Accessories

Redmi Buds 6 Pro review: Fancy that ANC

Pocket-friendly ANC earbuds, literally and figuratively

Published

February 18, 2025

Vincenz

I fondly remember saving up my first paycheck as a full-fledged GadgetMatch team member in 2019 just to buy the first-gen AirPods.

It wasn’t about the hype — I just wanted earphones that wouldn’t tangle in my bag during my grueling commutes. Also, with smartphone brands steadily ditching the 3.5mm audio jack, it felt like the right time to go wireless.

Fast forward nearly six years, and the industry has evolved. What’s more surprising? Brands like Redmi (or Xiaomi) now offer ANC-equipped TWS earbuds for less than half the price of an AirPods Pro.

Enter the new Redmi Buds 6 Pro — and I’m here to put them to the test.

Non-existent heft

Upon unboxing the Redmi Buds 6 Pro, its heft (or lack thereof) totally surprised me.

It’s so light that I barely felt it right after holding the whole wearable (yes, even when the buds are already inside the case).

Putting it in all sorts of pockets gave me nothing but featherweight lightness.

To be specific, the whole combo only weighs at just 46.5 grams.

I am neither sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing. Obviously, the huge downside is when someone loses either the buds or the case (or both).

This also means one should stay vigilant at all times when using them out and about.

Double the purple

The Redmi Buds 6 Pro I have comes in this flashy Lavender Purple colorway.

Although purple isn’t in my list of color faves, it’s still a compelling change as most of the earbuds I receive are either in the AirPods-like white or a striking yet more scratch-attracting black coating.

And by that, the other colors of the Redmi Buds 6 Pro come in the usual bland offerings aforementioned: Glacier White and Space Black.

Aside for that shiny silver trimming on the buds’ sides, there are no other contrasting elements when you decide to get this device.

From the case all the way to the buds’ rubber tips, they are all in the same hue.

If there’s one thing I love about its overall aesthetics, it’s none other than the light strip on its case — and it isn’t there just for show.

It was a smart move of Redmi to include this as it serves as the primary battery level indicator of the case. And it’s not just a single light bar. It actually decreases based on the case’s battery percentage.

This is a very handy-dandy feature for someone like me. Now, I don’t always have to check the app just to see if the case has enough charge to juice up my depleted buds.

Fair with ‘Fast Pair’

Right upon powering on the Redmi Buds 6 Pro, most of my Android devices were able to detect it.

Funny enough, my colleague Luigi, complained how the device continuously pops-up on his Pixel phone when I tried pairing the buds to one of my devices. This just means how effective its Google Fast Pair feature is.

Upon detection, it has prompted me to install the Xiaomi Earbuds app — dedicated to all TWS earbuds under the Xiaomi and Redmi brand.

And just like the Xiaomi Buds 5 I’ve held and reviewed a while back, pairing the new Redmi Buds 6 Pro was a breeze.

Feelin’ the familiarity

As this wasn’t the first earbuds I got under Xiaomi’s ecosystem, breezing everything in the app wasn’t an issue.

I still get to see all the EQ presets, with the freedom to manually adjust each and every level and bandwidth.

More so, the ability to toggle between three different ANC modes — which I’ll talk about in a separate section shortly.

Gestures are also customizable for each bud without affecting one another.

Although unlike other “Pro” buds that rely on stem squeezes through its Force Touch sensors, the Redmi Buds 6 Pro has the generic touch-inclined stem taps.

Fortunately, the up and down gestures I found valuable on the Xiaomi Buds 5 (meant for volume adjustments) remain here.

Sufficing Sound

On paper, the Redmi Buds 6 Pro has a promising set of custom coaxial triple drivers: dual 6.7mm Piezoelectric ceramic drivers, single 11mm Dynamic driver with Titanium diaphragm.

It also promises Hi-Res Wireless Audio with LDAC. And upon inspecting the Redmi Buds 6 Pro via System Settings (not Xiaomi’s app), it was true to its words.

Even more, I double-checked my Xiaomi Buds 5 and the latter offers Qualcomm’s aptX out of the box.

Xiaomi Buds 5 | aptX Codec

As much as possible, we need to stay away from the very basic SBC. Redmi offering LDAC in such price range is already a blessing.

But, I’m not here to make your world even more confusing. These audio terms are just too much to digest for an ordinary user.

Xiaomi Buds 5 | 2024

Despite the hardware the Redmi Buds 6 Pro offers, my ears could still pinpoint the audio weaknesses it has compared to its closest Xiaomi rival.

The Xiaomi Buds 5 still delivers the better audio experience with enriched highs and mids, alongside a fuller, deeper bass.

I tried each and every preset for the fairest comparison possible. Let alone, playing lossless audio tracks in Apple Music.

My custom EQ preset is even synced across the board so there’s no setting to miss.

Safe to say, the Redmi Buds 6 Pro produces adequate audio quality for its price — but not totally surpassing what the Xiaomi Buds 5 offers from the get-go.

Seeking for ANC

As an introvert who wants to block as much noise as he could from the world around him, having ANC in such device and price is a true gift from the gods.

