One Month Travel Review of the Huawei FreeArc Open-type Earbuds

Introduction

Huawei is renowned for its high-end smartphones, laptops, audio accessories, and other products. So far, I have tested most of the products given to me for review, which have received four-star ratings or more and even an Editor’s Choice award. Before my one-month trip, I received two products for review: the Huawei MatePad Pro 13.2 Paper Matte Edition and the Huawei FreeArc, the brand’s first secure ear hook design Open-type earbuds. These types of earbuds are ideal for sports and outdoor activities.

Huawei FreeArc was my perfect companion on my long trip to India, which included travel to various destinations and train journeys.

 I brought my favourite Huawei Freebuds Pro 3 to compare with in-ear and open-type earbuds. It has been a long-time travel companion, as it provides the best ANC, especially during air travel. I am very particular about sound quality, comfort, and ease of carry during my trip.

Check out the Huawei Freebuds Pro 3 review.

Please note that I have reviewed various types and brands of Headphones and earbuds and found them to have excellent audio quality. Here, I would like to discuss the same brand’s products rather than compare them with those of other brands to maintain respect and brand integrity.

Let us talk about the Huawei FreeArc Open-type earbuds in detail

Design & Specification

Huawei FreeArc open-type earbuds come in a white box, with the product displayed on the front and details mentioned on the back. We received the green unit for review, which is also available in white and black. The box contains the device in an eco-friendly paper sleeve, and below the sleeve, you will find the quick-start guide, warranty card, and charging cable.

Huawei FreeArc Charging Case

The charging case measures 67.80 mm × 67.80 mm × 26.50 mm and weighs 67 grams. It has a 510 mAh battery with a USB Type-C 5V 2A cable. Fully charging an empty case takes approximately 60 minutes. The case boasts a compact design with a square shape and rounded edges.

Huawei uses ABS plastic with a matte finish to keep the surface free from fingerprints and smudges. A tiny multi-color LED light on the front indicates the charging level. The earbuds are arranged in an “X” style. The case includes a reset or connect button for pairing dual devices and initiating a fresh connection. The inside cover displays certifications, while the outside features the Huawei logo in dark green. A USB Type-C port sits at the back of the case.

Huawei FreeArc Earbuds

Each earbud measures 45.4 mm × 18.35 mm × 47.50 mm and weighs 8.9 grams. Its built-in 55 mAh battery powers the device. Placing the earbuds in the charging case activates the magnetic charging pin, which recharges them.

Each earbud consists of three parts: the speaker unit, the ear hook or “C” bridge design, and the battery unit. Huawei uses a 0.7 mm high-performance Ni-Ti alloy to craft the ear hook. Liquid Silicone covers the earbuds, giving them a smooth, silky finish while preventing fingerprint smudges. They carry an IP57 rating for durability.

Huawei designs the earbuds ergonomically to fit snugly around the ear. The speaker unit sits in front, while the battery unit rests securely behind. The earbud speaker includes a 17 × 12 mm highly sensitive driver unit, a symmetrical acoustic structure, a dynamic bass algorithm, and an adaptive equal-loudness algorithm. It also features a prime dual-mic layout and triple-call noise cancellation for clear communication. It has Huawei’s innovative dual-resonator antenna, which is robust enough to create long-range connections up to 400 m straight or in a 100 m² office.

The earbuds have a touch control function on the speaker unit.

The Review

As mentioned above, I received the device for review almost a month ago and had pre-planned travel from Dubai to India. My trip encompassed multiple cities and involved air, road, and train travel.

I am carrying my Laptop, smartphone, Huawei FreeBuds Pro 3, portable SSD, and two portable recharging battery packs, which should help me last more than three days without needing an electrical socket.

My First Impression of Huawei FreeArc Earbuds

The Huawei brand is known for providing its devices in stylish and sturdy packaging that feels premium. I have reviewed ear hook open-ear type earbuds from different brands. However, the difference lies in the quality and design of the charging case, which features a matte finish and is ergonomically designed to fit comfortably in your palm or pocket. The review unit, which is green in colour, stands out from the other brands and is suitable for both men and women. The colour is pastel green, which resembles neon green more than dark or light green.

