Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 review - AirPods on a budget - Android

Ecosystem is a word that’s bandied about quite a bit, but Xiaomi has been committed to providing a holistic experience to its users for a while now. The Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 is the latest in a broad portfolio of audio products launched by the company. They flank the much more affordable Redmi Earbuds S and provide a more premium alternative.

Can these true wireless earphones deliver on the promise of high-fidelity audio, battery life, and high-end build quality? Let’s find out in the Android Authority Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 review.

Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 review: How’s the design?

One look at the Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 and the design inspiration is obvious. In fact, the earphones themselves are simply a chunkier take on Apple’s classic Airpods design, while remaining distinguished from Apple’s true wireless take.

The stalk of the earphone is significantly thicker and I can’t say I found it particularly comfortable. It stands taller than the driver module, which further adds to the size. I didn’t find the weight of the earphones to be particularly problematic, though I never forgot I was wearing them. The design necessitates a one-fit-for-all approach, but to me it always felt like the earphones (particularly the right one) were about to fall out. As you can tell, I’m not a big fan of the semi-open earbuds style.

The built-in optical sensor can automatically play or pause music.

The earphones employ gesture-based controls that were particularly finicky. Despite repeated attempts, the best I could manage was to get play/pause working inconsistently at best. That said, the earphones include optical sensors that can change playback status as you pop them on or off.

Pairing the Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 is simple enough. Flip open the case and press the dedicated pairing button on the side. The earphones should then show up in the Bluetooth menu of your phone. The earphones support fast pairing and on supported devices, such as the Xiaomi Mi 10. An image indicating the earphone will appear on the home screen. It even exposes the available battery in each earbud, as well as the case.

The case for the buds is certainly on the chunkier side. While I could slide it into a coin pocket, it left a noticeable bulge. Magnets in the case hold the earphones in place. Finally, a USB-C port for charging is on the bottom.

The semi-open style might not be to your taste, but Xiaomi's done a great job with the build quality.

All said, you really can’t complain about the quality of the hardware here, particularly for the price. The matte white case feels well built and the same can be said for the earphones themselves. The build quality belies the price; Xiaomi did a great job here.

How do the Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 sound?