Highlights
- Realme Buds Air8 True Wireless Stereo earbuds were officially launched in India earlier this month.
- The earbuds are available in three colour variants – Gold, Dark Grey, and Purple.
- Priced at ₹3,599, Buds Air8 are available for purchase on realme.com, Flipkart and Amazon.
Does the latest Realme Buds Air8 offer real value or is this just another device upgrade? Let’s get into our hands-on review to know more.
Realme Buds Air8 – Key Features
- 11+6mm Premier Dual Drivers
- Hi-Res Audio Certification and LHDC 5.0 Technology
- 3D Spatial and Dynamic Audio
- 55dB Ultra Depth Noise Cancellation
- 45ms Ultra-Low Latency
- 58 Hours of Playback
- IP55 Dust and Water Resistance
- 3-Device Connection
- Ear-by AI Assistant
- Bluetooth 5.4
Realme Buds Air8 – Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Premium design
Solid sound quality Good ANC performance Long battery life IP55 Dust and water resistant Useful AI features |
● Limited LHDC support
● App has limited customisation options
|
Realme Buds Air8 – Unboxing
Realme Buds Air8 – Design and Fit
Let’s start with the design because Realme has clearly put some thought behind it this time. Buds Air8 are designed by the renowned design master, Naoto Fukasawa. The influence is clearly visible in the clean, minimal and well-thought-out look. We received the Master Grey colour variant for this review. It has a very classy, premium feel.
The charging case follows a geometric three-part design with a smooth matte finish on the outside. It feels nice in hand and does a good job of resisting fingerprints. Opening the case reveals glossy interiors and the rounded corners give it a soft touch. Realme has also used bio-based organic silicone natural materials.
The case itself is compact and lightweight, making it easy to slip into a pocket or bag. We carried it around daily and it never felt inconvenient.
As for the earbuds, we found them very comfortable to wear. We used them for long listening sessions including work calls and music and didn’t experience any discomfort. The in-ear fit feels secure and is suitable for workouts as well as daily commuting.
The build quality is solid as well. The earbuds come with IP55 dust and water resistance, which adds peace of mind during workouts or light rain.
Overall, the Realme Buds Air8 strike a good balance between contemporary aesthetics and everyday comfort.
Realme Buds Air8 – Sound Quality and Noise Cancellation
The sound quality is one of the strongest points of Buds Air8. The earbuds come with a dual-driver setup that includes an 11mm driver paired with a 6mm driver. They support SBC, AAC, and LHDC audio codecs. They also carry Hi-Res Audio certification and support LHDC 5.0 with a claimed sampling rate of up to 96kHz and transmission speeds of up to 1000kbps.
While using the buds, what stood out the most was how they actually sound in real-world use. The sound experience is very satisfying. The bass feels deep, punchy, and powerful. But it doesn’t overpower the vocals or other elements in the mix. The mid-range performance is clear and well-balanced. Instruments don’t feel crowded.
We also like that the sound remains crisp and detailed without turning harsh at higher volumes. This makes longer listening sessions comfortable.
When it comes to noise control, these earbuds offer up to 55dB real-time active noise cancellation. In daily use, the ANC works effectively in reducing background noise like traffic or outside chatter. The real-time adaptive ANC changes its intensity depending on the surrounding noise levels.
Moreover, you can easily switch between balanced, deep, and mild noise reduction modes via the Realme Link app.
All in all, the strong sound performance and capable noise cancellation are things that make the Buds Air8 a solid choice for both music listening and everyday use.
Realme Buds Air8 – Features
The Realme Buds Air8 use a six-microphone setup with three microphones on each earbud. This includes feedforward, feedback, and dedicated talk microphones. We tested the buds for calls and the voice comes through clearly, even in slightly windy conditions or when there is background noise around.
The buds come with Bluetooth 5.4 with a claimed effective range of up to 10 metres. The connection is quick and stable with minimal dropouts. The earbuds connect instantly when you open the case.
