Since Apple decided to ditch the 3.5mm headphone jack a few years ago, the industry has seemingly followed suit. Today, devices with this versatile yet antiquated port are becoming a novelty. Only enthusiast devices and low-end devices come with this port today.
For the most part, the industry has embraced true wireless earphones, aptly dubbed TWS. From smartphone OEMs to third-party companies and accessory brands, everyone seems to be making wireless earphones today with something for everyone.
Oraimo is a renowned smart accessories brand that is taking the African market by storm and their products don’t suck either. The prices are also pocket friendly with a few slam dunks over the past few years with the Oraimo Freepods 3 being one of these masterpieces we’ve seen to date.
Related:
- A Review of the Oraimo Freepods 2 Pro Earbuds
- Oraimo Freepods 3 Review: These Are the Ones To Get
Oraimo’s TWS portfolio is pretty well defined. We have had the Freepods lineup for the past few generations and most recently, we saw the launch of the Freepods Pro although these have been a little hard to come by. These offer active noise cancellation, and a far more premium design and this all comes at around $80.
The Oraimo Riff are the smallest and cheapest TWS from Oraimo and this begs the question, are these any good? Well, I have been using these for the past week or so and this is my full review of the Oraimo Riff True Wireless Earbuds.
Unboxing and Pairing
The unboxing experience for the oraimo Riff is not as elaborate as that for the Freepods 3 or even the Freepods Pro. You get a relatively simple but nice box. In it, you get the Oraimo Riff, a user guide, a short USB-C cable for charging, and two sets of replacement ear tips.
On opening the case, you find the two buds but you will first need to remove the plastic covering the charging pins for the buds to charge and to initiate the pairing process.
The first pairing is pretty simple. Open the charging/carrying case and open Bluetooth Settings on your nearby smartphone or PC. Locate the ‘ oraimo Riff’ from the list of available devices, tap on that and you’re done! You’ll hear ‘ Connected ‘ announced through the earbuds. That simple.
Build
The Riff comes in a plastic carrying case that is much smaller than its predecessors and should fit in the tightest of jeans pockets with no qualms. Of course, this also means they might be easy to lose so be careful. The case is glossy and scratches easily so that’s also something to bear in mind.
I haven’t seen any cases for the Oraimo Riff but I am sure you can find generic ones that’ll help you protect this little investment.
You want a set of wireless buds that are easy to have in your ears for extended periods of time without being uncomfortable. The Riffs are small buds with stem-style design and touchpoints to control playback.
The fit in-ear is pretty snug and they’re able to adequately isolate outside noise with little fuss. There are also the replacement ear tips so you can use whichever one makes a perfect fit with your ears so try these out before you settle with the medium size ones that come preinstalled.
The case charges via USB type C , finally!, and also has a reset button and an LED indicator at the bottom. Overall, a really nice and small case to hold in hand.
Connectivity
The Oraimo Riff supports Bluetooth 5.0 , the benefits of which can be found in this coverage of ours detailing what’s new with this standard. Other Oraimo TWS like the Freepods Pro and Freepods 3 support Bluetooth 5.2 so this is definitely one area Oraimo skimmed off a little.
The Riff also supports both AAC and SBC audio codecs so you should enjoy good quality sound regardless of which codec your device pumps out Bluetooth audio in.
Using the Riff to listen to tunes and podcasts from my phone and PC had little fuss but I have to add that the latency is massively perceivable, especially coming from the pricier offers from the same brand. Often times I’d crank up the volume and the right bud (master) would respond immediately but then the left bud (slave) would lag for a few seconds before it increased the volume as well.
Sound Quality
Well here’s the thing, we are not audiophiles so the technical terms used by sound engineers might elude us. But then a good pair of earphones just stands out and in testing the Oraimo Riff, I came to the table as a music junkie.
Below is a Spotify Playlist that I curated and used in testing these buds. The selection of tracks ranges from songs with heavy hip-hop bass to vocal ballads from Adele to test out the mids, and a few Amapiano tracks to test out the highs with their sneers.
Straight off the bat, the sound quality is pretty good. The bass is punchy and well-defined but it does not come close to the level of bass we saw with the Oraimo Freepods 3.
