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Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Huawei FreeBuds 3i: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the Apple AirPods Pro 3 comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 86. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: Apple AirPods Pro 3 - Outstanding overall at around $179.

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

Apple AirPods Pro 3 leads on 6 of 7 measures.

  • Apple AirPods Pro 3
  • Huawei FreeBuds 3i
HearWiki score
86
47
Sound
8.6
5.5
Noise cancelling
9.3
5.2
Battery
7.3
2.3
Calls
7.4
5.5
Value
8.3
-
Price (USD)
$180
$160

Generation & platform

The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?

New platform

Apple AirPods Pro 3 (2025) against Huawei FreeBuds 3i (2020). The Apple AirPods Pro 3 is the newer platform here: Bluetooth 5.3 against 5.0 and ANC type Adaptive against Hybrid. It also adds Multipoint pairing, Wireless charging, Companion app and Water resistance IP57 against IPX4.

  • AirPods Pro 320255 yr newer
  • FreeBuds 3i2020
What differsAirPods Pro 3FreeBuds 3i

Platform

Bluetooth
5.3
5.0
ANC type
Adaptive
Hybrid

Everyday features

Multipoint pairing
Yes
No
Wireless charging
Yes
No
Companion app
Yes
No
Water resistance
IP57
IPX4

Level on: Top codec, USB-C, Wear detection, Transparency mode.

Specifications

AirPods Pro 3FreeBuds 3i
Type
True Wireless
True Wireless
Price (USD)
$180
$160
HearWiki score
86
47
Released
2025
2020
Availability
Sold new
Still sold new
Driver
10.7 mm dynamic
10 mm dynamic
Driver type
dynamic
dynamic
Driver size
10.7 mm
10 mm
Drivers per side
1
1
Frequency response
20 Hz - 20 kHz
20 Hz - 20 kHz
Sensitivity
110 dB/mW
-
Bluetooth
5.3
5.0
Codecs
SBC, AAC
SBC, AAC
Multipoint pairing
Yes
No
Battery life
8 h
3.5 h
Battery life (ANC on)
8 h
2.5 h
Battery incl. case
-
14.5 h
Full charge time
-
115 min
Wireless charging
Yes
No
Active noise cancelling
Yes
Yes
ANC type
adaptive
hybrid
Transparency mode
Yes
Yes
Companion app
Yes
No
Custom EQ
-
No
Wear detection
Yes
Yes
Controls
touch
both
Voice assistant
Siri
Yes
Weight
5.5 g
5.5 g
Case weight
44 g
51 g
Water resistance
IP57
IPX4
Foldable
-
No
Detachable cable
-
No
USB-C
Yes
Yes
Microphones
3
3
Microphone type
beamforming
-
Call noise reduction
-
Yes

What reviewers said

Apple AirPods Pro 3

The Apple AirPods Pro 3 are premium true wireless earbuds that combine adaptive active noise cancellation with a comfortable, secure fit. They deliver clear calls, robust battery life, and a balanced sound profile, all wrapped in an IP57-rated design that handles water and dust. With Bluetooth 5.3, multipoint connectivity, and wireless charging, they offer a polished experience for Apple and non-Apple users alike.

  • Pro:Excellent adaptive noise cancellation
  • Pro:Clear call quality with beamforming mics
  • Pro:Strong battery life of 8 hours with ANC on
  • Con:Fit may be tricky for some ears
  • Con:Premium price point
  • Con:Limited codec support (SBC, AAC only)

Huawei FreeBuds 3i

The Huawei FreeBuds 3i offer a budget-friendly route into active noise cancellation, with hybrid ANC and a transparency mode for awareness. They deliver a balanced feature set for the price, though their compact size and IPX4 rating make them portable and sweat-resistant. However, their short battery life and lack of app support or multipoint connectivity may limit their appeal for heavy users.

  • Pro:Effective hybrid ANC for the price
  • Pro:Lightweight and comfortable fit
  • Pro:Includes transparency mode for situational awareness
  • Con:Short battery life, especially with ANC on
  • Con:No app support or custom EQ
  • Con:No multipoint pairing

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

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