Xiaomi's first clip-on earbuds weigh 5.5g and offer AI translation in 21 languages
Xiaomi has entered the clip-on earbud market with the Xiaomi Clip, an open-ear model that launched in China on May 21 priced at $125 (around $118 at the introductory rate). The company is best known in the UK for budget-friendly audio like the Redmi Buds 8 Pro at £64.99, so the Clip marks a step into more premium territory — though where it lands against rivals like the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (~$300) or the budget EarFun Clip 2 (under $100) will depend heavily on the eventual UK and US price.
The hardware
Each earbud weighs just 5.5g and carries an 11mm driver covering a frequency range of 20Hz to 48kHz. Codec support includes AAC, SBC, and LHDC 5.0 — the latter is a high-resolution audio format that rivals Sony's LDAC. Connectivity is handled by Bluetooth 5.4. Battery life is rated at 9 hours per earbud, stretching to 38 hours with the charging case. Xiaomi also claims IP57 dust and water resistance, though that specific rating hasn't been independently verified — the company's existing OpenWear Stereo uses IP54.
Xiaomi Clip features a semi-transparent housing and weighs just 5.5g per earbud.
The design features a semi-transparent housing around the drivers and comes in white, black, gold, and purple.
The AI angle
The standout feature is real-time translation across 21 languages, built into the earbuds via Xiao AI — Xiaomi's own assistant. That kind of translation capability is rare at sub-$150, but how well it functions outside of Xiaomi's HyperOS ecosystem is unclear. The earbuds do support dual-device switching and are confirmed compatible with Apple devices, which matters for iPhone users who may not get the full Xiao AI integration.
What UK and US buyers don't know yet
No GBP or USD retail pricing has been confirmed. No UK or US launch date has been announced. Xiaomi has distribution through Amazon UK for its audio range, so the Clip will likely appear there eventually — but there's no timeline. The China launch price of $125 converts roughly to £100, though import duties and retailer margins typically push that figure higher.
Xiaomi Clip is available in white, black, gold, and purple.
At $125 in China, the Clip sits in an interesting gap: more capable on paper than most budget open-ears, but well below the Bose Ultra Open at three times the price. Whether that translates into a compelling offer in the UK or US depends on a number or factors Xiaomi hasn't shared yet.