Imagine stepping out for a jog at sunrise while music flows freely around your ears, yet every passing car or chirping bird still keeps you connected to the world. This is the promise of the Huawei FreeArc, a new set of open-ear earbuds designed to bridge the gap between private listening and environmental awareness. Shokz, Bose, and other brands might have led the charge in open-ear technology, but it seems there is now a fresh contender entering the ring.
A central highlight of these earbuds is the IP57 water- and dust-resistance rating, which means they resist rain and sweat well—even beating some existing models in the category. The design rests on the ear rather than in it, thanks to ergonomic hooks and lightweight silicone coating, making it more comfortable for activities like jogging and cycling. The sizable 17 × 12 mm driver pushes clear, punchy audio straight into the ear canal via an internal acoustic setup that also minimizes sound leakage.
Battery life is estimated at seven hours for audio, or five for phone calls. When placed in the compact charging case, total usage can reach up to 28 hours for listening, or 20 hours for calls before needing to recharge. The earbuds work with Bluetooth 5.2, offering SBC and AAC codec support, and they incorporate dual microphones for noise suppression during calls.
Though official launch details in certain regions remain limited, FreeArc pricing is expected to hover just over 100 euros. The sleek metallic accents, combined with three color choices—green, grey, and black—round out a feature set that strives to set these earbuds apart. There is wide anticipation to see how they measure up, as more choices in open-ear audio may continue to push the standard forward.