HiBy R4

Name: HiBy R4
Brand: HiBy
SKU: 71542

Manufacturer: HiBy

The HiBy R4 is a dedicated digital audio player running Android 12 on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 chipset, pairing a familiar mobile OS experience with hardware tuned specifically for high-quality audio playback. It comes with four ESS ES9018C2M DAC chips working in tandem, a combination that reflects HiBy's focus on audio fidelity within this category. The device offers 32GB of internal storage alongside a microSD card slot for expanded capacity.

On the output side, the R4 provides both a 3.5mm single-ended and a 4.4mm balanced headphone jack, supporting file formats including MP3, FLAC, DSD, MQA, ALAC, AAC, and WAV. Its signal-to-noise ratio is rated at 123 dB, and wireless connectivity covers Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX, aptX HD, LDAC, and AAC codec support, as well as Wi-Fi. The 4,500 mAh battery is rated for approximately 11 hours of playback and charges fully in around 2 hours. The player features a 4.7″ IPS LCD touchscreen at 720×1280 resolution and weighs 231g.

Pros

Four ESS ES9018C2M DAC chips working together yield a signal-to-noise ratio of 123 dB, indicating strong audio clarity
Bluetooth 5.0 with LDAC, aptX, and aptX HD support gives flexible high-quality wireless output options
Both a 3.5mm and a 4.4mm balanced headphone output are available, accommodating a variety of headphone connections
The external memory slot allows storage to be expanded beyond the built-in 32GB
A broad format library is supported, including DSD, MQA, FLAC, ALAC, and WAV alongside common types like MP3 and AAC
Android 12 on a Snapdragon 665 with 3GB of RAM provides a functional app-based environment for streaming and library management

Cons

At 231g and 18.5mm thick, the device is noticeably heavy and bulky for portable daily use
The display resolution of 720 x 1280 px is modest for a 4.7-inch screen, resulting in only 312 ppi
Wireless charging is not supported, requiring a wired connection every time the battery needs topping up
The unit is not weather-sealed, so it offers no protection against splashes or moisture
Bluetooth support does not extend to aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, or aptX Low Latency, limiting compatibility with some modern wireless audio devices
AirPlay is absent, which restricts wireless streaming options for users within Apple ecosystems

Who is this for?

The HiBy R4 is well-suited to dedicated audio enthusiasts who prioritize sound quality in a portable format and want the flexibility of a full Android environment for streaming apps alongside local playback. The combination of four ESS ES9018C2M DACs with a 123 dB SNR and dual headphone outputs — including a 4.4mm balanced jack — makes it a strong match for users who own high-quality wired headphones and care about output quality. It also suits listeners with large music libraries in high-resolution formats such as DSD, MQA, and FLAC, particularly those who need expandable storage via the microSD slot to accommodate that content.

Who is this NOT for?

Users looking for a lightweight, pocketable device will find the R4 impractical, as its 231g weight and 18.5mm thickness make it noticeably bulky for everyday carry. Those who frequently listen near water or in unpredictable outdoor conditions will be at risk, since the device offers no weather sealing of any kind. The 720 x 1280 px display resolution also makes it a poor fit for users who expect a sharp, modern screen experience for browsing or video, and the absence of AirPlay and aptX Adaptive means it will disappoint listeners who rely on Apple wireless ecosystems or the latest high-bandwidth Bluetooth audio standards.

General info:

internal storage	32GB
Audio outputs	3.5 mm, 4.4 mm
DAC name	ESS ES9018C2M x4
Audio file types	MP3, DSD, MQA, FLAC, ALAC, AAC, WAV
Battery life	11 hours
charge time	2 hours
has an external memory slot	✓
Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR)	123 dB
has wireless charging	✕
is weather-sealed (splashproof)	✕
battery power	4500 mAh
RAM	3GB
Chipset (SoC) name	Qualcomm Snapdragon 665
Android version	Android 12

The HiBy R4 runs Android 12 on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 chipset with 3GB of RAM, and its audio hardware centers on four ESS ES9018C2M DAC chips delivering a signal-to-noise ratio of 123 dB. It handles a broad range of formats — MP3, DSD, MQA, FLAC, ALAC, AAC, and WAV — and outputs audio through both a 3.5mm and a 4.4mm jack. Storage starts at 32GB internally and can be expanded via the external memory slot. The 4,500 mAh battery is rated for 11 hours of playback and reaches a full charge in approximately 2 hours, though wireless charging is not supported. The unit is not weather-sealed.

Design:

screen size	4.7"
resolution	720 x 1280 px
pixel density	312 ppi
weight	231 g
Display type	LCD, IPS
has a touch screen	✓
volume	163.75608 cm³
width	68.3 mm
thickness	18.5 mm
height	129.6 mm

The HiBy R4 features a 4.7″ IPS LCD touchscreen with a resolution of 720 x 1280 px and a pixel density of 312 ppi. Its physical dimensions come in at 129.6 mm tall, 68.3 mm wide, and 18.5 mm thick, giving it a volume of approximately 163.76 cm³, with an overall weight of 231 g.

Connectivity:

Bluetooth version	5
has aptX	✓
has LDAC	✓
has LDHC	✕
has aptX HD	✓
has aptX Adaptive	✕
has aptX Lossless	✕
has AAC	✓
has aptX Low Latency	✕
has AirPlay	✕
supports Wi-Fi	✓

The HiBy R4 connects wirelessly via Bluetooth 5.0, with codec support covering aptX, aptX HD, LDAC, and AAC, making it compatible with a wide range of wireless audio receivers. It does not support aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, aptX Low Latency, or LDHC, and AirPlay is also absent. Wi-Fi is supported, while LDAC stands out as the highest-bandwidth option among the available Bluetooth codecs.

Final Verdict

The HiBy R4 is a focused digital audio player that makes a clear case for users who want dedicated hardware-driven sound quality within an Android-based portable device. Its quad ESS ES9018C2M DAC configuration with a 123 dB SNR, paired with both 3.5mm and 4.4mm balanced outputs, reflects a genuine commitment to audio fidelity rather than general-purpose portability. Android 12 and Wi-Fi support add streaming versatility, and broad format coverage alongside expandable storage round out a well-equipped feature set for the serious listener. That said, its bulk and the modest display resolution signal that the R4 is built for ears, not eyes or pockets — users who accept those trade-offs in pursuit of output quality will find it a purposeful and capable device.