Xiaomi's European launch event introduced two new audio wearables: the Mijia Smart Audio Glasses, which blend eyewear with wireless audio, and the budget-friendly Redmi Buds 8 Lite earbuds. Both devices emphasize practical features like multi-device connectivity and noise reduction, but the glasses face a fundamental question about their niche versus traditional earbuds.
Xiaomi's latest European launch event, centered on the Redmi Note 15 series, also unveiled two new audio accessories aimed at different segments of the wearable market. The Mijia Smart Audio Glasses attempt to merge eyewear with wireless audio, while the Redmi Buds 8 Lite offer a straightforward, budget-conscious earbud option. Both devices highlight Xiaomi's strategy of offering feature-rich hardware at competitive prices, but they also illustrate the practical trade-offs inherent in wearable audio technology.
Mijia Smart Audio Glasses: Form Factor vs. Function
The Mijia Smart Audio Glasses are designed to look like regular eyewear, but they incorporate dual speakers and quad microphones into their frames. This allows them to function as wireless earbuds, with the audio playing directly from the temples near your ears. The goal is to provide an open-ear audio experience that keeps you aware of your surroundings, a key differentiator from in-ear buds.
Control is handled via touch-sensitive areas on the temples. You can adjust playback, change volume, access your phone's voice assistant, and manage calls. A press-and-hold gesture activates a real-time recording feature, which Xiaomi suggests is useful for calls and meetings. The glasses also include wind noise reduction and a "privacy mode" designed to minimize sound leakage to people nearby, which is a critical consideration for any open-ear audio device.
Xiaomi is offering three designs: Brownline, Pilot-Style, and Titanium, all with IP54 dust and splash resistance. The Titanium model is the lightest at just over 27 grams (excluding lenses), with all versions featuring 5mm-thick temples. They pair via Bluetooth 5.4 and support dual-device connectivity, allowing you to be connected to a phone and a laptop simultaneously.
Battery life is a key metric for wearables. Each temple houses a 114 mAh battery, with Xiaomi claiming up to 13 hours of continuous listening or 9 hours of call time on a single charge. Recharging is done via a proprietary magnetic charger that attaches to the temples and terminates in a USB-C adapter. The Brownline and Pilot-Style models are priced at €179, while the Titanium version costs €199.
Redmi Buds 8 Lite: Budget Audio with Core Features
For users who prefer the traditional earbud form factor, the Redmi Buds 8 Lite provide a more conventional solution. These are the latest entry in Xiaomi's budget Redmi audio lineup. They feature 12.4mm titanium-diaphragm drivers and support Bluetooth 5.4 with dual-device pairing. Audio codec support is limited to AAC and SBC, which is standard for this price segment.
Xiaomi's companion Earbuds app offers five preset sound profiles and a custom EQ mode for users who want to fine-tune their audio. A significant feature for this budget category is hybrid active noise cancellation (ANC), rated at up to 42dB of noise reduction. The system also includes dedicated wind-noise reduction and call noise reduction algorithms.
Battery performance is robust: the earbuds themselves offer 8 hours of continuous playback, which extends to 36 hours when using the charging case. The Redmi Buds 8 Lite are available in Black, White, and Blue for a retail price of €23.
Ecosystem and Practical Considerations
Both products integrate into Xiaomi's broader ecosystem. While they don't require a Xiaomi phone to function, using them with a Xiaomi or Redmi device may offer a more seamless experience, such as quicker pairing and access to proprietary features through the Xiaomi Earbuds app.
The Mijia Smart Audio Glasses, however, face a practical challenge. As one commenter noted, "No camera and/or screen? How is this better than just using earbuds?" This question gets to the heart of the product's value proposition. The glasses offer a different form factor that may be more comfortable for long-term wear for some users, and they provide situational awareness that in-ear buds cannot. However, they lack the visual interface or camera capabilities of more advanced smart glasses, positioning them as a niche audio accessory rather than a full-fledged smart wearable.
The Redmi Buds 8 Lite, in contrast, are a straightforward product that delivers on the core promise of wireless audio with ANC at a very low price point. They represent a safe, practical choice for budget-conscious consumers.
Pricing and Availability
- Mijia Smart Audio Glasses (Brownline/Pilot-Style): €179
- Mijia Smart Audio Glasses (Titanium): €199
- Redmi Buds 8 Lite: €23
Both products are available in Europe following the launch event. For more details on specifications and availability, you can visit the official Xiaomi product pages.
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