Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 and Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 3 Pro sit at nearly identical price points and both deliver genuinely excellent sound and noise cancellation. The honest answer to which is better depends heavily on which phone is in your pocket but there are real differences worth knowing beyond ecosystem lock-in.
Quick Comparison Table
| AirPods Pro 3 | Galaxy Buds 3 Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$249 | ~$249 |
| Best Ecosystem Fit | iPhone | Samsung Galaxy (S24+) |
| ANC Quality | Class-leading, very consistent | Excellent, ~90% as effective as Apple |
| Battery (earbuds only) | Up to 8 hours continuous | Slightly shorter continuous playback |
| Comfort/Fit | Deeper ear-canal seal | Shallower, often more comfortable fit |
| Hi-Res Audio | Standard AAC via iPhone | 24-bit/96kHz on Galaxy S24+ |
| Eartip Options | 5 sizes, foam-infused silicone | 3 sizes, soft silicone |
Noise Cancellation
Apple’s H2 chip continues to lead the category here — reviewers consistently describe the AirPods Pro 3’s ANC as more consistent, especially against low-frequency rumble like airplane engines or HVAC systems, with a smoother transition between noise cancellation and transparency modes. Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 3 Pro ANC is genuinely very good, most reviewers put it at roughly 90% as effective as Apple’s, but Apple keeps a real, noticeable edge in this specific category.
Winner: AirPods Pro 3
Comfort and Fit
This one actually favors Samsung for a lot of ears. The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro don’t need to seal as deeply into the ear canal to work well, which several reviewers find more comfortable for extended wear. The AirPods Pro 3 improved their ergonomics generation over generation but still require a deeper insertion to achieve their seal.
Winner: Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, though comfort is inherently personal — try both if you can.
Battery Life
Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 offer up to 8 hours of continuous listening on a single charge, edging out the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro’s continuous playback time, a genuine advantage for long flights or full workdays without a case recharge.
Winner: AirPods Pro 3
Sound Quality and Ecosystem
Both sound excellent for their price point. Samsung offers a meaningful audio quality boost — 24-bit/96kHz Hi-Fi playback — but only when paired with a Galaxy S24 or newer, via Samsung’s proprietary codec. Outside that specific pairing, both rely on standard Bluetooth codecs and sound very comparable. The bigger factor for both products is ecosystem-exclusive features: automatic device switching, gesture controls, and AI features work best (or only) within their native ecosystem.
If you have an iPhone, the AirPods Pro 3 are the easy recommendation — better ANC, longer battery, and full ecosystem integration. If you have a Samsung Galaxy phone, the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro make more sense, particularly for the Hi-Fi audio boost and generally more comfortable fit. If you’re on a different Android phone entirely, the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro still edge ahead on general sound quality even without the Samsung-specific perks.
Prices fluctuate with sales and promotions — check current pricing before buying.
