True Wireless
Apple AirPods Pro 3
86Outstanding
$180
Full review dataApple AirPods Pro 3 vs Samsung Galaxy Buds4: 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 Buds4
66Good
$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 5 of 7 measures.
- Apple AirPods Pro 3
- Samsung Galaxy Buds4
HearWiki score
86
66
Sound
8.6
6.9
Noise cancelling
9.3
4.0
Battery
7.3
5.3
Calls
7.4
7.9
Value
8.3
5.8
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
Samsung Galaxy Buds4 (2026) against Apple AirPods Pro 3 (2025). The Samsung Galaxy Buds4 is the newer platform here: Bluetooth 6.1 against 5.3, Top codec LC3 against AAC and LE Audio (LC3). The Apple AirPods Pro 3 answers on convenience features: it adds Wear detection and Water resistance IP57 against IP54.
- AirPods Pro 32025
- Galaxy Buds420261 yr newer
What differsAirPods Pro 3Galaxy Buds4
- Bluetooth
- 5.3
- 6.1
- Top codec
- AAC
- LC3
- LE Audio (LC3)
- No
- Yes
- Wear detection
- Yes
- No
- Water resistance
- IP57
- IP54
Platform
Everyday features
Level on: ANC type, Multipoint pairing, Wireless charging, USB-C, Transparency mode, Companion app.
Specifications
AirPods Pro 3Galaxy Buds4
- Type
- True Wireless
- True Wireless
- Price (USD)
- $180
- $160
- HearWiki score
- 86
- 66
- Released
- 2025
- 2026
- Availability
- Sold new
- Sold new
- Driver
- 10.7 mm dynamic
- 11 mm dynamic
- Driver type
- dynamic
- dynamic
- Driver size
- 10.7 mm
- 11 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 1
- Frequency response
- 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- Sensitivity
- 110 dB/mW
- -
- Bluetooth
- 5.3
- 6.1
- Codecs
- SBC, AAC
- SBC, AAC, Samsung Scalable, LC3
- Multipoint pairing
- Yes
- Yes
- Battery life
- 8 h
- 6 h
- Battery life (ANC on)
- 8 h
- 5 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
- No
- Controls
- touch
- touch
- Voice assistant
- Siri
- Yes
- Weight
- 5.5 g
- 4.6 g
- Case weight
- 44 g
- 45.1 g
- Water resistance
- IP57
- IP54
- USB-C
- Yes
- Yes
- Model code
- -
- SM-R540NZKA
- Microphones
- 3
- 6
- 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 Buds4
The Samsung Galaxy Buds4 are true wireless earbuds that deliver adaptive noise cancellation and a comfortable, secure fit thanks to their lightweight design. With an 11mm dynamic driver, they offer a balanced sound profile, while the 6.1 Bluetooth version ensures stable multipoint connections. The IP54 rating and wireless charging case make them a practical everyday companion, offering up to 30 hours of total playback with the case.
- Pro:Adaptive ANC adjusts to your surroundings
- Pro:Compact and light at just 4.6g per bud
- Pro:IP54 water resistance for workouts
- Con:Battery life drops to 5 hours with ANC on
- Con:No LDAC or aptX codec support
- Con:Touch controls may be overly sensitive
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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