Realme’s newest TWS offering in its entry-level T series is priced at Rs 1,799. The Buds T200 promise a dynamic soundstage and respectable noise cancellation. The earbuds also offer premium features like HiRes Audio and dual connection. For an entry-level TWS, this is as good as it can get. We got our hands on the wireless earbuds earlier this month and used them for a week. Here is our review of the Realme Buds T200.
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In This Article
Realme Buds T200 Review: Design
Here’s what you get inside the Realme Buds T200’s retail box:
- Charging case with earbuds inside
- Extra eartips (S and L)
- User guide
The charging case of the Buds T200 has an all-plastic build. It is not the most premium-grade plastic we’ve seen on a TWS, but it is still superior to its peers in the entry-level segment. The hinge feels strong and reliable, and the notch right under the lid allows one-hand operation. However, the glossy finish makes this case a bit of a fingerprint magnet. The design of the case is nothing out of the ordinary. Its rectangular shape and compact form factor make it easy to operate.
The ‘realme’ lettering is positioned at the centre of the front panel. At the bottom of this panel lies a small LED notification light. The rounded bottom edge is flattened in the middle, which allows the case to stand upright. This flattened section houses the USB Type-C port. There is no pairing key on the charging case.
The earbuds follow the traditional in-ear design language. They offer a snug, comfortable fit. We wore them for multiple hours on end and did not experience much ear fatigue. The glossy finish of the charging case is replicated on the earbuds. Each unit is equipped with 2 microphones. The glossy stem has a small, vertical notch with a matte finish. This is the touch-sensitive panel for audio and call controls. Since this area is quite small, it reduces accidental touches while adjusting the earbuds. The touch controls are intuitive and easy to use.
Realme has equipped the Buds T200 with IP55 dust and water resistance. We used the earbuds while working out and were pleased to see that they remained unfazed by sweat. However, the glossy finish meant that the fit loosened up quite often.
Realme Buds T200 Review: Performance
Pairing the Realme Buds T200 to your smartphone or laptop is a seamless process. The earbuds support Bluetooth 5.4 and have a functional range of 10m. There’s support for Google Fast Pair onboard as well. There are 3 audio codecs on offer – SBC, AAC, and LDAC. Each earbud is equipped with a 12.4mm driver.
The soundstage offered by the Buds T200 is warm and rich. An envelope of bass surrounds the audio output, but it doesn’t muddle the higher frequencies. The mids and highs get ample representation in the sound stage. The audio faces slight distortion when you push the volume level to 100%. The Goldilocks range is between 50 and 80%.
We used the Realme Buds T200 to listen to a wide range of genres. The earbuds did a great job of relaying the crispy classic rock guitar riffs and the glossy, bubblegum bass of hyperpop tunes. The soundstage is far from neutral, but intelligently tuned to produce a highly enjoyable listening experience.
We took some cellular and VoIP calls using the Buds T200, and were pleased with the call quality in an indoor environment. The earbuds did a good job of extracting the speaker’s voice and curbing the background sounds. However, in outdoor conditions, the surrounding noise was too overwhelming to be nullified.
The Realme Buds T200 can cancel up to 32dB of surrounding noise. The ANC mode can be enabled by long-pressing either earbud. The quality of ANC on offer here is unimpressive. The earbuds struggle to nullify the sound from air conditioners and ceiling fans. Even the distant humdrum manages to filter through.
Accessing the premium features of this TWS requires installing the realme Link app, even if you’re using the earbuds on a Realme smartphone. This is an obtuse choice on Realme’s part, as most manufacturers have a built-in interface for their earbuds on native devices. The anomalies don’t just end there, though. Pairing the realme Link app to your earbuds requires registering on the app with your email or phone number.
Once you sign up for the realme Link app, the set of features available for the Buds T200 is pretty impressive. To begin with, you get access to HiRes audio via the LDAC codec. This codec is available on all smartphones, and not just Realme devices. If you need a more neutral soundstage, the ‘Dynamic audio’ tool lets you individually adjust the intensity of the low, mid, and high frequencies. The equaliser can be customised in EQ mode. There are presets on offer – Serenade, Original sound, Clear Bass, and Deep Bass.
Spatial Audio is another premium feature on this TWS that’s available on all devices, and not just exclusive to Realme smartphones. On supported songs and games, the immersive sound is clearly noticeable. The MindFlow Mode section gives you access to a library of white noise sounds provided by Oppo’s O Relax.
Other than these premium features, the realme Link app takes care of basic duties like toggling ANC/Transparency mode, customising controls, enabling dual connection, and switching to Game mode. The handoff from one device to another in dual connection mode is very smooth. In Game mode, the latency of the earbuds drops to 45ms. We did not notice any audio delay while playing Call of Duty Mobile.
Each earbud is equipped with a 58mAh battery pack, and there’s an additional 539mAh in the charging case. Realme claims a continuous playtime of 10 hours on the AAC codec, with the volume set to 50%. With the LDAC codec in use, the battery life drops to 4.5 hours. During the review period, we used the Realme Buds T200 to listen to music, watch videos, take calls, and play games. We had the LDAC codec turned on at all times and got a solid 4 hours of battery life out of the earbuds. The charging case holds enough charge to replenish the juice on both the earbuds 4 times. Charging the case and earbuds using a Type-C cable takes up to 2 hours.
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Verdict
If you’re looking for a good-sounding TWS on a budget, you cannot look past the Realme Buds T200. These earbuds have a warm and enjoyable soundstage. Even though the bass is very prominent in the mix, the clarity of other instruments is not compromised. The option of the LDAC codec is a game-changer in this price bracket. Secondary features like dual connection, Dynamic audio, and Spatial audio also add value to the affordable price tag of this TWS. The ANC may be unimpressive, but it is easy to overlook when you’re paying just Rs 1,799 for the earbuds.
Realme Buds T200: Pros
- Warm soundstage
- LDAC codec
- Comfortable to wear
Realme Buds T200: Cons
- Mediocre ANC
- Companion app requires registration
