After testing both, I found this isn’t about which brand wins. It’s about how well each pair fits into your phone and daily routine. So let’s break it all down and find out which pair of premium earbuds is right for you.

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro feel light and comfortable, and the squeeze-and-swipe controls are almost identical to Apple’s. They rely entirely on the ear tips for stability, which worked fine for me during everyday use. The case is taller and narrower, so it slips easily into a pocket. Where things change is ecosystem integration: on a recent Galaxy phone, setup is seamless and switching between Samsung devices feels smooth, but outside that bubble, you lose some higher-end codec perks and those everyday convenience features.

The Apple AirPods Pro 3 feel just as familiar in daily use. The controls behave the same way, and both support head gestures for calls. The AirPods sit a bit deeper and feel more secure during movement, and their case is flatter but wider in a pocket. With an iPhone, setup and automatic switching across Apple devices is extremely polished, and features like Find My integration feel more built-in. On Android, though, they lose a lot of that magic.

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro pack the most punch if you’re using a recent Galaxy phone. Features like Samsung Seamless Codec, Ultra High-Quality audio support, Adapt Sound, spatial audio, and Auracast give them a strong ecosystem edge. They also offer EQ presets in the Galaxy Wearable app, which lets you tweak the sound profile without third-party apps. Apple still doesn’t offer a traditional EQ for the AirPods Pro 3. The catch is that many of Samsung’s headline features are only available on newer Galaxy devices.

The Apple AirPods Pro 3, on the other hand, stack features directly into the earbuds themselves. Beyond music and calls, Apple includes health tracking, Hearing Aid functionality with hearing test-based tuning, Hearing Protection, and Live Translation. In my testing, those additions feel ambitious and polished, though some features like Live Translation still feel more situational than essential. As with Samsung, the whole experience really shines inside Apple’s ecosystem.

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro use Bluetooth 6.1 and support SBC and AAC, with Samsung Seamless Codec available on compatible Galaxy devices. On a recent Samsung phone, pairing is quick, and switching between Samsung devices feels smooth. However, they don’t support true Multipoint, so moving between non-Samsung devices takes a little more manual effort through the Galaxy Wearable app or the case button. If you’re outside the Galaxy ecosystem, the experience works, but it’s not as seamless.

The Apple AirPods Pro 3 use Bluetooth 5.3 with SBC and AAC, powered by Apple’s H2 chip. With an iPhone, pairing is nearly automatic, and switching between Apple devices tied to your iCloud account feels effortless. In my testing, the automatic switching works well most of the time, though I did run into occasional instances where it didn’t auto-connect and required manual selection. On Android, pairing works, but you lose most ecosystem features, and firmware updates require an Apple device.

Right now, the Apple AirPods Pro 3 have the advantage in verified testing. In SoundGuys’ standardized battery test with music peaking at 75dB and ANC on, they last 8 hours and 42 minutes on a single charge. They also support fast charging, with five minutes in the case delivering about one hour of playback, and the case charges via USB-C, wireless pads, or even an Apple Watch charger.

Samsung advertises up to 6 hours of playback with ANC enabled on the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro, and the earbuds feature 61 mAh batteries with a 530 mAh case. However, our standardized battery testing is still underway, so we can’t yet confirm real-world endurance under our lab conditions. We’ll update this section once final results are available.

The Apple AirPods Pro 3 block more noise overall. In our lab testing, they reduce outside noise by an average of 90%, making them the strongest noise canceling earbuds we’ve tested to date.

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are still excellent. They reduce noise by an average of 84%, which is a very strong performance and more than enough for commuting, flights, or office use. However, the AirPods Pro 3 offer more substantial attenuation across a wider portion of the audible spectrum, especially in the midrange where voices are most present.

As always, effective ANC and isolation start with a proper fit and seal over your ear canal. Even the best noise canceling won’t perform at its peak if the ear tips don’t seal correctly. In real-world use, both pairs create a noticeably quieter environment, but Apple holds the measurable edge. If maximum ANC performance is your top priority, the AirPods Pro 3 are the better pick.

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro lean dark in their default tuning. Bass strength is elevated, with solid bass depth, but the more substantial low-end presence can make some tracks feel slightly boomy. Midrange strength is pretty even, and while the treble avoids being shrill, there’s limited brilliance up top, which can reduce perceived clarity on busy tracks. The built-in EQ presets in the Galaxy Wearable app help tame bass if you want a more balanced presentation.

