Soundcore Life P3i Review: Budget Bassy Earbuds

The Soundcore Life P3i are wireless earbuds with noise cancelling, great battery life, and good sound quality. They seek to offer a thumping, big bass and a wide set of features. That includes ANC and transparency mode to allow in more external noise. In our Soundcore Life P3i review, we’ll let you know if it’s all worth at its middling price.

Battery Life and Controls

No touch controls here. There are tactile button for control on Soundcore Life P3i and they are pretty extensive. Noise cancellation, playback, and volume can all easily be controlled. Here is the complete control scheme:

• Decrease Volume – 1 tap of left earbud
• Increase Volume – 1 tap of right earbud
• Next Track – 2 taps of left earbud
• Play/Pause – 2 taps of right earbuds
• Change ANC Mode – Press and hold either earbud for 2 seconds
• Answer Phone Call – 1 tap of either earbud
• End Phone Call – 2 taps of either earbud
• Reject Phone Call – Press and hold either earbud for 2 seconds
  

As for its battery life, it can serve you for a maximum of 6 hours with ANC on, and with its function switched off, it can operate for 9 hours. The case recharges the earbuds fully four times before you may require new power. That’s as much as 36 hours of battery life. The charging case is charged via a USB-C cable. There is no wireless charging functionality.

Design and Comfort 

As for design and comfort, the Soundcore Life P3i also deliver there. You can leave them in for hours without feeling discomfort. The Soundcoure wireless earbuds might appear to be touch panels but are actual buttons. They’re nicely designed with a tactile feel. They are also much more convenient for your sweaty fingers.

These Soundcore true wireless earbuds have decent build quality for their price. The case, as well as the earbuds, are sturdy even if the material feels plastic. The case comes with a hefty lid, a USB-C port below for charging, and an LED light at the front to show the remaining battery charge. 

The wireless earbuds have stems that are somewhat thick compared to their counterpart P3 earbuds. They do have an added metallic line along the stem of the earbud. Unfortunately, Soundcore Life P3i lacks a IPX water resistance rating. 

Call and Sound Quality 

You’ll find a default sound signature that’s engaging and fun on the Soundcore Life P3i. These Soundcore true wireless earbuds will please those looking for bassy earbuds. The boomy thumps give some added warmth to EDM and Hip Hop tracks. That warmth can be felt in some of the mid-range frequencies also. It’s an all-around fun EQ that many will enjoy. Some will want a little less emphasis on the bass.

Call quality is solid on the P3i wireless earbuds. Voices are picked up well by the onboard microphones. They just don’t have much heft to them. The connection strength is also great. The Life P3i pairs and connects very quickly when removed from the case, and Bluetooth connections remain stable up to 10 meters from the device. Unfortunately, there is no ability to connect to multiple Bluetooth devices.

Key Features and Highlights

• Active Noise Canceling: The Soundcore Life P3i blocks 90% background noise to enable you to be more focused on the music you are listening to. 

• Punchy Beats – These earbuds have 10mm drivers to produce the most potent and thumping bass & crisp trebles. 

• Clear Calls – The AI algorithm isolates noise and picks up the voice through its four microphones to ensure you are heard clearly when on calls. 

• You Can Hear Everything Around You – You can easily talk to a person without necessarily removing the earbuds since you can Switch to the Transparent Mode and talk freely. 
  
• Longer Listening and Charges Faster – These noise-canceling earbuds can last up to 9 hours when fully charged. Quickly boost the power if you are on the move for 10 minutes to listen for up to 2 hours. 
  
• Lighter Buds – The buds are very comfortable and weigh 5g, ideal for all-day usage.
  
• Mono Mode – You can still use one earbud and leave the other in its charging case when you don’t want to put on both. 
  
• Bluetooth 5.2 – Its advanced technology helps in stable connectivity and fast transmission speeds for smooth beats.
  
• Easier to Use Button Controls – The Soundcore Life P3i wireless earbuds have tactile buttons that are very easy to use, thus smooth control of calls and music.
  
• Customizable EQ – With the Soundcore app, can select between its 22 EG settings, switch to sound modes or personalize your sound profile. 
  

P3i vs. P3 – Key Differences

There are some of the things that set Soundcore Life P3i and Soundcore Life P3 apart.

Soundcore Life P3 features IPX5 rating protection to help it withstand rain, water splashes as well as sweat. This makes them more suitable to use for sports and heavy rains. The Soundcore Life P3i has no such water resistance.

The Soundcore Life P3 comes with additional sleep and gaming modes via the Soundcore App, which isn’t available on the P3i. The P3 wireless earbuds better overall active noise cancellation. While the P3i earbuds have ANC and transparency mode, they are only of marginal benefit.

The P3 wireless earbuds have a more neutral sound signature when compared to the P3. The newer P3i earbuds do have improved battery life and controls. The Soundcore Life P3i are also typically 20+ dollars cheaper. Both have great app support via the Soundcore app.

Conclusion: P3i Earbuds Have Great Value

The Soundcore Life P3i is a great wireless earbud that aims to check a lot of boxes. Impressive battery life and engaging sound signaure are just a few of those boxes. They also provide great app support and comfort. It can also feel like Soundcore cut too much from the P3. At the same time, the price was also cut by decent about. If you are looking for budget earbuds, it’s a crowded price point. The P3i earbuds are still versatile enough to put up a good fight. More expensive earbuds like the Sony WF-XB700 will have better sound quality. They won’t have the same features, ANC, or app support though.