Introduction: Why Xiaomi headphones have become so popular
Xiaomi’s headphones have evolved from a budget-friendly alternative to a full-fledged competitor to premium brands in recent years, with a combination of cutting-edge technology (like active noise reduction or aptah codec) and a affordable price tag, but how do these devices convert electrical signals into sound, sync with smartphones, and adapt to different use cases?
In this article, we will analyze in detail the principle of Xiaomi headphones – from basic models with wire to flagship ones. TWS-Headphones like Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro or FlipBuds Pro. You will learn how their hardware platform works, what wireless protocols they support, and why certain features (for example, the software, LDAC Game Mode only works with devices on MIUI. And yet – we will reveal a few hidden features, which the manufacturer is silent in the official instructions.
Hardware platform: what is inside the headphones Xiaomi
Any Xiaomi headphones are built on three key components: a dynamic driver (responsible for sound), a Bluetooth chip (controls communication) and a battery (in wireless models).
The drivers in Xiaomi headphones vary in size and material. For example, Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 has a 14.2 mm polymer membrane speaker, and Buds 4 Pro has an 11 mm dual-layer titanium-coated driver, which delivers sharper high frequencies and deeper basses thanks to dual magnetic circuit technology. Importantly, the size of the driver doesn’t always determine the quality of the sound — more important is the design and tuning of the acoustic tract.
Bluetooth chips in Xiaomi headphones are usually manufactured by Qualcomm (QCC30xx or QCC51xx series) or BES (e.g. BES2300).
- 🔹 Connection stability (Bluetooth support) 5.2/5.3)
- 🔹 Sound transmission codecs (AAC, aptX Adaptive, LDHC)
- 🔹 Energy efficiency (Low Latency modes for gaming)
- 🔹 Compatible with voice assistants (XiaoAI, Google Assistant)
Batteries in TWS-Xiaomi headphones are usually lithium-polymer, with a capacity from 40 mAh (in the headphones themselves) to 500 mAh (in the case), interesting fact: in models with wireless charging (for example, FlipBuds Pro), the case is equipped with an additional coil for the Qi-standard, which increases its weight by ~10 grams.
Wireless technologies: how headphones connect to devices
Xiaomi’s wireless headphones use Bluetooth protocol, but their actual performance depends on the chip version and supported profiles. For example, models with Bluetooth 5.0 (like Mi AirDots) have a latency of up to 200 ms, while Buds 4 Pro on Bluetooth 5.3 reduce it to 55 ms in Game Mode mode.
Key features of the connection:
- 📶 Two-way data transfer: most of the TWS-One headphone (usually the right one) is the lead and connects to the phone, and the second is the follow, receiving the signal from the first one.
- 🔄 Automatic Reconnect: Xiaomi headphones can remember up to 8 devices and can switch between them (e.g. from phone to laptop) via Bluetooth menu.
- 🎵 Sound codecs: supported AAC (standard), SBC (basic, aptX (for Android) and branded LDHC (In models for China, the latter provides a bitrate of up to 900 kbit/s.
An important nuance: activating aptX Adaptive or LDHC requires a smartphone on MIUI 12+ or Android 10+ with support for these codecs. On iPhone, Xiaomi headphones will always use AAC, which can worsen the quality of the bass sound.
How to check the codec used?
Active noise cancellation (ANC): how it works in Xiaomi headphones
Xiaomi’s Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) technology is based on a hybrid system: a combination of external and internal microphones with digital signal processing. For example, Buds 3 Pro has 3 microphones per headphone: two for ANC and one for voice.
The principle of operation of the ANC:
- Outdoor noise capture: microphones pick up low-frequency sounds (from 20 Hz to 1 kHz), which are the hardest to drown out by passive insulation.
- Antiphase generation: The chip creates a phase mirrored sound wave (opposite) to the captured noise.
- Overlapping: Antiphase mixes with the original sound, quenching it, and its effectiveness depends on the accuracy of the calculations and the speed of processing.
Xiaomi headphones use an adaptive ANC that automatically adjusts the intensity of the suppressed noise depending on the environment. For example, in the subway, the ANC level will be maximum, and in a quiet room – minimum, so as not to distort the music. Manually switch modes through the Mi Earphones app (options are available: Balance, Deep ANC, Transparency).
