As a runner, I know firsthand how important it is to find comfortable earbuds that can keep up with every mile. With the rise of runners around the world, the search for the perfect accessory has become a top priority for many.
In a market filled with wireless earbuds, Xiaomi has taken a smart approach with the Xiaomi OpenWear Stereo. This pair of wireless earbuds come with an open-ear design.
Although it faces competition from other open-ear wearables, bone conduction headphones, and traditional in-ear wireless earbuds, the Xiaomi OpenWear Stereo strikes the perfect balance.
It fits comfortably between these niche markets, offering a unique blend of comfort, style, function, and cutting-edge technology.
Sleek and stylish
@gadgetmatch Meet the Xiaomi OpenWear Stereo, Xiaomi’s newest open-ear earbuds promising all-day comfort ✨ #fyp #fypage #fyppppppppppppppppppppppp #fypシ ♬ original sound – GadgetMatch
Taking out the Xiaomi OpenWear Stereo out of the box, it came in an oval, sophisticated gray case adorned with a shiny, metallic hinge. It looked like a love child between a banded agate and a smoky quartz.
Inside, you can find an odd-shaped pair of wireless earbuds that looks ritzy. Its sleek and modern design are aesthetically pleasing enough to be worn as an accessory. It perfectly matches my earrings and necklace, which are the jewelry I use when out for a run.
The OpenWear Stereo used flexible plastics and finished the design with soft-touch coatings, making it lightweight and comfortable to wear even for long periods of time.
Ergonomically, it’s designed to conform to the shape of the head and ears, and adapts to different shapes and sizes.
It rested comfortably on my temples and ensured a secure fit, even when I was sprinting or doing plyometrics.
Always hooked
My issue with most wireless earbuds is that they hurt my ears when worn for a long time. If they’re lightweight, they fall off easily, and I risk losing them during strenuous activities.
I often have to remove them whenever someone speaks to me on the street or in the gym.
The Xiaomi OpenWear Stereo solves this issue with its open-ear design, allowing me to play music without blocking my ear canals, so I can still be aware of my surroundings.
Previously, I went to the gym before heading straight to judge a Jump Rope Dance Competition. The performances started, and I forgot I was wearing the Xiaomi OpenWear Stereo—that’s how featherweight they are.
I could hear the music clearly while getting enchanted by performances from aspiring jump rope athletes. The best part? It didn’t cause ear fatigue.
Music for One (or Two?)
I’m no audiophile, but I do have Spotify playing music for over ten hours a day. With its design and technology, the Xiaomi OpenWear Stereo gave me my own little world while still being aware of the world around me.
That’s how richly detailed the sound is—even when cars are honking outside.
When lifting weights or doing a tempo run, I repeatedly listened to BINI’s “Pantropiko” and “Huwag Muna Tayong Umuwi” without worrying about others hearing, thanks to its 10mm sound leakage reduction.
As long as I maintain my distance, people won’t get distracted by my songs. However, your music can be shared if a friend also owns a pair of OpenWear Stereo.
Both pairs of earbuds should be connected to a Xiaomi smartphone or tablet at the same time, allowing both users to share music and jam together.
Personally, I prefer listening solo, but if you’re someone who likes to share, don’t forget to download the Xiaomi Earbuds app.
The Xiaomi OpenWear Stereo’s settings can be customized through the app, which is available in the App Store and Play Store. You can personalize it to suit your preferences, giving you full control of the device and your music.
Run, Boy, Run
I used the Xiaomi OpenWear Stereo primarily for strength training and easy runs. It made me approachable in the gym, as I could engage in conversation without removing the earbuds.
I also felt confident running outdoors without worrying about sudden drizzles or near-accidents. It has an IP54 rating, which makes it resistant to water, sweat, and splashes.
When torrential rains poured in Manila, many runners stayed indoors to complete their workouts. I, however, waited for the downpour to ease into a drizzle.
