Hisilicon Star Flash brings lossless wireless audio to Huawei FreeBuds Pro 5

Hisilicon has shared detailed technical information about Star Flash, the technology underpinning the updated Sparkle E2.0 wireless audio system. The first device to support it is the Huawei FreeBuds Pro 5, already on sale.

Star Flash is designed to deliver genuinely lossless sound. It employs a channel bandwidth of up to 4 MHz and 8PSK modulation, reaching a physical-layer rate of 12 Mbit/s—approximately six times higher than conventional wireless protocols. With that capacity, the link can carry 2.3 Mbit/s of audio at 48 kHz and 24-bit, which cuts the need for heavy compression.

The technology enhances resilience to interference through polar coding and built-in mechanisms that prevent signal clashes. The system automatically selects the optimal channel during connection and quickly hops to a less congested frequency when needed, maintaining a stable link. In practice, that also extends effective range, especially in indoor spaces and office environments.

Another strength of Star Flash is lower power draw. Thanks to the high transfer rate and shorter radio-on time, energy use in typical scenarios drops by about 6%. It also outperforms Wi‑Fi Audio solutions on battery life while preserving lossless transmission. A single-digit gain may look modest, yet in compact wearables every percent matters.

The system supports direct connectivity for up to 20 devices and can form large mesh networks. That opens the door to new use cases—multichannel microphones, multiple receivers, and several pairs of headphones linked to a single source—useful both for creators and for shared listening.

Hisilicon notes that the Shanghai Hisilicon Star Flash solution will be rolled out to TWS earbuds, wireless microphones, speakers, and hearing aids, and it will integrate with the OpenHarmony ecosystem for instant connection and rapid pairing. The ecosystem angle hints at a smoother user experience without complicating setup.