Xiaomi is drifting further and further from its original mission of creating tech products that offer “value for money.” That mission now seems to rest with Redmi, while Xiaomi continues testing the limits of its fans’ wallets. Case in point: the new Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro. The starting price is almost on par with the AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation. But price isn’t why we’re talking about it. There’s something bigger—something that resonates in the tech world: Wi-Fi earbuds.
Before getting into that, let’s talk about the TWS itself. The Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro [CH] promises lossless audio, featuring Xiaomi’s first dual-amplifier coaxial tri-driver acoustic system. It packs dual DAC, an 11 mm dual-magnetic dynamic unit, a planar diaphragm, and piezoelectric ceramics. All these work together to deliver high-definition clarity, a natural midrange, and powerful bass. The audio experience is further tuned with Harman AudioEFX, offering two dedicated EQ profiles.
Then there’s ultra-wideband deep noise reduction, enabled by a 3-mic system capable of up to 55dB active noise cancellation with multi-level stepless adjustments. Gesture controls allow quick access to AI-powered transcription, translation, and even recording.
But the real star of the show isn’t all that. The standard Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro sticks with Bluetooth, but there’s also a Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro [Wi-Fi Edition]. You heard that right—Wi-Fi-powered earbuds are here, and Xiaomi might just be kicking off a wireless audio revolution. While Bluetooth audio caps at Qualcomm’s aptX Lossless encoding (48 kHz/24-bit at 2.1 Mbps), the Wi-Fi edition leverages Qualcomm XPAN transmission to deliver 96 kHz/24-bit “master-grade” lossless sound over a bandwidth of up to 4.2 Mbps.
Audio quality aside, the real advantage is range. As long as you stay on the same Wi-Fi network, you can wander far beyond Bluetooth’s 10-meter (33-foot) limitation. While both models share a 570 mAh charging case, the Wi-Fi earbuds pack slightly larger batteries (64 mAh vs. 53 mAh), translating to longer playtime—10 hours versus 8 hours without ANC and 6 hours versus 4.5 hours with ANC. The Wi-Fi model also supports Bluetooth connectivity, so you’re not locked into Wi-Fi-only listening.
As for design, it is unmistakably familiar. The earbuds borrow heavily from AirPods 4, but the case is a different story. Flip it open, and there’s a semi-open design where the earbuds don’t just drop into slots—they sit in an open cross-section, adding a premium touch. A gilded Xiaomi logo further elevates the look.
The Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro TWS Earbuds retail for 1,299 yuan [CH] (~US$179), while the Wi-Fi Edition commands 1,499 yuan [CH] (~US$206). They’re not available stateside yet, but they’ve launched in several regions, including the U.K., where they sell for £159.99–£189.99.
Images: Xiaomi [CH].
