Is the Xiaomi Redmi Buds 3 worth the upgrade from the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C)?
Verdict
Downgrade
The Xiaomi Redmi Buds 3 actually scores 20.1 points below the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C), so on aggregate review consensus this is a step backwards. It loses ground on sound (8.5 to 5.5) and calls (8.0 to 5.0). On paper: codecs SBC, AAC to SBC, AAC, aptX and driver size 11 mm to 12 mm. Worth checking: battery life goes 6 h to 5 h and active noise cancelling goes Yes to No. One caution: this steps down a line tier (AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C) to Redmi Buds 3), and base models usually trade away tier features - check the codec and ANC rows above before trusting the score gap alone. It is at least $105 cheaper, so the lower score comes with a saving. Only worth it if a specific feature above matters more to you than overall quality does.
What actually changes
Sub-scores both products have, on the same 0-10 scale. Bars extend right for a gain, left for a loss.
- Sound8.55.5
- Battery7.56.5
- Calls8.05.0
- Value7.57.0
Spec differences
Only where the two genuinely differ - everything they share is omitted.
| Spec | AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C) | Redmi Buds 3 | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery life | 6 h | 5 h | |
| Active noise cancelling | Yes | No | |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, aptX | |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.2 | |
| Driver size | 11 mm | 12 mm | |
| Microphones | 3 | 2 | |
| Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
| Driver | 11 mm dynamic | 12 mm dynamic |
About this verdict
Direction matters here: this page answers "AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C) to Redmi Buds 3". The other direction is a separate question with a different answer. Scores blend published review verdicts across true wireless and shift as new reviews land, so a marginal call today may not be one next quarter.