Is the Apple AirPods Pro 3 worth the upgrade from the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro?
Verdict
Clear upgrade
Going from the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro to the Apple AirPods Pro 3 buys you 24.1 points of HearWiki score - a clear step up that reviewers agree on rather than a marketing refresh. The gains are concentrated in noise cancelling (6.3 to 9.3), battery (4.6 to 7.3) and sound (7.7 to 8.6). On paper: bluetooth 5.0 to 5.3, multipoint pairing and battery life (anc on) 5 h to 8 h. Worth checking: codecs goes SBC, AAC, Samsung Scalable to SBC, AAC and drivers per side goes 2 to 1. That costs $22 more, or about $1 per point of score - reasonable value for the jump. If your current pair is worn out or the gains line up with how you listen, this one is worth the money.
What actually changes
Sub-scores both products have, on the same 0-10 scale. Bars extend right for a gain, left for a loss.
- Sound7.78.6
- Noise cancelling6.39.3
- Battery4.67.3
- Calls6.57.4
Spec differences
Only where the two genuinely differ - everything they share is omitted.
| Spec | Galaxy Buds Pro | AirPods Pro 3 | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, Samsung Scalable | SBC, AAC | |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 | |
| Multipoint pairing | No | Yes | |
| Water resistance | IPX7 | IP57 | |
| Battery life (ANC on) | 5 h | 8 h | |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 1 | |
| Driver | 2-driver hybrid | 10.7 mm dynamic |
About this verdict
Direction matters here: this page answers "Galaxy Buds Pro to AirPods Pro 3". The other direction is a separate question with a different answer. Scores blend published review verdicts across true wireless and shift as new reviews land, so a marginal call today may not be one next quarter.