And what makes the Redmi Buds 6 Pro different from the base Redmi Buds 6 (and also the Xiaomi Buds 5 I’ve repeatedly mentioned) are the inclusion of rubber tips.

Upon first fit, the attached rubber tips were not holding up quite well in both of my ear canal. Thankfully, there are two more supplied tips in the box ranging between small and large.

@gadgetmatch

This is your sign to go for a #Redmi haul! 🫶🏼 @mj #foryou

♬ origineel geluid – 💌💌💌

But then, I can’t help myself but to further compare the ANC feature of the two earbuds.

As surprising as it sounds, there’s barely any stark difference — even with the right type of rubber tips already in my ears.

There’s also nothing grand when switching between “Light” and “Deep” levels of ANC.

We were given the notion that ANC should perform “better” when you wear it with silicone ear tips. However, that’s not the case here.

Redmi’s inclusion of rubber ear tips in the Buds 6 Pro doesn’t make it the better ANC performer.

Even with an open-ear design, Xiaomi’s Buds 5 was able to shut off as much as background noise as it could.

I could go beyond the recommended volume level just to shush all those noise but I’d rather not have a hearing impairment.

Also, wearing buds with rubber tips get discomforting over longer periods of time. Thus, my personal preference of picking open-ear buds any time of the day.

Long-Lasting

If there’s one thing I can truly brag about the Redmi Buds 6 Pro, it’s none other than its overall endurance.

During my long 2 hours of travel going to the Metro, the Redmi Buds 6 Pro was still able to save around 60% of charge.

Even when doing this write-up, I was able to play 5-hours worth of my K-Pop album playlist nonstop. Mind you, with ANC turned on.

I started using it from around 1:30PM with a full-charge and ended around 6PM. Result? There’s still 20% battery charge left.

The Xiaomi Buds 5 I have only lasts between 2.5 to 3 hours max.

This is also one reason why it’s so hard to kill its case just to show the gradience of its light strip battery bar — mentioned a while back.

Is the Redmi Buds 6 Pro your GadgetMatch?

With an SRP of just EUR 74.99 / PhP 3599 / SG$ 95 (around US$ 78), the Redmi Buds 6 Pro is shockingly cheap for what it offers.

I would Swipe Right if the Redmi Buds 6 Pro offered the better ANC experience. Unfortunately, the ANC it delivers is as much as you can only get on the Xiaomi Buds 5.

Having to experience the better sound offered wholly by its Xiaomi counterpart, I would still pick that as the better value. Not to mention, their price differences aren’t that huge to begin with.

If we were to compare, the Xiaomi Buds 5 in Italy has a discounted price of EUR 79.99 — which is just 5 Euros more than Redmi Buds 6 Pro’s EUR 74.99 price tag. In Singapore, there’s a SG$ 17 gap with its SG$ 112 SRP.

Meanwhile in the Philippines, it’s sold for PhP 4599. That PhP 1000 gap might look little or too much depending on who’s going to buy it but personally, that extra price is justifiable with THE better audio quality and all in all aesthetics. Also, the bonus built-in recorder.

Accessories

Peak Design’s new City Line combines minimalism and color

Less padding, more personality

Published

August 6, 2026

Chay Lazaro

Known for its camera-friendly bags with generous padding to protect photography gear, Peak Design is taking a different approach with the City Line.

The new collection prioritizes lightweight construction and everyday functionality, stripping away unnecessary bulk while still delivering the thoughtful organization the brand is known for.

The new collection includes the City Backpack in 15L and 22L sizes, the 15L City Tote, the City Crescent in 6L and 12L options, and the compact 2L City Sling. While each bag serves a different purpose, they all share the same minimalist aesthetics and intuitive organization.

To achieve that lighter design is Peak Design’s new weather-resistant MonoShell material, along with a seam-reduced construction that cuts down on unnecessary bulk.

It also comes with Peak Design’s built-in BagLev hook, allowing you to hang your bag from a table instead of placing it on the floor.

Beyond the neutral and muted finishes we’ve seen in the past, Peak Design is also introducing brighter options that add more personality to the collection.

The vibrant Lapis blue, in particular, stands out as a fun alternative for anyone looking to move beyond the usual black everyday bag.

The City Line is now available through peakdesign.com and authorized retailers worldwide.

Accessories

DJI Osmo Mobile 8P: From a videographer’s perspective

Better tracking, fewer buttons

Published

August 4, 2026

Deric Claveria

DJI’s smartphone gimbals have always chased one goal: delivering cinema-smooth footage without forcing you to carry a heavy rig.

The Osmo Mobile 8P (OM 8P) makes its priorities clear right out of the box. This is not a simple refresh. DJI rebuilt how you control the gimbal, and that decision shapes the entire shooting experience.

Freedom behind the lens

The biggest change is the FrameTap remote, and it’s the kind of upgrade that fixes a problem you didn’t realize was slowing you down until it’s gone.

On the standard OM 8, adjusting your framing meant reaching for your phone every time, which broke the flow of shooting and pulled you out of the moment.

