Honor Earbuds 4: Affordable ANC earbuds with 46-hour battery life

The Honor Earbuds 4 are making waves in the budget true wireless market, offering features typically found in much more expensive models at a surprisingly affordable price point of roughly $50-$70 (€45–€70). Currently available in the Middle East and China, these earbuds pack in premium features including 46 hours of total battery life, active noise cancellation up to 50dB, and dual titanium-coated drivers for enhanced sound quality.

Design and Unboxing Experience

The unboxing experience is straightforward and practical. Inside the box, you'll find the charging case housing the earbuds, along with three pairs of rubber eartips in different sizes to ensure a proper fit for various ear shapes. Users can choose between Black or White color options.

The design aesthetic follows a clean, modern approach with an interesting material contrast. The earbuds feature a glossy stem paired with a matte bud body, creating a subtle two-tone effect. This same design language extends to the charging case, which sports a glossy upper section and a matte lower portion. The case itself is compact and pocket-friendly, maintaining the premium feel despite the budget-friendly price tag.

Audio Performance and Drivers

Where the Earbuds 4 really stand out is in their audio hardware. Each earbud houses dual drivers - an 11mm copper coil driver dedicated to handling bass frequencies, paired with a 6mm dual-magnetic driver that delivers crisp, clear highs. This dual-driver setup is typically reserved for more expensive earbuds and helps create a more balanced sound profile with better separation between frequency ranges.

The drivers are coated with titanium, which helps improve durability while also contributing to better sound reproduction. The titanium coating helps reduce distortion at higher volumes and provides a more consistent audio experience across different listening scenarios.

Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency Modes

One of the standout features of the Honor Earbuds 4 is their active noise cancellation capability, which can reduce ambient noise by up to 50dB. This level of noise reduction is impressive for earbuds in this price range and puts them on par with much more expensive competitors.

Honor has implemented three distinct ANC modes tailored to different environments:

• Deep mode: Designed for extremely noisy environments like airports and subway stations
• Moderate mode: Ideal for cafes and street environments with moderate background noise
• Light mode: Perfect for quieter settings like libraries and offices

The earbuds also feature a dual transparency mode, allowing users to stay aware of their surroundings when needed. This mode can be customized to let through either general ambient sounds or specifically human voices, making it easier to have conversations without removing the earbuds.

Battery Life and Charging

Battery performance is another area where the Earbuds 4 excel. With ANC turned off, users can expect up to 46 hours of total playback time when using the charging case. Even with ANC enabled, the battery life remains impressive at around 12 hours of continuous playback from the earbuds themselves, with the case providing additional charges.

The charging case supports USB-C fast charging, and a quick 15-minute charge can provide several hours of playback time, making these earbuds practical for users who are often on the go.

Controls and Smart Features

Honor has equipped the Earbuds 4 with both press and swipe controls, offering flexibility in how users interact with their audio. The touch controls are responsive and customizable through the companion app, allowing users to adjust volume, skip tracks, answer calls, and toggle between ANC modes with simple gestures.

The earbuds also support voice assistant integration, making it easy to access Siri, Google Assistant, or other voice services hands-free. Additionally, the 3-mic array not only powers the ANC but also ensures clear call quality by using beamforming technology to focus on the user's voice while reducing background noise during calls.

Competition and Market Position

The Honor Earbuds 4 enter a competitive market segment where brands like Xiaomi, Realme, and OnePlus have established strong footholds with budget-friendly true wireless earbuds. However, the combination of features offered by the Earbuds 4 - particularly the dual drivers, 50dB ANC, and 46-hour battery life - makes them a compelling option in the $50-$70 price range.

When compared to Honor's own Earbuds 3i (which offer ANC for around $70) and the more premium Earbuds 3 Pro, the Earbuds 4 strike an interesting balance between features and affordability. They lack some of the higher-end features of the Pro model but offer better value than the 3i while including ANC, which the 3i also provides.

Availability and Final Thoughts

Currently, the Honor Earbuds 4 are available in select markets, primarily in the Middle East and China. This limited availability might be a drawback for potential buyers in other regions, but given Honor's expanding global presence, wider availability could be expected in the future.

For users seeking feature-rich true wireless earbuds without breaking the bank, the Honor Earbuds 4 present an attractive option. The combination of dual drivers, effective ANC, long battery life, and thoughtful design touches at this price point makes them a strong contender in the budget true wireless segment. While they may not compete with flagship models from Apple or Sony in terms of absolute audio fidelity or advanced features, they offer remarkable value for everyday users who want good sound quality, noise cancellation, and reliable performance without spending hundreds of dollars.

The Earbuds 4 demonstrate that premium features are increasingly accessible at lower price points, and they set a new standard for what consumers should expect from budget-friendly true wireless earbuds.