Mivi is a relatively new player in the TWS segment but it has taken no time to create a solid portfolio of products. Predominantly operating in the entry-level TWS category, the Indian tech outfit is known for offering a bang for your buck. Its latest release, the DuoPods i7 claims to deliver just that. We have been using this TWS for the last week, primarily for music and media consumption along with video calling and even a bit of gaming. Here is our in-depth review of the Mivi DuoPods i7.

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Mivi DuoPods i7 Review: Design

Here’s what you get inside the DuoPods i7 retail box:

• Charging case with wireless earbuds inside
• Two pairs of extra ear tips
• USB Type-A to Type-C charging cable
• User documentation

The TWS is available in seven colour options – Blue, White, Black, Orange, Green, and Purple. We used the green colour variant of this review. The oval charging case is made entirely out of plastic and has a transparent lid. This lid is prone to scratches. After a week of use, our review unit collected a significant amount of scratches.

The hinge of the case is strong and the lid can be lifted easily using a single finger. The USB charging port is positioned right below the hinge. The case does not roll off when placed on a flat surface. Despite getting scratched up, it can survive rugged use.

There are four miniature LED notification lights in the inner panel of the charging case. This array acts as a battery indicator for the case. You can see these lights through the transparent lid. The wireless earbuds are magnetically locked into their respective cutouts, but a harsh jerk can dislodge them from their native position.

The earbuds follow the traditional in-ear design language. They fit nicely into the ear and offer a decent level of passive noise cancellation. The tapering stem attached to the earbuds is something we really like about this design. This stem is broad at the top, allowing you to adjust the buds without accidentally triggering the touch controls. The glossy panel covering the stem contributes to the aesthetic value of the product.

The Mivi DuoPods i7 rock an IPX4 rating for dust and water protection. We wore the earbuds while working out and were pleased to see the fit remained snug even in sweaty conditions. The performance was unfazed by excessive sweat too.

Mivi DuoPods i7 Review: Performance

Producing the audio output on the DuoPods i7 are 13mm hi-fidelity drivers. The earbuds support Bluetooth 5.3 and AAC codec. While there is no pairing button in the charging case, the earbuds automatically enter pairing mode when you pull them out of their respective cutouts. Connecting them to your device is a seamless process that doesn’t take more than a few seconds.

If you enjoy a bass-centric soundstage, you’re going to love what Mivi DuoPods i7 has to offer. The audio output is enveloped by a blanket of bass, adding something extra to every thump. The bass notes stand out in the mix. The mid and high frequencies are crisp and well represented in the soundstage but they come with a heavy dollop of bass on the side. Since Mivi does not have a companion app for its TWS products yet, this is the only sound profile you can access on the DuoPods i7. What surprised us about the DuoPods i7 is how loud it can get. The audio output suffers very little distortion at the maximum volume level.

Neutral-sounding wireless earbuds are a rarity in this price range, but if you don’t want the soundstage to be dominated by the bass, there are better options for you. The DuoPods i7 are specially engineered to produce a thumping output. We suggest going through Mivi’s catalogue and checking out other close-to-neutral TWS products.

The calling experience on the DuoPods i7 is passable, but it has all the shortcomings we expect from a TWS in this price range. In an indoor setting, the AI ENC tech does well to curb the surrounding noise and relay clear audio over phone calls, but the call quality takes a hit in outdoor conditions.

There is a handy low-latency mode on this TWS as well. It can be enabled by tapping the left earbud three times. We would have liked more accessible controls, but there is no way to remap the touch gestures on the earbuds as they do not have a companion app yet. However, once enabled, the low-latency mode worked well to minimise the audio lag while gaming and watching videos.

Mivi claims a combined battery life of 55 hours on the DuoPods i7, with the earbuds lasting 8.5 hours on a single charge. During the review period, we used the Mivi DuoPods i7 for 4-5 hours every day and it lasted just over a week. With a USB Type-C charger, you can get 500 minutes of playtime with just a 10-minute charge.

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Verdict

If you’re a basshead, the Mivi DuoPods i7 are worth the Rs 1,500 price tag. We have yet to try a pair of wireless earbuds with more powerful bass than the DuoPods i7 in this category. Despite the boosted bass, the audio output has a crispness to it. As far as the listening experience goes, the DuoPods i7 is on the money. It is only dragged down by the lack of a companion app. We would have liked the option to choose from different sound profiles and remap the touch controls on the earbuds.

Mivi DuoPods i7: Pros

• Nice design
• Powerful bass
• Good battery life

Mivi DuoPods i7: Cons

• Doesn’t have a companion app
• The transparent lid gets scratched easily

The post Mivi DuoPods i7 Review: Elegant design meets thumping audio output appeared first on Gadget Bridge by Utkarsh Joshi.