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Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro: Who wins this time?
October 1, 2025
Each year, Apple and Samsung trade punches when it comes to putting forward the best wireless earbuds on the market. The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro were released in 2024, bringing a suite of AI features including live translation. The following year, Apple unveiled the AirPods Pro 3, which also brings new AI features such as real-time translation. But beyond the headline features, which of these earbuds is the better performer? We put the AirPods Pro 3 and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro through our SoundGuys testing lab to find out, breaking down everything from sound quality, to battery life, to noise canceling performance.
This article was originally published on September 29, 2025. It was updated on October 1, 2025, to include a comparison poll.
What’s it like to use the AirPods Pro 3 compared to the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro?
When it comes to design, the AirPods Pro 3 and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are strikingly similar. Both have stem-shaped earbuds that slot vertically into their charging case. Both sets of earbuds also carry an IP57 dust and water resistance rating, making them ideal for workouts or rainy conditions. The AirPods Pro 3 have foam-infused ear tips that provide a more secure fit than the standard silicone ear tips found on the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, but the overall experience of using these two earbuds is not vastly different.
The controls are also similar between the two sets of earbuds, with both using a combination of taps, swipes, and voice controls. The AirPods Pro 3 also support head gestures, which can be helpful when both your hands are full.
Do the AirPods Pro 3 or Galaxy Buds 3 Pro have more features?
Both the AirPods Pro 3 and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro offer a ton of features, but only if you pair them with the right phone. You’ll need a recent iPhone to get the most out of the AirPods Pro 3, and a recent Samsung Galaxy phone to get the most out of the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro. If you have a non-Samsung Android phone, you can still take advantage of some of the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro features through the Samsung Wearable app.
The AirPods Pro 3 offer heart-rate tracking, great for those who workout, and don’t already have an Apple Watch. Another unique feature of the AirPods Pro 3 is that they can be used as a hearing aid, ideal for those with mild to moderate hearing loss. Beyond the headline features, the AirPods Pro 3 are great at adapting to your ears behind the scenes, with features like Adaptive Audio, Adaptive EQ, and Personalized Spatial Audio. While you don’t get a ton of customization options, these features are extremely convenient as they work behind the scenes.
If you prefer tinkering, the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro offer a custom equalizer in the Samsung Wearable App, as well as adaptive noise controls. Just like the AirPods Pro 3, the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro offer real-time translation.
How do the AirPods Pro 3 and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro connect?
The AirPods Pro 3 run on Bluetooth 5.3 with SBC and AAC, optimized for Apple’s H2 chip. On iOS and MacOS, they switch seamlessly between devices in your iCloud account, but Android users get only basic playback.
The Galaxy Buds3 Pro step ahead with Bluetooth 5.4 and support for SBC, AAC, Samsung Scalable Codec, and Samsung Seamless Codec. With a Galaxy S24 or newer, you can unlock 24-bit/96kHz playback. With other devices, you’re limited to standard codecs and fewer features.
Is battery life better on the AirPods Pro 3 or Galaxy Buds 3 Pro?
Battery life is a clear win for Apple. In our test at 75dB with ANC on, the AirPods Pro 3 lasted 8 hours and 42 minutes — almost double the 4 hours and 31 minutes we got from the Buds 3 Pro. That makes the AirPods more reliable for long flights or multi-day commutes.
Both cases support USB-C and wireless charging, but Apple goes further: fast charging nets an hour of playback from five minutes in the case, and you can even charge with an Apple Watch puck. Samsung doesn’t list fast charging, though its small batteries top up quickly by default.
Do the AirPods Pro 3 or Galaxy Buds 3 Pro block noise better?
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When it comes to active noise canceling, the AirPods Pro 3 are far superior to the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro. In our lab testing, the AirPods Pro 3 reduced the loudness of external noise by an average of 90%, whereas the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro only block out 76% of noise. If you frequently travel, commute, or otherwise use your earbuds in noisy environments, the AirPods Pro 3 are the clear choice. I also find that the transparency mode of the AirPods Pro 3 sounds more natural than the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro.
Do the AirPods Pro 3 sound better than the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro?
The AirPods Pro 3 and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro both have excellent sound quality that most people will enjoy. In our testing, the Samsung earbuds show more emphasis on bass and treble, whereas the AirPods place more emphasis on the mids. Both sets of earbuds offer spatial audio, but only the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro have a native custom equalizer.
Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores (MDAQS)
Hold up! Something’s missing
We’re currently upgrading a few things in the lab, and we’re holding off posting MDAQS results for now. But we have tested the AirPods Pro 3; we’re compiling a little more information before we publish the results to ensure the quality of data meets our editorial standards.
Objective Measurements
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The chart above shows our sound quality testing results for AirPods Pro 3 and Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro. Both earbuds are relatively aligned with our SoundGuys Headphone Preference Curve, though the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro have notably more emphasis on bass and treble frequencies.
Do the AirPods Pro 3 or Galaxy Buds 3 Pro have a better microphone?
The AirPods Pro 3 and Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro both have good microphones for taking calls. In our testing, the AirPods Pro 3 seem to do a better job of blocking out background noise, such as street noise. Note that the AirPods microphones perform best when connected to an Apple device for AI processing. Take a listen to the microphone samples below for yourself and let us know which you think is better.
AirPods Pro 3 microphone demo (Ideal conditions):
Galaxy Buds 3 Pro microphone demo (Ideal conditions):
AirPods Pro 3 microphone demo (Street conditions):
Galaxy Buds 3 Pro microphone demo (Street conditions):
Which microphone sounds better to you?
AirPods Pro 3 vs Galaxy Buds 3 Pro: Price and availability
Both sets of earbuds have a starting price of $249. The AirPods Pro 3 launched in September 2025, while the Buds3 Pro hit the market in late 2024 after a temporary shipping pause for quality control. Both are widely available at a variety of retailers.
Should you get the AirPods Pro 3 or Galaxy Buds 3 Pro?
If you’re an iPhone owner, the AirPods Pro 3 are an easy recommendation. They offer best-in-class ANC, excellent sound, and unique extras like hearing aid support and heart rate tracking. Battery life is stellar, though fit may still frustrate some ears, and Android users get almost no features.
If you’re a Samsung phone user, the Buds 3 Pro unlock higher-bitrate audio, interpreter mode, and deep customization. Sound is very good, though ANC and battery life lag well behind Apple. The AirPods Pro 3 are the better all-rounders, especially for noise canceling and longevity. But ultimately the choice comes down to which phone is in your pocket.
But which of these two earbuds would you buy? Let us know in the poll below.
Which earbuds would you buy?
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