TWS true wireless earphones - $50 - $100
TWO STARS - Don't have the money or don't want to buy Apple's AirPods 3? The Fiil CC Nano has usable battery life, a stylish design and even multipoint connectivity. But there's a problem. A huge one.
Fiil CC Nano specs and features:
Bluetooth 5.2 with AAC codec
IPX4 waterproof rating (splash proof)
5,5 hours playtime on a single charge
Charging case can charge earpieces fully 4 times
Comes with USB-C cable and English manual
$70 - Check latest price on AliExpress
Below this Fiil CC Nano review, you will find comparisons of the Fiil CC Nano vs Fiil CC2, Edifier X6, SoundPEATS Air3 and Tronsmart Onyx Ace Pro.
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Design, comfort and battery life
The Fiil CC Nano is a continuation on the most stylish AirPods-like earbuds on the market. The slim metallic grey stems are even shorter than the ones on the original Fiil CC and Fiil CC2, and the charging case is too - which is also spruced up by the Fiil logo that shortly lights up and indicate whether the earbuds are being charged.
The earbuds are, once again, comfortable to hang in your ears and to snug enough to keep them in during commuting. This time around, the battery is finally usable - going up from the original 3.5 hours, to the 'standby trick' 6 (but actual 3,5) hours, to now finally real 5,5 hours playtime on a single charge. Impressive considering the small design, and enough to get you through most days. The IPX4 splashproof rating means you shouldn't be too afraid of taking them in a light rain.
The charging case can recharge them four times fully, and can then be fed via USB-. Thanks to its design, you do need two hands to get the earbuds out without letting them fall on the floor immediately. The looks are worth it.
Controls and connectivity
Fiil's gonna Fiil when it comes to controls. That means you can only play/pause music out of the box, by double-tapping either side. That's way too limited.
You need to install the unofficial Fiil Global-app release (Android only!) to activate extended controls. When you do, the touch panels respond oversensitive to single touches, and the control scheme isn't convenient - with the volume controls and track controls each tied to one side of the earbuds - increase with a single tap, decrease by tapping three times.
The earbuds unfortunately have some occasional connection dropouts when you're facing your head downwards, but Bluetooth connectivity is good overall up to 9-10 meters.
Besides, from the Android-only app, you can also opt for Dual-device operation (switch between two devices by holding the earbuds 4 seconds) or even Multipoint connection! That means you can connect the earbuds with two devices at the same time. If you're listening to a video on your laptop and get a call on your phone, the CC Nano switches to your phone - although going afterwards back is harder.
Unfortunately, switching over to your phone for a call is a bit useless…
Calling and watching movies
Videos and also games synchronize audio and video well; sound effects in games are even better aligned with the action on screen when you activate the gaming mode from the (unofficial) Android app. For now, there's no gaming mode on iPhone - although gaming with these is still doable.
The Fiil CC Nano offers outstanding call clarity in quiet areas, but your otherwise full and clear voice becomes wonky when it wants to reduce background sounds. This has been the case with the latest generation of wireless earbuds, and the Nano is no exception.
Unfortunately, it doesn't even matter, because taking a phone or video call with these is extremely unreliable. During the testing of these earbuds, I've attempted 7 phone calls and 3 video calls, in this case in Google Meet. The microphone didn't work in seven out of ten instances. There's no microphone output at all - deeming these unusable for calls… and in general.
App support of Fiil CC Nano
Previous Fiil-earbuds have made it clear it can take a long time before the Fiil CC Nano gets support by the official Fiil+ Global app for iPhone and Android. Happily, Android-users can still download an unofficial, translated Fiil+ app via this link. It supports the Nano - and the app interface has actually been improved over previous Fiil models.
There's a good amount of useful features too:
Check the battery life of the case, L and R earbud
Activate the extended controls, so you can change tracks and volume from the earbuds
Activate or deactivate the low-latency gaming mode
Activate the dual-point connection or multipoint connection (see Connection part)
Choose between the standard equalizer, 12 genre EQ presets, a Treble EQ or Bass EQ
Create and tweak your own equalizer
This app has about the most functions any pair of wireless earbuds can bring to the table, which makes it sad that official Android and iPhone-support aren't guaranteed in the future. If you own an Android phone, it's definitely recommended to download this version of the app.
Also read: Best cheap AirPods-like earbuds
Sound quality of Fiil CC Nano: Lively
If you want great sound from half-in-ears but the $200 AirPods 3 are too expensive, the Fiil CC Nano has you covered. These earbuds sounds great.
The Nano pushes treble forward. Female and higher male vocals and instruments in the upper-mids and highs are surrounded by air. They come through clear and with plenty of nuances; it's easy to grasp details like breath intakes in higher quality recordings. But while treble is prominent, sharp peaks are minimized and sibilant sss-sounds are avoided. Cymbals don't sound too uncomfortable or splashy. Highs are extended, but they're also controlled.
