Xiaomi has recently unveiled its latest true wireless headphones, the Redmi Buds 3 Pro. These earbuds are similar in size and functionality to Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 2, which were recently reviewed. However, the Redmi Buds 3 Pro are more affordable, costing only 299 zlotys compared to Samsung’s 649 zlotys. Xiaomi’s strategy is to offer a product that is good enough and ultimately convince customers with its price. While the Redmi Buds 3 Pro may not have as many features as Samsung’s headphones, they are the most affordable multipoint pairing earbuds available. Moreover, they are comfortable to wear and produce good quality sound, making them a worthwhile purchase. Let’s dive into the details.
The main advantages and disadvantages Redmi Buds 3 Pro
Benefits Redmi Buds 3 Pro:
- Multipoint pairing – active connection with two devices at the same time
- Each earpiece is only 5 grams
- IPX4 sealing
- Wired and wireless charging
- Stop playback when removed from your ear and resume when you put it back in
- Intuitive operation without unwanted interactions
- There is noise reduction and transparency mode
- Good sound and a good amount of bass
- Slight shift of the sound relative to the picture
- Good battery life
Defects Redmi Buds 3 Pro:
- Unable to adjust the volume and rewind the track with the headphones
- The noise reduction and transparent modes work better in more expensive competition
- Many of the features promised are reserved for (so far) very few devices
- There is no clear message when and which devices will support the additional functions
- The detail of the sound could be better
Design
Design is a crucial factor to consider when choosing earbuds. The Redmi Buds 3 Pro’s design is not groundbreaking, but it is efficient. The case houses a built-in battery, a USB C socket, a single LED, and a button. The LED indicates when the power is connected and shows when the case is opened. The button enables manual connection initiation.
The earbuds are held in place by magnets and immediately activate when removed from the case. Each earbud has three microphones, two on the outside and one inside. The outer part is made of polished plastic, giving it a pearl-like appearance.
The Redmi Buds 3 Pro’s design makes it easy to handle and remove from the case. It is lighter than Samsung’s curved earbuds, with a single handset weighing 5 grams, the case weighing 42 grams, and the entire set weighing 52 grams. These values are identical to the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2, which is touted as the smallest and lightest headphones.
In terms of comfort, the Redmi Buds 3 Pro sit securely in the ear and do not fall out during intense activity. They do not require adjustment to fit the ear canal properly. However, it’s best to adjust the headphones to fit your ear size. The set includes an additional three pairs of tips in different sizes, allowing for a comfortable fit. The Redmi Buds 3 Pro has an IPX4 water resistance rating, making it sweat and rain-resistant, which is a higher standard than the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2’s IPX2 rating.
In summary, the Redmi Buds 3 Pro’s design is efficient, lightweight, and comfortable. It comes with an IPX4 rating, making it a good choice for those who require sweat and rain resistance.
App and fuctions
The Redmi Buds 3 Pro headphones come with smart functions and an app that make pairing a breeze. If you have a Xiaomi phone or tablet with the MIUI overlay, the headphones will automatically appear on your screen without the need to manually enter the Bluetooth menu. You can also enjoy multipoint pairing, which allows you to connect and switch between two devices simultaneously, making it easy to watch a movie on your tablet and answer a call on your phone.
One of the best features of the Redmi Buds 3 Pro is their touch interface that offers three types of interaction. You can double-tap to answer or pause calls, pause or resume music playback, touch and hold to switch between Active Ambient Noise Reduction and Transparency Mode, and triple tap to switch to the next track or end a voice call. Additionally, when you reconnect the headphones, you’ll be able to see an animation and battery status for each individual earphone and case.
Compared to other headphones, the Redmi Buds 3 Pro are the cheapest headphones that support multipoint pairing, which is a significant advantage. This feature is not always supported by even the most expensive models, making the Redmi Buds 3 Pro a great choice for those who need this functionality.
