HMD’s hybrid earbuds and power bank sound smart on paper
HMD Amped Buds pack an unusual feature for true wireless earbuds: the charging case doubles as a small power bank. The aluminum case houses a 1,600 mAh battery, and can top up a phone either via USB-C or wirelessly with Qi2-style magnetic alignment for compatible phones such as MagSafe iPhones.
On paper the concept is appealing. A little emergency boost from your earbud case is convenient, and when you do not share charge with a phone the earbuds still offer long runtime — HMD claims up to 95 hours total with the case when ANC is off. The company lists eight hours of listening per earbud with ANC off and four hours with ANC on, and those figures held up in practical testing.
Real-world charging falls short
In practice the power bank side of the bargain is modest. The 1,600 mAh capacity is small. A fully charged case only adds roughly 20 percent to an iPhone 15 Pro Max when using wired charging. Magnetic wireless charging adds further inefficiency, delivering just enough trickle to prevent a phone from fully draining rather than providing a meaningful top-up.
This is strictly an emergency reserve, not a replacement for a dedicated power bank. That trade-off is understandable given HMD’s goal of keeping the case compact and light. The company says the aluminum case is 14 mm thick and the combined weight of earbuds plus case is 87 grams.
Price and competition
HMD lists the Amped Buds at 199 euros, though street prices can drop to about 155 euros. For comparison, a lightweight 6,000 mAh Nitecore Carbon Battery 6K costs around 45 euros and still weighs only 88 grams. Pair that with budget earbuds like OnePlus Buds 4 and you get substantially more total battery capacity and arguably better sound for less money.
Sound, fit and ANC don’t impress
Where the Amped Buds disappoint most is their performance as headphones. The sound profile is soft and lacking detail — pleasant on gentle singer-songwriter tracks but thin and underpowered on bass-forward club tracks or rock like AC/DC’s Thunderstruck. In direct comparison, cheaper OnePlus Buds 4 delivered fuller sound, stronger bass and clearer treble.
Build and ergonomics contribute to the problems. The earbuds are relatively large and sit somewhere between true in-ear buds and stem-style earbuds. Three sizes of silicone tips are included, but the fit did not stay secure in the reviewer’s ears. The buds fell out easily and felt fatiguing after about an hour, making them impractical for running or other active use.
The active noise cancellation is also underwhelming. Amped Buds did not quiet typical cafe noise, clattering dishes, or transit rumble to the same degree as reference rivals like the OnePlus Buds 4. The microphones are adequate for calls and video meetings, however.
Hardware, controls and setup
The Amped Buds fold into the case on a hinged mechanism that keeps them compact. The hinge seemed durable enough during the test period, and the touch controls on the stems worked reliably.
Pairing is straightforward for most users. Android phones can use Google Fast Pair and the buds support multipoint connections to two devices. iPhones can pair via Bluetooth settings by holding the case power button for five seconds while the buds are inside.
One odd snag: small removable blue stickers were attached to the stems, and they must be peeled off before pairing will work. They are easy to miss at first glance.
Software
HMD provides a minimal Amped companion app that covers core features. It is not required for use, but it offers the standard set of controls you would expect from a vendor app.
Bottom line
A clever idea struggles in execution. The hybrid power bank-earbud concept is attractive, and the charging-case design is stylish, but the Amped Buds fall short where it matters most: sound quality, fit, ANC effectiveness and real charging usefulness. The 1,600 mAh case only provides a small emergency boost, and magnetic charging further reduces usable power.
At a MSRP of 199 euros (street prices around 155 euros at the low end), HMD’s package is hard to recommend. You can buy notably better-sounding earbuds and a much larger power bank separately for the same or lower combined price. If carrying two items is a dealbreaker, you might be tempted by the single-case convenience here, but expect compromises.
Pros and cons
Good
- Interesting, useful concept
- Stylish aluminum charging case
- Magnetic attachment for compatible phones
Bad
- Poor sound quality and uncomfortable fit
- Weak active noise cancellation
- Small charging capacity
- High price relative to alternatives