I decided that a 30-minute run in light rain would be the perfect test for the Xiaomi OpenWear Stereo.
All eyes were on me and my shiny, shimmering wearable as I dropped everything to meet the rain.
I didn’t need to take out my iPhone while running, as the OpenWear Stereo is compatible with it. The smart touch controls made it easy to skip tracks and find a beat that matched my cadence.
I ended up playing “Good Luck, Babe!” by Chappell Roan for an extra boost of motivation.
Safe to say, the OpenWear Stereo didn’t malfunction, and it stayed securely in place throughout the 5K run. It’s truly ideal for runners—no cap.
Is This Your GadgetMatch?
The Xiaomi OpenWear Stereo thrives on flexibility, offering a versatile user experience. It’s not just made for runners but for everyone on the go.
It’s easily a GadgetMatch for those who want to stay aware of their surroundings without compromising sound quality or battery life.
After all, it lasts a full day on a single charge, is comfortable enough to wear for long periods, plays richly detailed music without leakage, and stays securely in place during any activity.
The open-ear design also gives it an edge over similar devices, especially because it comes at a price that won’t break the bank.
The Xiaomi OpenWear Stereo retails at PhP 6,199.
Lifestyle
What a day at Masungi GeoReserve taught me about a smartphone’s durability
Captured through the lens of the Redmi Note 15 Pro+ 5G!
Xiaomi Philippines brought the Redmi Note 15 Series to Masungi GeoReserve to see how it holds up when the terrain is uneven.
Through the REDMI Titan Quest, we were brought into limestone paths and forest trails where dust settles fast and footing rarely stays predictable.
The day started with uneven ground beneath my feet and a phone that stayed out of my pocket. At Masungi GeoReserve, there was no reason to baby anything.
I spent the morning hiking and climbing, stopping only when something felt worth capturing using the Redmi Note 15 Pro+ 5G.
Wide frames captured the scale of Masungi’s rock formations and open viewpoints.
Closer shots focused on textures, stone, and other details along the path. The 200-megapixel AI-powered camera system made it easy to move between 1x and 4x focal ranges as the light shifted throughout the day.
Power also never became a concern. With a 6,500mAh battery and 100W HyperCharge technology, the REDMI Note 15 Pro+ 5G kept up through hours of being outdoors.
Really ‘Titan Tough’
Durability showed itself early. Dirt clung to the device, and there were small knocks along the way that felt normal for a trail like this. Nothing cracked, of course.
A Titan Tough Durability Station later reinforced what the hike already proved; that dust and water resistance, and drop protection matter most in activities like this.
Designed for days like this, the REDMI Titan Structure, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, and fiberglass back panels create a phone that feels ready for impact.
The Pro+ variant I’ve been carrying also supports drop resistance of up to 2.5 meters, which feels reassuring.
The Titan Quest builds on earlier REDMI Titan Lab durability tests, where toughness was measured under controlled conditions. On the trail, those results felt tangible.
Availability
The REDMI Note 15 Series is available through Xiaomi’s official stores on Shopee and Lazada. Select models come with bundled accessories, gift sets, and digital perks such as three months of Spotify Premium and a three-month 100 GB cloud storage plan.
The series includes Xiaomi Philippines’ No. 1 protection package, covering a four-year battery warranty, two-year liquid damage and exterior protection, and a two-year standard warranty.
Entertainment
Stranger Things: Tales from ’85 premieres in April
The animated series is set between seasons two and three.
Stranger Things is over. After years of success, the long-running series finally reached its definitive conclusion. But if you thought Netflix would easily let its biggest cash cow go, then you’d be mistaken. Barely a month after the final episode, the franchise is back with an animated spinoff called Stranger Things: Tales from ’85.
The animated series, which oddly features a new cast to voice the characters, is not a continuation of the concluded story. Rather, it’s a midquel set during the winter between the second and third seasons. Despite closing off a gate to the Upside Down, Eleven and the gang discover that some monsters are still lurking around in their world.
