four Multi-EQ equalization modes to adapt the sound to each user and each type of music.
• Dynamic Bass Boost, which automatically adjusts the bass response without distortion.

The sound is clear, with well-defined bass and instrumental separation that is surprising in this type of headphones. Although the experience is not comparable to that of a in-ear, the balance is remarkably good, and the custom equalization allows you to adjust them to different musical tastes.

Connectivity and controls

Huawei has equipped these headphones with a dual resonator antenna system, which improves signal stability and range, ideal for those who use them on the move.

• Bluetooth 5.3 with fast and stable connection, no interruptions or interference.
• EMUI 13 Support and Audio Sharing to connect two pairs of headphones at once.
• Touch gesture system and sliders to control volume, tracks and calls.
• Multipoint connectivity, allowing simultaneous connection to multiple devices.

Pairing is fast and smooth, and touch controls are responsive. More advanced gesture customization would be nice, though, though future software updates could improve this.

Autonomy and resistance

The HUAWEI FreeArc They offer more than enough battery life for everyday use and for long, uninterrupted workouts.

• Up to 7 hours of continuous playback per charge, ideal for long days.
• 28 hours of total battery life with the case, avoiding constant charges.
• Quick charge: 10 minutes of charging provides 3 hours of use, allowing you to quickly recover if you run out of battery.

In addition, its resistance IP57 ensures durability against sweat, rain and dust, making them an excellent choice for workouts and outdoor activities. They have even been tested in high humidity conditions without affecting their performance.

No ANC but with improved calls

Although they do not have traditional active noise cancellation for music, Huawei has implemented a system of noise reduction on calls which greatly improves the outdoor experience.

• Dual microphone with L-shaped duct to reduce wind noise.
• Neural network algorithm to improve voice clarity and isolate it from outside noise.
• Wind resistance up to 4 m/s, ideal for interference-free calls on the go.
• Enhanced voice mode, which optimizes voice pickup even in noisy environments.

In our tests, call performance is outstanding, with effective ambient noise reduction. While they're no replacement for full ANC headphones, they do a great job of delivering clear, uninterrupted conversations.

Conclusion: Are the HUAWEI FreeArc worth it?

The HUAWEI FreeArc are an excellent choice for those looking for comfortable, good-sounding headphones designed for an active lifestyle. They are not the best if you are looking for total isolation, but if you prioritize comfort, safety and versatility, are one of the best options on the market for those who prefer designs open ear.

Do you want them? You can get them on the HUAWEI website with a launch discount, starting at 109 euros.