- Strong ANC (~50 dB) for the price
- Dual‑driver sound with LDAC support
- Long battery life (~40 h with case) & fast charge
- Comfortable fit & IPX5 water resistance
- Good call quality & spatial audio support
- Glossy case prone to scratches
- No wireless charging
- No volume control gestures
The Realme Buds Air 5 Pro deliver an impressive mix of strong active noise cancellation, rich sound quality with LDAC support, and long battery life all in a comfortable, water‑resistant package. While missing wireless charging and volume touch controls, they offer excellent value for the price, making them a great choice for everyday listening and commuters.
I’ve been using the Realme Buds Air 5 Pro for about six or seven months now, and these earbuds have consistently impressed me. Realme’s leap from the previous generation, the OnePlus Buds 4, is quite noticeable. Initially, I wasn’t expecting a huge difference, but Realme has certainly raised the bar with these Air 5 Pros, evolving them on multiple fronts. In this review, I’ll break down the build quality, sound performance, features, and overall experience of using these earbuds over an extended period.
Realme Buds Air 5 Pro Specs
| Feature | Specification Details |
| Driver System | Coaxial Dual Drivers (11 mm Woofer + 6 mm Micro-planar Tweeter) |
| Audio Codecs | LDAC (Hi-Res), AAC, SBC |
| Frequency Response | 20 Hz to 40 kHz |
| Noise Cancellation | Up to 50 dB (Active Noise Cancellation) |
| Noise Bandwidth | 4000 Hz Ultra-wideband reduction |
| Bluetooth Version | Bluetooth 5.3 (supports Dual-Device Connection) |
| Battery Life (ANC Off) | 11 hours (Earbuds) / 40 hours (Total with Case) |
| Battery Life (ANC On) | ~7 hours (Earbuds) / ~28 hours (Total with Case) |
| Fast Charging | 10 mins charge = 7 hours of playback (case+buds) |
| Latency | 40 ms Super Low Latency (Game Mode) |
| Microphones | 6-Mic System (AI Environmental Noise Cancellation for calls) |
| Durability | IPX5 Water Resistance (Earbuds only) |
| Unique Features | 360° Spatial Audio, Google Fast Pair, Personalized Audio |
Build Quality
When it comes to the build of the Realme Buds Air 5 Pro, Realme has done a solid job. The design feels familiar but refined. It’s similar to the last generation, though there are notable improvements. The earbuds feature a glossy finish that, while visually appealing, does pick up scratches over time. I’m not a fan of this glossy finish as it doesn’t age well, but it’s certainly sleek when new.
One positive change is the addition of a metallic button that protrudes slightly, replacing the flush design seen in the Realme Buds 3. This small tweak gives the Air 5 Pros a more premium feel compared to the previous model. However, as expected with glossy surfaces, the case’s back has accumulated scratches. If this bothers you, consider investing in a case for the case, which, while an odd concept, is the only way to prevent further scratching.
Comfort and Fit
Comfort is subjective, but the Air 5 Pros generally offer a comfortable fit. The design features a pearlescent metallic finish on the entire stem, but there’s one key issue: there’s no clear indication of where to tap for controls. Unlike the Oppo Enco 3 Pro, which has a slight recess to easily identify the touch area, the Air 5 Pro requires you to tap the stem’s upper part to register any action. It’s a small annoyance, but once you get used to it, it becomes less of an issue.
On the positive side, the earphones feature an attractive orange section on the inside, which adds a unique touch to their appearance when folded. Overall, despite the small design flaws, the Air 5 Pros are a visually striking and functional pair of earbuds.
Features
The Realme Buds Air 5 Pro comes loaded with features, most of which are controlled through the Realme Link app. You’ll need to download this app to unlock the earbuds’ full potential, but it’s well worth it. In the app, you can access various settings, including noise-cancellation modes, sound effects, and more.
The app provides several sound modes to tailor your listening experience. You can choose from presets such as “Serenade,” “Original Audio,” “Pure Base,” and “Deep Base.” Personally, I tend to stick with “Original Sound” or “Deep Base,” as they provide a balanced, immersive listening experience without overwhelming bass. Additionally, you can manually adjust settings to suit your preferences, which is a fantastic feature for audiophiles or those who want more control over their sound.
Another standout feature is “Golden Sound,” which tests your hearing and compensates for any hearing loss, ensuring the audio you hear is customized to your needs. The app also includes spatial audio, which enhances the sound stage for a more immersive listening experience, perfect for movies or gaming.
Sound Quality
When it comes to sound quality, Realme has made significant improvements with the Air 5 Pros compared to the Buds 3. While Oppo might still offer better detail in the higher frequencies, the Air 5 Pros deliver a fuller, more dynamic sound that’s perfect for casual listeners. The bass is powerful, especially in the “Deep Base” mode, which adds a subwoofer-like effect without making the sound too overwhelming.
The mid-range is where the Air 5 Pros shine. Unlike the Oppo Buds, which tend to thin out the lower mid-range and make vocals sound a bit nasal, the Air 5 Pros offer a fuller, richer mid-range that keeps vocals rounded and clear. The highs are mellow, so you don’t experience listening fatigue, making them ideal for long listening sessions.
ANC & Call Quality
The Realme Buds Air 5 Pro’s ANC feature is genuinely impressive. Compared to the Oppo Enco A3 Pro, which still lets some high frequencies through, the Air 5 Pro does a better job of suppressing both low and high-frequency noise. The ANC is effective, but adding environmental noise cancellation further enhances the experience, especially in noisy environments.
In terms of call quality, the Air 5 Pros outperform most in their price range. During my tests in busy environments, my voice clarity on calls was exceptional. Whether I was in a noisy street or surrounded by construction sounds, the Air 5 Pros handled background noise remarkably well, ensuring the person on the other end could hear me clearly.
Battery Life
Battery life is another area where the Air 5 Pros shine. On average, I get around 2.5 to 3 hours of usage with ANC and LDAC mode on, which is good for a pair of wireless earbuds. However, if you’re not using high-resolution audio and keep the ANC off, you can stretch that even further. After about 2.5 hours of use, I typically have about 45-50% battery remaining, which is more than enough for a few more hours.
Of course, battery life can vary depending on your usage, volume levels, and whether you use ANC or LDAC. If you’re a heavy listener who cranks up the volume, expect the battery to drain faster.
Do I Still Recommend These?
After six to seven months of use, the Realme Buds Air 5 Pro is an excellent choice for those looking for a reliable, feature-packed pair of earbuds. They offer a balanced mix of sound, build quality, features, and comfort at a reasonable price. The ANC and call quality alone make them stand out in their category.
At the time of writing, the Realme Buds Air 5 Pro are priced at around ₹4,999 (down from ₹7,999), and they frequently go on sale, making them an even better deal. For anyone looking for earbuds that excel in sound, comfort, and features without breaking the bank, the Realme Buds Air 5 Pro is a fantastic choice.
Pricing and Availability
The Realme Buds Air 5 Pro is priced at ₹4,999, with occasional sales and discounts making it even more affordable. If you’re interested, check out the ongoing sales to grab them at a great price. Let me know in the comments how much you paid for them and any tips you have for getting the best deals! You might wanna check out Realme Buds Air 5 Pro vs OPPO Enco Air 3 Pro Compression guide.