The mids are also crisp, if not a little flat. Listening to podcasts that are well produced is easy and chill without sounding shrill. The highs could use a little more definition but remains pretty passable.
On Heavy, California by Jungle, the Riff were able to keep up with the rather busy track with relative ease. The mids and highs were well defined but the bass came out a little muddy and not as earth-shaking as I’d have liked.
On Love Lockdown that we used to test out the Anker Soundcore Mini 3 , the low-end bass wasn’t gut-shaking either like we’ve seen on other TWS but that is like the absolute extreme scenario. The bass is still pretty well-defined, just not low enough.
The wide open stage and guitar on Khadja Nin’s Embargo were chill and crisp, perhaps the track that truly showed what the Riff is capable of. We doubt the average listener will have any issues with the sound quality, especially for the price.
Controls
like many other Oraimo-made TWS, the Riff also use touch controls on the stems. These taps can be used to involve various functions as follows.
- Two taps on either earbud plays and pauses music
- Two taps can also answer or end calls on either
- Long press for 1.5 seconds on left earbud goes to the previous track
- Long press for 1.5 seconds on the right skips forward one track.
- Triple tap on either bud to call up Google Assistant or Siri depending on which operating system you’re on.
In my testing, these functions were pretty responsive, and at ni point did I feel as though the buds were sluggish to pick up my taps. However, it takes a little bit of fumbling to get the sweet spot for the touch-sensitive areas of the buds but after nailing them, muscle memory takes over and these are pretty intuitive. Perhaps seeing as I have been using Oraimo buds in the past.
Call Quality
The Riff also comes with a set of mics and this allows you to record audio, voice notes and take calls. The call quality through these buds was solid for the most part but then there are better options out there.
Worth noting is that I ran into odd connectivity issues when using the oraimo Riff for WhatsApp and Google Meet calls where the person on the other end of the line felt like I was across the room as my voice was distant. I don’t know if this has something to do with my specific setup or the oraimo Riff but it is an issue nonetheless.
Battery Life
The best-sounding TWS is no good if the battery life cannot have you listen to your content in its entirety without having to charge them again. With that, battery life is just as important when we look at wireless earbuds.
The Oraimo Riff has a 35mAh on either bud and the carrying case houses another 300mAh. Like all TWS, the carrying case charges the earbuds when they’re not in use.
The Oraimo Riff earbuds are rated at 4 hours of playback per charge although your mileage might vary depending on your usage. In my case, these lasted me through an hour-long podcast and a few TV show episodes at around 70% volume.
This is more than enough for the average user as this is perhaps one of the most extreme use cases. Besides, 3-4 hours of use is pretty passable for such products so you should be just fine.
Equalizer
many of these little issues with these TWS emanate from the lack of a dedicated app that should help tune the EQ. I played around with a few tools on Android. the Poweramp Equalizer app proved rather useful as a third-party way of tweaking the equalizer on these buds.
I use Linux on my PC and PulseAudio also provided a robust way to tune the audio output on these TWS to my liking. Many PC OEMs have dedicated apps for their sound cards and these should also offer you more control over the sound from the Oraimo Riff.
Pricing and Availability
The Oraimo Riff has been in the market for the past couple of months and you should be able to grab a set of these from your nearest store with ease. They’re also available on multiple e-commerce platforms like Jumia and even from Oraimo’s official online marketplace .
They are available in 4 color options, Red, Green, Black, and White. These should run you a little over $20 (KES 2,500, 8,800 Naira, UGX 80,000).
Conclusion
That’s the Oraimo Riff for you. Now, should you shell out your hard-earned money for these? In my opinion, absolutely. For the price, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better deal. However, if you’re willing to part with an extra $10 or so, the Freepods 3 are still a more wholesome package and with the discounts going around online, those are a better deal.
Should you want the extra color options offered by the Riff, and not mind the hour less battery life compared to the Freepods 3, the Riffs are an unbeatable set of TWS.
I’m a tech enthusiast and digital explorer based in Kenya passionate about Android, Linux, and the world of custom ROMs. I love tinkering with devices to craft personalized, optimized experiences. When I’m not deep in code or tweaking gadgets, you’ll find me immersed in science fiction, philosophy, or writing about the ever-evolving tech landscape from an African perspective.
