Huawei FreeBuds SE 5 Max launches with 80-hour battery life and 52dB ANC

Huawei has launched the FreeBuds SE 5 Max in Malaysia as the successor to the FreeBuds SE 4 ANC. The device is available on Huawei’s official Malaysia website for RM 159 (original cost: RM 249), or through an installment plan of RM 20.17 for eight months. Buyers can select from three color options: Blue, White, and Black.

Battery capacity and case redesign

The FreeBuds SE 5 Max provides up to 80 hours of total battery life, marking Huawei’s longest battery life in an audio wearable to date. This delivers a 60 percent increase over the 50 hours provided by the FreeBuds SE 4 ANC. A single charge provides 10 hours of listening with active noise cancellation disabled and 7 hours when the feature is enabled.

Each earbud contains a 41mAh battery, paired with a 920mAh cell in the charging case. The earbuds match the physical dimensions of their predecessor, measuring 32.3 x 21.3 x 24 mm and weighing 4.3 grams. The charging case features a rounded rectangular shape, an ultra-slim body, and a semi-transparent case where the upper part is transparent. It measures 49.43 x 58.62 x 25.73 mm and weighs 40.5 grams.

Noise cancellation and audio specifications

The earbuds support 52dB multi-mode active noise cancellation across four selectable modes:

• Ultra Mode: Designed for listening to songs in subways.
• General Mode: Delivers clear calls and music in cafes with chatter.
• Cosy Mode: Filters out air conditioner hum and page rustling to provide a quieter space in libraries.
• Dynamic Mode: Automatically adjusts sound in real time across indoor and outdoor settings.

A 6-microphone setup handles voice calls. The earbuds support LDAC high-resolution audio codec technology, which boosts data transmission by 990kbps, alongside up to four preset sound modes for deep lows and crisp highs. Other features include Bluetooth 6.0, cross-OS connection, seamless pairing, easier tap gestures, and an IP55 dust and water-resistance rating.