Welcome to our in-depth review of the Lenovo XT85II, the latest addition to Lenovo’s thinkplus XT series of in-ear wireless earbuds. Designed specifically for gaming enthusiasts, and combines a bold gaming design with outstanding specifications and features, all while remaining budget-friendly. In this detailed analysis, we will explore every aspect of these earbuds, from their design and build quality to their audio performance, battery life, connectivity options, and user experience.
The Lenovo XT85II is a remarkable addition to the world of wireless earbuds, offering a combination of affordability, impressive audio quality, minimal delay, and a comfortable fit. These earbuds aim to deliver an immersive audio experience without breaking the bank. In the following sections of this review, we will delve deeper into each aspect of the XT85II, providing you with comprehensive insights to help you make an informed decision. So, let’s continue our exploration and uncover the true potential of the Lenovo XT85II wireless earbuds and what makes it a standout choice in the crowded market of low-cost wireless earbuds.
Lenovo XT85II Features
- Gaming Design With LED Lighting
- 13mm Dynamic Driver
- Touch control, Easy to use
- Bluetooth Chipset V5.3
- Game mode & Music mode
- 30ms Ultra-Low Latency
- Up to 20h Long playtime
- Quite HD calling
- Voice Assistance
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Unboxing
Starting with the unboxing experience, the XT85 earbuds arrive in a lightweight box that leaves much to be desired. The lightness of the box raises initial doubts about the earbuds’ build quality. However, the box design itself is aesthetically pleasing, featuring the Lenovo logo and branding. Inside the box, you’ll find the earbuds, charging cables, different-sized earbud connections, a user manual, and a sticker. While the inclusion of these accessories is standard, it’s important to note that the overall presentation lacks the premium feel typically associated with higher-end earbuds.
Design And Build Quality
Charging Case
When it comes to the design and build quality of the Lenovo XT85II wireless earbuds, Lenovo has managed to strike a fine balance between aesthetics and durability, resulting in a product that stands out in terms of both form and function. The case of the Lenovo XT85II wireless earbuds is an essential component that complements the earbuds themselves. It serves multiple functions, including storage, protection, and charging. The case is compact and lightweight, making it easy to carry in pockets, bags, or purses. Its sleek design and matte finish give it a sophisticated and modern look. The sturdy construction of the case provides durability, ensuring that the earbuds are well-protected during transport and storage.
LED lights are a standout feature of the Lenovo XT85II wireless earbuds, adding a touch of visual appeal to the overall user experience. The case is equipped with LED lights that enhance its aesthetic appeal and provide a distinctive gaming style. The LED lights are strategically placed on the outer surface of the case, creating an attractive visual effect when in use. This feature adds a sense of flair and uniqueness to the earbuds, making them visually appealing and eye-catching.
The magnets ensure a secure connection, preventing accidental slips or falls that could potentially damage the earbuds. Additionally, the magnets automatically initiate the charging process as soon as the earbuds are placed inside the case, making it a hassle-free experience for users.
And just like most products of this line, it’s nice to have a USB-C on the back at this price range.
The Earbuds
Starting with the design of the earbuds, the XT85ii boasts a sleek and compact profile that exudes a modern and stylish appeal. The earbuds feature a smooth and streamlined shape, with a combination of matte and glossy finishes that add a touch of sophistication. The earbuds feature modified stems with subtle curves, offering a secure and comfortable fit for most users. However, some individuals with smaller ears might find the inner part slightly oversized, which can lead to a sensation of mild pressure during extended usage periods. Despite this, the earbuds provide excellent sound isolation, allowing users to immerse themselves in their favorite audio content.
The ergonomic design of the XT85II adds to its overall appeal. Lenovo has taken into consideration the comfort of the users by providing multiple ear tip sizes. This allows you to find the perfect fit that suits your ears, ensuring a secure and comfortable seal. The earbuds sit snugly in your ears, preventing any discomfort or fatigue even during extended listening sessions.
On the end of the elongated neck, there are two microphones, one at the end of the metallic ring and one near the speaker, which is responsible for reducing ambient noise for good and clear sound reception during calls and accurately distinguishing between the human voice and noise, it’s worth mentioning that this earbud doesn’t come with noise-canceling technology, except that because of the way it’s built, it’s impossible to hear your surroundings at a certain high volume.
Another aspect of the design that deserves mention is the intuitive touch controls. The XT85II features touch-sensitive panels on each earbud, allowing you to control your music playback, adjust the volume, answer or reject calls, and even activate voice assistants with a simple tap or swipe. This eliminates the need to fumble with buttons or reach for your device, providing a seamless and convenient user experience.
