MWC 2025: Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro – the world’s first Qualcomm S7 Pro-powered Wi-Fi-enabled earbuds

Company Xiaomi has unveiled in Europe Buds 5 Pro, the first headphones to use the Qualcomm S7 Pro chip to transmit audio over Wi-Fi. The technology was first announced by Qualcomm in October 2023, and the Buds 5 Pro are the first devices to implement it.

The Buds 5 Pro is the first device to utilize it.

The main advantage is quality sound without increasing power consumption compared to Bluetooth models. What’s more, the Buds 5 Pro’s Wi-Fi version lasts longer than the Bluetooth version.

The main advantage is the quality sound without the increased power consumption compared to Bluetooth models.

What’s new in Buds 5 Pro?

Xiaomi has introduced two versions of the Buds 5 Pro:

.
• Common Bluetooth model
• Wi-Fi version that utilizes Qualcomm XPAN (Expanded Personal Area Network) technology to transmit 96kHz/24bit lossless-audio with throughput of up to 4.2 Mbps, far exceeding Bluetooth capabilities.

The key difference with the Wi-Fi version is the stability of the connection. Owners will be able to move away from their smartphone without losing sound quality as long as they stay within Wi-Fi range.

With the Wi-Fi-version, you’ll be able to move away from your smartphone without losing sound quality.

Are there any limitations?

Wi-Fi audio technology has a few nuances:

• Wi-Fi is required, so the best sound quality will be available mostly at home or in the office.
• It is not yet known whether the headphones support non-multi-Wi-Fi networks (e.g., home and work).
• If Wi-Fi is not available, the headphones will automatically switch to Bluetooth.

For now Buds 5 Pro Wi-Fi is only compatible with Xiaomi 15 and 15 Ultra smartphones. The list of supported devices may expand in the future, but using them with iPhones or other Apple gadgets won’t be possible, as Wi-Fi audio requires a compatible Qualcomm chipset, such as the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 or 8 Elite.

Wi-Fi audio requires Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 or 8 Elite.

Autonomy and sound

One of the main pluses of the Wi-Fi version was the high level of autonomy. The headphones last up to 10 hours without charging (40 hours with a case), which is better than the Bluetooth version, which holds a charge for 8 hours. This confirms Qualcomm’s claim that Wi-Fi audio consumes the same amount of power as Bluetooth.

Wi-Fi Audio.

Sound is provided by a three-driver system:

• 11mm main speaker
• PZT tweeter
• Planar driver

The headphones also support Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and are equipped with AI features such as call recording, transcription and automatic translation.

Pricing and Availability

Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro Wi-Fi go on sale in Europe for £189.99 (about $240) and are only available in black.

The Bluetooth version will cost £159.99 (about $200) and is available in white and gray.

Conclusion

Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro Wi-Fi is the first real step towards the future of wireless audio, where Bluetooth no longer limits sound quality. This device gives more stable connectivity, better audio quality and longer battery life, but is still compatible with only a limited number of smartphones.

Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro Wi-Fi is the first real step towards the future of wireless audio.

If you have Xiaomi 15 or 15 Ultra and want to get maximum wireless sound quality, Buds 5 Pro Wi-Fi is the best choice.