The budget TWS in-ear earphones space today is saturated with products offering great features and performance at a fraction of the price of the flagships. Technology like ANC has trickled down from being exclusively reserved for mid-range and premium TWS in-ear earphones to the budget segments, under ₹2,000 as brands continue to push the boundaries of innovation and development in a bid to grab a slice of this very enticing pie, which is the budget TWS in-ear earphones segment. One such contender that hits the shelves today is the Infinix XE27 TWS in-ear earphones.
Backed with a solid specs sheet and a price of ₹1,699, these in-ear earphones make for a solid offering at face value. I got my hands on these TWS in-ear earphones a couple of days ago, and while I am still putting them through the grinder of the Digit TWS testing process, for the folks looking to take the plunge at the time of launch, I have collated my initial impressions of these in-ear earphones. Do note that after my complete evaluation of these in-ear earphones, my thoughts might change, but here’s all the information that you need to know if you are buying these in-ear earphones at the time of launch –
One of the first places where we see corners being cut in the budget TWS in-ear earphones is in the build quality and choice of materials. However, Infinix has ensured that you are getting a pair of in-ear earphones that look set to last you a while. The case is well-built and has a nice density to it. However, you need to ensure that you are taking good care of them, as they have a glossy exterior and are definitely going to pick up scratches and scuffs over time.
As for the fit, it is very subjective, as is the case with every TWS out there. You will need to try them to see if they fit you well or not. If you are someone who has experienced stemmed TWS in-ear earphones, then my guess is, that these will fit well. I passed these around at the Test Centre, and the general consensus suggested that they provided a secure fit, with some folks having to switch to one of the two extra pairs of ear tips provided in the box.
In terms of features, Infinix has packed the XE27 TWS in-ear earphones with a ton of them. Here’s a quick list for you –
The ANC is serviceable for the price, and cancels out low, droning sounds like that of an AC quite well. But in noisy environments, it does lack a bit of performance. As for the mic, you can listen to the audio sample below. In my opinion, the mic sounds quite airy and lacks the low-end punch that would make the voice sound natural. The Infinix XE27 TWS in-ear earphones do have ENC, but as you can also observe, in an attempt to cancel out the background noise, it leaves some crackle in, which might be off-putting for the receiver when on calls for longer periods of time.
As for the performance and sound quality of the in-ear earphones, you get what you pay for. The general trend in this price range is that the in-ear earphones have a lot of bass, which in turn impacts the mids and the highs. The same is the case with these earphones. The sound is fairly boomy, and the bass seems to be bloated, which would lead to the vocals sounding heavier than usual. There is a surprising amount of detail retention; however, in the mids, where the vocals are, small nuances in the singing of your favourite artists would not be missed. Bass-heads, these are for you.
Well, the answer is a yes and a no. Yes, for the people who are tied to the brand and are looking for a pair of TWS that offer a nice price-to-performance ratio. Obviously, the bass heads should also take the plunge. And, my answer is a no for the folks who would like to wait and weigh in their options, pitting these in-ear earphones against the likes of the Poco Buds X1 that are priced similarly, and make for a great competition for the Infinix XE27 in-ear earphones.