Xiaomi has just unveiled the Buds 5 Pro, and they’re making waves for one major reason—they don’t need Bluetooth to stream music. Instead, they leverage Qualcomm’s S7 Pro chip and stream the audio over Wi-Fi, delivering lossless, 24-bit sound with zero quality drops.
If you’re tired of compressed audio and lag issues, this just might be the wireless revolution you’ve been waiting for.
Wi-Fi streaming: The future of audio?
Unlike traditional Bluetooth earbuds that suffer from quality loss due to compression, Wi-Fi streaming allows for high-fidelity, studio-grade sound. As long as you’re within your router’s range, you’ll experience ultra-clear audio without any hiccups.And, despite moving away from Bluetooth, Xiaomi claims its Wi-Fi mode is just as power-efficient, ensuring you don’t drain your battery faster than usual.
Premium features that go beyond sound
Xiaomi isn’t stopping at just better audio quality. The Buds 5 Pro come packed with a few more tricks up its sleeves:
- Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) up to 52dB, with three levels of noise cancellation for different environments, which ensures a quiet and immersive listening experience even in the noisiest surroundings.
- Ultra-wideband transparency mode, which enhances ambient sounds when needed, letting users stay aware of their surroundings while enjoying their music.
- High-fidelity audio powered by dual-magnetic dynamic drivers, delivering rich bass, clear mids, and crisp highs for a balanced and immersive listening experience.
- Hi-Res Audio Wireless certification, ensuring studio-quality sound with support for LHDC 5.0 codec.
- Gesture controls for seamless playback, call management, and more.
- Wind noise reduction, making it easier to take calls even in noisy environments.
- Comfortable ergonomic design, ensuring long-term use without discomfort.
Pricing and availability
The Wi-Fi variant of the Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro will retail for €220, but availability details are yet to be confirmed. Xiaomi is betting big on this Bluetooth-free future, and if this move takes off, we might see more brands following suit.
Is this the future of premium wireless earbuds?
Xiaomi’s latest innovation raises an interesting question: Is it time to move beyond Bluetooth? While Wi-Fi audio promises superior sound, widespread adoption will depend on how well it performs in the real-world. One thing is for sure, though—the Buds 5 Pro could mark the beginning of a new era in wireless audio technology.