⚠️ Attention: ANC It significantly reduces the time of headphones. For example, FlipBuds Pro in mode ANC They'll work 5 hours instead of 7 without it. ANC At maximum power, it can cause slight dizziness in sensitive users.
| Model headphones | Type ANC | Max, depth of noise reduction | Working time with ANC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi AirDots Pro 2 | Hybrid (2 microphones) | 25 db | 4 hours |
| Buds 3 Pro | Adaptive (3 microphones) | 35 dB | 5 hours |
| FlipBuds Pro | Dynamic (4 microphones) | 40 db | 5.5 hours |
| Buds 4 Pro | AI-ANC (6 microphones) | 42 dB | 6 hours |
Touch control and voice assistants
Xiaomi headphones are equipped with capacitive sensors that respond to touch rather than pressure (as opposed to mechanical buttons), which reduces the size of the case and reduces the risk of accidental pressing. For example, Buds 3 Pro supports the following gestures:
- 👆 One touch: playback/pause
- 👆👆 Double touch: next track (right earpiece) / previous track (left-handed)
- 👆👆👆 Triple touch: Calling the voice assistant
- 👆 Retention: regime switching ANC/transparency
The gesture settings require the Mi Earphones app (available on Android and iOS), which can reassign actions, disable unnecessary gestures, or activate the "Ignore Random Touch" feature, useful for sports.
Voice assistants (XiaoAI, Google Assistant, Siri) are activated either by triple tapping or by voice command (if the option "OK, Google" or "Hello Siri" is enabled). Importantly, XiaoAI requires a MIUI smartphone with a Xiaomi account tied to it. On iPhone, this feature will not be available.
💡
If the headphones don’t respond to touch, wipe the touchpad with an alcohol tampon – fat or sweat can block the signal.
Device Compatibility: Why Some Features Don’t Work on iPhone
Xiaomi earphones officially support Android and iOS, but a number of features are limited due to the features of the operating systems.
What works on the iPhone:
- ✅ Basic Bluetooth connection
- ✅ Music playback and calls
- ✅ Touch control (without reconfiguration)
- ✅ Transparency mode (if supported by the model)
What doesn't work on iPhone:
- ❌ AptX codecs and LDHC (only AAC/SBC)
- ❌ Game Mode (Low Delay)
- ❌ Voice assistant XiaoAI
- ❌ Automatic switching between Xiaomi devices
- ❌ Advanced settings ANC in the Mi Earphone app
The reason for the restrictions lies in Apple’s policy: the company blocks access to low-level Bluetooth features for third-party devices. For example, the aptX codec requires licensing from Qualcomm, and Apple prefers its AAC. Similar to Game Mode, deep integration with the Bluetooth LE Audio protocol, which the iPhone supports only with iOS 16.4+, and even then not for all devices, is necessary to minimize the delay.
⚠️ Note: If you use Xiaomi headphones with a MacBook or iPad, you may have a microphone problem while calling. → Bluetooth, find the headphones and manually select them as a sound input/output device.
How to extend the life of headphones Xiaomi: tips for care and setup
The life of Xiaomi headphones depends not only on the build quality, but also on proper operation.
Charging and battery
- 🔋 Don’t leave your headphones on charge for more than 24 hours – this reduces battery life.
- 🔌 Use only the original cable. USB-C or certified Qi-charger (for models with wireless charging).
- 📉 If the headphones have not been used for a long time, discharge and charge them completely every 3 months for calibration of the power controller.
Cleaning and storage
- 🧼 Clean the speaker grid with a soft brush (such as a toothbrush) once a week. Never use sharp objects - this damages the membrane!
- 💧 Avoid getting moisture into the connector USB-C If your headphones get wet, dry them in rice for at least 12 hours.
- 🌡️ Do not leave headphones in direct sunlight or in the car in the summer – overheating deforms plastic and shortens battery life.
3. Software optimization
- 📱 Update your firmware regularly through the Mi Earphones app. New versions fix plug-in bugs and improve ANC.
- 🎛️ In the phone’s sound settings, turn off “Absolute Volume” (on Android) so that the headphones adjust the signal level themselves.
- 🔇 If the sound is quieter, reset the headphone settings: press the touch panels on both headphones for 10 seconds before the red indicator flashes.