Build Quality
In terms of build quality, Lenovo has spared no expense in ensuring the longevity and durability of the XT85II. The earbuds are constructed using high-quality materials that can withstand the rigors of daily use. The housing is sturdy and well-built, providing protection against accidental drops or impacts. The attention to detail is evident in the precise assembly and tight fit of the components, ensuring a solid and reliable structure.
While the Lenovo XT85II wireless earbuds excel in design and build quality, there are a few potential disadvantages worth noting. One aspect that some users may find as a drawback is the predominantly plastic construction of the earbuds. While the materials used are durable and well-built, the extensive use of plastic may give the earbuds a slightly less premium feel compared to models that incorporate more metal or premium materials. However, it’s important to note that the use of plastic helps in keeping the overall weight of the earbuds light and contributes to their affordability.
Touch Controls and Functionality
The Lenovo XT85II wireless earbuds come equipped with intuitive touch controls, providing users with a seamless control over their audio playback, calls, and other functionalities. The touch-sensitive surfaces on the earbuds allow for easy and convenient operation, eliminating the need for physical buttons and enhancing the overall user experience. Let’s delve into the touch controls and functionality offered by the Lenovo XT85II:
- To play the previous song, simply continuously short-touch of the left ear three times.
- For the next song, continuously short-touch of the right ear three times.
- To + volume, continuously short-touch of the right ear twice.
- To – volume, continuously short-touch of the left ear twice.
- Pause or play the music with a short touch on any earphone.
- Answer an incoming call by performing a short touch on any earphone.
- To reject an incoming call, perform a long touch on any earphone for 2 seconds.
- End the call and hang up by briefly touching any ear once when the phone is connected.
- Activate the voice assistant by performing a long touch on the left ear for 2 seconds.
- Switch between game mode and music mode by performing a long touch on the right ear for 2 seconds to enter the game mode, and another touch for 2 seconds to enter the music mode.
How To Pair Lenovo XT85II
With the Lenovo XT85II and its advanced Bluetooth 5.3 technology chip, the pairing has never been easier. This earbud is compatible with a wide range of devices, including Android, iPhone, Windows, and MAC OS, ensuring a seamless connection experience regardless of your platform. You’ll enjoy hassle-free pairing just like you would on a higher-end device, thanks to the improved Bluetooth capabilities. The Bluetooth 5.3 technology not only enhances pairing convenience but also contributes to the earbuds’ impressive battery life. Its power-efficient design ensures that you can enjoy extended listening sessions without worrying about frequent recharging.
In terms of audio codecs, the XT85II supports popular options such as SBC and AAC. While aptX, known for its superior sound quality, is not available in this price category, the inclusion of AAC ensures a better audio experience compared to standard SBC. AAC delivers enhanced clarity and detail, while SBC prioritizes power efficiency, helping to conserve battery life.
The integrated chip allows the earbuds to maintain a stable connection within a distance of up to 10 meters from the paired device, providing you with freedom of movement while enjoying your favorite content. While the claimed range is impressive, it’s worth noting that obstacles like thin walls may slightly affect the actual distance. In real-world tests, the signal strength can be reduced by approximately 50% when obstacles are present. Nonetheless, the Lenovo XT85II still offers a reliable wireless connection for everyday use.
If you’ve used other Lenovo earbud models, such as the GM2 Pro or XT81, you’ll find the connectivity process familiar and convenient, you will have to follow these few steps:
- Make sure that the earbuds are charged enough.
- Take the XT85II out of the charging case, they are now in pairing mode.
- Turn ON Bluetooth on your smartphone and search for available devices.
- Once you find Lenovo XT85II, click on it and the pair is done.
This initial pairing process is manual and needs to be done only once. Subsequently, whenever Bluetooth is enabled, the earbuds will seamlessly connect to your device once you remove them from the charging case. This automatic and swift connection ensures a hassle-free experience, allowing you to quickly start using the earbuds.
Lenovo XT85II – Audio Quality
The sound quality of the Lenovo XT85II wireless earbuds is a key factor in determining their overall performance and user satisfaction. These earbuds are designed to provide an exceptional audio experience across various types of content, ranging from music and movies to phone calls and podcasts. The XT85II earbuds feature 10mm dynamic drivers that produce a well-balanced sound signature, with a focus on clear midrange frequencies and a decent amount of bass response. The overall sound reproduction is satisfactory, providing an immersive listening experience across various genres of music. The drivers are engineered to reproduce audio with precision, ensuring that every note and detail is accurately conveyed to the listener’s ears.
