Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro: High-Fidelity Audio with Wi-Fi Streaming Hits European Market

Xiaomi Launches Buds 5 Pro in Europe, Featuring Groundbreaking Wi-Fi Audio Technology

Xiaomi has unveiled its latest audio innovation in Europe with the launch of the Buds 5 Pro, marking a significant milestone as the first earbuds to incorporate Qualcomm’s S7 Pro chip for Wi-Fi audio streaming alongside traditional Bluetooth connectivity.

The Buds 5 Pro, initially announced in China alongside the Xiaomi 15 Ultra smartphone, are now making their European debut. This launch comes just months after Qualcomm introduced its revolutionary audio technology in October 2023, with Xiaomi leading the charge in its implementation.

Two variants of the Buds 5 Pro are available to consumers: a standard Bluetooth model and an advanced Wi-Fi version. The latter utilizes Qualcomm’s Expanded Personal Area Network (XPAN) technology, enabling an impressive 96kHz/24bit lossless audio experience with a bandwidth of up to 4.2Mbps, significantly outperforming traditional Bluetooth capabilities.

One of the key advantages of the Wi-Fi model is its ability to maintain a stable connection within the range of a user’s Wi-Fi network, even when moving away from the paired device. However, this feature is currently limited to home network environments and is only compatible with Xiaomi 15 and 15 Ultra smartphones.

While the Wi-Fi functionality offers enhanced audio quality and range, it does come with certain limitations. The earbuds require a Wi-Fi network to utilize this feature, and it remains unclear whether they can connect to multiple networks. When Wi-Fi is unavailable, the Buds 5 Pro can seamlessly switch to Bluetooth connectivity.

In terms of audio performance, the Buds 5 Pro boast a sophisticated triple-driver system, comprising an 11mm main driver, PZT tweeter, and planar driver. Additional features include active noise cancellation and AI-powered functionalities such as call recording, transcription, and translation.

Battery life is another area where the Wi-Fi model shines, offering up to 10 hours of playback, extendable to 40 hours with the charging case. This surpasses the Bluetooth-only version, which provides 8 hours of use.

The Buds 5 Pro Wi-Fi version is priced at £189.99 (approximately $240) and is available exclusively in black. For those opting for the Bluetooth-only model, it is priced at £159.99 (around $200) and comes in white or gray color options.

As of March 2nd, Xiaomi has confirmed the list of compatible devices for the Wi-Fi functionality, currently limited to their latest flagship models. The company has not yet announced plans for expanding compatibility to other devices or platforms.

With this launch, Xiaomi sets a new standard in wireless audio technology, potentially paving the way for future innovations in the rapidly evolving world of personal audio devices.