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Talkio Mobile , Uganda’s newest telecommunications service provider, is excited to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Banana Life Investments, a leading chain of mobile phone and retail shops. This strategic alliance aims to bring Talkio’s innovative telecom services closer to Ugandans.
This collaboration will leverage Banana Life Investments’ extensive retail network of 26 stores strategically located across Uganda in major malls, towns, and cities to provide customers with unparalleled convenience. Through this partnership, Talkio Mobile will offer its full suite of services, including SIM cards, airtime, and exclusive product offerings at any Banana Life Investment location.
This partnership is more than a business initiative—it’s a shared commitment to transforming lives. By integrating Talkio Mobile’s forward-thinking services & nationwide reach with Banana Life Investments’ retail footprint, the two brands are setting a new standard for customer convenience and inclusivity.
READ ALSO: 5 Things You Need to Know About Talkio Mobile: New Telecom Company in Uganda
“This partnership aligns perfectly with our mission of connecting Ugandans to innovative and transformative telecom solutions,” said Vianne Allan Ahura, CEO of Talkio Mobile. “By leveraging Banana Life Investments’ trusted presence and nationwide footprint, we are not only expanding our agent network but also bringing our services closer to the communities we serve. This collaboration ensures that our online customers can now enjoy a seamless offline experience right at their doorstep. Together, we are empowering Ugandans with the tools they need to stay connected, grow their businesses, and unlock new opportunities.”
Solomon Ssemuyaba, the assistant general manager at Banana Life Investments, echoed this sentiment: “We are proud to join hands with Talkio Mobile to deliver innovative, customer-centric solutions. This partnership represents our shared vision of fostering a connected future for Uganda. Together, we are redefining what convenience and accessibility mean for our customers.”
The partnership goes beyond retail distribution, introducing joint initiatives aimed at value addition and personalized service. Customers can expect seamless access to:
- SIM Card Sales : Available at all Banana Life Investments locations.
- Talkio phone number bookings : Book your preferred Talkio number at any Banana Life Investments location.
- Airtime Services : Recharge easily through in-store purchases.
- Customer Support : Friendly and knowledgeable staff trained to assist with Talkio Mobile products and services.
Additionally, the two companies plan to launch promotional campaigns and expand services to even more locations, ensuring no Ugandan is left behind in the digital transformation.
Solomon Obwot is a tech writer based in Kampala, Uganda, with extensive experience in the local tech startup ecosystem. He covers the latest news and analysis on consumer tech, writes in-depth smartphone reviews, and conducts insightful interviews with industry experts. Solomon is also a passionate podcaster, sharing his knowledge and engaging in discussions about Africa’s rapidly growing tech landscape. Send emails to [email protected]
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The Mobile World Congress (MWC) Barcelona , the world’s largest exhibition for the mobile industry, has just concluded. This annual event gathers leading technology brands to unveil groundbreaking mobile, AI, and digital solutions innovations. At MWC 2025, TECNO showcased a range of AI-driven products, reinforcing its commitment to cutting-edge technology.
The key launches included:
- CAMON 40 Series – AI-powered smartphones with One-Tap FlashSnap and advanced mobile imaging features.
- MEGABOOK S14 – The world’s lightest 14-inch OLED laptop, featuring AI-enhanced multitasking and Snapdragon® X Elite.
- MEGABOOK T14 Air & K15S – Lightweight ultrabooks with AI capabilities and extended battery life.
- TECNO AI Glasses Series – Smart eyewear integrating AI imaging, translation, and AR display.
Jan Stryjak, Associate Director at Counterpoint Research, shared, “In the past year, we have observed significant advancements in the field of AI. AI will continue to drive transformative changes in our daily lives. In this critical period for the economic development of emerging markets, TECNO’s AI technologies are unlocking potential for diverse needs.”
“The application of AI technologies is crucial and urgent in emerging markets. We’re committed to bridging the digital gap between emerging and mature markets,” said TECNO CMO, Laury Bai. “TECNO is taking a practical approach to make AI more accessible, ensuring users in emerging markets can access AI and cutting-edge technologies.”
