You’ll never need to charge these new wireless earbuds – at least not with cables
Rise like a Phoenix
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Swedish audiomaker Urbanista has lifted the lid on a new pair of true wireless earbuds with a charging case that can run solely on solar power.
Following the release of theUrbanista Los Angelesover-ear headphoneslast year, the brand has applied a similar design philosophy to its all-new Phoenix wireless earbuds, which promise to do away with the need for restrictive cords and charging cables thanks to a case that continuously recharges when exposed to all forms of outdoor or indoor light.
Given just how effective the Los Angeles’ charging technology proved to be on testing, we’re less skeptical about the Phoenix’s claim to being the world’s first solar-poweredtrue wireless earbudsthan we otherwise might’ve been. Still, it’s worth pointing out that the need to expose theircaseto sunlight (i.e. the part that normally stays in your pocket) is a big disadvantage compared to the Los Angeles’ setup, where the headband houses the all-important solar panels.
The earphones themselves are no slouch, though. The Phoenix feature hybrid active noise cancelling and noise reduction microphones that filter out ambient sounds – including a transparency mode akin toApple’sAirPods Proearbuds – while they also boast a playtime of eight hours and a total battery reserve of 32 hours (which are both pretty good figures in today’s market).
They’ve got a neat automatic power off feature, too, as well as touch controls, voice assistant support, IPX4 sweat-resistance and USB type-C charging (should you happen to find yourself in a solar eclipse).
As for their appearance, the Phoenix come in two colorways: Midnight Black (black) and Desert Rose (pink). And, while they’re not the most inventive-looking earbuds, their AirPods-esque shape and custom fit silicon tips are very much of the era.
Price-wise, Urbanista’s latest buds will retail for $149 / £129 (around AU$220), which puts them right in the mid-range bracket in line with the likes of theBeat Studio Buds– but their novelty value as the world’s first solar-powered wireless earphones could give them the edge over the competition.
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We’ll be testing the Urbanista Phoenix as soon as they become available, so we’ll be able to make a proper assessment of their value then. When that’ll be, though, is anyone’s guess. There’s been no official word just yet on when the new earbuds will hit the market, but Urbanista has opened asign-up page on its websiteshould you wish to keep track of announcements.
For more Urbanista-related goodness, check out our reviews of theUrbanista Miamiover-ears andUrbanista Stockholmtrue wireless earbuds.
Axel is TechRadar’s UK-based Phones Editor, reporting on everything from the latest Apple developments to newest AI breakthroughs as part of the site’s Mobile Computing vertical. Having previously written for publications including Esquire and FourFourTwo, Axel is well-versed in the applications of technology beyond the desktop, and his coverage extends from general reporting and analysis to in-depth interviews and opinion.
Axel studied for a degree in English Literature at the University of Warwick before joining TechRadar in 2020, where he then earned an NCTJ qualification as part of the company’s inaugural digital training scheme.
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