Four New Earbuds Compete on Battery and Repair
Fairphone, JBL, Anker, and Bose each unveil earbud models with distinct features ranging from repairability to AI-transcribed recordings.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Consumer Electronics
Wallpaper reviewed new earbud models from Fairphone, JBL, Anker, and Bose, highlighting differences in design, battery life, and features. The Fairbuds 2 are the second generation of Fairphone's in-ear audio product and are designed to be more repairable than most earbuds.
Why it matters
The new models show manufacturers competing on repairability, battery endurance, and on-device intelligence rather than audio alone. Fairphone's focus on repair addresses the problem of electronic waste, of which only 22 per cent is recycled according to the company.
Fairbuds 2 are listed at £99 and offer 40 hours of battery life via the charge case, while the Anker Liberty 5 Pro Max costs £199.99 with a maximum combined listening time of 28 hours. The figures are manufacturer claims, and the review does not include independent battery testing.
The players
Fairphone
Fairphone is a Dutch company that designs smartphones and audio products with an emphasis on repairability and sustainability.
Bose
Bose is an American audio company known for noise-cancelling headphones and open-ear earbud designs.
Anker
Anker is a Chinese consumer electronics company best known for its Soundcore audio brand and power accessories.
JBL
JBL is an audio brand owned by Samsung that has long produced consumer speakers, headphones, and earbuds.
The details
Fairphone's Fairbuds 2 were tuned by Rotterdam-based studio Form Follows Frequency and are smaller, lighter, and more efficient than their predecessors. JBL's Live 4 family includes Beam 4, Buds 4, and Flex 4, with an updated Smart Charging Case featuring an inbuilt screen and JBL Smart OS 3.0. Anker's Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Max case has a 1.78-inch AMOLED screen and records audio and notes that are transcribed by AI, while Bose's Sport Open Earbuds use a soft silicone cuff and OpenAudio technology that relies on the air gap between bud and ear.
Timeline
November 3, 2026: Wallpaper published its review of the four earbud models.
The Tech Race
Bose's OpenAudio open-ear design, which uses the air gap between bud and ear rather than a sealed fit, sets a different path from the sealed in-ear models in this roundup. Fairphone's repairable Fairbuds 2 and Anker's AI-transcribing case push competitors to add longevity and on-device intelligence to earbuds.
Buyers choosing between these models face a trade-off between the Fairbuds 2's repairability and 40-hour battery at £99 and the Anker's AI notes and screen at £199.99. The Bose open-ear design may suit users who want to hear their surroundings, though its IP54 rating limits it to sweat and splash resistance.
The takeaway
Battery life, repairability, and smart features are becoming the main differentiators in earbuds, not only sound quality. Readers weighing a purchase should compare the stated battery and price figures against their own listening habits.
Further reading
Explore more Consumer Electronics coverage for context on how audio products are evolving.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Wallpaper*.
