The Apple AirPods Pro 3 and Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE are two of the most talked-about true wireless earbuds of 2025, but they aim at very different buyers. The AirPods Pro 3 cost more and promise a premium, polished experience, while the Galaxy Buds3 FE undercut them on price but cut some corners. This head-to-head uses the HearWiki database scores and published specs to show you exactly what each pair delivers, and where the differences are smaller than the marketing suggests.
Both are strong in their own way, but the gap between them is not as wide as the price difference implies. The AirPods Pro 3 win on noise cancelling and call clarity, while the Galaxy Buds3 FE offer better value for money and a lighter fit. Your choice will come down to which compromises you can live with, and which ecosystem you already use.
Price and positioning
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 retail at $179, while the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE cost $120. That is a $59 gap, which is significant for budget-conscious buyers. The AirPods Pro 3 sit firmly in the premium tier, asking you to pay for a more complete feature set. The Galaxy Buds3 FE are positioned as a mid-range option, but they still include active noise cancelling and wireless charging, so they are not exactly cheap.
What you get for the extra money with the AirPods Pro 3 is better ANC, stronger call quality, and a more refined overall package. The Galaxy Buds3 FE, meanwhile, ask you to accept some missing features, like multipoint connectivity, in exchange for a lower upfront cost. If you are on a strict budget, the FE are the obvious starting point. If you can stretch, the AirPods Pro 3 justify their price in the areas that matter most day to day.
The scores, side by side
The headline HearWiki buyability score for the AirPods Pro 3 is 88/100, and for the Galaxy Buds3 FE it is 84/100. That is a four-point gap, which is real but not enormous. Both are good buys; the AirPods Pro 3 are simply better overall. The sub-scores tell a similar story, but with some surprises.
On sound, the AirPods Pro 3 score 8.6/10 against the Galaxy Buds3 FE's 8.2/10, so the difference is small. On ANC, the AirPods Pro 3 lead more clearly at 9.3/10 versus 8.6/10. Battery is the odd one out: the AirPods Pro 3 score 7.3/10, while the Galaxy Buds3 FE score 6.3/10, despite the FE having a slightly longer rated battery life per charge. Call quality is close, 7.4/10 versus 8.1/10 in favour of the Samsung, which contradicts the summary notes about poor call clarity. Value is also close, 8.3/10 for the AirPods Pro 3 and 8.1/10 for the Galaxy Buds3 FE.
These sub-scores are category summaries from the HearWiki database, not a weighted average of the headline score. Treat them as a guide, not a precise measurement.
Sound
The AirPods Pro 3 use a 10.7 mm dynamic driver, while the Galaxy Buds3 FE use an 11 mm driver. Larger drivers do not automatically mean better sound, and the scores reflect that. The AirPods Pro 3 are rated 8.6/10 for sound, the Galaxy Buds3 FE 8.2/10. In practice, you can expect a well-balanced profile from both, with the AirPods Pro 3 having a slight edge in clarity and detail.
The Galaxy Buds3 FE are described as having a pleasant sound signature, which is a polite way of saying they are tuned for mass appeal rather than audiophile precision. They are not bad, but they do not resolve complex tracks as well as the AirPods Pro 3. If you listen to a lot of bass-heavy music, the FE might actually feel more engaging out of the box, but the AirPods Pro 3 are more accurate across the board.
Codec support is worth noting. Both support SBC and AAC, but the Galaxy Buds3 FE also support Samsung Scalable, which is useful only if you have a compatible Samsung phone. The AirPods Pro 3 stick to AAC, which is fine for iOS but less ideal on Android. Neither supports aptX or LDAC, so high-resolution streaming is not a strong point for either.
Noise cancelling and battery
Active noise cancelling is where the AirPods Pro 3 pull ahead. Their ANC score is 9.3/10, compared to 8.6/10 for the Galaxy Buds3 FE. That is a meaningful difference. Published reviews consistently rate the AirPods Pro 3's adaptive ANC as top-tier, able to suppress a wide range of frequencies from engine rumble to office chatter. The Galaxy Buds3 FE are described as having mediocre ANC, which is fine for occasional use but not for long commutes on noisy transport.
Battery life is a mixed picture. The AirPods Pro 3 are rated at 8 hours per charge, the Galaxy Buds3 FE at 8.5 hours. The FE last longer on paper, but their battery sub-score is lower at 6.3/10 versus 7.3/10 for the AirPods Pro 3. That gap likely reflects real-world drain and case efficiency, which the HearWiki database captures from published reviews. Neither pair is exceptional here; many rivals offer 10 hours or more. With the charging case, both should get you through a workday, but you will be reaching for the case more often than with some competitors.
Both support wireless charging, which is a nice convenience. The AirPods Pro 3 have an IP57 rating, meaning they can handle dust and water immersion, while the Galaxy Buds3 FE have IP54, which covers splashes but not submersion. If you run in heavy rain or sweat a lot, the AirPods Pro 3 are safer.
Calls and everyday use
Call quality is where the two diverge from expectations. The Galaxy Buds3 FE score 8.1/10 for calls, higher than the AirPods Pro 3's 7.4/10, even though the FE's summary mentions disappointing call clarity. The AirPods Pro 3 are described as having clear call quality in noisy environments, so the lower score may reflect a different weighting. In practice, you should test both in your own environment before deciding.
Everyday use is more than just calls. The AirPods Pro 3 offer adaptive ANC, wireless charging, and a robust feature set for iOS users, including seamless switching between Apple devices. The Galaxy Buds3 FE lack multipoint connectivity, which is a notable omission in 2025. If you regularly switch between a phone and a laptop, the AirPods Pro 3 are far more convenient. The FE are lighter and more comfortable for some ears, according to the summary, but the AirPods Pro 3's fit can be finicky and may lose the seal easily.
For Android users, the AirPods Pro 3 lose much of their appeal because the advanced features are locked to iOS. The Galaxy Buds3 FE work better with Android, especially Samsung phones, thanks to the Scalable codec and Samsung Wearable app support. If you are not in either ecosystem, both are usable, but neither will shine.
Which one should you buy?
Buy the Apple AirPods Pro 3 if you are an iPhone user who wants the best ANC and call quality in a premium package, and you are willing to pay $179 for it. The higher score of 88/100 reflects a more complete product, and the IP57 rating adds durability. The fit issue is a real concern, so try them before buying if you can.
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE if you are on a tighter budget, use an Android phone, and can live with average ANC and no multipoint. At $120, they are a solid value, and their sound quality is close to the AirPods Pro 3. The lower score of 84/100 is fair, but for many buyers the $59 saving will matter more than the performance gap.
For a full breakdown of every spec and score, see the comparison table. You can also browse other options in our best true wireless guide or our best ANC earbuds list if neither of these feels right.
FAQ
Do the AirPods Pro 3 work well with Android phones?
Yes, they pair as standard Bluetooth earbuds and support AAC, but you lose features like adaptive ANC control, spatial audio, and seamless device switching. Call quality and ANC still work, but the experience is not as polished as on iOS.
Are the Galaxy Buds3 FE worth the money over cheaper earbuds?
At $120, they offer good sound and ANC, but they lack multipoint and have average call quality. If you can find a pair of ANC earbuds under $50 that meet your needs, you might not miss the extra features. Check our budget earbuds under $50 list for alternatives.
Which pair has better battery life?
The Galaxy Buds3 FE are rated at 8.5 hours per charge, slightly longer than the AirPods Pro 3's 8 hours. However, the AirPods Pro 3 score higher for battery in the HearWiki database, likely due to better case efficiency and real-world performance. Both are average for the category.
