Xiaomi India recently launched the Redmi Buds 4 Active, an affordable earbuds priced at ₹1,399, alongside the Xiaomi Pad 6. The budget-friendly TWS earbuds are offered in two colour variants in India and will be available for sale from June 20th. The company has also announced a special launch price in which the buds will be available for sale at ₹1,199, valid till June 23.
The TWS market in India is dominated by audio brands like Boat, Boult and Mivi due to their affordable prices. However, audio devices made by smartphone brands like Oppo, Redmi, Samsung and OnePlus enjoy a decent share of the clustered audio market. The Redmi Buds 4 Active feature several decent features that make it an appealing buy for the price. Let’s see where they stand out.
Available Colours – Bass Black and Air White
Design
The design language of the Redmi Buds 4 Active is drastically different from the Buds 3 Active, which had a lock-in design. While the Buds 4 Active arrives with a stick earpiece, which makes them more appealing. The generically designed charging case of the Buds 4 Active houses Redmi branding at the back, a small LED indicator, and a USB-C port at the bottom.
The colour variant we received for the review is branded Air White, and at first look, the charging case seemed like a portable egg. Inside the case, the earbuds are nestled, and once you open the lid, they’ll welcome you with two bright LED indicators. Like the case, the Redmi Buds 4 Active are featherlight and sit comfortably in the ears. Along with the default ear tips, the earbuds come with three additional pairs of ear tips.
Touch Controls
The Redmi Buds 4 Active is loaded with basic touch gestures; for example, a single tap on the buds leads you to play and pause the music/video, a long tap means accessing voice assistant, and a double tap lets you shuffle the playlist, like the most rivals. In the case of Redmi Buds 4 Active, the gestures do the job 6 out of 10 times; not bad, but not that good either.
Connectivity
When it comes to connecting the Redmi Buds 4 Active with your smartphone or laptop, it’s a simple process. Just go to the Bluetooth menu and then wait for a second, and it’ll pop up on your screens, ready to serve. Besides the old convenient way, the buds have another Android-only option, where the buds will show on your Android device in close range. I’ve paired it with Samsung Galaxy A54, and OnePlus 7, it works smoothly.
Audio Performance
The Redmi Buds 4 Active boasts powerful 12mm drivers, on par with the OnePlus Nord Buds’ 12.4mm drivers, delivering a sound that will make your eardrums dance with joy. The earbuds offer an immersive sonic experience and hit the sweet spot at 70% volume, where vocals and instruments take centre stage. However, cranking it up further leads to a loss of detail and audio distortion, a treacherous path to walk.
The Buds 4 Active don’t have a dedicated customization app, and that’s where it stays behind in the race. The hardware inside is ready to handle multiple profiles but missing the resources to make it happen. However, the earbuds offer a great calling experience matching the Nord Buds’ prowess. The crystal-clear audio and flawless microphone of the buds make every conversation shine.
Battery
With a promised battery life of 30 hours (with the case), the Redmi Buds 4 Active won’t leave you hanging. Realistically, you’ll get around 25 hours, depending on usage. Light users can have a week without a charge, yes, that’s right. Just 10 minutes of plugging in and the case grant you a heavenly 90 minutes of battery life. Perfect for those frantic moments when you’re racing against the clock.
Verdict
Rating –⭐ ⭐ ⭐
The Redmi Buds 4 Active blend power, clarity, and convenience, crafting a symphony for your ears. However, when you compare them with rivals like the OnePlus Nord Buds 2, they seem stammering. The earbuds offer solid audio performance, a fast pair option and decent battery life at the price of ₹1,399 or ₹1,199* (valid till June 23). So, if you are looking for something at an affordable price, just go for it.