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Key Highlights
- 10mm moving coil drivers with DeepX 4.0 Sound Effects
- Up to 50 hours of total battery life with the charging case
- AI call noise reduction with dual microphones
- 42ms claimed gaming latency
- IP54 dust and splash resistance
iQOO has launched its new iQOO Buds in India alongside the iQOO Z11, giving the brand a new entry-level option in the country’s competitive TWS market. The earbuds focus on long battery life, gaming-friendly low latency and AI-based call noise reduction rather than active noise cancellation.
The iQOO Buds feature 10mm moving coil drivers, support AAC and SBC codecs, and offer DeepX 4.0 Sound Effects and Spatial Audio. For calls, the earbuds use a dual-microphone setup with AI call noise reduction to help reduce unwanted background noise.
Priced at ₹1,899, the earbuds will go on sale in India from August 24 at 12pm IST via Amazon. iQOO is also offering a ₹200 instant cashback with all bank cards during the launch period, bringing the effective price down to ₹1,699.
The bigger question is whether the iQOO Buds offer enough to stand out in a segment where competitors are already offering ANC and long battery life at similar prices.
Why the iQOO Buds Are Getting Attention
The iQOO Buds are interesting because the company has prioritised features that matter to budget buyers without adding a higher price tag.
The earbuds combine a 50-hour claimed total battery life, 42ms gaming latency, Bluetooth 6.1 and dual-device connectivity at ₹1,899. That makes them particularly relevant for students, casual gamers and users who want one pair of earbuds for music, calls and entertainment.
Interestingly, iQOO has skipped traditional Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). Instead, it focuses on AI call noise reduction for voice calls. That is an important distinction because AI call noise reduction can improve the voice transmitted to the other person, but it does not provide the same listening experience as ANC.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | iQOO |
| Model | iQOO Buds |
| Launch Date | August 20, 2026 |
| Launch Market | India |
| Design | In-ear |
| Driver | 10mm moving coil |
| Audio Codecs | AAC, SBC |
| Sound Effects | DeepX 4.0 |
| Spatial Audio | Yes |
| Microphones | Dual microphone |
| Call Feature | AI call noise reduction |
| ANC | No |
| Bluetooth | 6.1 |
| Connectivity | Dual-device |
| Gaming Latency | 42ms claimed |
| Connection Range | Up to 10m in open area |
| Battery per Earbud | 53mAh |
| Battery Case | 525mAh |
| Total Playback | Up to 50 hours |
| Earbud Playback | Up to 12 hours |
| Fast Charging | 10 minutes for up to 4 hours playback |
| Charging Time | Earbuds: about 1 hour; case: up to 2 hours |
| Water/Dust Resistance | IP54 |
| Colour | Flame Yellow |
| India Price | ₹1,899 |
Design & Build
The iQOO Buds use an in-ear design with silicone ear tips, while the charging case has a compact pebble-shaped design.
The earbuds weigh around 3.8 grams each, while the complete charging case weighs approximately 41.3 grams. The case measures 63 x 47.76 x 28.06mm.
The earbuds are offered in a single Flame Yellow colourway. That gives the product a more youthful appearance rather than the increasingly common black-and-white TWS approach.
The iQOO Buds also carry an IP54 rating for dust and splash resistance. This makes them better suited to everyday activities and workouts, although the rating does not make them waterproof.
Touch controls are available through double-tap, triple-tap and touch-and-hold gestures.
Audio & Sound Quality
The iQOO Buds feature 10mm moving coil drivers and support AAC and SBC codecs. They also include iQOO’s DeepX 4.0 Sound Effects and Spatial Audio.
The earbuds support a frequency range of 20Hz to 20,000Hz, covering the conventional audible frequency range.
iQOO also provides multiple sound profiles, including modes aimed at clearer vocals, stronger bass, higher-frequency reproduction, esports gaming and immersive audiobook listening.
For everyday users, this flexibility could be more useful than simply having a large driver. Different listening profiles can make the earbuds better suited to music, podcasts, gaming or spoken content.
However, a 10mm driver by itself does not guarantee superior sound. Driver tuning, ear-tip fit, codec quality and software processing all influence how the final audio sounds.
Call Quality and AI Noise Reduction
One of the main features iQOO is highlighting is AI call noise reduction.
The earbuds use a dual-microphone setup designed to improve voice calls by reducing unwanted environmental noise. The company also describes support for two-ear voice calls.
This is particularly useful for users who frequently make calls while walking, commuting or studying in moderately noisy surroundings.
There is an important limitation, though: the iQOO Buds do not have Active Noise Cancellation. AI call noise reduction is designed primarily to improve the voice transmitted during calls; it should not be confused with ANC, which actively reduces external sounds for the listener.
Gaming and Connectivity
The iQOO Buds support Bluetooth 6.1 and dual-device connectivity, allowing users to connect them to two compatible devices.
For gaming, iQOO claims a 42ms latency. Lower latency can help reduce the delay between an action on the smartphone and the corresponding sound effect in a game. That makes the earbuds particularly interesting for casual and mobile gamers.
The 42ms figure is a manufacturer claim rather than an independently measured result, so actual latency can vary depending on the smartphone, game and connection conditions.
The earbuds also support quick pairing with Android devices and offer an open-area connection range of up to 10 metres.
