With these atypical headphones, Xiaomi wants to face Bose, Huawei and Shokz

Xiaomi has launched new wireless earbuds that promise both comfort and safety by remaining aware of your surroundings.

Over the past year, the wireless earphone market has diversified. While in-ear headphones have been hegemonic until now, several manufacturers now offer more comfortable and open models, designed to hear what is happening around you and particularly optimized for sports use.

If Shokz paved the way with its OpenFit – then its OpenFit Air unveiled at the end of May – the Chinese manufacturer was quickly joined by the Huawei FreeClip or the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds. Now it is Xiaomi’s turn to take a further step in this market by presenting its new Xiaomi Open Headphones.

Unveiled for now only in China, the Xiaomi Open Headphones adopt a design quite similar to that of Shokz’s open headphones, with an earhook system allowing, in principle, a better grip. As is the case with all headphones of this type, the Open Headphones do not sit in the ear canal, but remain attached to the entrance to the ear, allowing users to remain aware of surrounding noise, without passive insulation. To direct the sound as best as possible, Xiaomi specifies, however, that it has integrated directional transducers. Enough to prevent sound leaks and prevent people around you from hearing your music, your calls or your podcasts. The headphones are also compatible with the LHDC codec, ensuring compatibility with the Hi-Res Audio Wireless standard.

Comfortable, splash-proof headphones

The headphones are also intended to be quite comfortable thanks to a shape memory headband system made of nickel and titanium alloy, as well as a liquid silicone coating to prevent irritation. Note also that the Xiaomi Open Headphones are IP64 certified, which guarantees protection against splashes, rain, and even perspiration.

In terms of autonomy, Xiaomi announces that its headphones offer up to 7.5 hours of listening time, with the headphones alone and up to 38.5 hours using the charging case.

For the moment, the Xiaomi Open Headphones are only offered in China where they are sold in black or cream, at a price of 649 yuan, or 83 euros excluding tax. No marketing in France has yet been announced.