Xiaomi has officially launched its innovative Buds 5 Pro in Europe, marking a significant advancement in earbud technology. These are the first earbuds to utilize Qualcomm’s S7 Pro chip, enabling streaming of audio over Wi-Fi alongside traditional Bluetooth, all without increasing power consumption. This groundbreaking technology was announced by Qualcomm in October 2023, and the Buds 5 Pro represent the first hardware to hit the market using this technology.
The Buds 5 Pro were initially unveiled in China, coinciding with the launch of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra phone, which is also set to debut in Europe. These earbuds come in two distinct versions: a standard Bluetooth model and a Wi-Fi version that leverages Qualcomm’s Expanded Personal Area Network (XPAN) technology. This allows for an impressive audio quality of 96kHz/24bit lossless audio, delivering a bandwidth of up to 4.2Mbps, which is superior to the audio quality obtainable via Bluetooth.
One of the standout features of the Buds 5 Pro is the ability to maintain a stable connection even when moving away from your phone, as long as you remain within the range of your Wi-Fi network. However, there are important considerations to keep in mind. The primary limitation is that these earbuds require a Wi-Fi connection to fully utilize their audio capabilities, which means the enhanced audio experience will primarily be available on your home network.
When Qualcomm introduced XPAN in 2023, they mentioned that your phone would transmit Wi-Fi credentials during the pairing process. As of now, it remains unclear whether the Buds 5 Pro can connect to multiple networks, which would be beneficial for use in various environments, such as the office. Nevertheless, in situations where Wi-Fi is unavailable, users can revert to the traditional Bluetooth connection.
Currently, the Buds 5 Pro are compatible exclusively with the Xiaomi 15 and 15 Ultra models. Future compatibility may expand, but due to hardware constraints, these earbuds can only function with smartphones equipped with a compatible Qualcomm flagship chipset like the 8 Gen 3 or 8 Elite. This limitation means that users cannot utilize the Wi-Fi features of the Buds 5 Pro with iPhones or any other Apple devices.
The Buds 5 Pro boast a remarkable 10-hour battery life, with a total of up to 40 hours when including the charging case. This performance exceeds the eight-hour battery life offered by the Bluetooth-only model, reinforcing Qualcomm’s assertion that it can deliver lossless Wi-Fi audio while maintaining the same power consumption as Bluetooth.
Audio performance is enhanced through a sophisticated triple-driver system, featuring an 11mm main driver complemented by a PZT tweeter and a planar driver. Additionally, the Buds 5 Pro support active noise cancellation and come equipped with a suite of AI features, including call recording, transcription, and translation capabilities.
The Buds 5 Pro Wi-Fi version is priced at £189.99 (approximately $240) and is available exclusively in black. In comparison, the Bluetooth-only version is offered at £159.99 (around $200) and comes in white or gray. This pricing structure reflects the advanced technology and superior audio experience offered by the Buds 5 Pro, making them a compelling choice for audiophiles and tech enthusiasts alike.
