Huawei FreeBuds Pro 4 Teardown
NearLink and BOM Insights Point to Premium Build and Performance
5 Min Read June 2, 2025
TechInsights’ teardown of Huawei FreeBuds Pro 4 reveals NearLink Bluetooth 5.4 SoC, higher non-electronic BOM costs, and 13% higher total cost vs Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro.
Huawei continues to challenge the competition in the premium wearable audio space with the release of its FreeBuds Pro 4, available in the Chinese market. TechInsights’ latest teardown reveals a strong focus on next-gen wireless connectivity, custom silicon, and refined material use—all factors contributing to a 13% higher estimated BOM cost than its closest rival, the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro (SM-R630).
Key Findings from the Huawei FreeBuds Pro 4 Teardown
At the heart of the FreeBuds Pro 4 is a Bluetooth 5.4 / NearLink SoC, marking Huawei’s adoption of NearLink—an emerging low-latency, power-efficient wireless communication protocol. This component alone accounts for 13.45% of the estimated BOM cost, a notable figure when compared to the 18.14% cost share of the Bluetooth SoC found in the Galaxy Buds3 Pro.
The SoC is supported by 8 MB of NOR Flash, a configuration consistent with lightweight audio processing and firmware storage needs for modern TWS earbuds. Battery life optimization is a core focus in premium wearables. The FreeBuds Pro 4 battery cells demonstrate a calculated energy density of 246.7 mWhrs per gram, reinforcing the device’s portability and power efficiency.
Huawei’s use of plastic and metal enclosures—while not uncommon—pushes the non-electronics cost above that of the Galaxy Buds3 Pro. The main enclosure alone accounts for 12.85% of the total non-electronic BOM cost, adding to the device’s tactile appeal and durability.
BOM Comparison: Huawei vs. Samsung
When compared to Samsung’s Galaxy Buds3 Pro:
- Connectivity costs are higher in the Huawei device, likely due to the newer Bluetooth/NearLink integration.
- Sensor costs and RF subsystem costs are lower in Huawei’s model.
- Non-electronic costs (enclosure, mechanical components) are significantly higher in the FreeBuds Pro 4.
- The most significant BOM contributors in the FreeBuds Pro 4 are Connectivity and Power Management / Audio subsystems.
This breakdown highlights Huawei’s strategy of differentiating on next-gen connectivity and physical build—prioritizing hardware that supports advanced wireless audio streaming, low latency for calls, and a solid physical feel.
Why It Matters
As wireless earbuds evolve, connectivity standards like NearLink could be the next frontier, offering better performance with lower power consumption—especially important in AI-powered edge audio and lossless wireless transmission.
Teardown insights like these are critical for competitive benchmarking, cost estimation, and technology forecasting in the consumer audio and wearables markets.
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