Apple AirPods 3 vs Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 84. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Score breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Specifications
| Spec | Apple AirPods 3 | Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Type | True Wireless | True Wireless |
| Price (USD) | $84 | $150 |
| HearWiki score | 76 / 100 · Great | 84 / 100 · Great |
| Released | 2021 | 2024 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver size | - | 10.5 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 0Hz-0kHz | 14Hz-40kHz |
| Impedance | - | 15.3 Ω |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 |
| Bluetooth version | 5.0 | 5.3 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Multipoint pairing | No | Yes |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 6 h | 10 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | - | 7.5 h |
| Battery incl. case | 30 h | 40 h |
| Quick charge | - | 5 min = 4 h |
| Wireless charging | Yes | Yes |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | Yes |
| ANC type | none | hybrid |
| Transparency mode | No | Yes |
| Companion app | No | Yes |
| Custom EQ | Yes | Yes |
| Wear detection | Yes | Yes |
| Controls | both | touch |
| Voice assistant | Siri | supports voice assistant via app |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 4.28 g | 5.5 g |
| Case weight | 37.91 g | 51 g |
| Water resistance | IPX4 | IPX5 |
| Foldable | No | - |
| Detachable cable | No | - |
| USB-C | No | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 3 | 6 |
| Call noise reduction | - | AI noise reduction |
What reviewers said
Apple AirPods 3
The Apple AirPods 3 are a notable step up from earlier models, offering richer sound, longer playback, and a more secure fit, all wrapped in a familiar design. They excel at calls and integrate seamlessly with Apple devices, but their open fit and lack of noise cancellation mean they won't suit everyone, especially those seeking isolation or heavy bass. For Apple users upgrading from older AirPods, they're a solid choice, though competitors offer more features at similar prices.
- Pro:Improved sound clarity and detail
- Pro:Excellent call quality with multiple mics
- Pro:Comfortable, secure fit for many
- Con:No active noise cancellation
- Con:Open fit lets in ambient sound
- Con:Limited to Apple devices for full features
Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro
The Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro pack a hefty feature set into a budget-friendly wireless earbud package, including adaptive noise cancellation, LDAC support, multipoint connectivity, and wireless charging. They deliver solid sound with crisp treble and effective call quality, though the charging case can feel gimmicky and prone to fingerprints, and spatial audio falls short. Overall, they're a well-rounded value pick rather than a flagship-level performer.
- Pro:Strong active noise cancellation
- Pro:Wide codec support including LDAC
- Pro:Multipoint and wireless charging included
- Con:Charging case feels gimmicky and smudges easily
- Con:Spatial audio performance is weak
- Con:Battery life is average for the price
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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