2020 is almost over but realme just isn’t taking it slow with the release of more innovative and affordable AIoT devices in the Philippines. Part of the recent batch of releases is a noise cancelling TWS just below Php 5,000 – the most affordable within the range of products with the same topnotch features. We took it for a test run for almost a week and here’s what we found out:

DESIGN

Compared with previous realme TWS like the Buds Air and Buds Air Neo, the realme Buds Air Pro is definitely bigger and wider. The box alone is taller than the rest and it features a cobble-like design — something that would remind users of the smooth stones found by rivers or streams. realme Design Studio Director Jose Levy seem to like adding cobblestone-like shapes in the latest releases! Even the earbuds have a cobble-like top where the eartip is connected. Although it appears bulky, it’s lightweight and it has a comfy in-canal fit.

There are two colors available – Rock Black and Soul White, but I prefer the white variant since both have a glossy plastic finish anyway. The charging dock is magnetic so it’s easy to insert the earbuds and it also automatically shuts if you don’t hold it properly. Its indicator light can be found in front, while the pairing button is almost unnoticeable on its right side. These look neat, but what made it stand out even more is its USB Type-C port and cable which makes charging easier and faster. I’m not a fan of the yellow cable but it’s fine since I won’t need to use it often because of its 25-hour playback capability.

FEATURES

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With an S1 high-performance noise cancellation chip, the realme Buds Air Pro is able to make our listening experience more enjoyable while consuming low power. There’s a one-feed forward microphone and one feedback microphone which collects ambient noise outside the ear and noise inside the ear to generate reverse sound waves and cancel out the noise.

For those who need to be aware of their surroundings while wearing the earbuds, the realme Buds Air Pro also has a Transparency Mode which enables users to listen to ambient sound with just a tap. This is handy when we’re taking a jog outside or while in transit.

For gamers, it also has a 94ms Super Low Latency Gaming Mode which can be activated by holding both earbuds. A revving engine sound can be heard, which means the mode has already been activated. This mode works best while playing games or binge-watching your favorite series. I haven’t had issues while using it, but I do find the exit sound effect a bit too long for my liking.

For people like me who are almost always in a meeting or call, the realme Buds Air Pro can help lessen background noise to make our voice more audible. I was able to test it out and it works well even while talking in front of a fan and while in a room with background noises (e.g. microwave sounds, whirring fan). It won’t be able to cancel out super loud dog barks in the background, though.

As for the touch controls, they’re pretty easy to memorize since it’s almost the same as all other TWS – one tap to answer a phone call, two taps to play/pause a song or video, three taps to move to the next song or video, and so on. The right earbud easily detects these movements. In case these aren’t what you’re used to, it’s also easy to customize the touch functions through the realme Link app.

CONNECTIVITY

Another thing I liked about the realme Buds Air Pro is its Open-Up Auto Connection and Google Fast Pair. It works on any device – from laptops to mobile phones, no matter what brand they are! The new generation of Bluetooth 5.0 provides a stable connection as well and it can keep you connected to any device even when you’re 10 meters away. Smart wear detection also senses how users are using the earbuds in real-time so it can automatically pause a song or video when one of the earbuds are removed.

BATTERY

The realme Buds Air Pro has 486 mAh battery capacity which enables it to provide as much as 25 hours of battery life. It’s ideal for people on the rush since it supports fast charging. In fact, 10 minutes of charge will already be enough for 3 hours of playback, while 1 hour charging is required for the charging dock to reach 100%.

SPECIFICATIONS

Colors	Rock Black and Soul White
Chipset	S1
Touch Control	Double taps:  Play/Pause Triple taps: Next Track Press and hold one side for 2s: Mode Change Press and hold both sides for 2s: Enter/Exit Gaming Mode.
Calling	Dual Mic Noise Cancellation
Listening	ANC
Connectivity	Bluetooth 5.0 10m Connectivity Range
Size and Weight	Charging Case 60.5x56x24mm Weight: 39.5g (Charging Case), 5g (Single Buds)
Charging	USB Type-C
Battery Life	Charging case + earbuds：20hrs playback time at 50% volume and AAC quality with Noise Cancellation on; 25hrs playback time at 50% volume and AAC quality with Noise Cancellation off; earbuds: 5hrs playback time at 50% volume and AAC quality with Noise Cancellation on; 6hrs playback time at 50% volume and AAC quality with noise Cancellation off
Box	realme Buds Air Pro 6x Ear tips (3 pairs) 1x Type-C cable 1x User Guide Safety Standard Card Warranty Card 1x Tips card

PRICE AND AVAILABILITY

The realme Buds Air Pro will be available in select concept stores and realme kiosks in the Philippines starting December 4, 2020 for Php 4,990. It will also be offered at a lower price today (December 3, 2020) as part of the 12.12 Super Brand Day Sale on Lazada and Shopee for only Php 3,990.

This is a very affordable price, compared with the latest noise cancelling TWS that have been released in the market. For consumers who are under a budget but do not want to sacrifice the quality of their devices, the realme Buds Air Pro is definitely a good choice to consider.

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