Head to head
AirPods Pro 3 vs Galaxy Buds4 Pro
Apple's AirPods Pro 3 vs Samsung's Galaxy Buds4 Pro: ANC, battery, codecs, health features and price. Your phone decides this one, and here's why.
These are the flagship earbuds from the two biggest phone makers, and each is built to work best with its own phones. SoundGuys names the AirPods Pro 3 the best earbuds for iPhone and the Galaxy Buds4 Pro the best for Samsung. The real question is which phone is in your pocket.
This is an editorial comparison built from manufacturer specs and published reviews, not our own testing. Prices are approximate Amazon prices seen October 5, 2026, and they move often. List prices are nearly identical, but on that day the AirPods Pro 3 sold for about $65 less.
Option A
Apple AirPods Pro 3
- Earbuds ANC
- ~$179
- Sep 2025
- iPhone
The default earbuds for iPhone owners, with ANC SoundGuys ranks among the best of any earbud.
- Travel
- 5 out of 5
- Value
- 5 out of 5
- Calls
- 4 out of 5
Editorial fit scores, 1–5, from published reviews and specs — not lab measurements.
Affiliate link to Amazon. Price approx., seen Oct 2026.
Read the review: Apple AirPods Pro 3Option B
Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro
- Earbuds ANC
- ~$244.50
- Mar 2026
- Samsung Galaxy
The earbuds Galaxy owners should buy, and the ones everyone else should skip.
- Travel
- 4 out of 5
- Calls
- 4 out of 5
- Workouts
- 4 out of 5
Editorial fit scores, 1–5, from published reviews and specs — not lab measurements.
Affiliate link to Amazon. Price approx., seen Oct 2026.
Read the review: Samsung Galaxy Buds4 ProSpec sheet
Side by side
| Feature | AirPods Pro 3 | Galaxy Buds4 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Approx. Amazon price (Oct 2026) | ~$179Edge | ~$244.50 |
| List price | $249 | $249.99 |
| Battery | Up to 8 h with ANC; up to 24 h with caseEdge | 6 h with ANC; 26 h with case |
| Weight | 5.55 g per bud | 5.1 g per budEdge |
| Water resistance | IP57 (buds and case) | IP57 |
| Codecs | Not specified | AAC, SBC, LC3; Samsung Seamless Codec (24-bit/96 kHz) on Galaxy only |
| Bluetooth | Not specified | 6.1; Auracast |
| App / EQ | No user EQ | Full app features need a Galaxy phone; limited on iPhone |
| Health & hearing | Heart-rate sensing; Hearing Test, Hearing Aid, Hearing Protection | Not specified |
| Case charging | USB-C, MagSafe or Qi | Not specified |
| ANC (review consensus) | Among the best of any earbud in SoundGuys' measurementsEdge | Excellent on low rumble; weaker than Sony and Bose on voices |
| Best for | iPhone owners (SoundGuys) | Samsung Galaxy owners (SoundGuys) |
Manufacturer specs and published reviews; prices are approximate Amazon prices seen October 5, 2026. “Edge” marks the side we think comes out ahead on that row.
Fit scores
How you listen, scored
| Scenario | Apple AirPods Pro 3 | Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Travel / commute | 5 out of 5 | 4 out of 5 |
| Office calls | 4 out of 5 | 4 out of 5 |
| Workouts | 4 out of 5 | 4 out of 5 |
| Music listening | 3 out of 5 | 4 out of 5 |
| Gaming / latency | 2 out of 5 | 2 out of 5 |
| Value | 5 out of 5 | 4 out of 5 |
Editorial fit scores, 1–5 — not lab measurements. Higher score per row highlighted.
Choose the AirPods Pro 3 if…
- You use an iPhone. SoundGuys names these the best earbuds for iPhone.
- You want top-tier noise cancelling: SoundGuys measured it among the best of any earbud, while reviewers find the Buds4 Pro weaker on voices.
- You want heart-rate sensing and Apple's Hearing Test, Hearing Aid and Hearing Protection features.
- You want to spend less: ~$179 against ~$244.50 for the Buds4 Pro.
Choose the Galaxy Buds4 Pro if…
- You own a Galaxy phone. Reviewers and SoundGuys call these the top choice for Samsung owners.
- You want Samsung's 24-bit/96 kHz Seamless Codec, which works only with Galaxy devices.
- You want Bluetooth 6.1 and Auracast for broadcast audio.
- You prefer a slightly lighter bud (5.1 g) and a case that holds a bit more charge (26 h total).
Our verdict
It's a tie — your phone decides
Your phone decides. On an iPhone, buy the AirPods Pro 3: ANC that SoundGuys measured among the best of any earbud, more battery per charge, and about $65 less at ~$179. On a Galaxy phone, buy the Buds4 Pro for Samsung's hi-res codec and full app features. If you're on a non-Samsung Android phone, reviewers say skip the Buds4 Pro.
Watch
The matchup on video
Video by Mike O'Brien on YouTube. Their views are their own.
Frequently asked questions
Do the Galaxy Buds4 Pro work with an iPhone?
They connect, but you give up a lot. Samsung says full app features need a Galaxy phone and iPhone support is limited, and its Seamless Codec only works on Galaxy devices. Reviewers including The Verge and WIRED say iPhone owners should look elsewhere, and the AirPods Pro 3 cost less anyway (~$179 vs ~$244.50).
Which has better noise cancelling, AirPods Pro 3 or Galaxy Buds4 Pro?
On the published evidence, the AirPods Pro 3. SoundGuys measured their ANC as among the best of any earbud, while reviewers of the Buds4 Pro call its ANC excellent against low rumble but weaker than Sony and Bose on voices, which matters in offices and cafes.
Which has better battery life?
The AirPods Pro 3 last longer per charge: up to 8 hours with ANC, against 6 hours for the Buds4 Pro. The Samsung case holds a little more in reserve (26 hours total vs 24), and reviewers rate the Buds4 Pro's battery life as average.
Disclosure: Independent editorial comparison based on published reviews and manufacturer specs, not our own lab measurements. Prices are approximate Amazon prices seen October 5, 2026. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases made through links on this page, at no extra cost to you.