Huawei first launched its AirPods clones, FreeBuds, in March of last year. Eighteen months later, FreeBuds 3 have beaten Apple to one long-awaited new feature: active noise cancellation (ANC).
FreeBuds 3 are, like the original model, also available in black…
CNET reports.
That isn’t a massive amount, but it’s hard to achieve more with open-fit in-ear headphones. Assuming the rumors of 3rd-generation AirPods with ANC are true, they are likely to offer similar noise-canceling performance. The next-gen AirPods are also said to be more water-resistant – though existing models do better than expected in that respect.
Huawei also claims faster charging than AirPods, and to reduce external noise when using the microphones.
If it’s the black color that appeals most, there are options for AirPods. ColorWare offers AirPods 2 in a choice of 64 finishes, with both gloss and matte options. If you want something cheaper, there are AirPods skins; at the other end of the scale, there are 18K solid gold ones – though they are a one-off, and you’d have to persuade their creator to part with them.
AirPods clones can’t, of course, offer Apple’s H1 chip for the easiest possible pairing experience and fast switching between devices.
