Is the Apple AirPods 3 worth the upgrade from the Huawei FreeBuds Neo?
Verdict
Downgrade
The Apple AirPods 3 actually scores 15.4 points below the Huawei FreeBuds Neo, so on aggregate review consensus this is a step backwards. It loses ground on calls (8.0 to 6.3) and sound (8.0 to 7.0). Worth checking: battery life goes 10 h to 6 h and active noise cancelling goes Yes to No. It is at least $25 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.
- Sound8.07.0
- Battery8.07.0
- Calls8.06.3
Spec differences
Only where the two genuinely differ - everything they share is omitted.
| Spec | FreeBuds Neo | AirPods 3 | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery life | 10 h | 6 h | |
| Active noise cancelling | Yes | No | |
| Codecs | LDAC | SBC, AAC | |
| Water resistance | IP55 | IPX4 | |
| Battery incl. case | 40 h | 30 h | |
| Microphones | 4 | 3 | |
| Transparency mode | Yes | No | |
| ANC type | adaptive | none | |
| Controls | touch | buttons |
About this verdict
Direction matters here: this page answers "FreeBuds Neo to AirPods 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.