The Apple AirPods Pro 3 also emphasize bass, but they maintain stronger brilliance in the upper frequencies. In my listening, they sound more detailed overall, with improved clarity in complex mixes. It’s worth noting that their tuning shifts slightly with output volume due to Apple’s level-dependent EQ behavior, so bass strength and treble balance can change depending on how loudly you listen. While they can still feel bass-forward over long sessions, and Apple doesn’t offer a traditional EQ for adjustment, the AirPods Pro 3 present a more balanced timbre at moderate listening levels.

Objective Measurements

Both earbuds track our headphone preference curve fairly closely, but they diverge in different areas.

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro show elevated bass strength below about 100Hz, sitting above our curve in the sub bass region. That gives them strong bass depth, but it also pushes the overall presentation darker. Through the midrange, they follow the curve fairly closely, though there is a mild dip in the lower mids that slightly reduces midrange strength. At higher frequencies, the Buds 4 Pro roll off earlier than the preference curve, which can limit brilliance and reduce perceived clarity on busy tracks.

The Apple AirPods Pro 3 track our preference curve more closely through the bass and midrange, with elevated bass strength that doesn’t rise as far above target as Samsung’s. In the upper mids and lower treble, they sit closer to or slightly above the curve, increasing perceived brilliance and presence. That positioning helps explain why they can sound clearer and more forward compared to the darker tilt of the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro.

Overall, Samsung leans darker with stronger bass strength, while Apple stays closer to our preference target out of the box.

How would most people rate the sound from 1 to 5?

Based on our Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores (MDAQS), the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro earn an overall score of 4.8 out of 5. They score 4.9 in Timbre, 4.3 in Immersiveness, and 3.7 in Distortion, reflecting very strong tonal accuracy with solid spatial presentation.

The Apple AirPods Pro 3 earn an overall score of 4.5 out of 5. They post a 4.7 in Timbre, 4.0 in Immersiveness, and 3.6 in Distortion. That remains excellent performance, but slightly behind Samsung in our preference-based scoring system. In practical terms, most listeners will rate both pairs highly. The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro edge ahead overall, while the AirPods Pro 3 remain highly competitive.

Do the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro or Apple AirPods Pro 3 have a better microphone?

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro handle calls well in quiet spaces, with clear speech and solid presence. In louder environments, though, more background noise tends to come through compared to Apple’s pair.

The Apple AirPods Pro 3 deliver more consistent microphone performance overall. Voices sound natural, and their noise reduction does a better job keeping you clear in busy or windy conditions. If call quality is your top priority and you use an iPhone, Apple has the edge.

Take a listen to our samples below to hear for yourself.

Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro vs Apple AirPods Pro 3: Price and availability

Both the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro and Apple AirPods Pro 3 launched at $249. The AirPods Pro 3 were released on September 19, 2025, while the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro followed on February 25, 2026. At full retail, they sit as direct competitors in the premium true wireless space.

Historically, Samsung earbuds have gone on sale more frequently and offered steeper discounts than AirPods. If that pattern holds, the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro become especially compelling at or below $199. Apple discounts happen, but they’re usually smaller and less frequent, so the AirPods Pro 3 tend to stay nearer their $249 MSRP. If you’re waiting for a deal, Samsung is typically the safer bet.

If you use a recent Samsung Galaxy phone and want the most flexibility with features like EQ presets, scalable codec support, and Auracast, the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro make the most sense. They integrate seamlessly into Samsung’s ecosystem and offer durable IP57 protection.

If you use an iPhone, the Apple AirPods Pro 3 are the safer and more complete choice. Their automatic device switching, tight iOS integration, IP57 rating, and verified strong noise canceling make them the easier recommendation for most Apple users.

If you’re on Android but not using a Samsung phone, the decision gets trickier. The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro still give you more control over sound thanks to built-in EQ presets, while the AirPods Pro 3 lose many of their signature features outside Apple’s ecosystem. In that case, Samsung’s pair is usually the more practical pick.

At $249, neither is a bad choice. The right one simply depends on which phone you carry every day. For even more options, be sure to check out our complete list of the best wireless earbuds.