The Fiil CC Nano is more balanced than the Fiil CC and Fiil CC2. The tonality is more natural, a bit warmer than before. Vocalists reach darker tones as easy as higher ones, and lower mid-tones are emphasized a little. Darker electronic tones provide the music warmth and drums and lower male vocals are nicely textured. Center-mids like guitar and piano play are (still) a bit recessed, but they do sound natural.
As these are half-in-ears, don't expect the most detailed and pronounced bass. The mid-bass consists more of a slam than a thump, but it's quite tight and together with the lower-mids and slim sub-bass (the darkest bass tones you can feel as much as hear), the Nano has just enough body down below.
What's more, is that music is sweetly pronounced. Basslines keep their own authority next to the well-separated instruments in the mids and the clear treble.
Now, does the aforementioned Android-only app makes a difference? Somehow: next to some mediocre genre equalizers, it provides a Bass EQ that tones down treble somewhat and increases bass - which improves the sound on Android. However, as the sound is already well-tuned and dynamic on iPhone - the sound quality is solid on both.
Can't have or don't want the AirPods 3, but still want detailed sound from half-in-ears? This is your alternative right here.
Fiil CC Nano comparisons
Fiil CC Nano vs Fiil CC2
They are a millimeter shorter, and offer 5,5 hours of playtime on a single charge instead of around 3,5 hours. And then there's multipoint connection when you get the unofficial Global Fiil+ app for Android as well! The Fiil CC Nano builds upon the fundament of the Fiil CC2 and has more usable features. Its sound is also an upgrade to the CC2; it has a fuller and at the same time tighter mid-bass, and slightly elevated lower-mids and a warmer tonality bring more balance in the sound. Both earbuds feast on treble, but the Nano does it way more controlled - cutting off the highs before they reach sharpness, and giving vocals more room to also dip into the lower frequencies than just the higher ones. The Nano seems better overall. But yeah… this call quality problem.
Fiil CC2 review ($60)
Fiil CC Nano vs SoundPEATS Air 3
The SoundPEATS Air 3 is one of the most popular affordable AirPods-alternatives (meaning ‘half-in-ears’) - and rightly so. With 4,5 hours of battery life on a single charge, compact case, all controls on the earbuds, and a good game mode, these tick a lot of boxes. Their call quality is comparable to the Fiil CC Nano: full and clear when you're in quiet areas, but suffering in crowded areas. At least, the microphone always works. The CC Nano has a brighter sound than the Air 3, with clearer higher vocals and upper-mids, and more air in the sound as well. The bass is more precise. The Air 3 is a more comforting listen, however, with reduced treble, stronger and more engaging mid-bass and more elevated lower mid-tones.
SoundPEATS Air3 review ($40)
Fiil CC Nano vs Edifier X6
When phone or video calls are your main concern, the Edifier X6 should be the affordable AirPods-like to aim for. It represents your voice naturally, and makes it rise easily above noise around you. The Edifier X6 has longer battery life (6 hours on a single charge), but as a tradeoff, its stems are bulkier than the Nano's.
Both earbuds aim for a more balanced than an engaging sound, with a gentle mid-bass presence. The CC Nano has more a more natural tonality and focus on the mid-tones, while the X6 has loads of air around the highs, but can also strike as a bit light. The Nano articulates better - there's more separation between instruments and it's easier to hear details.
Edifier X6 review ($30)
Fiil CC Nano vs Tronsmart Onyx Ace Pro
Costing around half of the Fiil CC Nano, the Tronsmart Onyx Ace Pro doesn't look as stylish, but returns with some useful features. Its battery life is an hour longer (6,5 hours), and calling is reliable with them - even though the Onyx Ace Pro, too, doesn't put your voice through clearly in noisy areas. It has a IPX5 sweat- and rain-proof rating, a good gaming mode you can activate from the earbuds itself, and volume and track controls are within reach as well. The Onyx Ace Pro sound is warmer than the Nano's, with a fuller bass section and more elevated lower-mids. The Nano focuses more on treble, with clearer higher vocals and more extended highs. It separates instruments better from each other. However, much like the SoundPEATS Air 3, the Onyx Ace Pro has a stronger mid-bass and fuller lower-mids, making it a friendlier, perhaps even more pleasurable listen.
Don't get the older Tronsmart Onyx Ace. Only the new Pro version sounds good!
Verdict
The Fiil CC Nano looks great on paper. It's a continuation on the Fiil CC2 with usable 5,5 hours of battery life, multipoint connectivity and more balanced and pronounced sound. The call malfunction is a red flag, sadly.
Two stars - Disappointing
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