Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro Wi-Fi: The Next Evolution of Wireless Audio and why it is important for HIFI

The first wireless earbuds to stream over both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth—delivering true high-resolution audio.

The world of wireless audio is taking a major leap forward with Xiaomi’s Buds 5 Pro Wi-Fi, the first wireless earbuds powered by Qualcomm’s S7 Pro chip that support both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi streaming.

Why does this matter? Wi-Fi streaming unlocks high-resolution, lossless audio that Bluetooth simply can’t match. While most earbuds, including Sonos’s Ace headphones, remain limited to Bluetooth, the Buds 5 Pro Wi-Fi break that barrier, offering studio-quality sound up to 24-bit/96kHz with a transmission rate of 4.2 Mbps—far exceeding even the best Bluetooth codecs.

The Future of Wireless Audio

At Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025, Xiaomi introduced these groundbreaking earbuds that intelligently switch between Wi-Fi and Bluetooth:

✅ At Home (Wi-Fi Mode) – Experience lossless, high-resolution audio with 4.2 Mbps streaming—a significant leap over Bluetooth’s limitations.

✅ On the Go (Bluetooth Mode) – The earbuds support aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless, ensuring premium sound quality even outside of Wi-Fi networks.

How Do They Compare to Bluetooth?

Codec	Max Bitrate	Audio Quality
aptX Adaptive	420 kbps	Good
aptX HD	576 kbps	Better
LDAC	990 kbps	High-Resolution
aptX Lossless	1,411 kbps	CD-Quality Lossless
Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro Wi-Fi (Wi-Fi Mode)	4,200 kbps	True Hi-Res (24-bit/96kHz) 🎵

With more than 4x the bitrate of aptX Lossless, the Buds 5 Pro Wi-Fi deliver an unprecedented level of clarity and detail in wireless audio.

The Catch? Limited Compatibility

While the Buds 5 Pro Wi-Fi are a breakthrough in wireless audio, there are a few caveats:

🚫 Only Works with Select Phones – To unlock Wi-Fi streaming, you’ll need a Qualcomm flagship-powered smartphone. Currently, only Xiaomi’s own Xiaomi 15 and Xiaomi 15 Ultra are compatible.

🚫 Not Available in the U.S. (Yet) – The Buds 5 Pro Wi-Fi are launching in Europe for £190 (~$240), but Xiaomi hasn’t announced plans for a U.S. release.

🚫 Lossless Streaming Service Required – To fully enjoy high-resolution audio, you’ll need a lossless music streaming subscription.

What’s Next for Wi-Fi Audio?

Although Apple’s AirPods and other flagship earbuds haven’t yet adopted Wi-Fi streaming, this breakthrough by Xiaomi paves the way for future innovations. If Wi-Fi-enabled audio becomes more mainstream, we could eventually see Apple, Sony, and other brands follow suit.

For now, the Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro Wi-Fi offer a glimpse into the next generation of wireless audio, proving that lossless sound is finally possible without wires.

Would you switch to Wi-Fi-powered earbuds for superior sound?