Your next earbuds might look more like earrings — and that’s the point 🎧

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What if your next pair of earbuds looked more like jewelry than tech? In early 2026, two electronics giants are making a bold bet: merging audio gear with fashion accessories. Sony just unveiled its LinkBuds Clip, while Huawei countered with the FreeClip 2 — the latter featuring an unexpected collaboration with French jewelry house Les Néréides. The message is clear: the era of generic, interchangeable earbuds may finally be coming to an end.

Open-ear audio is having a moment 🎧

If you’ve ever felt that uncomfortable, plugged-up sensation after hours of wearing in-ear buds, you’ll understand the appeal of open-ear designs. The concept is straightforward: nothing goes into your ear canal. You stay connected to your music while remaining aware of your surroundings — traffic, conversations, transit announcements, all of it.

Sony and Huawei are both leaning into this trend, though with slightly different approaches. The LinkBuds Clip features a C-shaped design that hooks onto your ear, reminiscent of ’90s clip-on earrings. The FreeClip 2 keeps Huawei’s signature « C-bridge » architecture, with an acoustic sphere at the front and a counterweight at the back, connected by a flexible band.

Sony LinkBuds Clip: Ditching the donut for a jewel-like design 💎

This isn’t Sony’s first rodeo in the open-ear space. The original LinkBuds, with their distinctive ring-shaped « donut » design, turned heads but divided users on comfort. With the LinkBuds Clip, the Japanese giant is taking a radically different path.

© Sony

© Sony

At just 6.4 grams per earbud, these newcomers prioritize lightness and adaptability. Included adjustment pads let you customize the fit for different ear shapes. On the audio side, Sony brings its usual tech arsenal: DSEE sound enhancement, 360 Reality Audio support, and a 10-band equalizer through the Sound Connect app.

The standout feature? Three listening modes you can toggle with a tap. Standard mode for optimal audio quality, Voice Boost to amplify speech in noisy environments, and Sound Leakage Reduction to keep your music from bothering your seatmate on the train. Battery life impresses at 9 hours of continuous playback and 37 hours total with the case. A quick 3-minute charge gets you an extra hour of listening.

Available in black, cream, lavender, and green, the LinkBuds Clip retail for €200 (around $215). Sony also sells additional case covers and ear pads separately for those who want to switch up their style.

© Sony

Huawei FreeClip 2: When tech meets high jewelry 💍

Huawei returns with a second generation of its FreeClip, riding high on over 3 million units sold since 2023. The FreeClip 2 refines the formula with a featherweight 5.1 grams per earbud and a C-bridge design that’s now 25% more flexible.

But the real headline is the collaboration with Les Néréides, a French jewelry brand founded in Nice in 1980. For the first time, a tech company has partnered with a jeweler to create clip-on charms designed specifically for earbuds. The Les Néréides pieces draw inspiration from cherry blossoms, adding a touch of Parisian romance to your audio gear. A second collaboration with Spanish brand It’s Lava offers a more urban, gender-neutral aesthetic.

© Huawei

© Huawei

© Huawei

On performance, Huawei has stepped up its game. A new 10.8mm dual-diaphragm driver promises bass that finally delivers — historically the Achilles’ heel of open-ear designs. The NPU AI processor, reportedly 10 times more powerful than its predecessor, automatically adjusts volume based on your environment. IP57 certification means you can take these through intense workouts without worry.

The FreeClip 2 comes in black, white, blue (with an eye-catching denim texture), and eventually rose gold. Expect to pay €199 (about $215) for the earbuds alone, with Les Néréides charms starting at €80 ($85) on top.

How they stack up ⚔️

A bet on the future of portable audio 🔮

Beyond the spec sheet showdown, two distinct visions for portable audio are emerging. Sony is betting on software ecosystem and sound customization. Huawei is wagering on embedded AI and a full-on fusion with fashion.

This trend speaks to a growing demand: users who no longer want to choose between their music and the world around them. Urban runners, open-office workers, or anyone who dislikes the isolation of traditional earbuds will find plenty to like here.

One question lingers: can audio quality genuinely compete with traditional in-ear designs? Early impressions of the FreeClip 2 suggest Huawei has made significant strides on bass response. Sony, drawing on a century of audio expertise, promises a « natural and spacious » sound. Only extended testing will tell which delivers.

Would you trade your regular earbuds for these new open-ear models that double as jewelry? Does the fashion angle appeal to you, or would you rather keep your audio gear discreet and purely functional? Let us know in the comments!