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

I Wore Both for a Month. Here's What Actually Matters.

Look, I've been switching between the AirPods Pro 3 and Galaxy Buds 4 every other day for the past month. Coffee shops, subway commutes, gym sessions, late-night coding marathons. And the honest answer to "which one should I buy?" is frustratingly simple: it depends on your phone. But there's a lot more nuance than that, so let me break it all down.

Specs at a Glance

Feature	AirPods Pro 3	Galaxy Buds 4
Price	$249	$179
Chipset	Apple H3	Samsung custom processor
Noise Canceling	Adaptive ANC	Enhanced ANC
Battery (buds only)	~6 hours	~5 hours
Battery (with case)	~30 hours	~20 hours
Water Resistance	IP54	IP57
Codec Support	AAC, Apple Lossless	AAC, Samsung Scalable, SSC Hi-Fi
Weight (per bud)	~5.3g	~4.8g
Charging	USB-C, MagSafe, Qi	USB-C, Qi
Spatial Sound	Spatial Audio + head tracking	360 Audio
Bonus Features	Hearing health, Conversation Awareness	Samsung ecosystem integration

Noise Canceling: AirPods Pro 3 Takes It

The H3 chip inside the AirPods Pro 3 is doing some seriously impressive work. Adaptive ANC adjusts in real time based on your environment, and it's noticeably better than what Samsung offers here. In a busy coffee shop, the AirPods Pro 3 turned chaos into near-silence. The Conversation Awareness feature is also genuinely useful: start talking to someone and the music automatically dips while ambient sound pipes in.

The Galaxy Buds 4 have improved ANC over the Buds 3 for sure. Low-frequency rumble on the subway gets handled well. But mid-range noise like conversations and keyboard clatter leaks through more than I'd like. If ANC is your top priority, Apple wins this round pretty clearly.

Sound Quality: Different Flavors

The AirPods Pro 3 deliver a balanced, neutral sound signature. Spatial Audio with head tracking is impressive for movies and spatial music mixes. The catch? Apple Lossless only works its magic with Apple devices. On Android, you're stuck with AAC.

The Galaxy Buds 4 lean warmer with more bass emphasis. The SSC Hi-Fi codec on Samsung phones pushes noticeably better high-res audio quality. If you listen to a lot of hip-hop, EDM, or anything where you want that low-end punch, the Buds 4 deliver. User reviews consistently praise the bass response, and I agree. These things thump.

Battery Life: Not Even Close

This one is pretty straightforward. AirPods Pro 3 give you about 6 hours per charge with ANC on, and the case holds about 30 hours total. Galaxy Buds 4 manage roughly 5 hours with ANC, and around 20 hours with the case.

In real-world use, that gap is significant. I was charging the Buds 4 almost every day during my commute-heavy weeks, while the AirPods Pro 3 case lasted me nearly two full days before needing a top-up. If you travel a lot, this matters more than you think.

Comfort and Water Resistance

The Galaxy Buds 4 are lighter at 4.8g per bud versus 5.3g for the AirPods Pro 3. Half a gram doesn't sound like much, but during three-hour listening sessions, my ears noticed the difference. If you have smaller ears, the Buds 4 might be the more comfortable pick.

On water resistance, Samsung takes the win with IP57 versus Apple's IP54. The Buds 4 can handle full submersion in shallow water, while the AirPods Pro 3 are rated for splashes and sweat. For gym rats and runners who go out in the rain, the Galaxy Buds 4 offer more peace of mind.

Ecosystem Lock-In (The Real Decider)

Here's where the rubber meets the road. AirPods Pro 3 switch seamlessly between your iPhone, MacBook, and iPad. Find My tracking, automatic device switching, personalized Spatial Audio profiles, hearing health tests. It's a complete package that only works at full power within Apple's world.

Galaxy Buds 4 pair beautifully with Samsung phones, Galaxy Watches, and Samsung TVs. SmartThings Find keeps tabs on them. Quick Switch between Samsung devices is smooth. The auto-connect to Samsung TVs is something I ended up using way more than expected.

Both earbuds work fine with the other ecosystem's phones for basic listening. But you lose the premium features that make these products special.

Pros and Cons

AirPods Pro 3

Pros:

• Best-in-class adaptive ANC
• Excellent battery life (30h total)
• Seamless Apple device switching
• Hearing health features are genuinely useful

Cons:

• $249 is a steep ask
• Limited functionality outside Apple ecosystem
• No support for popular hi-fi codecs like LDAC

Galaxy Buds 4

Pros:

• $179 price undercuts Apple by $70
• IP57 water resistance for workouts
• Rich bass via SSC Hi-Fi codec
• Lighter and comfortable for long sessions

Cons:

• Battery life falls short of Apple
• ANC doesn't match AirPods Pro 3
• Some features locked to Samsung devices

The Verdict

iPhone user who values ANC and battery life? Get the AirPods Pro 3. The $249 price tag stings, but the experience is seamless from start to finish.

Samsung user who wants value and durability? The Galaxy Buds 4 at $179 is the smarter buy. Better water resistance, great bass, and perfect Samsung ecosystem integration.

Android user who just wants the best ANC? The AirPods Pro 3 actually work on Android for basic playback and ANC. You'll lose device switching and Spatial Audio, but the noise canceling alone might be worth it.

Neither choice is wrong. Both are excellent earbuds at the top of their game. The real question is which phone is in your pocket right now.