The FreeArc earbuds’ look and feel in hand are smooth and silky, thanks to the liquid Silicone covering. The ergonomically designed “C” bridge fits my ear perfectly, and with its lightweight 8.9-gram design, I barely felt it on my ear.

My Travel Experience with Huawei FreeArc Earbuds

As it is an open-type design, I tried it in the aircraft from Dubai to Mumbai, and the sound quality was amazing, with perfect bass and each of the mids and treble frequencies audible. However, these are not in-ear earbuds, so I couldn’t take advantage of ANC and still heard the noise or the humming of the aircraft engine. So, I switched to my favourite Huawei FreeBuds Pro 3, which features active noise cancellation (ANC).

I used the FreeArc in the car and on the train, enjoying the experience. I could sleep while listening to my favorite music and remain aware of my surroundings. I felt no discomfort when traveling from Kolkata’s sea-level areas to the higher mountains of Shillong and Cherrapunji. In-ear devices might have caused issues, but FreeArc’s open design allowed airflow, maintaining ear pressure and preventing blockage during elevation changes.

I visited multiple tourist locations within a limited time, and climbing up and down steep stairs was a very strenuous cardio affair.

I wanted to test it in the real world, using it in the rain in a hilly region, but unfortunately, it didn’t rain during my visit. However, I experienced high humidity in certain places, as we had cloud cover in one of the tourist spots.

Advantages of Open-type Earbuds compared to In-ear earbuds

As you are aware, the ear canal plays a crucial role in maintaining air balance between the ears, helping to prevent loss of balance due to air blockage during activities such as workouts, strenuous walking, running, or climbing. In-ear devices provide noise cancellation by inserting the ear tips into the ear canal, blocking external sound. However, this also restricts airflow in the ear.

Huawei FreeArc features an open-type design, allowing the earbuds to hang on the ear without blocking the airway path. This design makes them ideal for strenuous workouts and adventure enthusiasts. While they don’t offer total noise cancellation like in-ear earbuds, they still deliver clear music and sound through a well-designed speaker that rests around the ear.

The Huawei FreeArc has a 17 × 12 mm highly sensitive driver unit, a symmetrical acoustic structure, a dynamic bass algorithm, and an adaptive equal-loudness algorithm. This well-designed speaker gave me excellent sound quality while avoiding air blockage in my ear.  On the train, I was lying on my side, still experiencing no discomfort, and could wear it for long hours. With the touch control on the speakers, I could change songs and adjust the volume.

Audio Quality of Huawei FreeArc

I have tested various genres of music, from English rock to classical and even Hindi songs, both old and new. I had an excellent speaker near my ears and could still be present in the surroundings. Generally, achieving the perfect bass sound in open-type earbuds is challenging. Still, the Huawei team has mastered the art of creating ideal open-type earbuds that produce high-quality bass with perfect thumps while still providing clear mids and a distinct, high-quality treble sound. I felt like I was in a room where the music played, but not directly inserted into my ear canal.

I could not test the FreeArc with the AI Life app and additional features, as the device was officially launched on March 27, 2025. However, it connects easily via Bluetooth. The features included an optional Equalizer setting, multi-device connection, and more.

Conclusion

After using the Huawei FreeArc Open-type earbuds for almost a month at home and while travelling, it has been an enjoyable experience reviewing the device. The sound quality is superb, and each audio frequency is audible and distinct. Although the device is an open-type earbud, the bass sounds natural and excellent. The battery life of the earbuds is around 7 hours on a single charge and 28 hours on recharging via the charging case. A 10-minute charge can provide 3 hours of music playback in an emergency. The device is splash-, dust-, and water-resistant, with an IP57 rating, making it ideal for workouts and outdoor adventures. And with a powerful antenna, you can stand up to 400 meters away and still listen to your favourite music.

Overall, the Huawei FreeArc has impressed me, and it is my current favourite outdoor audio device for adventures or workouts.

Price & Availabity

The Huawei FreeArc Open-type earbuds are available in three colours: Green, Black, and White. They will be available from March 27, 2025, at AED 399, and early buyers will receive a free HUAWEI Scale 3 worth AED 109.

Review of Huawei FreeBuds Pro 3 in the UAE

About The Author