While the bass response is present, it may not offer the deep, thumping sensation that bass enthusiasts crave. It’s important to note that the distortion is most noticeable when the volume is pushed to its maximum, and at lower volume levels, the sound quality remains decent. However, considering the affordable price point of the XT85II, the overall sound quality is commendable and offers a good balance between lows, mids, and highs.
- One notable aspect of the sound quality is the well-balanced frequency response. The earbuds offer a wide frequency range, allowing them to reproduce low, mid, and high frequencies with clarity and accuracy. The bass response is particularly impressive, delivering deep and impactful lows without overpowering the other frequencies. This adds a sense of depth and richness to the overall sound, making music and other content more enjoyable to listen to.
- The mid-range frequencies, which are crucial for vocals and instruments, are well-presented on the XT85II. The earbuds offer clear and natural-sounding vocals, allowing listeners to fully appreciate the nuances and emotions in their favorite songs. Instruments are also reproduced with detail and accuracy, providing a realistic and engaging listening experience.
- When it comes to high frequencies, it is worth noting that the earbuds struggled slightly in reproducing higher frequencies, resulting in a slight loss of detail in the treble region. While this might not be noticeable to casual listeners, audiophiles might find this aspect slightly underwhelming.
The overall audio quality is pleasing, making the Lenovo ThinkPlus XT85II an excellent companion for various media consumption activities. But, It’s important to note that sound quality can be subjective, as individual preferences and hearing capabilities vary. However, the XT85II wireless earbuds have been engineered to deliver a high standard of sound quality that satisfies the majority of users. So, it’s essential to manage expectations and remember that the XT85 2 delivers sound quality that aligns with its price point.
Lenovo XT85II – AI Noise Reduction
The Lenovo Lenovo XT85II wireless earphones not only offer impressive sound quality but also come equipped with AI noise reduction technology, making them stand out in their category. This advanced feature effectively reduces ambient noise, providing users with a more immersive and enjoyable listening experience. The technology is capable of filtering out up to 70% of external noise, ensuring that your audio remains clear and undisturbed.
However, it’s important to note that the earphones rely on a dedicated microphone for this noise reduction feature rather than full noise cancellation. While it significantly reduces ambient noise, it’s not as effective as higher-end models that offer complete noise cancellation. As a result, you may still hear some minor background noises and unnecessary low frequencies. Despite this limitation, the AI noise reduction of the XT85II creates a clean acoustic environment, which is quite impressive considering its price range. It provides a noticeable impact on sound quality by minimizing external distractions. It’s important to manage expectations and understand that it won’t deliver the same level of noise cancellation as more expensive headphones from established brands.
Microphone Quality & Bluetooth Calling
The microphone quality is often overlooked when it comes to affordable wireless headphones, and even major brands like Lenovo tend to provide limited information about their microphone capabilities. However, upon testing the Lenovo XT85II, I found that the microphone quality was surprisingly good, especially considering its budget-friendly price point. With a microphone on each earbud, allowing you to conveniently take calls without having to reach for your phone. In quiet environments such as a room or an office, the microphone performs exceptionally well, delivering clear and loud audio to the other side with minimal echo or distortion. It ensures that your voice is transmitted effectively and without any noticeable delays or interruptions.
Although the XT85II lacks noise cancellation, it still performs admirably with AI Noise Reduction. However, in complex environments with significant background noise, the microphone’s performance may be affected, and the recipients on the other end may encounter difficulties in hearing you clearly. Depending on the level of surrounding noise, it might even become impossible for your voice to be heard effectively. It’s important to note that even higher-priced wireless earphones face challenges in offering excellent microphone quality for calls, let alone more affordable options.
Considering the price range, the Lenovo XT85II excels in this department, providing a reliable and satisfactory microphone performance. While it may not rival the microphone quality of premium wireless earphones, it does an impressive job for its category. Whether you’re taking calls in quiet environments or dealing with moderate background noise, the XT85II offers a dependable microphone that you can count on for clear and uninterrupted communication.
Low-Latency & Gaming
The Lenovo XT85II is marketed as a gaming headphone, and while many products make similar claims without delivering, the XT85II stands out by actually living up to its promise. It incorporates a fast Bluetooth 5.3 chip and a dedicated game mode that can be activated by long tapping on the right earphone. With a remarkably low latency of 30ms in game mode, the XT85II is well-suited for gaming, especially on smartphones. Considering its affordable price point, the minimal delay of approximately 0.5 seconds in online games such as PUBG or COD is hardly noticeable unless you specifically pay extra attention. This minor lag is quite common among wireless headphones in this price range, so it won’t pose a significant issue for regular mobile gamers or even PC gamers.
