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Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Samsung Galaxy Buds+ BTS Edition: 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 5 of 7 measures.

  • Apple AirPods Pro 3
  • Samsung Galaxy Buds+ BTS Edition
HearWiki score
86
62
Sound
8.6
7.4
Noise cancelling
9.3
-
Battery
7.3
8.6
Calls
7.4
6.4
Value
8.3
-
Price (USD)
$180
$110

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

Apple AirPods Pro 3 (2025) against Samsung Galaxy Buds+ BTS Edition (2020). The Apple AirPods Pro 3 is the newer platform here: Bluetooth 5.3 against 5.0 and ANC type Adaptive against None. It also adds Multipoint pairing and Water resistance IP57 against IPX2.

  • AirPods Pro 320255 yr newer
  • Galaxy Buds+ BTS Edition2020
What differsAirPods Pro 3Galaxy Buds+ BTS Edition

Platform

Bluetooth
5.3
5.0
ANC type
Adaptive
None

Everyday features

Multipoint pairing
Yes
No
Water resistance
IP57
IPX2

Level on: Top codec, Wireless charging, USB-C, Wear detection, Transparency mode, Companion app.

Specifications

AirPods Pro 3Galaxy Buds+ BTS Edition
Type
True Wireless
True Wireless
Price (USD)
$180
$110
HearWiki score
86
62
Released
2025
2020
Availability
Sold new
Still sold new
Driver
10.7 mm dynamic
dynamic
Driver type
dynamic
dynamic
Driver size
10.7 mm
-
Drivers per side
1
1
Frequency response
20 Hz - 20 kHz
20 Hz - 20 kHz
Sensitivity
110 dB/mW
-
Bluetooth
5.3
5.0
Codecs
SBC, AAC
SBC, AAC, Samsung Scalable
Multipoint pairing
Yes
No
Battery life
8 h
11 h
Battery life (ANC on)
8 h
-
Battery incl. case
-
22 h
Quick charge
-
3 min → 1 h
Wireless charging
Yes
Yes
Active noise cancelling
Yes
No
ANC type
adaptive
none
Transparency mode
Yes
Yes
Companion app
Yes
Yes
Custom EQ
-
No
Wear detection
Yes
Yes
Controls
touch
touch
Voice assistant
Siri
Bixby
Weight
5.5 g
6.3 g
Case weight
44 g
39.6 g
Water resistance
IP57
IPX2
USB-C
Yes
Yes
Microphones
3
3
Microphone type
beamforming
-

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+ BTS Edition

The Galaxy Buds+ BTS Edition delivers the same well-rounded true wireless performance as the standard model, wrapped in a purple finish with fan-themed extras. It offers a neutral sound profile, long battery life, and improved call clarity via a triple-mic setup, making it a solid everyday choice. However, it lacks active noise cancellation and only has basic water resistance.

  • Pro:Neutral, balanced sound suitable for various genres
  • Pro:Excellent battery life with 11 hours per charge
  • Pro:Clear voice pickup from three-microphone system
  • Con:No active noise cancellation
  • Con:Only IPX2 water resistance, limited against sweat and rain
  • Con:No multipoint connection for simultaneous device pairing

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+ BTS Edition