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Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the Apple AirPods Pro 3 comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 86. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: Apple AirPods Pro 3 - Outstanding overall at around $179.

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

Apple AirPods Pro 3 leads on 4 of 7 measures.

  • Apple AirPods Pro 3
  • Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro
HearWiki score
86
84
Sound
8.6
9.1
Noise cancelling
9.3
8.3
Battery
7.3
7.3
Calls
7.4
8.6
Value
8.3
7.9
Price (USD)
$180
$210

Generation & platform

The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?

New platform

Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro (2026) against Apple AirPods Pro 3 (2025). The Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro is the newer platform here: Bluetooth 6.1 against 5.3, Top codec LC3 against AAC and LE Audio (LC3).

  • AirPods Pro 32025
  • Galaxy Buds 4 Pro20261 yr newer
What differsAirPods Pro 3Galaxy Buds 4 Pro

Platform

Bluetooth
5.3
6.1
Top codec
AAC
LC3
LE Audio (LC3)
No
Yes

Level on: ANC type, Multipoint pairing, Wireless charging, USB-C, Wear detection, Transparency mode, Companion app, Water resistance.

Specifications

AirPods Pro 3Galaxy Buds 4 Pro
Type
True Wireless
True Wireless
Price (USD)
$180
$210
HearWiki score
86
84
Released
2025
2026
Availability
Sold new
Sold new
Driver
10.7 mm dynamic
2-driver hybrid
Driver type
dynamic
hybrid
Driver size
10.7 mm
11 mm
Drivers per side
1
2
Frequency response
20 Hz - 20 kHz
20 Hz - 20 kHz
Sound signature
-
warm
Sensitivity
110 dB/mW
110 dB/mW
Bluetooth
5.3
6.1
Codecs
SBC, AAC
SBC, AAC, Samsung Scalable, LC3
Multipoint pairing
Yes
Yes
Battery life
8 h
7 h
Battery life (ANC on)
8 h
6 h
Battery incl. case
-
30 h
Wireless charging
Yes
Yes
Active noise cancelling
Yes
Yes
ANC type
adaptive
adaptive
Transparency mode
Yes
Yes
Companion app
Yes
Yes
Custom EQ
-
Yes
Wear detection
Yes
Yes
Controls
touch
touch
Voice assistant
Siri
Bixby
Weight
5.5 g
10.2 g
Case weight
44 g
44.3 g
Water resistance
IP57
IP57
Foldable
-
No
Detachable cable
-
No
USB-C
Yes
Yes
Microphones
3
6
Microphone type
beamforming
-
Call noise reduction
-
Yes

What reviewers said

Apple AirPods Pro 3

The Apple AirPods Pro 3 are premium true wireless earbuds that combine adaptive active noise cancellation with a comfortable, secure fit. They deliver clear calls, robust battery life, and a balanced sound profile, all wrapped in an IP57-rated design that handles water and dust. With Bluetooth 5.3, multipoint connectivity, and wireless charging, they offer a polished experience for Apple and non-Apple users alike.

  • Pro:Excellent adaptive noise cancellation
  • Pro:Clear call quality with beamforming mics
  • Pro:Strong battery life of 8 hours with ANC on
  • Con:Fit may be tricky for some ears
  • Con:Premium price point
  • Con:Limited codec support (SBC, AAC only)

Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are high-end true wireless earbuds that combine effective adaptive noise cancellation with a comfortable, water-resistant design. They offer a robust feature set including wireless charging, multipoint connectivity, and a hybrid dual-driver setup for detailed sound. With up to 7 hours of playback on a single charge and 30 hours total with the case, they're built for all-day use.

  • Pro:Excellent adaptive noise cancellation
  • Pro:Solid battery life with wireless charging case
  • Pro:IP57 water and dust resistance
  • Con:Battery life drops to 6 hours with ANC on
  • Con:Requires Samsung devices for full codec support
  • Con:Touch controls may be overly sensitive for some users

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

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New comparisonApple AirPods Pro 3Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro