Realme Buds Q2 review: Inexpensive but capable wireless earbuds with ANC

 The Realme Buds Q2 are not perfect but they are full of features (enabled by the Realme Link app) which no other budget earbuds offer

From neckband-style earphones to truly wireless earbuds, Realme is one smartphone brand that has significantly expanded its audio range despite being new to the segment. Importantly, the Chinese brand has been consistently democratizing premium features like active noise cancellation in its inexpensive offerings. Fresh in its line-up is the Realme Buds Q2, priced at Rs 2,499. These true wireless earbuds seem to undersell for someone to experience active noise cancellation (ANC) for the first time without actually having to pay much. But how does the product fare in real-life scenarios? Let’s find out:

Design
The Realme Buds Q2 come inactive black and calm grey colour themes. Made of plastic, the active black (review unit) color model has a matte finish with glossy film on the touch area that reflects blue hues. The earbuds are IPX5-rated for protection against water ingress. As for the earbuds’ charging case, it is a pill-shaped unit with a matte black finish. It is carved from all sides, including the bottom, which makes it unstable on flat surfaces. On the positive side, the case is small and can easily fit even in the most cramped spaces like a jeans pocket, travel bag, etc. Though the case looks unimpressive due to its cheap plastic build, it covers the basics right. It features the pairing button inside the case cavity, in the available space between the buds storage-cum-charging area. Besides, there is a USB-C port on the backside and a tiny LED on the front for pairing and battery level indication.

Performance
The Realme Buds Q2’s default audio output, however, gives away its entry-level roots. They sound dull and lack clarity, especially at peak volume levels. The earbuds are quite loud but you can experience their best output at a volume level below 70 per cent. To customize the earbuds’ audio profile, there is a supplementary app named Realme Link available for download on the Google Play Store for Android smartphones and Apple App Store for iPhones. The app is feature-rich and covers more than basics. Yet, do not expect the app to uplift the buds’ overall audio experience.