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Business Standard
18-06-2025
- Business Standard
Realme Buds Air 7 Pro review: Feature-packed wireless earphones on budget
Realme Buds Air 7 Pro review The Realme Buds Air 7 Pro are the latest entrants in India's wireless earphones segment, bringing premium features at an accessible price. Priced at Rs 5,499, these earbuds offer active noise cancellation (ANC), 3D spatial audio, 45ms low latency, support for the LHDC codec for Hi-Res wireless audio, and multi-point connectivity. With such features, the Buds Air 7 Pro promises strong value—but does it deliver? Design and fit The Realme Buds Air 7 Pro comes in a clean, minimalist package, including extra silicone tips for better fit. Though made of plastic, the charging case has a leather-like finish that resists fingerprints. Compact and pocketable, the case has a silver metallic band around its edge, the Realme logo in the centre, and a USB-C port for charging. An LED indicator near the lid shows battery and pairing status. Opening the case reveals a glossy interior with firmly seated earbuds held by magnets. The hinge is sturdy and closes with a satisfying snap. The in-ear buds have a stem-style design, combining a glossy touch surface with a silver accent. They offer a snug, lightweight fit, staying comfortable over long use and stable during movement. However, the touch controls are not very intuitive—basic functions like play/pause and call handling work well, but stem-based gestures can feel imprecise. Connectivity and pairing Powered by Bluetooth 5.4, the earbuds support the LHDC codec for high-resolution audio on compatible devices. Pairing is seamless with Realme smartphones, where they auto-connect upon opening the case. On other devices, like iPhones, pairing takes slightly longer and requires a manual button press to enter pairing mode. Android users benefit from Google Fast Pair, and the earbuds support multi-point connectivity across Android and iOS devices. Audio and features The Buds Air 7 Pro delivers clear and balanced audio across content types. When used with compatible devices, features like 3D Spatial Audio add depth, particularly for videos. These can be adjusted through the Realme Link app, which offers settings for EQ, Golden Sound tuning, and gesture controls. Golden Sound This feature analyses your hearing through an in-app test and creates a personalised sound profile. It improves clarity across various genres. Spatial Sound Spatial Sound adds dimension to the audio, making a notable difference with supported content. EQ mode The app offers EQ presets such as Serenade, Original Sound, Clear Bass and Deep Bass, along with the option to create custom profiles—even multiple profiles for different users. Camera and playback features A handy feature is the ability to use the earbuds as a remote shutter for the phone's camera via double tap. Another convenience is auto play/pause, which works reliably when inserting or removing the earbuds. Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) Realme claims up to 53dB of noise reduction. In use, the ANC is effective at cutting out ambient sounds like chatter, fan noise and street traffic. The improvement with ANC on is noticeable, making for a more immersive experience. That said, toggling ANC felt abrupt—the transition could be smoother. ANC modes can be controlled through the earbuds or the app, with four levels: Smart, Max, Moderate and Mild. Smart mode adjusts automatically and works well in shifting environments. Calling Call quality is solid, thanks to a six-microphone array and AI noise reduction. Voice clarity is good, even in noisy environments, and Bluetooth range is excellent. Calls were consistently clear with no dropouts. Battery life Battery performance is strong. Over two weeks of regular use—including long listening sessions and calls—the earbuds required just two short charges. This makes them highly dependable for daily use. Verdict The Realme Buds Air 7 Pro offers a well-rounded experience at an affordable price. It delivers quality sound, solid ANC, spatial audio, and long battery life. Touch controls could be more intuitive, and ANC transitions smoother, but these are minor drawbacks in an otherwise feature-rich package. The Buds Air 7 Pro stands out in its segment with a premium design, clear call quality, and reliable performance—making it a top contender for anyone seeking budget wireless earbuds with advanced features.
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Flight of Five Phase III project wins state funding
Jan. 28—The Lockport Locks Heritage District Corporation (LHDC) has secured almost $1.2 million of state funding for a new round of Flight of Five locks rehabilitation work. Gov. Kathy Hochul's office on Tuesday quietly announced the full scale of funding awarded statewide through Round 14 of the Regional Economic Development Council process, and the list shows Lockport Locks Heritage District Corporation was awarded three grants: $775,000 from Empire State Development Corporation, $250,000 from Market New York, and $150,000 from the state Canal Corporation, all in pursuit of further improvements to the remnants of historic Erie Canal locks 67 through 71. Confirmation of the state awards does not signal impending construction, however, according to LHDC chair David Kinyon. The corporation's proposed Flight of Five Phase III project — rehabilitation of three pedestrian bridges and installation of light fixtures, removal of debris in Lock 68 that was not addressed during Phase II, and repair/replacement of railings — carries a roughly $2.3 million price tag and is dependent on federal funding to cover the balance. Congress has yet to act on U.S. Rep. Claudia Tenney's 2024 request for $1 million in support of the Phase III project. "Obviously with the change in administration it's uncertain when Congress will get to act on that particular appropriation," Kinyon said. "We are communicating fully with our state partners to keep them informed as we work to complete the funding package." While full financing isn't yet secured, Kinyon said the state awards are "very exciting news" for LHDC, as they're the first significant capital awards for Flight restoration since Phase II was completed in 2019. "They come at a very important time as we begin to celebrate the bicentennial of the Erie Canal," he said. "The announcement encourages us to continue pursuing our goal of fully restoring all five locks." Locks 69 and 70 were restored to working order in 2014, and lock 68 was rehabbed in 2019, at an overall cost of about $5 million. The latest estimates for restoring the last two locks, 67 and 71, are $17 million and time To Be Determined. Full rehabilitation is made complicated — and costlier — by the fact that the bottom and top locks in the series are occupied with infrastructure used by the state Canal Corporation to operate the modern Erie Barge Canal.
