The Apple AirPods Pro 3 and Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are two of the most talked-about premium true wireless earbuds of their generations. Both offer strong active noise cancellation, comfortable fits, and polished companion apps, but they aim at different ecosystems and prioritise different strengths. This head-to-head uses the HearWiki database to compare them honestly, so you can see where they genuinely differ and where they are closer than the marketing suggests.
Price and positioning
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 are listed at $179, which undercuts the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro at $210. That is a $31 gap, not huge in the premium tier, but worth noting if you are on a budget. The AirPods Pro 3 are positioned as the default choice for iPhone owners, with tight integration into Apple's ecosystem, while the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are aimed at Android users, especially those with Samsung phones, thanks to features like Samsung Scalable codec and multipoint connectivity.
Neither is a budget product. Both ask for a serious outlay, and you should expect flagship-level performance. The AirPods Pro 3 cost less, but the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro bring more codec support and a hybrid driver design for the extra money. If you are comparing them strictly on price, the AirPods have the edge, but the value question depends heavily on your phone.
The scores, side by side
The HearWiki buyability score for the AirPods Pro 3 is 88/100, while the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro sit at 84/100. That is a four-point gap, which is meaningful but not a landslide. Both are strong performers in the premium true wireless category, and you should not read the difference as one being dramatically better overall.
The sub-scores tell a more nuanced story. For sound, the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro score 9.1/10 against the AirPods' 8.6/10. For ANC, the AirPods lead with 9.3/10 versus 8.3/10. Battery is identical at 7.3/10 for both. Calls favour the Galaxy Buds at 8.6/10 against 7.4/10, and value goes to the AirPods at 8.3/10 versus 7.9/10. So each wins in different categories, and the headline score reflects a balance of price, availability, and review consensus rather than a simple average.
Sound
The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro use a two-driver hybrid setup, which helps them score higher on sound at 9.1/10. They also support LDAC, a high-resolution codec that can deliver more detail when your source and phone support it. The AirPods Pro 3 rely on a single 10.7 mm dynamic driver and only support SBC and AAC, which is a limitation if you are an Android user who wants lossless or high-bitrate streaming.
That said, the AirPods Pro 3 still score a respectable 8.6/10 for sound. Their tuning is well-balanced, with clear vocals and a punchy bass response, and they handle most genres competently. The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are likely to sound more detailed and spacious to critical listeners, especially with LDAC, but the difference is not night and day. If you are an iPhone user, you will not get LDAC anyway, so the AirPods' AAC performance is more relevant to you.
Noise cancelling and battery
The AirPods Pro 3 are the clear winners on active noise cancellation, scoring 9.3/10 against the Galaxy Buds' 8.3/10. Published reviews consistently praise the AirPods for their adaptive ANC, which adjusts in real time to your environment, and they are particularly effective at taming low-frequency rumble like aeroplane engines or office HVAC. The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro also have adaptive ANC and are good, but they let through a bit more mid-range noise, so they are a step behind.
Battery life is a tie on paper: both are rated at 7.3/10, with the AirPods offering 8 hours per charge and the Galaxy Buds 7 hours. In practice, that is a single-hour difference, and both cases add several charges. Neither is a battery champion, but both are adequate for a full day of commuting or a long flight. The AirPods' extra hour is a small but real advantage if you rarely take the case out.
Calls and everyday use
The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro take the lead on call quality, scoring 8.6/10 versus the AirPods' 7.4/10. The Buds are better at suppressing background noise during calls, so your voice stays clear even in windy or busy environments. The AirPods Pro 3 are not bad, but they are more prone to letting ambient noise bleed into your voice, which can be frustrating in loud settings.
For everyday use, both have IP57 water resistance, so they can handle sweat and rain. The AirPods Pro 3 have a fit that some users find finicky, and losing the seal can reduce ANC effectiveness. The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are generally more comfortable for a wider range of ear shapes, though their touch controls can be overly sensitive. Neither has a foldable design, so storage is similar. Both work with their respective ecosystems best, but the Galaxy Buds are more flexible on Android thanks to multipoint and more codec options.
Which one should you buy?
If you are an iPhone user, the Apple AirPods Pro 3 are the obvious choice. They cost less, have superior ANC, integrate seamlessly with iOS, and their AAC-only codec is not a drawback on Apple devices. The call quality is weaker, but for most everyday conversations it is fine.
If you are on Android, especially with a Samsung phone, the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are the stronger pick. They sound better, handle calls more clearly, support LDAC and Samsung Scalable, and their ANC is still very good even if it is not class-leading. The higher price is justified by the extra features you can actually use.
If you are on Android with a non-Samsung phone, the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro still work well, but check whether LDAC is supported on your device. If it is not, the AirPods Pro 3 become less appealing anyway because they are designed for Apple, so the Galaxy Buds remain the safer bet.
For a full side-by-side breakdown, see the comparison table. You can also browse other top true wireless earbuds or best ANC earbuds for more options.
FAQ
Are the AirPods Pro 3 better than the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro for noise cancelling?
Yes, according to the HearWiki database, the AirPods Pro 3 score 9.3/10 for ANC compared to 8.3/10 for the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro. The AirPods are more effective at blocking low-frequency noise and adapt more aggressively to your surroundings.
Do the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro work well with iPhones?
They work, but you lose LDAC and Samsung Scalable codec support, so you are stuck with AAC. The AirPods Pro 3 are a better match for iPhones, offering tighter integration and better ANC for the same or lower price.
Which earbuds have better call quality?
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro score 8.6/10 for calls, while the AirPods Pro 3 score 7.4/10. The Buds are better at keeping background noise out of your voice, making them the stronger choice if you take calls in busy places.
