Xiaomi is preparing affordable over-ear headphones. They will get ANC and could cost under 1,500 CZK

Chinese Xiaomi has so far focused almost exclusively on wireless in-ear headphones in the audio accessories sector, such as the popular Redmi Buds series models or the more premium Xiaomi Buds. However, this is about to change. Renowned editor Roland Quandt from WinFuture, who has a long-standing reputation as one of the most reliable leakers, has provided detailed information about the Redmi Headphones Neo. These will be the very first over-ear headphones from this manufacturer, and moreover, they should be relatively affordable.

Three Color Variants, Two Now and One in Autumn

The Redmi Headphones Neo are expected to be released in three color variants. The Obsidian Black (black) and Sand White (sand) variants will appear first, while the third variant, Mist Blue (misty blue), is expected to arrive in September 2026. Quandt has not yet specified a concrete release date, but given that the headphones are already listed with some retailers (such as the Philippine chain Lazada or the wholesaler Diglex Electronics), their official presentation will not be long in coming.

40mm Drivers and Active Noise Cancellation up to 42 dB

Regarding the sound itself, the headphones are said to feature 40mm dynamic drivers with a titanium-coated diaphragm, covering a frequency range of 20 Hz to 40 kHz. For voice calls, the new product relies on three microphones with AI-powered voice isolation.

However, the main attraction will undoubtedly be active noise cancellation (ANC), which will operate at three levels and can suppress ambient sounds by up to 42 decibels, which is a very respectable value. For this function, the headphones use two external microphones.

Bluetooth 5.4 with Multipoint and Hi-Res via USB-C

Connection to devices will be handled by the wireless standard Bluetooth 5.4, with the headphones supporting multipoint – meaning two sources can be paired simultaneously (for example, a phone and a laptop). A pleasant bonus is the availability of a classic 3.5mm jack and also a USB-C port, which will allow for high-resolution (hi-res) audio playback.

Power will be provided by an integrated 500 mAh battery, which can be fully charged in two hours. The manufacturer boasts a battery life of up to 72 hours with ANC off, a value that few headphones offer today. How long they last with active noise cancellation is not yet known. The headphones also feature hinges, allowing them to be folded into a more compact form for easier transport, and are protected by IP54 certification against dust and water.

Price Around 1,250 CZK and Compromises to Consider

Roland Quandt expects the price of the Redmi Headphones Neo to be around 50 euros, which translates to approximately 1,200 CZK. However, Xiaomi has not yet officially confirmed the final price for the European market, and it may still vary.

Xiaomi is preparing affordable over-ear headphones. They will get ANC and could cost under 1,500 CZK Adam Kurfürst News Adam Kurfürst News

Despite the attractive specifications, it’s fair to mention the compromises. The headphones weigh 410 grams, which is noticeably more compared to competitors – Sony WH-1000XM6 weigh 254 grams, and even Apple AirPods Max weigh 386 grams. This could be noticeable during longer listening sessions or travel. The leak also does not yet mention support for premium codecs like LDAC or aptX HD, so audiophiles will likely have to pay extra for more premium models. However, for a regular user looking for affordable wireless headphones with ANC, multipoint, and wired connectivity, this will be a very interesting option.

Would you buy the Redmi Headphones Neo for around 1,250 CZK?

Sources: WinFuture, Notebookcheck