Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Xiaomi Redmi Buds 4 Pro: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the Apple AirPods Pro 3 comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 88. 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

Apple AirPods Pro 3

88Outstanding

$180

Full review data

True Wireless

Score breakdown

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

Apple AirPods Pro 3 leads on 5 of 7 measures.

Apple AirPods Pro 3
Xiaomi Redmi Buds 4 Pro

HearWiki score

Sound

8.6

7.5

Noise cancelling

9.3

6.0

Battery

7.3

7.5

Calls

7.4

6.5

Value

8.3

8.0

Price (USD)

$180

$57

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?

Half a step newer

Apple AirPods Pro 3 (2025) against Xiaomi Redmi Buds 4 Pro (2022). The Xiaomi Redmi Buds 4 Pro edges ahead on platform, but only just: Top codec LDAC against AAC. The Apple AirPods Pro 3 answers on convenience features: it adds Wireless charging and Water resistance IP57 against IP54.

AirPods Pro 320253 yr newer
Redmi Buds 4 Pro2022

What differsAirPods Pro 3Redmi Buds 4 Pro

Top codec: AAC; LDAC
Wireless charging: Yes; No
Water resistance: IP57; IP54

Level on: Bluetooth, ANC type, Multipoint pairing, USB-C, Wear detection, Transparency mode, Companion app.

Specifications

AirPods Pro 3Redmi Buds 4 Pro

Type: True Wireless; True Wireless
Price (USD): $180; $57
HearWiki score: 88; 70
Released: 2025; 2022
Availability: Sold new; Discontinued
Driver: 10.7 mm dynamic; 2-driver hybrid
Driver type: dynamic; hybrid
Driver size: 10.7 mm; 10 mm
Drivers per side: 1; 2
Frequency response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz; 20 Hz - 20 kHz
Sound signature: -; neutral
Impedance: -; 24 Ω
Sensitivity: 110 dB/mW; -
Bluetooth: 5.3; 5.3
Codecs: SBC, AAC; LDAC
Multipoint pairing: Yes; Yes
Wireless range: -; 10 m
Battery life: 8 h; 9 h
Battery life (ANC on): 8 h; 6 h
Battery incl. case: -; 36 h
Quick charge: -; 5 min → 2 h
Wireless charging: Yes; No
Active noise cancelling: Yes; Yes
ANC type: adaptive; 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; 5 g
Case weight: 44 g; 39.5 g
Water resistance: IP57; IP54
USB-C: Yes; Yes
Microphones: 3; 3
Microphone type: beamforming; -
Call noise reduction: -; Yes
Call NR technology: -; noise-cancelling mic

Specification comparison of Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Xiaomi Redmi Buds 4 Pro
Spec	Apple AirPods Pro 3	Xiaomi Redmi Buds 4 Pro
Type	True Wireless	True Wireless
Price (USD)	$180	$57
HearWiki score	88 / 100 Outstanding	70 / 100 Good
Released	2025	2022
Audio
Driver	10.7 mm dynamic	2-driver hybrid
Driver type	dynamic	hybrid
Driver size	10.7 mm	10 mm
Drivers per side	1	2
Frequency response	20 Hz - 20 kHz	20 Hz - 20 kHz
Sound signature	-	neutral
Impedance	-	24 Ω
Sensitivity	110 dB/mW	-
Wireless
Bluetooth	5.3	5.3
Codecs	SBC, AAC	LDAC
Multipoint pairing	Yes	Yes
Wireless range	-	10 m
Battery
Battery life	8 h	9 h
Battery life (ANC on)	8 h	6 h
Battery incl. case	-	36 h
Quick charge	-	5 min → 2 h
Wireless charging	Yes	No
Features
Active noise cancelling	Yes	Yes
ANC type	adaptive	adaptive
Transparency mode	Yes	Yes
Companion app	Yes	Yes
Custom EQ	-	Yes
Wear detection	Yes	Yes
Controls	touch	touch
Voice assistant	Siri	Yes
Design
Weight	5.5 g	5 g
Case weight	44 g	39.5 g
Water resistance	IP57	IP54
USB-C	Yes	Yes
Calls
Microphones	3	3
Microphone type	beamforming	-
Call noise reduction	-	Yes
Call NR technology	-	noise-cancelling mic

What reviewers said

Apple AirPods Pro 3

The Apple AirPods Pro 3 are premium true wireless earbuds that deliver top-tier active noise cancellation, clear call quality, and a well-balanced sound profile. They offer a robust feature set including adaptive ANC, wireless charging, and IP57 water resistance, though their higher price and somewhat finicky fit may give some buyers pause. Overall, they stand out as a polished, high-performance option for iOS users willing to invest in a premium experience.

Pro:Excellent active noise cancellation
Pro:Clear call quality in noisy environments
Pro:Strong battery life with the charging case

Con:Fit can be finicky and may lose seal easily
Con:Premium price point
Con:Only supports AAC codec

Xiaomi Redmi Buds 4 Pro

The Redmi Buds 4 Pro are feature-packed true wireless earbuds that offer solid audio performance, a comfortable fit, and robust battery life at a budget-friendly price. They support high-resolution LDAC streaming, adaptive noise cancellation, and multipoint connectivity, making them a compelling choice for value-focused listeners. While the ANC is not the strongest in its class and some settings require the companion app, the overall package is impressive for the cost.

Pro:Excellent value for the price
Pro:Supports LDAC for high-quality wireless audio
Pro:Comfortable fit with good battery life

Con:ANC is not particularly strong
Con:Some features require the Xiaomi app
Con:No wireless charging support

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

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