iQOO Buds 1i are pocket friendly earbuds that pack in great features

The iQOO Buds 1i are out, and they’re making a strong case for being one of the best budget wireless earbuds around. Priced at IDR 349,000 (approximately Rs 1,700), these earbuds come dressed in a striking black-yellow “Starlight” finish and offer features that punch well above their price tag.

What makes the iQOO Buds 1i stand out?

For starters, sound quality. At the heart of the Buds 1i is a 10mm high-resolution speaker driver, delivering detailed and well-balanced audio across the full 20Hz to 20,000Hz frequency range. Whether you’re streaming a podcast or blasting your workout playlist, audio remains crisp and clean.

There will be a slight boom in the bass, but that is expected in TWS in-ear earphones at this price. There’s also DeepX 3.0 stereo sound support, which adds four tailored sound modes: Mega Bass for thumping lows, Clear Voice for enhanced dialogue, Clear High Pitch for bright treble, and Melodic Audiobooks for a more relaxed tone.

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These earbuds are more than just about music. With AI noise cancellation on board, voice calls stay clear by suppressing background noise, a feature that’s especially handy for commuters and remote workers. Gamers, too, will appreciate the ultra-low 88ms latency mode that keeps audio in sync with fast-paced action.

Battery life is another big win. With up to 50 hours of total playback time (including the charging case), these earbuds are built for the long haul. A quick 10-minute top-up delivers three hours of use, so you’re never left waiting.

Add in Bluetooth 5.4, dual-device pairing, Google Fast Pair, touch controls, and an IP54 rating for dust and water resistance, and you’ve got an impressive all-rounder.

While we wait for these TWS in India, you can check out these value-for-money offerings:

The iQOO buds have been launched in Indonesia for now, but, if they were to come to India, the Buds 1i position themselves as a feature-rich, budget-friendly alternative to pricier TWS options, and would carve out a niche of their own in a highly competitive market like India.

With premium features like AI noise cancellation, low latency, and long battery life at around Rs 1,700, they’d be ideal for students, casual listeners, and gamers looking for solid value without compromise.