Xiaomi officially unveiled its first over-ear headphones. The affordable Redmi Headphones Neo offer ANC and 72h battery life

Xiaomi has almost everything in its catalog, from phones to scooters to cars. However, when it came to headphones, it long remained loyal exclusively to the in-ear format like Redmi Buds and Xiaomi Buds. That is now changing. The product page for Redmi Headphones Neo, the first over-ear headphones from the Redmi brand, has appeared on the manufacturer’s global website, with Xiaomi officially confirming the complete features, about which we previously only had fragmented information from leaks. And as we informed you earlier, the headphones should cost 1,599 CZK in the Czech Republic.

Sound built on large drivers and Hi-Res

The sound delivery is handled by 40mm dynamic drivers with a titanium-coated diaphragm, covering a frequency range from 20 Hz to 40 kHz. When connected via USB-C cable, the headphones also support Hi-Res Audio with Gold certification, offering higher quality listening even in wired mode. In wireless mode, however, you’ll have to settle for the AAC codec, which I’ll get back to.

The main attraction is active noise cancellation. According to Xiaomi, it suppresses ambient noise by up to 42 decibels, and you can choose from three intensity levels or enable adaptive mode, which adjusts the cancellation level automatically based on the environment. For phone calls, the manufacturer has implemented a trio of microphones with AI noise reduction and states that the system can even suppress wind noise at speeds up to 5 m/s.

72-hour battery life and smart connectivity

Power is provided by a 600mAh battery, which, with ANC off, is rated by the manufacturer to last up to 72 hours of playback. This is an above-average figure in this price range. If the battery still runs low, fast charging helps: 10 minutes plugged in adds another 5 hours of listening, and a full charge takes less than two hours, according to Xiaomi.

Wireless connectivity is handled by Bluetooth 5.4 with a range of up to 10 meters. The headphones support multipoint for simultaneous pairing with two devices, such as a phone and a laptop, and also Google Fast Pair for quick connection with Android. Through the Xiaomi Earbuds app, you can fine-tune the sound using four preset EQ profiles as well as custom settings and install firmware updates. Owners of newer Xiaomi and Redmi phones will appreciate the audio sharing feature, which allows sharing audio from one device to two headphones simultaneously via HyperOS.

Three colors, lightweight design, and a bonus

With a weight of 263 grams and dimensions of 202 × 183 × 47 millimeters, the Redmi Headphones Neo are among the lighter over-ear models, which will be appreciated by anyone planning to wear them for extended periods. The earcups are made by the manufacturer from protein leather and feature a classic over-ear design that encloses the ears. Three color variants are available, though with a staggered release: Obsidian Black and Sand White are going on sale immediately, while the blue Mist Blue (pictured below) is reportedly arriving later in the year.

One detail in the packaging is less pleasing. In the box, you’ll only find the headphones and a user manual; Xiaomi did not include a USB-C cable or a 3.5mm jack cable. Thus, for wired listening and charging, you’ll need to provide your own cable. As a bonus, the manufacturer offers new users two months of Spotify Premium for free, which, according to Xiaomi, can be redeemed via the Xiaomi Earbuds app until August 8, 2026.

Who are the Redmi Headphones Neo suitable for?

The Redmi Headphones Neo target users who are content with solid ANC, long battery life, and the ability to connect to multiple devices simultaneously at a low price. For them, it’s an interesting offer, especially if the headphones confirm the advertised noise cancellation and battery life values in real-world use, which currently come exclusively from the manufacturer’s laboratories.

Xiaomi officially unveiled its first over-ear headphones. The affordable Redmi Headphones Neo offer ANC and 72h battery life Adam Kurfürst News Adam Kurfürst News

However, it’s fair to name the compromises as well. Wirelessly, the headphones only support the AAC codec, meaning premium LDAC or aptX are missing, and the most demanding audiophiles will likely not opt for them. Control is handled by physical buttons instead of a touch surface, and the absence of any cable in the package will please very few.

In the Czech price range around 1,599 CZK, the Neo faces competitors like the Sony WH-CH720N or JBL Tune 770NC. Against them, Xiaomi can primarily boast longer battery life and a higher declared ANC depth on paper, while premium models like the Sony WH-1000XM6 play in a different league, albeit at five to six times the price. The true verdict will only come after a thorough test.

Would you buy the Redmi Headphones Neo for 1,599 CZK?

Sources: Xiaomi