Introduction
The Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro is just one the latest additions to the brand’s IoT lineup. Leaning towards the more premium side in terms of pricing, not only does it build on an immersive listening experience with a triple-driver system, and features like ANC as well as support for Qualcomm aptX Lossless, but also in offering convenience and versatility with wireless charging and now, even built-in audio recording for those quick notes, all backed by up to 4.5 hours of playback on a single charge.
But does it deliver on its promises? or is it all hype? Let’s find out.
Design and Build Quality
The Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro features a sleek and modern design, with a glossy white finish and a silver lining that adds a touch of sophistication.
The earbuds themselves have an in-ear design with a stem that houses its touch panels for intuitive control over things like playback and volume. The case is uniquely designed in a way that the earbuds are standing upright, which is both aesthetically pleasing and functional. However, the plastic build might not fully align with the premium price tag, as some users might find it less durable compared to other materials.
While an IP54 rating provides protection against minor splashes and dust, it may not be suitable for intense water exposure or heavy rain but should be enough for your sessions at the gym.
The case includes an LED indicator for charging and pairing, a USB-C port, and a dedicated button for pairing and audio recording.
Connectivity
The Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro supports seamless connectivity via Bluetooth 5.3 and allows users to connect to two devices simultaneously – useful for those who switch between devices frequently. Pairing is straightforward, with the earbuds easily discoverable once activated.
In terms of stability, the earbuds maintain a stable connection even at around 10 meters away from the source device, even with a wall in-between.
Comfort
The in-ear design of the Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro ensures a snug fit, which is crucial for both comfort and sound quality. Users can adjust the fit by changing the ear tips, which helps create a secure seal that enhances passive noise cancellation. The earbuds are comfortable to use even for long hours of listening, without causing itchiness or discomfort even after hours of use.
This ergonomic design makes the Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro suitable for daily use, whether commuting, working out, or simply relaxing with music.
Controls
The Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro features touch panels on both earbuds, allowing users to control playback, volume, and other functions. These controls can be customized through the Xiaomi Earbuds app to suit individual preferences. However, the touch panels require a pinch to activate, which may take some getting used to compared to other earbuds that respond to softer touches.
The earbuds support pinch gestures for functions like music playback, call management, ANC adjustment, and more, while swipe gestures are used for volume control. There’s also a dedicated pairing button on the case, which is also used to activate the built-in audio recording feature.
Sound
The Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro offers a well-balanced sound, partly thanks to its dual-amplifier coaxial triple-driver system. You get deep bass, clear vocals, and treble that’s fun and sparkly enough, without being fatiguing, making it suitable for long listening sessions.
The earbuds also feature effective noise cancellation, capable of blocking up to -52dB of ambient noise. This allows users to focus on their music even in noisy environments, though very loud sounds like motorcycle engines might still be partially audible.
Users can switch between ANC, Transparency, and ANC Off modes using gestures or the app, though the Transparency mode might be less effective unless the volume is lowered significantly. While some brands use a voice to tell you which mode you’re in, the audio prompts in the Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro are in the form of different blips, which may take some getting used to.
Additionally, the Xiaomi Earbuds app offers several audio presets and a 5-band equalizer, allowing users to customize the sound to their liking. This flexibility ensures that the earbuds can cater to different musical preferences and environments.
Microphone performance is pretty decent as well with good levels of detail and not sounding like you’re speaking in a tunnel. Here’s a sample taken using the built-in audio recording feature.
The Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro has a head tracking feature that gives you an accurate sense of where the sound is coming from. Try turning your head to the right and the sound will seem louder and more present on your left ear, and vice versa. It’s a cool feature, but not really something I use every day.
There is supposedly a low-latency mode which helps in keeping audio in sync for say, games. What I don’t understand is the lack of a simple on and off toggle in the companion app. It also seems to be dependent on the device you’re using. This meant that I did encounter just a very slight delay in audio at least when playing Honkai: Star Rail. It’s hardly noticeable, but if you really pay attention, there is.
Battery
The Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro offers up to 40 hours of total playback time when including the charging case. The earbuds themselves provide around 10 hours of playback without ANC, though in our continuous playback test at around 80% to 90% volume, that drops to about 3.5 hours with ANC enabled. While this might not meet expectations for some users, it is sufficient for a lengthy commute or a few hours of focused work.
On the bright side, you get up to 4.5 hours of playback with just 10 minutes of charging. Additionally, the earbuds support also wireless charging, which adds to their convenience and ease of use.
Software
The Xiaomi Earbuds app provides essential functionality for the Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro, allowing users to fine-tune settings such as ANC modes, gesture controls, and firmware updates. Users can also enable or disable in-ear detection, which automatically pauses playback when the earbuds are removed.
Verdict
The Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro is a strong contender in the premium true wireless earbuds market, offering a blend of good noise cancellation, a well-balanced sound, a refined software experience, and other nifty features.
While not free of downsides, such as limited water resistance, a decent at best battery life, and a plasticky design, it still makes for a worthwhile investment for those who are upgrading from entry-level models, or even for those who want to try out a more premium product. It’s priced at PHP 9,599.
Emman has been writing technical and feature articles since 2010. Prior to this, he became one of the instructors at Asia Pacific College in 2008, and eventually landed a job as Business Analyst and Technical Writer at Integrated Open Source Solutions for almost 3 years.
