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Need-to-knows
- Both are priced at £199/$249
- AirPods Pro 3 just about has the edge in ANC
- Galaxy Buds4 Pro have a bassier default sound signature
- Both gained heart rate sensors in their latest iterations
- Ecosystem is the main deciding factor here
Let’s get the most important thing out of the way immediately. If you’re an iPhone user, buy the AirPods Pro 3. If you’re a Samsung Galaxy user, buy the Buds4 Pro. Both of these earbuds are built to shine inside their respective ecosystems, and you’ll lose meaningful functionality by crossing the fence.
But if you’re genuinely undecided (maybe you’re switching phones, or you aren’t bothered about ecosystem compatibility), there’s a proper conversation to be had. Samsung launched the Buds4 Pro at Galaxy Unpacked in February 2026, directly targeting Apple’s flagship, and the gap between the two has never been smaller.
So here’s how they actually compare.
Shop the Galaxy Buds4 Pro and AirPods Pro 3 below!
Buds4 Pro
AirPods Pro 3
At a glance
| Feature | Galaxy Buds4 Pro | AirPods Pro 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Drivers | Dual (2-way) per earbud | Single custom driver |
| ANC | Adaptive ANC 2.0 | H2 chip ANC (2x better than Pro 2) |
| Battery (ANC on) | 6 hours / 26 hours total | 8 hours / 24 hours total |
| Water resistance | IP57 | IP57 |
| Heart rate sensor | Yes | Yes |
| Wireless charging | No | Yes (MagSafe + Qi) |
| Price | From £199/$249 | From £199/$249 |
Sound quality
Samsung has gone all-in on audio hardware here. The Buds4 Pro pack a dual-driver setup in each earbud (a woofer for the low end and a tweeter for the highs), which is a genuine step up from the single driver in most competing earbuds. The result is a sound signature that leans darker, with elevated bass and solid depth. It’s an enjoyable listen, particularly for bass-heavy music, though some tracks can feel slightly boomy without tweaking the EQ.
The AirPods Pro 3 take a different approach. Apple’s updated multiport acoustic architecture and custom H2-powered driver prioritise balance and precision over raw impact. The soundstage is wide, vocals are clear, and the Adaptive EQ automatically adjusts to your ear shape in real time. The result is a sound that’s easier to live with across all genres, even if it doesn’t have the same low-end punch.
Read our full AirPods Pro 3 review
Edge to the Buds4 Pro for bass lovers. AirPods Pro 3 for balance and versatility.
Active noise cancellation
This is where Apple has historically held the biggest advantage. And it’s true that the AirPods Pro 3 are probably the best on the market in terms of earbud noise-cancelling. But, Samsung has made up significant ground with their latest effort.
See our Galaxy Buds4 Pro review for more!
Samsung’s Adaptive ANC 2.0 is excellent. It handles traffic, office noise, and the background hum of public transport very well. It still doesn’t can’t quite match what Apple has achieved with the H2 chip and updated ultra-low-noise microphones, but it’s very close. You would probably only notice if you tested them side-by-side.
A win for the AirPods Pro 3.
Battery life
The numbers on paper look close, but they favour Apple. The AirPods Pro 3 deliver 8 hours of listening with ANC enabled and 24 hours total with the case. The Buds4 Pro offer 6 hours with ANC on and 26 hours total.
Samsung edges it on total case capacity by a couple of hours, but Apple wins where it arguably matters most: how long you go between charges on your actual ears.
Both charge via USB-C and wirelessly via Qi compatible chargers. Overall, there’s not a huge difference.
A draw.
Health and fitness features
Both earbuds now have heart rate sensors, which is worth acknowledging. Apple launched the AirPods Pro 3 in September 2025 with a PPG heart rate sensor built in, integrating directly with the Fitness app for over 50 workout types, calorie tracking, and Apple Intelligence-powered coaching via Workout Buddy.
Related: AirPods Max 2 review
Samsung added heart rate monitoring to the Buds4 Pro at launch in February 2026, with Galaxy AI handling the processing inside Samsung Health. It works well for Galaxy phone owners, though the feature set isn’t yet as deep as what Apple has built across multiple product generations.
AirPods Pro 3 just about.
Ecosystem and features
Here’s where everything really diverges. The Buds4 Pro are deeply integrated into the Samsung Galaxy ecosystem. Features like HD Voice calls, head gesture controls, live translation via Galaxy AI, and deep EQ customisation in the Galaxy Wearable app all work best (or only) when paired with a Samsung Galaxy phone. On an iPhone, you lose most of this.
The AirPods Pro 3 are the same story in reverse. Instant pairing, automatic device switching across all your Apple products, Siri integration, the camera remote feature, hearing health tools, and Apple Intelligence features all require an iPhone. On Android, you’re essentially just getting Bluetooth earbuds.
More: iPhone 17 Pro Max review
Both pairs support live translation, spatial audio, and touch controls. Both are IP57-rated. The AirPods Pro 3 get an extra point for MagSafe wireless charging and the more polished Find My integration with the updated Ultra Wideband chip.
Tie. It entirely depends on which phone is in your pocket.
Which one should you buy?
For iPhone users, the AirPods Pro 3 are the straightforward choice. The ANC is better, battery life is longer on a single charge, MagSafe wireless charging is a genuinely useful convenience, and the Apple ecosystem integration is second to none. They’re also the more balanced-sounding pair, which makes them easier to live with daily.
For Samsung Galaxy users, the Buds4 Pro make just as much sense. The dual-driver audio hardware is impressive, the ANC is a real step forward from the Buds3 Pro, and the Galaxy ecosystem features are worth having if your phone supports them. Keep an eye out for deals too. Samsung earbuds historically go on sale more aggressively than AirPods, and the Buds4 Pro become a particularly strong buy at anything around £159/$199.
Compare the wider field: best wireless earbuds
The only scenario where it gets genuinely complicated is if you’re platform-agnostic. In that case, the AirPods Pro 3 have the edge in the two areas that matter most (ANC and battery life), but the Buds4 Pro are close enough, with compelling dual-driver sound hardware, that they’re worth serious consideration if a deal materialises.
