The Realme Buds Air 6 case is lightweight and easy to carry around.
Realme Buds Air 6 truly wireless stereo (TWS) earphones were recently introduced in a new Royal Violet color option, adding to the existing Flame Silver and Forest Green shades released in May. Our review unit came in the classic silver option, showcasing its sleek design. Equipped with 12.4mm drivers, LHDC audio codec support, and up to 50dB active noise cancellation (ANC), these earphones promise a total playback time of up to 40 hours without ANC, including the charging case. But do they live up to these claims? Let’s dive into the details in this review.
Design and Comfort: Portable but Not the Most Comfortable
The Realme Buds Air 6 are designed with portability in mind. Weighing just 46g, they are light and easy to carry around. The earphones themselves feature an in-ear design with a rounded stem and silicone ear tips available in three sizes (small, medium, large). While the medium tips provided the best fit for me, I found the overall comfort to be lacking during extended use. After a couple of hours, the earphones caused noticeable discomfort, which could be an issue for those planning to wear them for long periods.
The earphones are securely placed in their charging case, with magnetic connectors at the base of each stem. The touch control sensors are conveniently located on the upper side of the stem, and the earbuds boast an IP55 rating for dust and splash resistance. The charging case, however, does not have an IP rating, although it features a USB Type-C port, a pairing button, and an LED indicator for connectivity. The pebble-shaped design of the case is familiar and widely appreciated for its simplicity and practicality.
App and Features: User-Friendly and Feature-Rich
The Realme Buds Air 6 are supported by the Realme Link companion app, which is both comprehensive and easy to use. The app allows users to monitor the battery levels of both the earphones and the charging case, as well as manage ANC settings (on, off, and transparency modes). Users can also choose from EQ presets like Serenade, Original Sound, Pure Bass, and Deep Bass or customize their sound profile using a six-band equalizer.
Additional features include toggles for bass and volume enhancement, a low-latency Game Mode, and customizable touch controls. The app also includes a MindFlow mode, offering 11 pre-saved mood sounds designed to help with meditation, concentration, or sleep.
Performance and Battery Life: Decent ANC and Impressive Longevity
The Realme Buds Air 6 deliver respectable ANC performance, offering various modes like Max, Moderate, and Mild, along with a Smart mode that adjusts ANC levels based on environmental noise. While the ANC is effective at blocking out most domestic noises, the Max setting can slightly impact sound quality, making it a bit flatter. However, the bass-heavy sound profile helps mask this issue in louder tracks.
For casual listening, the Realme Buds Air 6 perform adequately, particularly with bass-heavy genres like rock, pop, and EDM. However, they may fall short for those who prefer more detailed sound, especially in slower tracks. The low-latency Game Mode is a plus for mobile gamers, ensuring minimal lag during gameplay.
In terms of connectivity, the earphones support Bluetooth 5.3, Google Fast Pair, and various audio codecs, including LHDC, SBC, and AAC. However, they do not offer dual-device connectivity, which might be a drawback for some users.
The battery life is one of the highlights of the Realme Buds Air 6. Without ANC and using the AAC codec at 60% volume, the earphones, combined with the charging case, provided nearly 40 hours of playback time. With ANC turned on and LHDC enabled, the earphones alone offered about 8 hours of playback, dropping to 4 hours with Max ANC.
Verdict: A Solid Budget Option with Room for Improvement
Priced at Rs. 3,299, the Realme Buds Air 6 are a good choice for those seeking budget-friendly TWS earphones with decent ANC and impressive battery life. They are ideal for short-term use, such as during commutes or between classes, rather than prolonged listening sessions due to their comfort issues.
