Anker has introduced its soundcore Liberty 5 Pro and Pro Max earbuds, which feature a breakthrough neural-net chip that computes directly inside NOR flash memory—a design that could redefine power efficiency in consumer devices.
The chip, called THUS, eliminates the traditional bottleneck of moving data between memory and processor, a process that currently consumes over 90 percent of power in modern chips. Instead, it embeds computation directly where the model parameters reside, reducing energy use while maintaining performance. This marks the first time such a compute-in-memory architecture has been commercialized in a consumer product.
Key specs
- Chip: THUS AI platform (proprietary neural-net compute-in-memory)
- Call quality: Guinness World Records-certified highest speech quality score for TWS earbuds
- Microphone array: 10-sensor matrix (8 MEMS + 2 bone conduction sensors) for noise isolation
- ANC: Adaptive ANC 4.0 with real-time adjustments and reduced in-ear pressure
- Audio enhancement: AI Sound Enhancement restores up to 65% of Bluetooth-compressed audio quality
- Battery life: 6.5 hours with ANC on, 28 hours total with case
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 6.1, Multipoint, Apple Find My, Google Fast Pair
- Durability: IP55 dust and water resistance
- Storage: 512 MB onboard flash (Pro Max only) for local meeting recordings
The Liberty 5 Pro Max also includes a note-taking feature that records meetings via the charging case’s AMOLED display, transcribes speech on-device, and generates action items—all without requiring a connected phone. The system uses AES-256 encryption for local files and TLS 1.3 for cloud transcription.
Why it matters
The THUS chip’s efficiency could extend battery life in wearables while enabling more complex AI functions on-device. For IT teams, this means devices that require less frequent charging and can handle demanding tasks like real-time noise cancellation without draining power quickly. However, the long-term impact depends on whether Anker can scale production and integrate this architecture into future products beyond earbuds.
For everyday users, the Liberty 5 Pro series offers a step forward in call clarity and meeting productivity, but the higher price (starting at SGD 299 for the Pro Max) may limit adoption. Those prioritizing battery life or on-device AI will find value, while others may stick to more affordable alternatives.
The earbuds are now available in Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand, with prices ranging from SGD 239 (Pro) to SGD 299 (Pro Max). Availability in other markets has not been confirmed.
