Realme Buds Air 5 Pro Review: Feature-Packed Earbuds Under ₹5,000
Realme's latest wireless earbuds aim to bring premium features like active noise cancellation, spatial audio, and lossless LDAC codec support at an affordable price point. At just ₹4,999, should you consider the Buds Air 5 Pro? Our in-depth review breaks down the design, sound quality, battery life and more.
Highlights of the Realme Buds Air 5 Pro:
- Lightweight and comfortable design for all-day wear
- Powerful bass complimented by detailed highs and mids
- Active noise cancellation up to 50dB to block ambient sounds
- Seamless connectivity via Google Fast Pair and dual device support
- Lossless LDAC codec support for hi-res audio streaming
- Spatial audio for a surround sound experience
- 30+ hour battery life with ANC enabled
When it comes to wireless audio in India, few brands have managed to make their mark as successfully as Realme. Their popular Buds series of earbuds routinely offer great value by including advanced features at aggressive price points.
The latest model, Buds Air 5 Pro, continues this trend but kicks things up a notch. For just ₹4,999, you now get extras like customizable EQ, spatial audio and Sony's LDAC codec. But are the complete package? Let's dive into the full review.
Realme Buds Air 5 Pro Design and Comfort
The Buds Air 5 Pro feature the familiar oval charging case shape and in-canal bud design from previous generations. While not the most eye-catching, we can't argue with sticking to an ergonomic formula that just works.
Our Astral Black review unit looks sleek from afar but is a fingerprint magnet up close. The Sunrise Beige variant avoids this issue for those bothered by smudges. Both colorways include a reflective metallic ring on the outside of each bud, allowing some personality to shine through.
At just ~4.5 grams per bud, the Buds Air 5 Pro are featherlight and slip into ears effortlessly. This makes them comfortable for extended listening, whether lounging at home or working out. The included silicone tips form a decent seal to keep the buds anchored in place.
On the functionality side, the touch controls are responsive but could occasionally require multiple attempts to register input during our testing. The IPX5 water resistance rating also enables sweat and light splash protection when exercising.
Detailed, Customizable Sound Experience
Let's move onto audio quality since it can ultimately make or break any earbuds. The Buds Air 5 Pro feature a dual-driver setup comprising an 11mm bass driver and 6mm micro-planar tweeter. This caters to punchy lows and crisp highs respectively across varying frequencies.
Out of the box, the sound signature serves up oodles of thumping bass that many listeners are bound to enjoy – particularly fans of Indian music and Bollywood numbers. Vocals retained clarity even when bass levels peaked during intense tracks.
Beyond upfront bass though, detail stands out too thanks to the dedicated tweeter. Treble shimmer, guitar twang and midrange warmth came through well, preventing a muddy or one-note sonic experience.
If bass gets too boomy for your liking, the Realme Link app offers multiple EQ presets along with manual customization. Tweak to taste across high, mid and low frequencies until you settle on the optimal mix.
Spatial audio support also expands the soundstage beyond the earbuds for a more enveloping experience. Our only gripe relates to volume levels – the maximum output could be slightly louder to our ears.
ANC, Google Fast Pair and LDAC Support
You normally have to spend over ₹5,000 to find active noise cancellation (ANC) on wireless earbuds. But the Buds Air 5 Pro brings the feature at this lower cost. Performance is respectable for blocking constant ambient noise up to ~50 dB, like humming ACs or traffic sounds. This amplifies immersion when combined with the detailed audio.
Connectivity proves reliable thanks to the latest Bluetooth 5.3 LE standard. Pairing is also a cinch on Android devices with Google Fast Pair support. Just open the case lid nearby and your phone will automatically detect the buds and prompt for a connection.
The Realme Buds also maintain smooth connections with two devices simultaneously. You can pause music to answer calls before resuming entertainment without manually re-pairing.
Lastly, LDAC codec support allows enjoying tracks in the highest resolution possible over Bluetooth when using compatible devices and apps. So audiophiles can stream hi-res tunes seamlessly for the best listening experience.
30+ Hours Playback for All-Day Listening
A common pitfall for feature-packed wireless earbuds tends to be subpar battery life. But despite ANC and advanced codec support, the Buds Air 5 Pro deliver excellent endurance.
The buds alone last up to 5 hours with noise cancellation enabled. Including the charging case's additional reserves, this shoots total playback time up to a mighty 30+ hours. Even a quick 10 minute top-up juices up the buds for around 90 minutes of listening. Such robust longevity means keeping your favorite tracks going all week long.
Realme Buds Air 5 Pro Review Summary
Realme's latest wireless earbuds make a compelling case for budget-minded buyers wanting to enjoy advanced features without breaking the bank.
For just ₹4,999, the Buds Air 5 Pro punch well above their weight with customizable sound, noise cancellation up to 50dB, and seamless connectivity. You even get unused extras like hi-res LDAC support and spatial audio at this affordable price point.
As long as you don't expect class-leading noise isolation or the most dazzling design aesthetics, these earbuds get our thumbs up. The complete package adds up to exciting value aimed at younger listeners who covet premium specs alongside audio quality without emptying their wallets.
So if Fantastic ANC, modern codec formats and detailed sound matter more than looks to you, don't hesitate to recommend the Realme Buds Air 5 Pro to friends or family interested in capable wireless audio gear costing under ₹5,000.
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