Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro vs AirPods Pro 3: Which Should You Buy?

Samsung just launched the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro at $249.99 — the same price as Apple's AirPods Pro 3 — and the spec sheet is more compelling than any previous Galaxy earbuds. A 2-way speaker system, dual amplifiers, 24-bit Bluetooth audio, and redesigned ANC 2.0 make this Samsung's strongest challenge yet to Apple's earbuds dominance. But which one should you actually buy?

Design & Fit

The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro arrives with a new lollipop stem design — a significant departure from the rounded bean shape of Buds 2 Pro. The stem is easier to grip and pinch for controls. Three ear-tip sizes are included. AirPods Pro 3 sticks with its established MagSafe-compatible case and the same comfortable in-ear design that millions of people already know. Both are IPX4 rated.

Sound Quality

This is where Galaxy Buds 4 Pro makes its boldest statement. The new 2-way speaker system — a dedicated woofer and tweeter in each bud — paired with dual amplifiers delivers noticeably cleaner frequency separation than any previous Galaxy earbuds. Samsung's 24-bit Bluetooth audio also exceeds the standard lossy codecs most earbuds use.

AirPods Pro 3's Personalized Spatial Audio and Adaptive Audio remain impressive — the dynamic adjustment to your environment is seamless. The H3 chip's processing power gives AirPods an edge in audio intelligence, but the Buds 4 Pro now matches it on raw audio hardware.

Active Noise Cancellation

ANC 2.0 in the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro is Samsung's most significant noise cancellation improvement to date. Both earbuds now compete in the top tier of ANC performance — previously AirPods Pro 3 held a meaningful lead. Independent testing is still underway for the Buds 4 Pro, but early reports suggest the gap has narrowed substantially.

For absolute maximum noise cancellation, the Sony WF-1000XM6 ($329.99) remains the benchmark. But for most people, both Galaxy Buds 4 Pro and AirPods Pro 3 will deliver more than enough.

Ecosystem & Features

This is the deciding factor for most buyers. AirPods Pro 3 offers clinical-grade hearing aid mode (updated via firmware), Find My, seamless one-tap switching across all Apple devices, and deep iOS integration. If you use an iPhone, iPad, and Mac, AirPods Pro 3's ecosystem coherence is unmatched.

Galaxy Buds 4 Pro shines in Samsung's ecosystem — Galaxy AI features, automatic switching between Galaxy devices, and integration with Galaxy Watch and Galaxy Ring health data. For Android users, especially those in the Galaxy ecosystem, this is the stronger everyday experience.

Battery Life

Both offer around 6–7 hours of ANC-on battery with 24–30 hours total via their cases. Neither has a significant advantage here.

Verdict: Which Should You Buy?

At $249.99 each, this is genuinely the closest the Android and Apple premium earbuds have ever been. Buy AirPods Pro 3 if you use Apple devices — the ecosystem integration, hearing health features, and seamless switching are worth it. Buy Galaxy Buds 4 Pro if you use Android or a Galaxy phone — the 2-way audio hardware, 24-bit audio, and Galaxy AI features give it a real edge in that environment.

If you want the absolute best ANC regardless of ecosystem, the Sony WF-1000XM6 at $329.99 is still worth the premium for noise-sensitive listeners.