Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Soundcore P40i by Anker
The AirPods Pro 3 and the Soundcore P40i both offer adaptive noise cancelling, but they sit at opposite ends of the price range. Apple's buds are the premium, feature-packed choice for iPhone owners, while Anker's Soundcore P40i costs a fraction and has longer battery life.
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Apple AirPods Pro 3
The most complete earbuds for iPhone owners.
- + Excellent noise cancellation
- + Built-in heart rate sensing for workouts
- + Hearing aid and hearing test features
- - Limited features on Android
- - No high-resolution codec
Soundcore P40i by Anker
Adaptive noise cancelling and huge battery for about $50.
- + Adaptive ANC at a budget price
- + Up to 60 hours total with the case
- + Case doubles as a phone stand
- - Noise cancellation weaker than premium buds
- - Bass-heavy default sound
Who wins in which situation?
Heart rate sensing, hearing test, hearing aid mode and seamless switching between Apple devices only work properly with Apple.
It has adaptive noise cancelling for about a quarter of the price or less, and a phone-stand case.
It works with iPhone and Android alike, and offers multipoint pairing. The AirPods lose most of their smart features on Android.
Noise cancellation is stronger than the P40i's and the IP57 rating beats the P40i's IPX5 for sweat and rain.
Specs side by side
| Specification | Apple AirPods Pro 3 | Soundcore P40i by Anker |
|---|---|---|
| Rank in our top 10 | No. 1 | No. 2 |
| Price | approx. $229.99 | approx. $49.99 |
| Our score | 9.4/10 | 8.8/10 |
| Reviews | 38,000+ ratings | 30,000+ ratings |
| Noise cancelling | Yes, adaptive | Yes, adaptive |
| Battery (ANC on) | Up to 8 hr | Up to 10 hr |
| Water resistance | IP57 | IPX5 |
| Codecs | AAC | AAC, SBC |
| Works best with | iPhone | iPhone and Android |
Our conclusion
iPhone owners who want the best noise cancelling, call quality and Apple features should buy the AirPods Pro 3. Everyone else, especially students, commuters and Android users, will get more for their money from the Soundcore P40i, which has longer battery life and respectable ANC. Don't pay for the Apple extras if you won't use them.
Both models feature in our guide The 10 Best Wireless Earbuds of 2026. There you will also find the other models, a buying guide and frequently asked questions. We compare specs, price and buyer reviews.