Huawei FreeClip 2 S announced alongside the MatePad Air (2026)
At its event in Malaysia, Huawei announced not just its Pura 90s series flagship phones, but also the FreeClip 2 S Signature Edition and the MatePad Air (2026). Both the FreeClips and the MatePad are not entirely generational upgrades but more like a refresh.
FreeClip 2 S Signature Edition
Let's start with the FreeClip 2 S buds, which are still rocking dual-diaphragm drivers, three mics used for noise cancellation and up to 9 hours of playback. Throw in the case, and you get 38 hours of total listening time.
What's new here is the updated Adaptive Volume algorithm. The buds rely on Huawei's third-generation audio chip with a dedicated NPU for AI processing. This allows the buds to support features like real-time awareness and adjust the volume and your voice during calls on the fly. For example, the buds can detect the ambient sound and adjust the volume as the environment changes. That's particularly useful for open buds like the FreeClip 2 S since they don't have passive noise isolation and require reaching for the volume rocker more often than not.
FreeClip 2 S Signature Edition
The color options are also new, as the FreeClip 2 S comes in Deepsea Blue and Space Silver. Additionally, the new buds can be bought with additional clip-on accessories designed by the French jewelry house, Les Néréides. They give a completely different look to the FreeClips 2 S, and the new charging case is slightly bigger and designed in a way to accommodate the accessory clip-ons.
FreeClip 2 S clip-on accessories
Moving onto the MatePad Air (2026), which offers only a few upgrades over its 2025 predecessor. The most notable change is the display. It now adopts the same PaperMatte OLED display as the higher-tier MatePad Pro series, which is the first such display for the MatePad Air lineup. It has a matte coating, making it ideal not just for productivity but for reading as well. A big step up from the LCD panel that the previous generations used. The screen still measures 12" in diagonal and offers a 144Hz refresh rate and 2800 x 1840px resolution.
Alternatively, Huawei will sell you the MatePad Air without the PaperMatte display in case you are trying to fit a budget.
The battery capacity remains unchanged as well - 10,100 mAh with 66W fast charging. The Kirin T93C chipset sits behind the wheel and allows "Pro-level AI features" that help boost productivity and creativity.
MatePad Air (2026)
Huawei also highlights some design changes like thinner bezels, a thinner profile (5.3mm) and new colors. The colors in question are Airy Blue, Sakura Pink and White. The device will be available for €849 for the 8GB/256GB, non-PaperMatte variant, but it comes with a keyboard. For €50 more, you get the PaperMatte Edition, again with a keyboard or an M-Pencil Pro - your choice. The 12GB RAM variant's pricing is a bit steeper - €999 with just a keyboard.
The FreeClip 2 S will be available for £169 starting July 14 until August 17, but the actual price is £199. There's also a limited-edition bundle for £199 that includes a pair of Les Néréides clip-ons.