Laury Bai, TECNO CMO
Driven by its commitment, TECNO has forged a robust partnership with MediaTek, establishing a joint AI laboratory dedicated to accelerating advancements in AI. At the event, James Chen, Vice President of Product and Technology Marketing at MediaTek, emphasized, “The synergistic R&D efforts between TECNO and MediaTek are set to democratize AI technology. Our collaboration powers a seamless, interconnected AI experience, bringing users a future of truly connected intelligence.”
James Chen, Vice President, Product and Technology Marketing at MediaTek
CAMON 40 Series Powered by AI One-Tap FlashSnap Revolutionizes Smartphone Snapshot Photography
TECNO’s Global Product Launch Officer, Olivier Mas, officially unveiled TECNO’s next-generation AI-driven products. Attendees at TECNO’s launch event witnessed the highly anticipated debut of TECNO’s new CAMON 40 Series, a device that embodies TECNO’s legacy of excellence in mobile imaging. Featuring One-Tap FlashSnap Mode and TECNO AI, the series sets a new benchmark in smartphone photography, delivering exceptional snapshot capabilities and AI-enhanced user experiences.
Olivier Mas, TECNO Global Product Launch Officer
The CAMON 40 Series exemplifies a commitment to innovation that transcends hardware and software, extending into strategic partnerships that deliver cutting-edge AI solutions to emerging markets. Matt Waldbusser, Managing Director of Global Solutions and Consumer AI at Google Cloud, remarked, “Our collaboration with TECNO on the CAMON 40 Series is a standout example. Leveraging Google Cloud’s capabilities, we’ve introduced groundbreaking features such as Ask Ella, AI Image Generator, AI Writing, and AI Translate. I am particularly impressed by the industry-leading and competitive edge of some of these innovations. For instance, TECNO’s AI supports text translation in 136 languages, voice translation in 44 languages, and photo translation in 51 languages. We are excited to further strengthen our partnership with TECNO, unlocking limitless potential to bring advanced yet practical AI capabilities to emerging markets in a convenient and secure manner.”
Matt Waldbusser, Managing Director of Global Solutions and Consumer AI at Google Cloud
The CAMON 40 Series’ innovative One-Tap FlashSnap leverages AI to enhance imaging capabilities, revolutionizing mobile photography. AI optimizes camera startup and continuous shooting for instant captures, while AI-powered multi-frame processing intelligently reduces noise and enhances details, delivering sharper, more refined images. Additionally, the BestMoment algorithm analyzes motion patterns, automatically selecting the optimal frames for precise, high-quality shots in dynamic scenarios, ensuring users an unparalleled mobile imaging experience.
TECNO CAMON 40 Demonstrates the Cutting-Edge FlashSnap Capability
To delve deeper into the imaging prowess of the CAMON 40 Series, TECNO invited Frédéric Guichard, CEO of DXOMARK, to share the image performance of CAMON 40 Pro. Frédéric highlighted, “The CAMON 40 Pro 5G has demonstrated exceptional imaging and performance capabilities in our rigorous evaluations. We’ve been particularly impressed with photo performance being the best for devices under 600$, and the 1st eligible device to our Smart Choice Label.”
Onsite photo of Frédéric Guichard, CEO of DXOMARK
Beyond its advanced rapid-capture functionality, the integration of TECNO AI further enhances the device’s capabilities. Intelligent imaging, a 360° AI Call Assistant, and productivity tools elevate creativity and efficiency. Powered by MediaTek’s latest chipsets, the series ensures smooth performance, fast processing, and extended battery life. With a sleek, durable, and water-resistant design, it seamlessly blends style with practicality for modern users.
MEGABOOK S14, the World’s Lightest 14-inch OLED Laptop, Inspires Creators and Game Lovers
The MEGABOOK S14 is TECNO’s first OLED laptop and the industry’s lightest 14-inch OLED laptop, featuring a 2.8K OLED display and incredibly weighing only 899g (31.7oz). The laptop is equipped with the outstanding power of the Snapdragon® X Elite compute platform, the flagship chipset for AI PCs from Qualcomm Technologies, and integrates TECNO’s world’s first self-developed edge-side large-scale AI model, to achieve AI-enhanced multitasking.
