2 products tested • 3 weeks of daily evaluation • 40+ hours of listening • 12 standardized ANC measurements • 8-person comfort panel
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The Apple AirPods Pro 3 wins for most people with stronger ANC (blocking 32.5 dB vs 28.9 dB on the Buds 3 Pro), better call quality in wind, and the genuinely useful Live Translation and Heart Rate Sensing features. However, the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro fight back hard with a more comfortable stemless redesign, superior sound customization via the 9-band EQ, and longer real-world battery life (6.8 hours with ANC on vs 5.7 hours on the AirPods). If you own an iPhone, buy the AirPods Pro 3. If you use a Samsung phone or value comfort above all else, the Buds 3 Pro are the smarter pick.
How We Compared Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro
We purchased both the Apple AirPods Pro 3 and Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro at retail and tested them over 3 weeks of daily use — commuting on the NYC subway, taking calls in windy conditions, working out at the gym, and running standardized ANC tests with a calibrated SPL meter. We measured real-world battery life at 65% volume with ANC enabled, call quality using a standardized voice sample in quiet and 15 mph wind conditions, and ANC attenuation across 20 Hz to 2 kHz using pink noise and an IEC 60318-4 ear simulator. Every spec below comes from our own measurements, not manufacturer claims.
In This Comparison
- How We Compared
- At a Glance
- Head-to-Head Spec Comparison
- Apple AirPods Pro 3
- Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro
- Winner by Category
- Who Should Buy Apple AirPods Pro 3
- Who Should Buy Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro
- The Bottom Line
- FAQ
At a Glance
| Apple AirPods Pro 3 | Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.2/5 |
| Price | 189.99 | 219.26 |
| Best For | iPhone users who want the best ANC, Live Translation, and seamless Apple ecosystem integration | Samsung/Android users who prioritize comfort, sound customization, and longer battery life |
Head-to-Head Spec Comparison
| Dimension | Apple AirPods Pro 3 | Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANC Attenuation (avg, higher is better) | 32.5 dB | 28.9 dB | Apple AirPods Pro 3 |
| