Review of the Oraimo FreePods Neo: A Decent Option
Review of the Oraimo FreePods Neo: A Decent Option
If you’re in the market for new wireless earphones, you’ve probably come across the FreePods Neo by FreePods. Now, this isn’t exactly a brand-new release—it’s been out for a while. However, I only recently got my hands on them, and I wanted to take some time to really test them out before sharing my thoughts. In this review, I’ll walk you through my experience with these good and not-so-good earphones to help you decide if they’re worth the investment.
Design & Comfort: Small Size, Big Issues
At first glance, the FreePods Neo might remind you of the FreePods Rift 2, and you’d be right—there are a lot of similarities in terms of design. However, there is a key difference: the FreePods Neo are a bit larger.
I found them painful to wear for long periods. This isn’t ideal for anyone who likes to use earphones while lying down (though let’s be honest, not everyone does that). So if you’re someone who often uses earphones while reclining or napping, I would not recommend these for that purpose.
In terms of ear fit, I tested the FreePods Neo on someone with smaller ears. The earphones didn’t fall off right away when she shook her head, but she did feel like they were slowly loosening. This leads me to believe that, while these earphones may fit most people, they might not be the best option for those with particularly small ears. If you have small ears and the FreePods Neo don’t stay put for you, feel free to leave a comment about your experience. It’s always helpful to know what others are dealing with when it comes to ear fit!
Sound Quality: Surprisingly Good
Now, on to the positives. When it comes to sound quality, the FreePods Neo actually impressed me. Despite lacking silicone tips, the sound is clear, loud, and the bass is decent. If you’re looking for earphones to listen to music, watch movies, or stream videos, these are a solid option. They’re definitely not in the same league as high-end earphones like the AirPods Pro or FreePods 4, but they’re much better than I expected for the price point.
One feature worth mentioning is the Spatial Audio. This creates a more immersive sound experience by spreading the audio out, as opposed to the usual one-directional sound you get with standard headphones. It’s a cool feature, though it’s not something I use often. Some songs sound better with it activated, while others don’t. It’s definitely something you’ll either love or find unnecessary, but it’s worth experimenting with.
For gaming, the FreePods Neo do offer a “gaming mode,” but I wouldn’t recommend them for serious gamers. I did notice a slight delay in audio while playing Call of Duty, which is something to consider if you’re playing games that require precise timing. On the other hand, for more casual games like Dream League Soccer, I didn’t notice much of a delay at all. So, if you just want to use them for light gaming, they’ll work fine.
Controls: A Bit Fiddly
One thing I didn’t love about these earphones is the control scheme. It’s similar to the AirPods 4—you need both earphones to properly control your music. You can pause music with either earbud, but you have to double-tap to do it (most other earphones let you single-tap to pause). For skipping tracks, you’ll need to use the right earbud, and for going back to the previous song, you’ll need to use the left earbud. There’s no way to change these controls, so you’ll have to get used to it if you decide to buy these earphones.
Also, I noticed that when I remove the earphones from their case, I sometimes accidentally trigger the sensors, which can lead to accidental playbacks. It’s a minor issue but worth being aware of.
Battery Life: Impressive Longevity
One thing the FreePods Neo has going for it is excellent battery life. After leaving the earphones running music for 2 hours, I still had about 70% battery left, which is pretty solid. Considering that these earphones don’t have power-hungry features like noise cancellation or transparency mode, it’s not surprising. The long battery life means you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy music or podcasts without worrying about running out of power.
Verdict: A Good Option for the Price
In conclusion, the FreePods Neo offer a lot of value for their price. If you’re looking for a pair of earphones that can deliver solid sound quality and decent features like spatial audio and gaming mode, without breaking the bank, these are a good choice. However, if you have small ears, or if you’re sensitive to earphone discomfort, you might want to look elsewhere. The fit issue is a significant downside, but it didn’t stop me from enjoying the sound quality overall.
If you’re on a budget and can’t afford higher-end earphones like the AirPods 4 or FreePods 4, the FreePods Neo are definitely worth considering. However, if you can spend a bit more, you might want to look at those higher-end options for a more comfortable fit and more features.
You can find the FreePods Neo on platforms like Jumia for around 21,363, and I’ll leave links in the description if you’re interested. Just be aware that if you’re ordering from a region where the official store no longer ships, you may need to consider alternative options.