FrameTap puts that control back in your hand. You can reframe shots and manage the gimbal without touching your phone at all, and for anyone shooting solo, that alone changes how usable the whole setup feels. Tracking has taken a real step forward too.

ActiveTrack 8.0, paired with Module 2, held onto its subject even after they stepped out of frame for a moment, then picked them back up without much fuss.

It also lets you sit off-center in the shot instead of forcing you into the middle every time, which gives you more room to compose something that doesn’t look like every other gimbal video.

None of that would matter much if the gimbal itself wasn’t solid, and it still is. The OM 8P holds onto the same foldable design, magnetic phone clamp, and built-in tripod that made the OM 8 easy to live with.

And it remains one of the better compact options for stabilization, tracking, and portability in one package.

The tripod legs are a touch wider this time, and that extra width does make a noticeable difference on uneven ground.

The trade-offs in touch

The trade-off for all that new remote functionality is a control scheme that takes more getting used to. More of the gimbal’s functions now live on the FrameTap touchscreen, the joystick is smaller, and switching between shooting modes takes a few extra taps compared to the OM 8. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s a learning curve you’ll need to budget time for.

DJI also removed the zoom and focus wheel, so if you leaned on that dial for quick adjustments, you’ll feel its absence here. Module 2 no longer lets you plug a DJI wireless mic in directly either.

You’ll need to connect it to your phone instead, which adds a step to a setup that used to be simpler. Phone compatibility is still a limiting factor as well. DJI lists support for phones up to around 300g and 11mm thick, so bigger phones or ones in chunky cases may not clamp in properly.

Finding your ideal workflow

The OM 8P makes the most sense for solo creators who want dependable tracking and the freedom of remote framing without stepping up to a dedicated camera like the DJI Osmo Pocket.

If you’re already shooting on a phone with a solid camera, this fills the gap nicely. It’s a tougher sell if you prefer physical buttons over touchscreen menus, or if your phone runs on the larger and heavier side, since fitting it onto the clamp might be a problem before you even get to shooting.

Price, availability

DJI is offering the OM 8P in three combos, so how much you pay depends on how much of the ecosystem you actually need.

Standard Combo (PhP 7,499): the gimbal itself, with 8th-gen stabilization and the detachable FrameTap remote included.
Advanced Tracking Combo (PhP 9,199): adds the Multifunctional Module 2 for the improved subject tracking we tested.
Creator Combo (PhP 11,099): the full kit, built for creators who want everything DJI bundles in from the start.

Is the DJI Osmo Mobile 8P your GadgetMatch?

The DJI Osmo Mobile 8P asks you to relearn a few habits in exchange for a gimbal that finally lets go of your phone. If hands-free framing and steadier tracking matter more to you than a dedicated zoom dial, this is worth the adjustment.

If you’d rather keep things exactly as they were on the OM 8, that learning curve might be the deciding factor.

Swipe right if you shoot alone often and have been waiting for a gimbal remote that actually works. The FrameTap remote alone justifies the upgrade if reaching for your phone mid-shot has been slowing you down.

Consider this if reliable tracking matters to you, especially if you’ve had a subject wander out of frame and stay lost on older gimbals.

And of course, get this if you already own a capable phone under the weight and thickness limits, and you’d rather invest in a smartphone rig than jump to a dedicated camera like the Osmo Pocket.

Swipe left if you lean on physical dials for zoom and focus, and moving those functions to a touchscreen sounds like a downgrade rather than an upgrade.

This is not for you if you use a DJI wireless mic and want it plugged directly into the module without routing through your phone first. Or, your phone runs heavier or bulkier than DJI’s limits allow, since no amount of enthusiasm fixes a clamp that won’t close.

Accessories

Sony WH-1000XM6 gets a new Olive Gray colorway option

The new color launches today.

Published

August 4, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Last year, the Sony WH-1000XM6 quickly became our favorite pair of noise-cancelling headphones. The audio quality pairs remarkably well with its ANC capabilities. Now, a year into the accessory’s life cycle, new colors are still coming out. Today, the acclaimed WH-1000XM6 is getting an Olive Gray variant.

A few months ago, Sony expanded the WH-1000XM6’s colorway options with a Sandstone version, launching alongside the Sony 1000X THE COLLEXION. At the time, the new color added a splash of life to an already blossoming lineup.

Now, much like the rest of the lineup, the new Olive Gray version is a subdued mashup between olive green and gray. Though it stands out on its own, the color is still cool enough to mix well with the contours of the user’s head.

Other than that, the new version is still identical to the inner workings of the original device. The Sony WH-1000XM6 comes with a new HD Noise Canceling Processor QN3, providing 12 microphones for effective noise cancellation. In terms of audio quality, the headphones support High-Resolution Audio and High-Resolution Audio Wireless, thanks to LDAC support.

Also, the accessory sits comfortable on the head with a high rigidity carbon fiber composite material dome, cushioned well with synthetic leather.

As always, the Olive Gray version, launching today, will sell for US$ 459.99.

In Singapore, the Sony WH-1000XM6 in Olive Gray is available starting today through Sony Stores, the Sony Store Online, and authorized dealers for S$649, matching the pricing of the existing color options.