For your ears only
Renowned smartphone brand realme has launched the Buds T100 as a new addition to affordable yet exceptional wearable personal audio devices.
The Buds T100 comes in neat packaging containing the earphone set, its charging case, a USB-C cable, extra ear tips, and documentation. The T100 has four color variants, namely Jazz Blue, Rock Red, Pop White, and Punk Black, which is the subject of this review.
The pebble-sized charging case sports a matte-black finish, which is good because it does not easily attract dirt and fingerprint smudges. Opening the case, it reveals a yellow interior, which reflects realme’s youthful branding and color identity. The earpieces perfectly fit into the slots of the case. One thing noticeable in the case is the absence of the TechLife branding, which is present in some online collaterals.
Like the charging case, the earphones themselves sport a matte-black finish. They fit well in my ears, and I did not have to worry about moving around and losing any of the earpieces. If a user would have an issue regarding the fit, simply check the bundled additional ear tips and find the right size.
Wearing the Buds T100 for the first time, I instantly heard a beeping sound, which means the device was attempting to connect to a Bluetooth device, such as a smartphone. To connect, I enabled Bluetooth on my Android smartphone, look for the T100 on the list, and tap on it. I did not encounter any problem connecting to the T100, which is a plus for me in terms of user experience.
To maximize user experience, I recommend users to install realme Link mobile application on their phones. Apart from using the app to connect the phone to the T100, users can also use it to optimize device settings based on their preferences. At default settings, the T100’s sound effect on realme Link is set at balanced. However, users who are into bass-rich music might want to try activating Bass Boost+ on Link. Users who want clarity must choose Bright or adjust the volume enhancer on Link. There is also a Game Mode feature on realme Link for users who like to play games on their phones.
The realme Link app automatically notifies users if a firmware upgrade is available for the T100. It also shows the battery status of each earpiece. Users shouldn’t have an issue finishing their daily dose of Korean series and movie marathons with the T100 because it can last more than a day (28 hours) as realme claims. Each earpiece comes with a 40mAh battery capacity, while the charging case has 400mAh. Recharging should be fast, thanks to the quick charge feature via USB-C.
Equipped with 10mm dynamic bass drivers, listening with the realme Buds T100 was a satisfying experience. The T100 was able to emphasize bass on Deadmau5's remix of The Crystal Method's Cherry Twist without sounding irritating. I appreciated even the minute, delicate details of string and percussion instruments in Antonio Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. Whenever the music magnifies, it made me feel like I was in an opera house. With Eraserhead’s concert approaching, I thought it would be apt to listen to their songs, such as Fruit Cake. Ely Buendia’s vocals sounded clear and not overwhelmed by instrumentals with the T100. I also enjoyed rewatching The Shawshank Redemption and The Royal Tailor on my phone with the T100. Apart from good audio, the T100 provided adequate passive noise cancellation (dubbed as Environmental Noise Cancellation feature), isolating me from ambient office noise and allowing me to immerse in whatever content I was into.
In the Philippines, realme offers the Buds T100 for P1,299, which sits between the prices of the previously launched Buds Q2 and Buds Q, according to realme’s local website. For that price point, I can say that the realme Buds T100 is worth buying. It is affordable but does not look and feel flimsy. More importantly, it delivers good audio quality regardless of the content being consumed. The T100 will also be available with a discount on the upcoming Shopee 10.10 Brands Festival. Check out realme’s Facebook page for more information.
