Accessories
Huawei Freebuds Pro is here to ‘redefine noise cancellation’
First TWS with ‘intelligent dynamic noise cancellation’
Huawei was pretty gun shy about slapping the “pro” tag on their TWS earphones. Now, we’re finding out why with the Huawei Freebuds Pro which has the bold claim of redefining noise cancellation.
If this were any other manufacturer we would be more skeptical, but previous the company’s previous TWS earphones on the Freebuds 3 line have been nothing short of fantastic. So, what’s different now?
Next level noise cancellation
Let’s get to the meat of the improvement. The Huawei Freebuds 3 Pro’s noise cancellation has gone up to 40db. Previous models were at 30db (Freebuds 3) and 15db (Freebuds 3i).
Like the Freebuds 3, it’s equipped with the Kirin A1 chip to aid in noise cancellation, but there are other factors in play as well. The chip is complemented by the in-ear fit — a feature it shares with the Freebuds 3i but not the Freebuds 3.
Adding to these are the dual microphones located both inside and outside the earbuds. This is a key design decision that helps in detecting the surrounding you’re in. It enables the Freebuds 3 Pro to automatically choose the appropriate noise cancellation mode of which it has three: Ultra Mode, Cozy Mode, and General Mode.
Improved battery life
More features mean a little more strain on the battery, but Huawei managed to improve it still, on paper, at least. With noise cancellation on, the Freebuds 3 Pro should last for 4.5 hours, with it turned off, you should get up to 7 hours on a single charge.
When charging for 10 minutes, the wired charging method can charge to 30% and wireless charging method can be charged to 18%. With a 30-minute charge, the wired charging method can charge to 55%, and wireless charging can charge up to 32%.
It supports Huawei SuperCharge so you can use your Huawei tablet or smartphone that support the reverse wireless charging feature to juice up the TWS earbuds.
Intuitive controls and usage
Huawei is also leaning into the stem design but for good reason. They’ve traditionally used the stem both as a way for the user to control the functions of the earbud and as a mic for audio output. The same is true for the Freebuds 3 Pro.
Toggling the noise cancellation on or off can be done by simply pinching the stem. The same gesture can also be assigned to answer and hang-up calls, pause and play songs, and others. To control the volume, users can simply slide up or down on the stem. Convenient.
The Freebuds Pro also allows simultaneous pairing. You can pair it with two devices at the same time. These also don’t have to be Huawei devices. The Dual Connection feature will let you seamlessly switch to Android, iOS, and Windows devices. Neat!
Pricing and availability
The Huawei Freebuds Pro comes in three colors: Carbon Black, Ceramic White, and Silver Frost. It will retail for EUR 199 (US$ 236) and will be available for purchase starting October 2020 on the Huawei official website and various retailers in selected markets.
SEE ALSO:
Huawei Freebuds 3 review: Best value wireless earbuds
Huawei Freebuds 3i review: A pleasant surprise
Accessories
Peak Design’s new City Line combines minimalism and color
Less padding, more personality
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.
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.
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.
SEE ALSO: Sony WH-1000XM6: Master of sound quality and noise cancellation
-
Automotive6 days agoVinFast debuts two-wheeler models, opens 21 e-motorcycle showrooms
-
Computers1 week agoAMD launches Radeon RX 9050 graphics card
-
Gaming2 weeks agoGod of War Laufey finally confirms its highly anticipated launch date
-
Automotive1 week agoXiaomi debuts SkyNomad Series featuring new Kunlun platform
-
News5 days agoOnePlus officially leaves the United States and Canada
-
Gaming2 weeks agoNBA 2K27 gameplay trailer showcases new dunk mechanics, Rucker Park, and more
-
Gaming1 week agoCall of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 clip shows Losing Ground 1st look
-
Automotive2 weeks agoBYD Atto 2 launches with EV, plug-in hybrid options











