
Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Huawei FreeBuds Pro 2: 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.
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 Pro 2
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?
Apple AirPods Pro 3 (2025) against Huawei FreeBuds Pro 2 (2022). Neither is straightforwardly newer: the Apple AirPods Pro 3 brings Bluetooth 5.3 against 5.2, while the Huawei FreeBuds Pro 2 answers with Top codec LDAC against AAC. The Apple AirPods Pro 3 answers on convenience features: it adds Water resistance IP57 against IP54.
- AirPods Pro 320253 yr newer
- FreeBuds Pro 22022
- Bluetooth
- 5.3
- 5.2
- Top codec
- AAC
- LDAC
- Water resistance
- IP57
- IP54
Platform
Everyday features
Level on: Multipoint pairing, Wireless charging, USB-C, Wear detection, Transparency mode, Companion app.
Specifications
- Type
- True Wireless
- True Wireless
- Price (USD)
- $180
- $160
- HearWiki score
- 86
- 66
- Released
- 2025
- 2022
- Availability
- Sold new
- Still sold new
- Driver
- 10.7 mm dynamic
- 2-driver hybrid
- Driver type
- dynamic
- hybrid
- Driver size
- 10.7 mm
- 11 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 2
- Frequency response
- 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- 14 Hz - 48 kHz
- Sensitivity
- 110 dB/mW
- -
- Bluetooth
- 5.3
- 5.2
- Codecs
- SBC, AAC
- SBC, AAC, LDAC
- Multipoint pairing
- Yes
- Yes
- Battery life
- 8 h
- 6.5 h
- Battery life (ANC on)
- 8 h
- 4 h
- Battery incl. case
- -
- 30 h
- Full charge time
- -
- 60 min
- Wireless charging
- Yes
- Yes
- Active noise cancelling
- Yes
- Yes
- ANC type
- adaptive
- -
- Transparency mode
- Yes
- Yes
- Companion app
- Yes
- Yes
- Custom EQ
- -
- Yes
- Wear detection
- Yes
- Yes
- Controls
- touch
- touch
- Voice assistant
- Siri
- Yes
- Weight
- 5.5 g
- 6.1 g
- Case weight
- 44 g
- 52 g
- Water resistance
- IP57
- IP54
- USB-C
- Yes
- Yes
- Microphones
- 3
- 3
- Microphone type
- beamforming
- -
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 Pro 2
The Huawei FreeBuds Pro 2 are premium true wireless earbuds that deliver a technically impressive sound with a dual-driver setup and a wide frequency range. They offer robust active noise cancellation, versatile connectivity including LDAC and multipoint, and a comfortable fit with IP54 durability, though battery life is average at best when ANC is engaged. Overall, they present a strong, feature-rich option in the competitive high-end earbud market.
- Pro:Excellent sound quality with dual-driver hybrid design
- Pro:Effective active noise cancellation and transparency mode
- Pro:Supports LDAC, AAC, and SBC codecs with multipoint
- Con:Battery life is modest, especially with ANC on
- Con:Case adds only moderate extra charge compared to rivals
- Con:No explicit mention of wear detection in specs
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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