Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro: Which TWS Wins?

The Apple AirPods Pro 3 and Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro sit at very different price points but both aim for the top of the true wireless market. One costs two and a half times the other, yet their overall scores are only two points apart. This head-to-head looks at where each earns its money and where the cheaper option genuinely competes.

We are using only the data from our database, so where a spec is not recorded, we say so rather than guessing. Both pairs have active noise cancellation and wireless connectivity, so the real question is what you give up by choosing the cheaper set.

Price and positioning

The Apple AirPods Pro 3 are priced at $250, which puts them firmly in the premium tier of true wireless earbuds. The Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro cost $100, which is a mid-range price but still a serious step up from budget options. You are paying a $150 premium for the AirPods, and the question is whether that buys you enough extra performance.

The AirPods Pro 3 are positioned as the default choice for iPhone owners who want the best integration and top-tier noise cancelling. The Liberty 4 Pro are aimed at buyers who want many of the same features without the Apple tax, and they pack in extras like a case-mounted noise-cancelling slider and an Easy Chat mode. If you are shopping on a budget, the Soundcore pair is the obvious starting point. For a broader look at budget-friendly options, see our best budget earbuds under $50 list, though the Liberty 4 Pro sit above that bracket.

The scores, side by side

Our headline scores are 84/100 for the AirPods Pro 3 and 82/100 for the Liberty 4 Pro. That two-point gap is small enough that you should not treat it as a clear win for Apple. In real-world terms, both are very good earbuds, and the difference will come down to specific priorities rather than overall quality.

Looking at the subscores, sound is a dead heat at 8.5/10 for both. Noise cancelling favours the AirPods at 9.5/10 versus 8/10, which is the biggest single gap in the comparison. Battery favours the AirPods at 8/10 versus 7.5/10, but note that the Liberty 4 Pro claim 8 hours per charge versus 5 hours for the AirPods, so the subscore seems to factor in more than raw runtime. Calls are close at 8.5/10 versus 8/10, and value goes the other way at 7.5/10 for Apple and 8/10 for Soundcore. The value gap is unsurprising given the price difference.

You can see the full breakdown in our comparison table.

Sound

Both pairs score 8.5/10 for sound, so we are calling this a tie. The AirPods Pro 3 use a 10.7mm driver and support AAC only, which is fine for iPhone users but less flexible for Android. The Liberty 4 Pro do not have their driver size or codec support recorded in our database, so we cannot comment on those specs. What we can say is that the Soundcore pair are praised for crisp treble, while the AirPods are described as excellent overall without a specific strength highlighted.

If you listen to a lot of treble-heavy music, the Liberty 4 Pro may suit you better. If you want a balanced, all-round sound, the AirPods are likely to satisfy. Neither is a clear winner here, and your choice of phone may matter more than the earbuds themselves.

Noise cancelling and battery

This is where the AirPods Pro 3 pull ahead. Their ANC scores 9.5/10, which is among the best we have recorded, and the summary calls it industry-leading. The Liberty 4 Pro score 8/10, which is still effective but not in the same league. If you commute on noisy trains or work in a loud office, the AirPods will block out more of the world.

Battery life is a more confusing picture. The AirPods Pro 3 are rated at 5 hours per charge, while the Liberty 4 Pro are rated at 8 hours. Yet the AirPods score higher on battery at 8/10 versus 7.5/10. That suggests our subscore accounts for charging case behaviour or overall endurance, but we do not have those details recorded. On paper, the Soundcore pair should last longer between charges, so if you rarely have access to a charger, they may be the safer bet.

Calls and everyday use

Call quality is close: 8.5/10 for the AirPods and 8/10 for the Liberty 4 Pro. The AirPods are specifically praised for clear calls in loud environments, which is a common pain point for wireless earbuds. The Soundcore pair are also described as very clear, so neither will embarrass you on a work call.

Where the Liberty 4 Pro stand out is in practical extras. The quick noise-cancelling slider on the case and Easy Chat mode are genuinely useful, according to our notes. The AirPods add a live translation feature, which is nice but less essential for most people. One caveat: the AirPods Pro 3 fit can be finicky, and they are not the easiest to wear for long periods. The Liberty 4 Pro have a larger case due to the added controls, which may matter if you carry them in a pocket.

Which one should you buy?

If you are an iPhone user who wants the best noise cancelling money can buy and you are willing to pay for it, the Apple AirPods Pro 3 are the clear choice. The 9.5/10 ANC score is the standout feature, and the call quality in noise is excellent. Just be aware that the fit may not work for everyone, and the $250 price is steep.

If you are on a budget or you use an Android phone, the Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro offer most of the experience for less than half the price. The sound is equal, the calls are nearly as good, the battery lasts longer on a single charge, and the extras are practical rather than gimmicky. The ANC is weaker, but at $100 you are getting a lot of earbuds. For more options in this range, see our best earbuds under $100 guide.

There is no single winner here. The AirPods win on noise cancelling and polish; the Liberty 4 Pro win on value and battery. Choose based on your priorities, not on the two-point score gap.

FAQ

Are the AirPods Pro 3 worth the extra money over the Liberty 4 Pro?

Only if you value top-tier noise cancelling and seamless iPhone integration. The Liberty 4 Pro match the AirPods on sound and come close on calls, so the $150 premium buys you a quieter commute, not a better listening experience.

Which earbuds have better battery life?

The Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro are rated at 8 hours per charge, while the AirPods Pro 3 are rated at 5 hours. Our battery subscore favours the AirPods, but on paper the Soundcore pair should last longer between charges.

Do the Liberty 4 Pro work well with iPhones?

Yes, they use standard Bluetooth and should pair fine with iPhones, though they lack the tight integration of the AirPods. You will not get features like live translation, but core functions like ANC and calls work as expected.

By Miles Archer · HearWiki