Because we already know what happens up until the very end, there’s hardly any tension. That said, and based on the show’s subtitle, the animated series might be a creature-of-the-week adventure. However, Eric Robles, who will run the series, says that saving Hawkins is still a major plot point.
The Duffer Brothers, who will be executive producers, says that it was a challenge to feature monsters after the events of the main show’s second season. The show will still have a substantial story, though.
For now, we’ll have a bit of a reprieve from everything Stranger Things (or time to catch up with everything, if you prefer). Stranger Things: Tales from ’85 will premiere on April 23.
SEE ALSO: BTS returns with global live comeback event on Netflix this March
Entertainment
BTS returns with global live comeback event on Netflix this March
BTS reunites live worldwide
Netflix has officially announced BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE | ARIRANG, a global livestream event set for March 21, 2026. This marks the group’s first full reunion performance since completing South Korea’s mandatory military service.
Streaming live exclusively on Netflix, the event will air at 8 PM KST (or 4 AM PST and 7 AM EST). It will broadcast worldwide from the historic Gwanghwamun in Seoul. The performance celebrates the release of BTS’ fifth studio album, ARIRANG.
Netflix partnered with HYBE to bring the seven-member group back to the stage. This is being positioned as a landmark global comeback. RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook will reunite onstage for the first time as a complete group since their hiatus.
The live special will be directed by Hamish Hamilton and produced by Done + Dusted, with executive producers including HYBE, BIGHIT MUSIC, Guy Carrington, Garrett English, and Kevin Hermanson. Netflix confirmed that the event will be ticketed, with further details to be announced at a later date.
A symbolic return in Seoul
The choice of Gwanghwamun as the livestream location adds symbolic weight to the comeback. One of Seoul’s most historic public spaces, the setting reflects the themes explored in ARIRANG. It is an album described as deeply reflective and rooted in identity, heritage, and renewal.
The album announcement arrives alongside confirmation of the ARIRANG World Tour, scheduled to run from 2026 to 2027. The tour will span 34 regions and include 82 shows. This will happen across Asia, North and Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, and additional territories.
Together, the album and live event mark the start of a new chapter for BTS. This follows years of solo activities and military enlistment. The comeback positions the group not just as returning idols, but as artists re-entering the global stage with a renewed sense of perspective.
Netflix expands its live ambitions
BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE | ARIRANG also represents a milestone for Netflix. It will be the platform’s first-ever live global broadcast originating from South Korea, further expanding its growing slate of live programming.
The event joins a lineup that already includes live specials. These are Skyscraper Live, Star Search, Jake vs Joshua, WWE Raw, NFL Christmas Gameday, and major boxing and sports events. Netflix has also confirmed upcoming live coverage of MLB games, the FIFA Women’s World Cup, and The Actor Awards.
With BTS leading the charge, Netflix continues to test the limits of live global entertainment beyond traditional sports and reality formats.
A documentary follows days later
Just days after the livestream, Netflix will release BTS: THE RETURN, a feature-length documentary premiering on March 27, 2026.
Directed by Bao Nguyen, the film chronicles the group’s long-awaited reunion and the making of ARIRANG. The documentary follows BTS as they reunite in Los Angeles. Watch as they create new music, navigating personal change, shared history, and the challenge of beginning again after time apart.
Produced by This Machine, HYBE, and EAST Films, the documentary promises unprecedented access to the group’s creative process. It explores moments of doubt, reflection, and rediscovery as BTS shape what is positioned as a defining album of their career.
Intimate and emotional in tone, BTS: THE RETURN frames the comeback not just as a pop culture moment, but as a story of resilience, brotherhood, and reinvention—one shaped by time, growth, and the weight of global expectation.
For millions of fans worldwide, March 2026 marks not just a return, but the beginning of BTS’ next era.
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