Wireless Earbuds / Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro
Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro
Apple AirPods Pro 3
Outstanding ANC and a real hearing-aid mode — if you own an iPhone.
Wins overall by 0.6 points
Quick Verdict
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 takes this by a clear 0.6 points. Outstanding ANC and a real hearing-aid mode — if you own an iPhone. The Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro only makes sense if it wins on a category you care about more than the total.
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 and Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro are both closely matched wireless Earbuds models, and they're priced almost identically ($249 vs $249.99). On Battery, the Apple AirPods Pro 3 leads (8.0 vs 6.5/10) — playtime in the buds and total runtime with the case. On Noise Cancelling, the Apple AirPods Pro 3 leads (9.5 vs 8.5/10) — how much ambient noise is actually removed. On Comfort & Fit, the Apple AirPods Pro 3 leads (9.0 vs 8.0/10) — weight, fit options and how they feel over long sessions. Overall, the Apple AirPods Pro 3 scores 8.6/10 across our 8 scoring categories versus 8.0/10 for the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro. Below, we break down the full spec sheet, category-by-category scores, and exactly who should buy which one.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Spec | Apple AirPods Pro 3 | Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $249.00 | $249.99 |
| Release Year | 2025 | 2026 |
| Battery (ANC on) (hrs) | 8✓ | 6 |
| Battery with Case (hrs) | 24✓ | 21 |
| Active Noise Cancelling | Apple ANC on the H2 chip; Apple claims roughly twice the noise reduction of AirPods Pro 2 | ANC 2.0 — adaptive, with real-time EQ analysis and repositioned wind-resistant microphones |
| Driver Size (mm) | Not published by the manufacturer | Samsung states a two-way design with a woofer roughly 20% larger than the Buds3 Pro, but publishes no millimetre figure |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | Samsung's US specification says 5.4 while retail listings claim 6.1 — unresolved |
| Multipoint | No — Apple offers iCloud automatic device switching, which hands the connection over rather than holding two at once | Yes, but across Samsung devices only |
| Water Resistance | IP57 | IP57 |
| Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes |
| Weight per Bud (g) | 5.55 | Not published by the manufacturer |
| Codecs | SBC and AAC only — no aptX or LDAC | SBC, AAC, SSC and LC3 — no LDAC or aptX |
| Spatial Audio | Yes, Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking | Yes, with head tracking, but Samsung devices only |
| App EQ | No | Yes |
| Warranty | 12 months | 12 months |
| Colors | White | Black, White |
Category Scores
Sound Quality
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 and Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro are level here, at 8.5/10 each. tuning, detail and codec support is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Noise Cancelling
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 leads clearly here, 9.5 against 8.5 — a 1.0-point margin on how much ambient noise is actually removed. If that is what you are buying for, the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro does not close the gap elsewhere.
Battery
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 leads clearly here, 8.0 against 6.5 — a 1.5-point margin on playtime in the buds and total runtime with the case. If that is what you are buying for, the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro does not close the gap elsewhere.
Comfort & Fit
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 leads clearly here, 9.0 against 8.0 — a 1.0-point margin on weight, fit options and how they feel over long sessions. If that is what you are buying for, the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro does not close the gap elsewhere.
Call Quality
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 leads clearly here, 9.0 against 8.5 — a 0.5-point margin on microphone performance and background noise rejection. If that is what you are buying for, the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro does not close the gap elsewhere.
Features
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 leads clearly here, 9.0 against 8.5 — a 0.5-point margin on app depth, spatial audio, multipoint and extras. If that is what you are buying for, the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro does not close the gap elsewhere.
Durability
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 and Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro are level here, at 8.5/10 each. IP rating, build materials and case robustness is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Value
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 leads clearly here, 7.5 against 7.0 — a 0.5-point margin on features and performance relative to price. If that is what you are buying for, the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro does not close the gap elsewhere.
Best For
Choose the Apple AirPods Pro 3 if…
- • Battery matters most to you — the Apple AirPods Pro 3 scores 8.0/10 here (playtime in the buds and total runtime with the case).
- • Noise Cancelling matters most to you — the Apple AirPods Pro 3 scores 9.5/10 here (how much ambient noise is actually removed).
- • Comfort & Fit matters most to you — the Apple AirPods Pro 3 scores 9.0/10 here (weight, fit options and how they feel over long sessions).
- • Call Quality matters most to you — the Apple AirPods Pro 3 scores 9.0/10 here (microphone performance and background noise rejection).
- • Features matters most to you — the Apple AirPods Pro 3 scores 9.0/10 here (app depth, spatial audio, multipoint and extras).
Choose the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro if…
- • You prefer the Samsung ecosystem, app, and design language.
Pros & Cons
Apple AirPods Pro 3
Pros
- +Among the best noise cancelling in any earbud, and a huge step over the Pro 2
- +The FDA-authorised hearing aid feature is a genuine health function, not a gimmick
- +IP57 is the toughest rating here
- +Heart-rate sensing and Live Translation
Cons
- −No EQ of any kind — you cannot adjust the tuning at all
- −No true multipoint, only Apple device switching
- −AAC and SBC only, with no hi-res codec
- −On Android you get playback and almost nothing else — you cannot even update the firmware without an Apple device
Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro
Pros
- +Two-way drivers with dual amplifiers is a genuinely more capable design than single-driver rivals
- +IP57 matches AirPods Pro 3 for ruggedness
- +Auracast support and 24-bit hi-res on Galaxy phones
- +Excellent call quality with wind-resistant mics
Cons
- −6 hours with ANC on and 21 total is poor for a $249 product
- −Multipoint, head tracking, hi-res and translation all require Samsung hardware
- −No iOS app at all, so iPhone users get basic playback only
- −Samsung's own site and retail listings disagree on the Bluetooth version
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FAQs
Is the Apple AirPods Pro 3 or Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro better overall?+
Based on our 8-category scoring, the Apple AirPods Pro 3 comes out ahead overall. See the full breakdown in the scores section above — the right pick still depends on which categories matter most for your use case.
Which is better for Battery, the Apple AirPods Pro 3 or the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro?+
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 scores higher on Battery (8.0/10 vs 6.5/10) — playtime in the buds and total runtime with the case.
Which is better for Noise Cancelling, the Apple AirPods Pro 3 or the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro?+
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 scores higher on Noise Cancelling (9.5/10 vs 8.5/10) — how much ambient noise is actually removed.
Which is better for Comfort & Fit, the Apple AirPods Pro 3 or the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro?+
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 scores higher on Comfort & Fit (9.0/10 vs 8.0/10) — weight, fit options and how they feel over long sessions.
Which is better for Call Quality, the Apple AirPods Pro 3 or the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro?+
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 scores higher on Call Quality (9.0/10 vs 8.5/10) — microphone performance and background noise rejection.
Is the Apple AirPods Pro 3 worth the price difference over the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro?+
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 is the cheaper option at $249 versus $249.99. Whether the pricier model is "worth it" depends on how much you value its lead in Battery.
What's the warranty on the Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro?+
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 ships with a 12-month warranty; the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro ships with a 12-month warranty. Always confirm current terms on the manufacturer's site before buying.
Should I wait for the next model instead of buying either of these?+
If either model is more than two years old, a successor may be close — check the "Latest Model" link on each product page. Otherwise, both are current, well-supported options and there's no strong reason to wait.
Cheaper Option
Apple AirPods Pro 3 — $249.00
Premium Option
Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro — $249.99
Specifications and prices for both products last verified . Scores are calculated from published specifications — see how we compare products.