The good thing is that the earbuds support three-device connection, which is very convenient. You can easily switch between a phone, laptop, and tablet throughout the day. Swift Pair also makes pairing with PCs fast and hassle-free.
For games, Buds Air8 offer 45ms ultra-low latency mode. We tried playing some of the audio-heavy games with these buds and the audio sync felt nearly perfect. We didn’t notice any major lags between visuals and sound.
Realme is also offering a set of AI-based features. The Buds Air8 offer AI Live Translator and face-to-face translation with support for more than 30 languages. It’s a useful feature for quick conversations. The earbuds also support AI Voice Assistant 2.0 powered by Google Gemini, allowing users to ask for weather updates, general knowledge, or basic advice directly through voice commands.
The Realme Link app can customise ANC levels, adjust EQ settings, enable gaming mode, and update the firmware. The app interface is clean and easy to understand, which makes it simple to fine-tune the earbuds to your preference.
Realme Buds Air8 – Battery Life and Charging
Each earbud of Realme Buds Air8 packs a 62mAh battery and the charging case comes with a larger 530mAh capacity. The earbuds are claimed to deliver up to 14 hours of playback on a single charge and ANC turned off, AAC audio enabled and volume set at around 50 percent. The total playback time goes up to a claimed 58 hours with charging case. The battery capacity feels more than enough for several days of regular use.
We have used the Buds Air8 as our primary audio accessory for well over a week and we easily got through long listening sessions. An average user can easily work around work calls and casual music playback without constantly checking the battery level.
As for charging speeds, the earbuds take about one hour to charge fully. Meanwhile, Realme claims that the Buds Air8 can retain up to 80 percent battery health even after 1,000 charging cycles with regular use.
Verdict – Should You Buy Realme Buds Air8?
The Realme Buds Air8 offer a comfy fit, powerful bass with clear mids and highs and stable connectivity. The low-latency mode makes them good companion for gaming and video watching. The six-mic setup handles calls well even in noisy environments. Battery life is solid and the Realme Link app adds useful customisation options.
Overall, we feel the Buds Air 8 strike a good balance between performance, comfort and useful everyday features. Priced at ₹3,599, these are a good option for most users who want a well-rounded pair of earbuds for daily use.
Reasons To Buy
- Great sound quality
- Proper noise cancellation
- Good battery
Reasons Not to Buy
- Limited customisation
- AI features dependent on the network
Alternatives
Samsung Galaxy Buds Core – ₹4,099
OnePlus Buds 3 Truly Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds – ₹3,999
Sony WF-C510 Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds – ₹4,389
FAQS
Q1. What audio technologies are supported by the Realme Buds Air 8?
Answer. The Realme Buds Air 8 support SBC, AAC, and LHDC audio codecs. They are Hi-Res Audio certified and support LHDC 5.0, with a sampling rate of up to 96kHz and transmission speeds of up to 1000kbps. The earbuds also include Realme’s NextBass algorithm and 3D spatial audio with HRTF-based processing.
Q2. What noise cancellation features do the Realme Buds Air 8 offer?
Answer. The earbuds offer up to 55dB active noise cancellation and feature Ear Canal Adaptive ANC.
Q3. What gaming and low-latency features are available on the Realme Buds Air 8?
Answer. The Realme Buds Air 8 include a 45ms ultra-low latency mode designed for gaming and video playback.
Q4. What AI-based features are included in the Realme Buds Air 8?
Answer. The earbuds support AI Live Translator and face-to-face translation with support for more than 30 languages. They also feature AI Voice Assistant 2.0 powered by Google Gemini, allowing users to access information such as weather updates, general knowledge, and basic assistance through voice commands.
Q5. What connectivity and app features do the Realme Buds Air 8 support?
Answer. The Realme Buds Air 8 use Bluetooth 5.4 and support up to three-device connection. They also offer Swift Pair for quick pairing with PCs.