True Wireless
Apple AirPods Pro 3
86Outstanding
$180
Full review dataApple AirPods Pro 3 vs Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro: 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
Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro
60Average
$190
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 7 of 7 measures.
- Apple AirPods Pro 3
- Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro
HearWiki score
86
60
Sound
8.6
6.6
Noise cancelling
9.3
6.1
Battery
7.3
5.6
Calls
7.4
6.8
Value
8.3
3.6
Price (USD)
$180
$190
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 Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro (2021). Neither is straightforwardly newer: the Apple AirPods Pro 3 brings Bluetooth 5.3 against 5.2 and ANC type Adaptive against Hybrid, while the Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro answers with Top codec aptX Adaptive against AAC. The Apple AirPods Pro 3 answers on convenience features: it adds Water resistance IP57 against IPX4.
- AirPods Pro 320254 yr newer
- FlipBuds Pro2021
What differsAirPods Pro 3FlipBuds Pro
- Bluetooth
- 5.3
- 5.2
- Top codec
- AAC
- aptX Adaptive
- ANC type
- Adaptive
- Hybrid
- Water resistance
- IP57
- IPX4
Platform
Everyday features
Level on: Multipoint pairing, Wireless charging, USB-C, Transparency mode, Companion app.
Specifications
AirPods Pro 3FlipBuds Pro
- Type
- True Wireless
- True Wireless
- Price (USD)
- $180
- $190
- HearWiki score
- 86
- 60
- Released
- 2025
- 2021
- Availability
- Sold new
- Still sold new
- Driver
- 10.7 mm dynamic
- 11 mm dynamic
- Driver type
- dynamic
- dynamic
- Driver size
- 10.7 mm
- 11 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 1
- Frequency response
- 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- Impedance
- -
- 16 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 110 dB/mW
- -
- Bluetooth
- 5.3
- 5.2
- Codecs
- SBC, AAC
- SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX Adaptive
- Multipoint pairing
- Yes
- Yes
- Battery life
- 8 h
- 7 h
- Battery life (ANC on)
- 8 h
- 5 h
- Battery incl. case
- -
- 28 h
- Full charge time
- -
- 90 min
- Quick charge
- -
- 5 min → 2 h
- Wireless charging
- Yes
- Yes
- Active noise cancelling
- Yes
- Yes
- ANC type
- adaptive
- hybrid
- Transparency mode
- Yes
- Yes
- Companion app
- Yes
- Yes
- Wear detection
- Yes
- -
- Controls
- touch
- touch
- Voice assistant
- Siri
- XiaoAI
- Weight
- 5.5 g
- -
- Case weight
- 44 g
- -
- Water resistance
- IP57
- IPX4
- 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)
Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro
The Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro are a well-rounded pair of true wireless earbuds that deliver solid audio performance and effective hybrid noise cancellation for their price point. They offer a generous feature set including multipoint connectivity, wireless charging, and aptX Adaptive support, with battery life that holds up well when ANC is off. While they shine in overall value, some usability quirks and compatibility concerns with non-Xiaomi devices may give potential buyers pause.
- Pro:Good sound quality with dynamic 11mm drivers
- Pro:Effective hybrid ANC for blocking ambient noise
- Pro:Supports multipoint and aptX Adaptive codecs
- Con:Battery drops to 5 hours with ANC enabled
- Con:Compatibility issues reported with non-Xiaomi phones
- Con:Touch controls may require a learning curve
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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