The HUAWEI FreeClip 2 has finally arrived in the Philippines after its global debut in December 2025. Starting today, the clip‑style earbuds are available for preorder, and we’re ready to see if they still stand out.

We absolutely loved the original FreeClip when it dropped two years ago. We firmly believe HUAWEI is a primary reason why the clip-style design has gained such mainstream traction that even audio titans like Bose and JBL eventually followed suit, entering the clip-on earphone market.

In fact, we adored the OG FreeClip so much that they became our go‑to earphones whenever we headed out. We didn’t need the isolated sound or dependable noise cancellation other designs offered. That was until we lost the charging case, which rendered the individual buds useless since we could no longer power them.

That said, we have high hopes for the HUAWEI FreeClip 2. The technology giant promises better sound and longer endurance, even though the sequel comes in a smaller footprint this time around. Do they deliver? We’ve been testing the wearable for almost a month to find out.

Smaller, lighter, and longer-lasting

First, let’s talk hardware. Our review unit came in a light blue colorway, with both the buds and charging case sharing the same shade. They’re built from plastic with a denim‑like micro texture that gives them a more upscale feel. The earpieces add contrast with a glossy exterior, pulling the whole look together.

The FreeClip 2 sticks to the same aesthetic as its predecessor, built around HUAWEI’s familiar open C‑bridge design. This clips onto your earlobe and projects audio without touching the ear canal — a win for hygiene and one of the main reasons we prefer them over traditional earphones. The company’s open approach is also great for anyone who wants to stay aware of their surroundings while listening, or for those with sensitive ears who dislike cramming silicone tips inside.

It remains the only airy C‑bridge TWS design that combines comfort, a secure fit, and surprisingly strong audio performance.

The buds and case are noticeably more compact now, though. The housing, in particular, has been slimmed down without sacrificing power capacity. HUAWEI says it’s 17% lighter than the first‑gen model. Meanwhile, the FreeClip 2 buds are 11% smaller and weigh just 5.1 grams each.

Despite the sleeker dimensions, the brand still claims up to 9 hours of use from the earpieces on a single charge, and up to 38 hours when paired with the charging case. For comparison, the original FreeClip promised 8 hours from the drivers and stretched to 36 hours in total.

And because the earbuds clip onto your lobes rather than sit inside your ears, they work well across different ear shapes and ages — even kids. The open‑ear configuration makes them extremely light and comfortable for everyday use, with no discomfort even after hours of wear. At times, we forget we’re wearing them at all. That’s a sharp contrast to conventional in‑ear monitors, which often cause pressure and soreness during long listening sessions.

We likewise appreciate that the HUAWEI FreeClip 2 are ambidextrous and interchangeable. You never have to worry about which piece goes on the left or right; they just work. You don’t have to stress about sweat or splashes either. The buds carry an IP57 rating, while the case itself is IP54 certified.

With no power‑hungry noise‑canceling modes at play, battery life is a strong suit for the FreeClip 2. In our testing, we managed three weeks of use before needing to plug them in. On a long‑haul flight, you’d probably only need to dock the earpieces once, even with nonstop use.

When it’s time to recharge, you can use practically any USB‑C cable lying around, though keep in mind that HUAWEI doesn’t include one in the retail box. A full charge takes about an hour with a cord, and you also have the option of wireless charging, albeit at significantly slower speeds.

No seal, no problem

The HUAWEI FreeClip 2 are equipped with 10.8mm dual-diaphragm drivers, paired with the company’s third‑generation audio chip and a dedicated NPU AI processor for adaptive volume and voice enhancements.

Take note, however, that because there is no isolating seal of any kind here, nor active noise-cancellation tech, the FreeClip 2 keeps you aware of your environment at all times. You will hear the commotion around you: the roar of cars and motorcycles in traffic, subtle chatter from people, or the rumble of a train, all while wearing the earpieces.

It comes with the territory for this form factor, but it’s a compromise we’re happy to live with, especially since the output from the drivers sounds noticeably better this time around compared to the original.

The standard sound profile is warm and clear, with impressive clarity across the mids and treble. Instruments are easy to distinguish, and the bass is surprisingly strong for a pair of open‑ear buds. We can confidently say that the HUAWEI FreeClip 2 — unlike any open-ear clip-style product we’ve tested before — actually let you enjoy the content you’re listening to. They stand head and shoulders above the one‑dimensional performance of the FreeClip from two years ago.

Voices, in particular, come through with better projection and enough richness to let us easily follow the music or focus on podcasts and reviews while on the go.

Connectivity and controls

Pairing runs over Bluetooth 6.0. It’s straightforward, takes only seconds, and the connection stays strong whether you’re on a smartphone, tablet, or laptop. Standard AAC and SBC codecs ensure wide compatibility across devices, and the HUAWEI FreeClip 2 also support multipoint pairing. In terms of connectivity, we didn’t run into any issues.

For navigation, you get the usual set of touch inputs. The FreeClip 2 can detect taps almost anywhere. You can hit the bean that sits behind your ears, the C-bridge, or the driver unit — they should all register. Double‑ and triple‑tap gestures are supported, along with hold‑and‑swipe commands. You can reprogram them through the HUAWEI AI Life app, available on Android, iOS, and the company’s own HarmonyOS.

Notably, you can now adjust the volume by swiping up or down on the comfort bean’s surface. HUAWEI added head‑gesture controls, too, letting you answer or reject calls by nodding or shaking your head. The feature is hit‑or‑miss, so we often defaulted to the standard touch inputs.

Inside the app, you will find four preset equalizers, though we prefer sticking with the default effect as it offers the most balanced sound. You can also customize your own settings using the 10-band equalizer.

Final thoughts

We still don’t know the official Philippine price at the time of writing this review, but in neighboring Malaysia, the HUAWEI FreeClip 2 is listed at RM749 (about ₱11,103 or $190). They won’t be for everyone, but they’re clearly more comfortable to wear, sound far better, and deliver longer battery life than their predecessors. For anyone who dislikes wearing traditional earphones with silicone tips for hours on end, these truly are music to the ears.

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