True Wireless
Apple AirPods Pro 3
86Outstanding
$180
Full review dataApple AirPods Pro 3 vs Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus: 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 Plus
70Good
$160
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 4 of 7 measures.
- Apple AirPods Pro 3
- Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus
HearWiki score
86
70
Sound
8.6
7.8
Noise cancelling
9.3
-
Battery
7.3
9.1
Calls
7.4
7.5
Value
8.3
-
Price (USD)
$180
$160
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 Plus (2021). 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, Wear detection and Water resistance IP57 against IPX2.
- AirPods Pro 320254 yr newer
- Galaxy Buds Plus2021
What differsAirPods Pro 3Galaxy Buds Plus
- Bluetooth
- 5.3
- 5.0
- ANC type
- Adaptive
- None
- Multipoint pairing
- Yes
- No
- Wear detection
- Yes
- No
- Water resistance
- IP57
- IPX2
Platform
Everyday features
Level on: Top codec, Wireless charging, USB-C, Transparency mode, Companion app.
Specifications
AirPods Pro 3Galaxy Buds Plus
- Type
- True Wireless
- True Wireless
- Price (USD)
- $180
- $160
- HearWiki score
- 86
- 70
- Released
- 2025
- 2021
- Availability
- Sold new
- Still sold new
- Driver
- 10.7 mm dynamic
- 6 mm dynamic
- Driver type
- dynamic
- dynamic
- Driver size
- 10.7 mm
- 6 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 1
- Frequency response
- 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- Impedance
- -
- 16 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 110 dB/mW
- -
- Bluetooth
- 5.3
- 5.0
- Codecs
- SBC, AAC
- SBC, AAC, Samsung Scalable
- Multipoint pairing
- Yes
- No
- Wireless range
- -
- 10 m
- Battery life
- 8 h
- 11 h
- Battery life (ANC on)
- 8 h
- -
- Battery incl. case
- -
- 270 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
- No
- Controls
- touch
- touch
- Voice assistant
- Siri
- Yes
- Weight
- 5.5 g
- 6.3 g
- Case weight
- 44 g
- 39.6 g
- Water resistance
- IP57
- IPX2
- USB-C
- Yes
- Yes
- Model code
- -
- SM-R175
- Microphones
- 3
- 1
- 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 Plus
The Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus are true wireless earbuds that deliver a well-balanced, neutral sound profile suitable for most music genres. They stand out for their excellent battery life, improved call quality from the extra microphone, and comfortable, stylish design, though they lack active noise cancellation. With USB-C and wireless charging support, they remain a practical everyday choice for those prioritizing sound and endurance over noise blocking.
- Pro:Very long battery life with case
- Pro:Balanced and neutral sound out of the box
- Pro:Improved call clarity thanks to dual mics
- Con:No active noise cancellation
- Con:Only IPX2 water resistance
- Con:No multipoint connection
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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