Xiaomi’s new bone conduction Headphones 2 bring swim mode, offline playback, and a splash of flair

Xiaomi just made open-ear audio a lot more interesting; and a lot more waterproof. The tech giant has officially launched the Xiaomi Bone Conduction Headphones 2 in China, priced at 699 yuan (roughly Rs 8,400). Available now for pre-order, these new Xiaomi headphones will hit broader retail shelves starting July 21.

The updated model sticks to the tried-and-tested wraparound silhouette from its 2022 predecessor but gives it a premium refresh. Think titanium alloy frame, soft-touch silicone coating, and a fit designed to stay locked in through hours of wear. The IP68 rating is no afterthought either; these headphones are swim-proof, dust-proof, and can survive up to 5 meters underwater for as long as two hours. And they’re not just waterproof. They’re also smarter.

Xiaomi Bone Conduction Headphones 2: What makes them special

Built in partnership with Finnish sports tech brand Suunto, the new Swim Mode comes loaded with a dedicated algorithm that reads pace, stroke count, distance, and even breathing angle, in real time. It’s the kind of feature you’d expect from a high-end fitness wearable, not a pair of relatively affordable audio gear.

There’s 32GB of onboard storage too, so you can leave your phone in the locker room and still jam to your lane-change playlist. Formats supported range from MP3 and FLAC to WAV, AAC, M4A, and APE. A physical switch lets users flip between Bluetooth streaming and local playback, which is a small but useful touch.

Audio gets a thoughtful revamp with a racetrack-shaped vibration unit that claims to pump out deeper bass and cleaner mids. Xiaomi’s also re-engineered the acoustic cavity to boost vocal separation, which is handy whether you’re on a call or in your own musical world. There are three listening profiles to pick from – Daily, Outdoor, and Swimming, tuned to where and how you’re using them.

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As for battery life? You get up to 12 hours on a full charge. But if you’re pressed for time, a quick 10-minute top-up nets you around three hours of listening. For calls, dual ENC (Environmental Noise Cancellation) microphones aim to keep your voice front and centre, while dual-device Bluetooth connectivity lets you juggle between your phone and laptop.

As expected, Xiaomi’s HyperOS Connect is baked in for instant pairing across the brand’s broader ecosystem. All in all, the Headphones 2 stand out as a sleek reminder that performance and polish can go hand in hand; even underwater. What do you think of these bone conduction headphones? Let us know, and stay tuned to Unboxed by Croma for all things tech.