AirPods Pro 3 vs Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro: Which

Apple and Samsung are both asking flagship money for their 2026 earbuds, with the AirPods Pro 3 at £219 in the UK ($249 US) and the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro at $249.99 (around £219). With the price difference amounting to pocket change, the decision comes down to features, sound quality, and which phone you carry. Here is how they compare across every category that matters.

Airpods Pro 3: Contents

• Sound Quality
• Active Noise Cancellation
• Call Quality
• Comfort and Design
• Battery Life
• Ecosystem and Smart Features
• Who Should Buy Which

Sound Quality

Samsung has made audio fidelity its headline feature with the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro. The 24-bit/96kHz hi-res audio support via the Samsung Seamless Codec (SSC UHQ), powered by a new two-way speaker system with a wider woofer and precision tweeter, delivers noticeably more detail in the upper frequencies compared to the previous generation. Instrument separation in complex tracks is impressive, and the low end is tight without being overpowering. You need a compatible Galaxy device running One UI 6.1.1 or later to access the full 24-bit pipeline, though the buds still sound excellent over standard AAC with other devices.

The AirPods Pro 3 take a different approach. Apple has kept the H2 chip but paired it with a revamped multiport acoustic architecture, a custom driver and amplifier, and ultra-low noise microphones. The result is a clearer, more spacious sound with greater bass solidity than the Pro 2. Raw audio detail is slightly behind the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro when both are fed high-quality source material, but for streaming from Spotify or Apple Music at standard quality, the difference narrows to near-irrelevance.

Edge: Galaxy Buds 4 Pro for audiophiles with Samsung phones. AirPods Pro 3 for consistent, adaptive listening across varied environments.

Active Noise Cancellation

Apple claims the AirPods Pro 3 deliver up to twice the noise cancellation of the Pro 2 thanks to ultra-low noise microphones, advanced computational audio and new foam-infused eartips. In practice the ANC is outstanding, particularly on public transport and flights. Samsung counters with Adaptive ANC 2.0 on the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro, which adjusts noise reduction in real time based on wear and surroundings, and it is genuinely effective in everyday environments such as busy offices and cafes.

Edge: AirPods Pro 3 for raw noise blocking on flights and transport. Galaxy Buds 4 Pro for adaptive, context-aware ANC.

Call Quality

The AirPods Pro 3 win this category clearly. Apple’s voice isolation technology, refined across several generations, does an exceptional job of separating your voice from background noise. Callers report clear audio even in windy outdoor environments and busy cafes. The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are competent on calls but occasionally let wind noise through and can sound slightly processed in noisy settings. If you take frequent calls on your earbuds, this gap is meaningful.

Edge: AirPods Pro 3.

Comfort and Design

Samsung’s redesigned case and refined bud shape for the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro deliver a secure fit with lighter, more efficient internals. The stem houses the touch controls and provides a better grip for adjustments. We covered the design shift in detail in our Galaxy Buds 4 Pro preview.

The AirPods Pro 3 stick with Apple’s proven stem design, now with a refined force sensor and a new set of foam-infused silicone tips that improve both seal and passive isolation. The overall fit remains among the most universally comfortable options on the market. Neither earbud causes significant fatigue over several hours.

Edge: Personal preference. Both are all-day comfortable for most ears.

Battery Life

Samsung quotes up to 6 hours of playback with ANC enabled, extending to 26 hours with the charging case, or 7 hours per charge and 30 hours total with ANC off. Apple rates the AirPods Pro 3 at up to 8 hours with ANC on, dropping to 6.5 hours when heart rate sensing is active, with up to 24 hours total via the MagSafe case. The AirPods Pro 3 case supports MagSafe, Qi and USB-C charging, plus Apple Watch chargers. The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro case charges via USB-C and Qi wireless.

Edge: AirPods Pro 3 for per-charge stamina. Galaxy Buds 4 Pro for total case capacity if you leave ANC off.

Ecosystem and Smart Features

This is where the decision often gets made in practice. AirPods Pro 3 with an iPhone offer seamless switching between Apple devices, automatic pairing, Siri integration, hearing health features including the clinical-grade hearing test, live translation, heart rate sensing during workouts, and Find My tracking with a built-in speaker for locating. With a Samsung phone, most of these features do not work, and the experience is reduced to basic Bluetooth earbuds.

Galaxy Buds 4 Pro with a Samsung phone deliver Galaxy AI features including real-time translation, smart ambient sound that adjusts based on context, Voice Detect, Siren Detect, and deep integration with Samsung Health. They also work well with other Android phones, retaining most features, and function as basic earbuds with iPhones.

Edge: Whichever matches your phone ecosystem. Cross-platform flexibility favours the Galaxy Buds slightly.

Who Should Buy Which

If you use an iPhone, buy the AirPods Pro 3. The ecosystem integration is too valuable to leave on the table, and the call quality, ANC and heart rate sensing are excellent. If you use a Samsung phone, buy the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro for the 24-bit audio pipeline and Galaxy AI features. If you use a non-Samsung Android phone, the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are the stronger choice, though the margin is smaller.

If budget is a concern and you do not need flagship features, our best wireless earbuds under £80 guide covers capable alternatives at less than half the price. At the flagship level, both Apple and Samsung have delivered excellent earbuds this generation. The phone in your pocket should be the deciding factor.