Q16 Pro Hands-On: New Open Ear Earbuds With Touch Screen

Open-ear headphones are becoming quite the buzzword in the market of personal audio devices. People are constantly looking for that perfect mix of comfort, quality, and price, and this is where open-ear designs come into the spotlight. The Q16 Pro LCD Open-Ear True Wireless Earbuds aim to deliver a fresh take on wireless audio. These earbuds come packed with unique features like a touchscreen case, ergonomic design, and an impressive 50-hour playtime—all for just $39.99.

That price tag alone grabs attention, but let’s not forget what these headphones promise. From better fit for long-term use, eliminating the discomfort of traditional in-ear designs, to providing an easy-to-use interface via an LCD screen, the Q16 Pro claims to check many boxes. However, with budget options, there’s always a trade-off. Are these earbuds truly a game-changer, or are they just another gimmick-filled gadget?

Design and Comfort

The Q16 Pro earbuds are undeniably different from your average wireless earbuds. With their open-ear design and ear-hook style, these earbuds are tailored for those who dislike the “plugged-in” feeling of traditional in-ear models. Instead of fitting snugly inside the ear canal, the Q16 Pro rests gently on top of your ear, offering a breathable and lightweight experience.

The ergonomic ear hooks are a standout feature. They provide a secure fit without feeling too tight, making them perfect for those who need their earbuds to stay put during workouts or runs. During testing, even vigorous movements like head shakes or quick sprints didn’t dislodge them. It’s a design decision that seamlessly blends functionality with comfort.

Comfort-wise, the Q16 Pro performs well in scenarios like prolonged listening sessions. Even after hours of use, there’s no ear fatigue—something in-ear models often struggle with. The lightweight design ensures that they remain barely noticeable while worn. However, the open-ear design does come with sound leakage, meaning people nearby might hear your music at higher volumes, and external noise isn’t fully blocked.

One downside, however, is the bulkiness of the earbuds and their charging case. Although sturdy and feature-packed with its LCD touchscreen, the case is significantly larger than most competitors. While it’s not a deal-breaker, carrying it in smaller pockets or bags could feel cumbersome. On the flip side, the added space comes with benefits, such as more battery capacity and convenient controls directly on the case.

Usability

When it comes to usability, the Q16 Pro earbuds take an unconventional approach that may divide opinions. One of the standout features is the LCD touchscreen on the charging case. This screen allows you to control various functions like music playback, calls, and even settings like personalization and sound effects. While this sounds innovative, the execution feels a bit outdated. today, most of us are accustomed to controlling our devices through intuitive apps on our smartphones, making the touchscreen on the case feel somewhat redundant.

Pairing the earbuds with your device is straightforward, thanks to Bluetooth 5.4. The connection is stable within a range of up to 33 feet, making it convenient for everyday use. Once paired, the earbuds automatically reconnect when taken out of the case, which is a nice touch. However, certain advanced features require using the companion app, which unfortunately falls short in terms of user experience. The app is plagued by login requirements, ads, and a lack of polish, leaving many people—including me—skeptical about its overall security and reliability.

Controlling the earbuds directly is another mixed experience. While the touchscreen on the case offers functionality like dialing calls, changing music tracks, and adjusting sound profiles, it can be fiddly and unresponsive at times. Additionally, carrying around a relatively large case just to access these features can be inconvenient. The lack of integration with a fully functional app makes these features less practical than they initially appear.

In simpler scenarios, like answering calls or playing music, the earbuds perform well enough without relying on the additional features. They are more of a “pick up and play” type of device for users who prefer simplicity over flashy extras. If you’re willing to overlook the clunky app and bulky case, the Q16 Pro still provides basic usability without major hiccups.

Performance

The performance of the Q16 Pro earbuds is, in a word, decent. Starting with sound quality, these earbuds deliver a balanced audio profile that’s good enough for casual listening but not exceptional. The dual 15.2 mm air conduction drivers produce clear mids and highs, but the bass can feel a bit underwhelming. At higher volumes, distortion becomes noticeable, particularly in bass-heavy tracks. For a $39.99 pair of earbuds, expecting premium sound quality would be unrealistic, but the Q16 Pro offers a fair listening experience within its budget category.

Call quality is another area where the Q16 Pro struggles to impress. While the built-in mic ensures your voice is audible, it doesn’t isolate background noise effectively. During test calls, recipients reported a speakerphone-like sound quality, where ambient noise and echoes were noticeable. In quiet environments, the call quality is acceptable, but in noisier settings, it leaves much to be desired.

One unique feature of the Q16 Pro is the open-ear design. This makes them perfect for situations where you need to stay aware of your surroundings, such as outdoor runs or gym sessions. However, this same design leads to sound leakage. If you’re in a quiet room with the volume turned up, people nearby may hear your music, which might not be ideal in every scenario.

Battery Life and Charging

Battery life is where the Q16 Pro earbuds truly shine, making them a reliable choice for long listening sessions. The earbuds themselves offer up to 8 hours of playtime on a single charge, which is competitive in the budget earbud segment. When combined with the charging case, you can expect an impressive total of 50 hours of playtime.

Charging the case is straightforward; it supports both USB-C and fast charging, allowing you to top up the battery quickly. During tests, the case took just under 2 hours to fully charge, while a 10-minute charge was enough to power the earbuds for a couple of hours—a useful feature for those always on the move. The case’s LED display provides real-time information about the remaining battery levels, ensuring you’re never caught off guard.

Final Thoughts

For $39.99, the Q16 Pro earbuds deliver a mix of features that are hard to ignore in the budget category. From their unique open-ear design and ergonomic fit to the long battery life and touchscreen functionality, they pack in quite a lot for the price. While the sound quality and app experience leaves room for improvement, the value they offer is commendable.

Compared to other earbuds in the same price range, the Q16 Pro stands out for its innovation, even if some features—like the touchscreen and bulky design—might feel more like novelties than essentials. If your priority is comfort, battery life, and affordability, these earbuds are a solid choice.

However, if sound quality, noise cancellation, or premium app integration are your top priorities, you might want to consider investing in a slightly higher-priced pair of earbuds. The Q16 Pro excels as an entry-level option, particularly for those curious about open-ear designs without committing to a premium price.