True Wireless
Apple AirPods Pro 3
86Outstanding
$180
Full review dataApple AirPods Pro 3 vs Samsung Galaxy Buds Live: 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.
True Wireless
Samsung Galaxy Buds Live
60Average
$130
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Apple AirPods Pro 3 leads on 6 of 7 measures.
- Apple AirPods Pro 3
- Samsung Galaxy Buds Live
HearWiki score
86
60
Sound
8.6
6.5
Noise cancelling
9.3
3.4
Battery
7.3
6.5
Calls
7.4
6.8
Value
8.3
4.8
Price (USD)
$180
$130
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 Live (2022). The Apple AirPods Pro 3 is the newer platform here: Bluetooth 5.3 against 5.0 and ANC type Adaptive against Feed-forward. It also adds Wear detection, Transparency mode, Companion app and Water resistance IP57 against IPX2.
- AirPods Pro 320253 yr newer
- Galaxy Buds Live2022
What differsAirPods Pro 3Galaxy Buds Live
- Bluetooth
- 5.3
- 5.0
- ANC type
- Adaptive
- Feed-forward
- Wear detection
- Yes
- No
- Transparency mode
- Yes
- No
- Companion app
- Yes
- No
- Water resistance
- IP57
- IPX2
Platform
Everyday features
Level on: Top codec, Multipoint pairing, Wireless charging, USB-C.
Specifications
AirPods Pro 3Galaxy Buds Live
- Type
- True Wireless
- True Wireless
- Price (USD)
- $180
- $130
- HearWiki score
- 86
- 60
- Released
- 2025
- 2022
- Availability
- Sold new
- Still sold new
- Driver
- 10.7 mm dynamic
- 12 mm dynamic
- Driver type
- dynamic
- dynamic
- Driver size
- 10.7 mm
- 12 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
- Yes
- Battery life
- 8 h
- 8 h
- Battery life (ANC on)
- 8 h
- 6 h
- Battery incl. case
- -
- 29 h
- Full charge time
- -
- 60 min
- Quick charge
- -
- 5 min → 1 h
- Wireless charging
- Yes
- Yes
- Active noise cancelling
- Yes
- Yes
- ANC type
- adaptive
- feedforward
- Transparency mode
- Yes
- No
- Companion app
- Yes
- No
- Custom EQ
- -
- No
- Wear detection
- Yes
- No
- Controls
- touch
- touch
- Voice assistant
- Siri
- Bixby
- Weight
- 5.5 g
- 5.6 g
- Case weight
- 44 g
- 42.2 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 Live
The Samsung Galaxy Buds Live offer a distinctive bean-shaped design that stands out, with comfortable wear and solid battery life for everyday use. While they provide decent audio and active noise cancellation, performance in both areas is generally considered average rather than exceptional, and the lack of app support limits customization options. They are a reasonable value, especially at discounted prices, but may not satisfy audiophiles or those seeking strong noise isolation.
- Pro:Unique and comfortable design
- Pro:Good battery life with charging case
- Pro:Wireless charging support
- Con:Noise cancellation is weak
- Con:Sound quality is average
- Con:Limited customization without app support
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
Compare something else
Swap either side out, or start again from the picker.