HMD Amped Buds: the world's first headphones with reversible wireless charging, capable of charging a smartphone by 20%
HMD can't boast of any high-profile breakthroughs or cult gadgets yet, but they can certainly create a buzz around their products. The HMD Amped Buds TWS headphones are another example of a very unusual design and "technology for technology's sake", where the main feature sounds impressive but is less useful than one might expect. They say they charge your smartphone! But don't be too quick to applaud - only by a maximum of 20%. Of course, it still makes sense to pay for a case with a 1600 mAh battery, but it's probably not worth it for wireless charging, which you'll use once or twice in your life.
Here's What We Know
Amped Buds are wireless headphones with a 1600 mAh case that can charge other devices via cable or wireless induction charging. The idea is ambitious, the implementation is more modest. Reversible wireless charging does work, but it will only raise the battery level of, say, an iPhone 16 by 20% using induction charging or 24% via a cable. That is, it will work as an emergency option, but it will not be able to replace a power bank.
The design is worth noting - they really worked on it. The first thing that catches your eye is the unusual shape of the charging case. Instead of a traditional "box", it has a flat, almost rectangular shape with rounded edges and an open section for storing headphones. It looks more like an element of hi-tech accessories than a classic charging case.
The headphones themselves also look original. They have an elongated stem, but the ear cup is round, almost spherical. This solution differs from standard in-ear models and gives them a futuristic look. In general, HMD Amped Buds look like a device from a film about the future, and their unusual design hints at something more than just headphones - which is what the developers tried to convey by including the function of "charging smartphones".
This advertising image probably has something to say to us, but gg' s editorial team hasn't figured out what it is. Illustration: HMD
The case itself weighs 80 g and is 14 mm thick. It has hybrid noise cancellation (ANC and ENC), three microphones on each earbud, 10mm drivers, and an app with a customisable equaliser. They connect quickly and work for a long time - up to 95 hours with a case. The degree of protection against moisture is IPX4 for the case, IP54 for the headphones. Colour palette: black, blue, pink. Everything is stylish, the large battery capacity is very good, but wireless charging is a marketing ploy.
Figures worth knowing:
- Battery capacity of the case: 1600 mAh
- Earphone battery capacity: 35 mAh/g
- Autonomy: up to 95 hours with case
- Drivers: 10 mm
- Working time: up to 8 hours without noise cancellation, 4 hours with it
- Case weight: 80 г
- Case thickness: 14 mm
- Bluetooth version: 5.4
- Protection: IPX4 (case), IP54 (headphones)
- Connectivity: USB-C, Qi2, Multipoint, Google Fast Pair
HMD Amped Buds is not a game-changing gadget, but rather a PR attraction designed to tell the world: "We're still here". And we haven't even seen the price of the new product yet - the £169 price tag in the UK leaves a lot to be desired.
