A Leap Beyond Bluetooth: Introducing Wi-Fi Audio Streaming
Xiaomi’s Buds 5 Pro Wi-Fi stand out as the world’s first consumer earbuds equipped with the Qualcomm S7 Pro audio chip, pioneering a new era of wireless listening. Unlike regular Bluetooth earbuds, this model utilizes a Wi-Fi channel—when paired with a compatible Xiaomi smartphone—for direct music transmission. The key highlight is the support for lossless audio streaming at up to 24-bit/96kHz resolution with transfer speeds reaching 4.2 Mbps. This massive leap in bandwidth finally bridges the gap between wireless convenience and hi-fi audio detail, overcoming the compression and artifacting that limit Bluetooth sound.
Cutting-Edge Specs and Hardware Requirements
The Buds 5 Pro Wi-Fi are powered by Qualcomm’s advanced S7 Pro chip, specifically designed to manage high-rate audio streams over Wi-Fi networks. This chip supports consistent, high-quality sound without the interruptions or range issues sometimes associated with Bluetooth. The buds themselves are lightweight, sleek, and integrate seamlessly into Xiaomi’s mobile ecosystem.
However, it’s important to note a couple of requirements: to take full advantage of Wi-Fi audio streaming, you’ll need a compatible, recent Xiaomi smartphone. Additionally, the feature is currently rolling out only in select markets, so availability may vary. Still, for users able to explore this new tech, the combination of hardware and wireless innovation is a unique draw for audiophiles and tech enthusiasts alike.
If you’re looking for an alternative in premium wireless earbuds, check out the Apple AirPods Pro 2 Earbuds here