Introduction
The budget wireless earbud market is fiercely competitive, with countless brands vying for your attention. Oraimo, a name familiar to many in Africa and beyond, has consistently delivered value-packed audio devices. Their latest offering, the Oraimo AirBuds 4, enters the ring marketed as a “timeless design” loaded with modern features. But do they live up to the hype, or are they just another pair of cheap earbuds? After a full week of rigorous testing—from commutes and gym sessions to long calls and gaming—here’s a detailed breakdown of everything you need to know.
Price and Availability
Price Point
Positioned squarely in the budget segment, the Oraimo AirBuds 4 are available on Oraimo’s official eShop for KSh 3,870 (approximately $30). For a limited time, you can snag an additional 5% discount using the code BRACKET at checkout, making them an even more enticing proposition.
Availability
As of now, the Oraimo AirBuds 4 are primarily available in key African markets. You can purchase them directly from Oraimo’s online store in Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, and Morocco.
Design and Build
Case Design
The charging case immediately stands out. It features a translucent lid, a design cue reminiscent of the higher-end Oraimo Riff 2, which gives you a sneak peek at the earbuds inside. The most practical feature on the front is a small LED display that shows the exact battery percentage for both the case and the individual earbuds—a rare and welcome feature at this price. The bottom houses a modern USB-C charging port, and the front is finished with a subtle Oraimo branding.
Earbud Design
Moving to the earbuds themselves, Oraimo has opted for a sleek, stemless design that closely resembles their AirBuds 3. They feature a pleasant matte finish that resists fingerprints, accented by a glossy strip that houses the touch controls. A key design note is the slightly elongated nozzle, which is engineered to fit deeper into the ear canal for better noise isolation and a more secure fit.
Color Options
Currently, the AirBuds 4 are only available in Phantom Black. It’s a classic and sleek color, but it would be great to see Oraimo introduce more vibrant options in the future to cater to a wider audience.
Connectivity
Bluetooth Performance
The AirBuds 4 are equipped with the latest Bluetooth 5.3, ensuring a stable and efficient connection. They support the standard SBC and AAC codecs, providing solid audio quality compatibility for both iOS and Android users. In testing, the connection remained rock-solid at a range of up to 10 meters (33 feet) with a clear line of sight, performing admirably even through a few walls.
Limitations
The most notable omission in the connectivity department is the lack of multipoint connectivity. This means the earbuds cannot be connected to two devices (like a phone and a laptop) simultaneously. You’ll need to manually disconnect from one device to pair with another.
Battery Life
Battery Capacity
Each earbud packs a 40mAh battery, while the charging case boasts a substantial 500mAh capacity.
Playback Performance
Oraimo claims up to 7 hours of playback on a single charge. In real-world testing at 60% volume, we achieved a very respectable 6 hours and 10 minutes. The case provides an additional 31 hours of battery, equating to about 5.5 full charges, meaning you can easily go a full week on a single case charge with moderate use.
Charging
A full charge from zero for the case takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes with a 10W adapter. The quick charge feature is impressive: just 10 minutes in the case provides 90 minutes of playback, a claim we tested and confirmed.
Smart Features
Two smart battery features are worth highlighting. First, the earbuds will auto-shutdown after 3 minutes if they are not connected to a device, conserving power. Second, if an earbud is stolen or lost, it cannot be used with another charging case, as it needs to be paired with its original case first—a clever anti-theft measure.
Comfort and Fit
Comfort
Weighing next to nothing, the AirBuds 4 are exceptionally comfortable even during prolonged use (several hours). The ergonomic shape and matte finish make them sit snugly without causing fatigue.
Recommendation
The package includes three sizes of silicone ear tips. While the default medium tips fit well, users with smaller ear canals are highly recommended to switch to the smaller tips for a perfect, secure seal, which also significantly improves sound quality.
Call Quality
Microphone Setup
Each earbud is equipped with dual beamforming microphones that utilize AI noise reduction to isolate your voice from background chatter.
Performance
During calls, voice quality is transmitted clearly and audibly. The AI does a good job of suppressing wind and ambient noise. In testing, the microphone captured the reviewer’s voice with a slightly deeper tone than usual, but it remained perfectly clear and understandable to the person on the other end.
Gaming and Latency
Latency Performance
For music and video playback (YouTube, Netflix), there were no noticeable sync issues. However, in fast-paced competitive shooter games like PUBG or Call of Duty Mobile, there was a slight but noticeable latency between pressing fire and hearing the gunshot.
Game Mode
This is where a surprise feature comes in. By holding the left earbud for 3 seconds, you activate a dedicated Game Mode. This mode significantly reduces latency, making it perfectly acceptable for casual gaming sessions. It’s a fantastic addition for mobile gamers on a budget.
Controls
Touch Controls
The touch-sensitive glossy strips are responsive and customizable via the app. The default controls are:
- Double tap (either side): Play/Pause
- Triple tap (right): Skip forward
- Triple tap (left): Skip backward
- Press & hold (left, 3s): Enter/Exit game mode
- Press & hold (right, 3s): Summon voice assistant (Siri/Google Assistant)
Call Features
A handy feature for power users is support for three-way calling, allowing you to switch between multiple active calls directly from the earbuds without touching your phone.
Sound Quality
Audio Drivers
At the heart of the AirBuds 4 are 6mm composite diaphragm drivers tuned with Oraimo’s proprietary Avid Bass technology.
Performance
The sound profile is surprisingly well-balanced. The mids and highs are clear and detailed, making vocals and instruments sound crisp. The bass is present and provides a foundation, but it lacks the deep, punchy thump found in bass-heavy competitors like the Oraimo FreePods 3+. It’s more refined than overpowering.
Customization
Thankfully, the AirBuds 4 are compatible with the Oraimo Sound App. This allows you to tweak the sound signature to your liking with a custom EQ. Bass-heads can easily boost the low end to their heart’s content.
Recommended For
They are highly recommended for listening to classical music, podcasts, acoustic tracks, and anything where vocal clarity is key. Those who primarily listen to bass-heavy genres like hip-hop or EDM might need to use the EQ for a more satisfying experience.
Durability and Waterproofing
IPX Rating
The earbuds carry an IPX4 rating. This means they are resistant to sweat and light splashes from any direction, making them perfect for workouts, runs, and the gym. However, they are not designed for swimming or submersion in water.
Final Verdict
The Oraimo AirBuds 4 pack a tremendous amount of value into their affordable price of KSh 3,870. They successfully blend a stylish, modern design with a marathon-like battery life, great comfort, and decent, customizable sound. Smart features like the battery display, game mode, and anti-theft protection are cherries on top that you rarely find in this segment.
Pros:
- Highly affordable price.
- Exceptional battery life with useful quick charge.
- Very comfortable fit for long listening sessions.
- Stable Bluetooth 5.3 connection.
- Clear call quality with effective noise reduction.
- Handy Game Mode for mobile gamers.
Cons:
- Currently limited to one color option (Phantom Black).
- Bass response is adequate but not as strong as some rivals.
- Lack of multipoint connectivity.
Overall: If you’re looking for a reliable, feature-packed pair of wireless earbuds without breaking the bank, the Oraimo AirBuds 4 are an excellent choice. They excel in the fundamentals and throw in a few premium extras, making them one of the best budget options available in Kenya today.
