Xiaomi has officially launched its highly anticipated Buds 5 Pro, the brand's flagship earbuds that promise to elevate your audio experience. Following their successful introduction in China, these earbuds are now making waves globally. In this article, we take a closer look at what the Buds 5 Pro have to offer, comparing them with the non-Pro Buds 5, and highlighting key features that make them stand out in the crowded wireless earbuds market.
Retailing at €199.99 for the Bluetooth-only model, Xiaomi also offers a variant priced at €219.99, which leverages Qualcomm's innovative XPAN technology. This model enables high-fidelity audio streaming over Wi-Fi when paired with compatible Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 or 8 Elite smartphones, boasting lossless audio quality of up to 96kHz/24bit at an impressive 4.2Mbps bandwidth—double that of standard Bluetooth.
In terms of design, the Buds 5 Pro exhibit a refined in-ear form factor, a significant upgrade from the open-ear Buds 5. Equipped with silicone ear tips, these earbuds promise a snug fit and enhanced stability, ensuring they remain securely in place whether you’re exercising or on the go.
Comparing Xiaomi Buds 5 (left) and Buds 5 Pro (right)
Initial fitting impressions show that the Buds 5 Pro form a perfect seal around the ear, which significantly minimizes external noise interference. This feature is crucial for an immersive audio experience, allowing users to enjoy their music without distractions.
In addition to the earbuds themselves, the package includes a set of spare ear tips and a USB-C charging cable. The charging case supports wireless charging, which is a standard feature expected from a flagship product.
Under the hood, the Buds 5 Pro are powered by a triple driver system, featuring impressive 11mm dynamic drivers alongside a planar driver and PZT tweeters. The dual DACs contribute to the earbuds' frequency response range of 15Hz to 50kHz, giving them a slightly broader spectrum compared to the Buds 5.
These earbuds also boast Snapdragon Sound certification and support the aptX Lossless codec for 48kHz/24-bit lossless audio streaming. Enhanced features such as noise cancelation rated at up to 55dB, improved wind-noise suppression, and customizable EQ profiles with head tracking add to their appeal. Dual device pairing is another practical feature, accommodating users who multitask between devices.
The Buds 5 Pro come equipped with a robust 570mAh battery in the charging case along with 53mAh batteries in each earbud, providing up to 8 hours of listening time and a total playback duration of 40 hours when combined with the case. Full performance testing will be detailed in our upcoming review.
Additionally, the earbuds sport an IP54 rating for water and dust resistance (the case is not included in this rating). Stay tuned for our full review coming soon to see how the Buds 5 Pro measure up in real-world usage!
