Xiaomi has officially introduced the Buds 5 Pro in Europe, marking a significant leap in wireless audio technology. These are the first-ever earbuds to feature Qualcomm’s S7 Pro chipset, offering Wi-Fi audio streaming alongside Bluetooth connectivity. This breakthrough allows users to experience 96kHz/24bit lossless audio with a bandwidth of up to 4.2Mbps, far surpassing the limits of traditional Bluetooth technology—all while maintaining power efficiency.
Revolutionizing Wireless Audio with Wi-Fi
The standout feature of the Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro is its Wi-Fi audio capability, powered by Qualcomm’s Expanded Personal Area Network (XPAN) technology. Unlike Bluetooth, which has limited range and lower bandwidth, Wi-Fi audio enables seamless high-fidelity streaming without signal drops.
Key Benefits of Wi-Fi Audio:
- Delivers 96kHz/24bit lossless audio with superior clarity and detail.
- Eliminates connectivity drops within a Wi-Fi network, unlike Bluetooth.
- Enables higher bandwidth audio transmission (4.2Mbps) while maintaining battery efficiency.
However, there are some trade-offs. The most notable one is the requirement for a Wi-Fi connection, meaning the enhanced audio experience is limited to places with known Wi-Fi networks.
Limited Compatibility at Launch
At launch, the Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro Wi-Fi edition is only compatible with the Xiaomi 15 and Xiaomi 15 Ultra smartphones. This restriction is due to the need for Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 or 8 Elite chipsets, making the earbuds incompatible with iPhones or other non-Qualcomm devices over Wi-Fi.
🔹 Will the Buds 5 Pro Support More Devices in the Future?
- Qualcomm has previously mentioned that Wi-Fi credentials would be shared during pairing, but it remains unclear whether the earbuds will support multiple networks for seamless transitions between locations like home and office.
- While broader device support could be introduced later, users with non-Xiaomi devices can only use Bluetooth mode.
Battery Life & Audio Performance
Despite the Wi-Fi audio capabilities, the Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro delivers impressive battery life:
Battery Performance:
- 10 hours of continuous playback on a single charge.
- Up to 40 hours with the charging case—outperforming many competitors.
Audio Features:
- Triple-driver system for superior sound quality:
- 11mm dynamic driver for deep bass.
- PZT tweeter for crisp highs.
- Planar driver for accurate midrange performance.
- Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) for an immersive listening experience.
- AI-powered features like call recording, real-time transcription, and translation.
Pricing & Availability
The Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro Wi-Fi edition is available exclusively in black and comes with a price tag of $240.
For those who prefer a Bluetooth-only version, Xiaomi offers a more affordable model at $200, available in white and gray.
Pricing Summary:
- Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro Wi-Fi Edition – $240 (Black only).
- Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro Bluetooth-Only Edition – $200 (White & Gray).
Should You Buy the Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro?
If you are looking for next-gen audio technology, lossless sound quality, and Wi-Fi connectivity, the Buds 5 Pro is a game-changer. However, the limited device compatibility and requirement for a Wi-Fi connection might be drawbacks for some users.
Pros:
Wi-Fi audio for high-fidelity sound.
Seamless connection within a Wi-Fi network.
Impressive battery life (up to 40 hours with the case).
Advanced ANC and AI-powered features.
Cons:
Limited compatibility (only works with Xiaomi 15 & 15 Ultra on Wi-Fi mode).
Wi-Fi audio requires a stable network, restricting portability.
Premium pricing compared to traditional Bluetooth earbuds.
The Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro is one of the most advanced wireless earbuds currently available, pushing the boundaries of audio technology. If you own a Xiaomi 15 or 15 Ultra, these earbuds are an excellent choice. However, if you rely on other devices, you might need to stick to Bluetooth mode until broader compatibility is introduced.