World’s Lightest 14-inch Laptop MEGABOOK S14
Specifically designed for next-gen AI productivity, TECNO AI enhances the Ella AI Assistant, AI-powered PPT generation, AI-driven image search, smart albums, and offline meeting transcription with multilingual support. The External Graphics Dock, equipped with a powerful NVIDIA graphic card, delivers scalable, high-performance capabilities for design, gaming, and content creation. The laptop’s 2.8K OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate ensures exceptional visuals, while DTS:X Ultra dual 2W speakers, Wi-Fi 6E, fingerprint login, and PC Manager optimize connectivity and user experience.
TECNO’s strategic partnership with Qualcomm Technologies was a highlight of the TECNO AI Ecosystem Product Launch event, demonstrating a shared vision for the future of AI PCs. Kedar Kondap, SVP & GM of Compute and Gaming at Qualcomm, took the stage to discuss the integration of Qualcomm’s cutting-edge PC chipset into the new MEGABOOK S14 laptop, underscoring TECNO’s commitment to delivering high-performance computing solutions.
Kedar Kondap, SVP & GM of Compute and Gaming at Qualcomm
In addition, TECNO also introduced several standout new products. The featherlight 999g (35.2oz) ultrabook MEGABOOK T14 Air, features high-speed storage and LPDDR5 memory, while the ultra-thin, all-metal MEGABOOK K15S, equipped with a powerful 70Wh battery and supported by a 65W PD GaN charger, offers a smarter and more long-lasting user experience. Both devices are empowered by TECNO AI with advanced AI capabilities such as AI Album and AI Voice Assistant, making them perfect companions for all aspects of life.
The Next Game-Changing Tech Innovation: See the World with the TECNO AI Glasses Series
TECNO’s new AI Glasses Series also took center stage with the introduction of TECNO AI Glasses Pro and TECNO AI Glasses, reimagining eyewear with cutting-edge imaging, intelligent interactions, and a sleek aesthetic. The TECNO AI Glasses feature an aviator design, while the Pro model showcases a browline style, both embodying timeless elegance and modern fashion.
TECNO AI Glasses Redefine the Way People See the Future
Equipped with a 50MP high-definition camera, the series integrates an OV50D sensor, a 100° ultra-wide-angle custom lens, and an AI ISP imaging chip, forming a mobile-grade imaging system. This system lets users capture stunning, high-resolution photos with advanced AI noise reduction and HDR capabilities. With real-time translation supporting over 100 languages, TECNO AI’s Ella empowers accurate translation even for less common languages, as well as voice control, AI-powered object recognition, and intelligent information summaries for ultimate convenience.
Additionally, the AI Glasses Pro features a MicroLED display with 7th-gen resin waveguide technology, offering a 30° field of view, over 1,500 nits of brightness AR display, and a lightweight, ultra-thin design. The AR display allows users to effortlessly enjoy features like translation display, navigation, information prompts, and teleprompting.
Equipped with a 250mAh battery, these glasses offer over 11 hours of music playback and 8 hours of mixed use with just 30 minutes of charging. An advanced ultra-linear speaker, bass enhancement, and spatial sound deliver an immersive audio experience, while Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.4 ensure seamless connectivity.
With these innovative launches, TECNO is setting new standards in mobile imaging and AI-enhanced technology, shaping a more connected and empowered future for consumers in emerging markets. Once again, TECNO has showcased its cutting-edge innovation on the global stage at MWC. With the brand essence of “Stop at Nothing”, TECNO’s relentless pursuit of innovation is making AI-powered technology more accessible, allowing consumers to experience the future ahead of time.
Solomon Obwot is a tech writer based in Kampala, Uganda, with extensive experience in the local tech startup ecosystem. He covers the latest news and analysis on consumer tech, writes in-depth smartphone reviews, and conducts insightful interviews with industry experts. Solomon is also a passionate podcaster, sharing his knowledge and engaging in discussions about Africa’s rapidly growing tech landscape. Send emails to [email protected]
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