The headphones do not allow you to change the volume or skip to the previous track directly. While the simplified interface makes it easier to remember the gestures and avoids unwanted interactions, it also limits the available options. The Redmi Buds 3 Pro can detect when they are inserted in the ear and automatically pause the playback when one earpiece is removed. The playback resumes automatically when the earpiece is reinserted. The same feature works when using a single earphone and leaving the other in the case.
The manufacturer promises many more functions such as automatic adjustment of noise reduction using AI and a double transparency mode. However, these features are only available for selected phones with the MIUI overlay. These functions cannot be accessed by installing an application for using the headphones.
I tested the Redmi Note 10 Pro with MIUI 12.5.3 and the Xiaomi Tab 5 with MIUI 12.5.2. These features were not available on either device. According to the manufacturer, support for new models will be added gradually through updates, but there is no information on when or which specific models will be supported. Therefore, it’s best to focus on the headphones without considering these additional features.
When connecting the headphones to a phone from another manufacturer, the only feature you’ll lose is the automatic connection proposal during the first pairing. Everything else works the same way.
Sound
The sound quality of the Redmi Buds 3 Pro is impressive. These headphones offer a balanced sound and low bass, without causing any fatigue even after prolonged use. I was able to enjoy listening to electronic, acoustic, and vocal-centric music, as well as metal music. However, there is a slight weakness in the resolution of the headphones, especially when there are many sounds occurring simultaneously. In such cases, the details may not be as clear as in more expensive models. Nonetheless, considering their form and price, these headphones sound great.
When it comes to noise reduction and ambient transparency modes, I have mixed feelings. The noise reduction mode is effective against airplane noise, but it may not block out the variety of sounds present in the city as effectively as more expensive competitors. Similarly, the ambient transparency mode does not amplify ambient sounds as well as even the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2. While there may be some additional functions that improve the experience on selected phones with the MIUI overlay, I do not believe that the difference will be too significant.
The delay of the sound in relation to the movie being played is minimal.
Battery life
The Redmi Buds 3 Pro headphones come with a promise from the manufacturer that they can work for up to 6 hours on a single charge. If you charge them in the case, they can last up to 28 hours. If you charge the headphones fully, you can enjoy 3 hours of voice calls. Moreover, charging the headphones for just 10 minutes can give you an additional 3 hours of music playback time. However, this is all achievable only if you opt not to use noise reduction. The case can be charged either via a USB C cable or wirelessly.
It is essential to note that we cannot turn off noise reduction if our headphones do not have the built-in support for additional functions, but we can switch between reduction and transparency mode. Nevertheless, both these modes consume more energy, which can lead to a shorter battery life of around 5 hours for music playback with noise reduction.
Conclusion
The Redmi Buds 3 Pro headphones are a great choice for PLN 299. They offer good sound quality and can be paired with two devices simultaneously. They are small, lightweight, have a long battery life, and are easy to use. The automatic pausing of music when the headphones are removed is a convenient feature and does not cause any issues. Xiaomi has also made it so that these headphones will automatically pair with other devices.
However, it’s important to note that the noise reduction and transparency modes are not as advanced as those found in more expensive headphones. If you require these features, such as when traveling, it may be necessary to opt for a more expensive model. The manufacturer also promotes many advanced features, such as artificial intelligence support, but these are only available on certain devices with the MIUI overlay. At the time of the review, the latest Xiaomi Pad 5 tablet and the popular Redmi Note 10 Pro did not support these features.
Overall, I believe that these headphones are highly recommendable even without the additional features. They work well not only with Xiaomi devices but also with other brands. Their capabilities are more than sufficient for the price, although they may not compete with headphones that are many times more expensive.
We love: multipoint pairing
What we don’t like: unavailability of the promised features on most Xiaomi devices
Who are they for Redmi Buds 3 Pro:
- For those who want to pair headphones with two devices
- For people looking for extremely light and compact headphones
- For users of Xiaomi equipment
Who we do not recommend Redmi Buds 3 Pro:
- Not for those who want to try advanced features today and have a phone other than the Mi 11 / Mi11 Pro
- Not for those for whom the quality of the noise canceling mode and the transparent mode is crucial and should be of the highest quality
- Not for the most demanding music lovers looking for the highest detail