When it comes to content consumption, the XT85II excels not only in sound quality but also in synchronization between audio and video. Whether you’re watching Netflix, YouTube, or HBO, the earphones exhibit no noticeable delay, ensuring perfect lip-synching throughout. This seamless synchronization between audio and video is exactly what users desire, and the XT85II delivers on that front, providing an optimal experience for multimedia consumption.
Lenovo XT85II Battery Life and Usage
The Lenovo XT85 2 is equipped with a 40mAh battery capacity in each earbud, providing an impressive battery life of approximately 4-5 hours of continuous usage depending on the volume level and usage patterns. This means you can enjoy your favorite music, podcasts, or calls without worrying about running out of battery too quickly.
To enhance the overall battery life and convenience, the Lenovo XT85II comes with a charging case that features a 300mAh battery. This compact and portable case serves as a power bank for your earbuds, allowing you to recharge them on the go. With the charging case, you can enjoy multiple additional charges, extending the total battery life up to 20 hours on a single charge. This means you can confidently use the earbuds throughout the day without worrying about finding a power source. Additionally, the charging case features the widely-used USB Type-C charging port, which offers faster charging speeds and a more reliable connection compared to traditional charging ports. It takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours to full charging.
When charging the Lenovo XT85 2, the indicator light on the charging case will flash red to indicate that it is actively charging. Once the charging process is complete, the indicator light on the charging case will turn solid red, indicating that the case is fully charged. This provides a visual indication of the charging status, allowing you to know when the charging case is ready for use.
Final Verdict
In conclusion, the Lenovo XT85II offers an impressive set of features and performance at an affordable price point. With its sleek design, gaming-inspired LED lighting, comfortable fit, and solid build quality, it provides a satisfying user experience. The sound quality is commendable, with balanced audio reproduction and the added benefit of AI noise-reduction technology.
While the battery life is better than other models from the same series, the inclusion of a charging case helps extend the usage time and offers convenient on-the-go charging. The touch controls and functionality provide easy access to various functions, enhancing the overall usability of the earbuds. The microphone quality is surprisingly good for its price range, delivering clear and loud audio during calls. The gaming mode and low latency performance make it a suitable choice for mobile gamers, ensuring an immersive and lag-free gaming experience. However, it’s worth noting that the Lenovo XT85 2 may not match the premium offerings from established brands in terms of noise cancellation or absolute sound quality. Also, there are minor drawbacks, such as the plastic casing and slightly restrained bass response, they are easily outweighed by the device’s overall performance and affordability.
Overall, if you’re looking for an affordable pair of wireless earbuds that deliver satisfactory sound quality, comfort, and convenience, the Lenovo XT85II is a worthy option to consider. It offers a good balance of features and performance, making it a solid choice for everyday use, whether it’s for listening to music, taking calls, or gaming on the go.
Lenovo XT85II Price And Where To Buy
The Lenovo XT85II earbuds are currently available at an excellent price on the AliExpress Store. This is a fantastic opportunity to grab a pair of these earbuds at a great deal. To check the price or make a purchase, simply click on the store icon to access the offer. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to get your hands on these high-quality earbuds at an affordable price.
What’s in the Box?
- Lenovo XT85II Bluetooth Earbuds
- Charging Box
- USB-C Charging Cable
- Manual
Lenovo XT85II Specifications
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Product Name | Lenovo XT85II |
| Driver Size | 13mm |
| Bluetooth Version | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Transmission Distance | 8-10m |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz – 20kHz |
| Charging Interface | Type-C |
| Microphone Sensitivity | -42dB ± 3dB |
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio | ≥102dB |
| Distortion | ≤5% |
| Speaker Impedance | 320Ω ± 15% |
| Battery Capacity (Earbuds) | 40mAh |
| Battery Capacity (Case) | 300mAh |
| Playback Time (Single Charge) | 4-5 hours |
| Total Playback Time (with Case) | Up to 20 hours |
| Charging Time | 1.5-2 hours |
| Noise Reduction | AI Noise Reduction Technology |
| Game Mode | Yes (30ms low latency) |
| Voice Assistant Support | Yes |
| Compatibility | iOS and Android devices |