Special Features and Smart Controls
The iQOO Buds focus on convenience features rather than expensive hardware.
Users can control playback and calls through double-tap, triple-tap and touch-and-hold gestures. The earbuds also support quick pairing with compatible Android devices.
The earbuds can be connected through the vEarphones app, allowing users to change settings and switch between available sound profiles.
Compatible iQOO and Vivo smartphones can also support additional connected-device features, including remote camera control.
These ecosystem features are more useful for existing iQOO and Vivo users, while buyers using smartphones from other brands may not benefit from every available function.
Software and AI Features
The iQOO Buds rely on software processing for features such as AI call noise reduction, sound profiles and Spatial Audio.
The vEarphones app provides additional control over the earbuds, including sound-profile selection and settings.
The Android quick-pairing feature also makes initial setup more convenient on supported devices.
The important point is that iQOO’s AI implementation here is focused primarily on call noise reduction, rather than the broader generative-AI features found on smartphones.
Battery & Charging
Battery life is arguably the biggest strength of the iQOO Buds.
Each earbud has a 53mAh battery, while the charging case houses a 525mAh battery. iQOO claims up to 12 hours of playback from the earbuds on a single charge, with the case extending total battery life to up to 50 hours.
The earbuds take around one hour to reach a full charge, while the charging case can take up to two hours.
There is also a quick-charge feature: 10 minutes of charging can provide up to four hours of music playback, according to iQOO.
Actual battery life will vary depending on volume, codec, connectivity conditions and usage patterns.
Connectivity
The iQOO Buds offer a fairly modern connectivity package for their price.
Key connectivity features include:
- Bluetooth 6.1
- Dual-device connectivity
- Dual-channel transmission 2.0
- Up to 10m open-area connection range
- Android quick pairing
- AAC and SBC codecs
- vEarphones app support
Dual-device connectivity is particularly useful for people who regularly move between a smartphone and laptop or tablet.
Price & Availability
The iQOO Buds are priced at ₹1,899 in India.
As part of the launch offer, buyers using any bank card can receive an instant ₹200 cashback, bringing the effective price down to ₹1,699.
The earbuds will go on sale from August 24 at 12pm IST through Amazon India. They are available in a single Flame Yellow colourway.
Competition & Alternatives
The biggest challenge for the iQOO Buds comes from the CMF Buds Neo, which has launched in India at around ₹1,999. The CMF model brings 32dB ANC and up to 52 hours of total playback, while the iQOO Buds focus on low-latency gaming, dual-device connectivity and AI call noise reduction.
| Alternative | Why Consider It? | Why Choose iQOO Buds Instead? |
| CMF Buds Neo | ANC and up to 52-hour battery | Lower launch price and 42ms gaming latency |
| iQOO Buds | Long battery and gaming features | — |
The choice is therefore fairly straightforward.
If ANC is important, the CMF Buds Neo has an obvious advantage because the iQOO Buds do not support ANC.
If gaming latency, dual-device connectivity, AI call noise reduction and iQOO/Vivo ecosystem features matter more, the iQOO Buds make a stronger case.
Is the iQOO Buds Price Justified?
At ₹1,899, the iQOO Buds are positioned directly in India’s entry-level TWS segment. The ₹1,699 effective launch price makes the proposition even more competitive.
The strongest arguments in favour of the earbuds are the claimed 50-hour total battery life, 42ms gaming latency, Bluetooth 6.1 and dual-device connectivity.
However, the lack of ANC is the biggest compromise. That matters because competitors such as the CMF Buds Neo offer ANC at a relatively similar price.
So the iQOO Buds are not automatically the better choice simply because they have a newer Bluetooth version or long battery claim. Buyers should decide based on their priorities.
For someone who spends most of the day listening to music in relatively quiet surroundings and wants long battery life and gaming-friendly latency, the iQOO Buds make sense.
For commuters who frequently listen in noisy environments, spending slightly more on an ANC-equipped alternative could be the smarter choice.
Who Should Buy the iQOO Buds?
Best For
- Budget-conscious TWS buyers
- Students
- Casual mobile gamers
- Users who prioritise battery life
- iQOO and Vivo smartphone owners
- People who regularly switch between two devices
- Buyers who make frequent voice calls
Consider Alternatives If
- You frequently commute in noisy environments
- You specifically want Active Noise Cancellation
- You want higher-end audio codecs
- You prioritise ANC over gaming latency
- You want multiple colour options
Final Verdict
The iQOO Buds take a practical approach to the budget TWS segment. Instead of trying to compete through ANC, iQOO has focused on battery life, gaming latency, dual-device connectivity and AI-assisted calling.
At ₹1,899, and especially at the effective ₹1,699 launch price, the earbuds offer a strong feature set for everyday users. The claimed 50-hour total battery life and 42ms gaming latency are particularly useful additions at this price.
But the missing ANC is difficult to ignore. The CMF Buds Neo arrives at a similar price with ANC, giving buyers who regularly travel or listen in noisy environments a compelling alternative.
Ultimately, the iQOO Buds make the most sense for buyers who value long battery life, gaming-friendly latency, calls and device connectivity more than active noise cancellation.
For buyers who specifically want ANC, there are better alternatives in the same price range.
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