Is the Soundcore P31i/R60i NC worth the upgrade from the Xiaomi Redmi Buds 6?
Verdict
Meaningful upgrade
The Soundcore P31i/R60i NC scores 6.0 points above the Xiaomi Redmi Buds 6. That's a real improvement, though not the kind you'd notice on every track. The gains are concentrated in calls (6.5 to 7.0) and value (8.5 to 9.0). On paper: codecs SBC, AAC to SBC, AAC, LDAC, bluetooth 5.4 to 6.1 and battery life (anc on) 6.5 h to 8 h. Worth checking: driver size goes 12.4 mm to 11 mm and drivers per side goes 2 to 1. The two sit at effectively the same price. Worth doing if you're replacing anyway; harder to justify as a pure upgrade if what you have still works.
What actually changes
Sub-scores both products have, on the same 0-10 scale. Bars extend right for a gain, left for a loss.
- Sound7.57.5
- Noise cancelling7.07.0
- Battery8.08.0
- Calls6.57.0
- Value8.59.0
Spec differences
Only where the two genuinely differ - everything they share is omitted.
| Spec | Redmi Buds 6 | P31i/R60i NC | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC | |
| Bluetooth | 5.4 | 6.1 | |
| Water resistance | IP54 | IP55 | |
| Battery life (ANC on) | 6.5 h | 8 h | |
| Battery incl. case | 42 h | 50 h | |
| Driver size | 12.4 mm | 11 mm | |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 1 | |
| Microphones | 4 | 6 | |
| ANC type | hybrid | adaptive | |
| Quick charge | 10 min → 4 h | 10 min → 3.5 h | |
| Driver | 2-driver hybrid | 11 mm dynamic |
About this verdict
Direction matters here: this page answers "Redmi Buds 6 to P31i/R60i NC". 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.