True Wireless
Apple AirPods Pro 3
86Outstanding
$180
Full review dataApple AirPods Pro 3 vs Philips T8506: 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.
True Wireless
Philips T8506
60Average
$120
Full review dataScore 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
- Philips T8506
HearWiki score
86
60
Sound
8.6
6.8
Noise cancelling
9.3
6.5
Battery
7.3
6.4
Calls
7.4
-
Value
8.3
4.4
Price (USD)
$180
$120
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?
Mixed generations
Apple AirPods Pro 3 (2025) against Philips T8506 (2022). Neither is straightforwardly newer: the Apple AirPods Pro 3 brings Bluetooth 5.3 against 5.2 and ANC type Adaptive against Hybrid, while the Philips T8506 answers with Top codec LDAC against AAC. The Apple AirPods Pro 3 answers on convenience features: it adds Water resistance IP57 against IPX4.
- AirPods Pro 320253 yr newer
- T85062022
What differsAirPods Pro 3T8506
- Bluetooth
- 5.3
- 5.2
- Top codec
- AAC
- LDAC
- ANC type
- Adaptive
- Hybrid
- Water resistance
- IP57
- IPX4
Platform
Everyday features
Level on: Multipoint pairing, Wireless charging, USB-C, Wear detection, Transparency mode, Companion app.
Specifications
AirPods Pro 3T8506
- Type
- True Wireless
- True Wireless
- Price (USD)
- $180
- $120
- HearWiki score
- 86
- 60
- Released
- 2025
- 2022
- Availability
- Sold new
- Discontinued
- Driver
- 10.7 mm dynamic
- 13 mm dynamic
- Driver type
- dynamic
- dynamic
- Driver size
- 10.7 mm
- 13 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 1
- Frequency response
- 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- 7 Hz - 40 kHz
- Impedance
- -
- 16 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 110 dB/mW
- 104 dB/mW
- Bluetooth
- 5.3
- 5.2
- Codecs
- SBC, AAC
- SBC, AAC, LDAC
- Multipoint pairing
- Yes
- Yes
- Wireless range
- -
- 10 m
- Battery life
- 8 h
- 9 h
- Battery life (ANC on)
- 8 h
- 8 h
- Battery incl. case
- -
- 27 h
- Full charge time
- -
- 120 min
- Quick charge
- -
- 15 min → 1.5 h
- Wireless charging
- Yes
- Yes
- Active noise cancelling
- Yes
- Yes
- ANC type
- adaptive
- hybrid
- Transparency mode
- Yes
- Yes
- Companion app
- Yes
- Yes
- Custom EQ
- -
- Yes
- Wear detection
- Yes
- Yes
- Controls
- touch
- touch
- Voice assistant
- Siri
- -
- Weight
- 5.5 g
- -
- Case weight
- 44 g
- -
- Water resistance
- IP57
- IPX4
- USB-C
- Yes
- Yes
- Microphones
- 3
- 4
- 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)
Philips T8506
The Philips T8506 are true wireless earbuds that combine hybrid active noise cancellation with a 13mm dynamic driver for a wide 7 Hz to 40 kHz frequency response. They offer solid battery life, IPX4 sweat resistance, and support for LDAC and multipoint connections, making them a versatile choice for everyday listening. With touch controls, a custom EQ, and wireless charging, they aim to deliver premium features at a mid-range price.
- Pro:Hybrid ANC with transparency mode
- Pro:LDAC support for high-resolution audio
- Pro:Multipoint Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity
- Con:Battery life drops to 8 hours with ANC on
- Con:No mention of ear tip sizes in specs
- Con:Touch controls may be less precise than physical buttons
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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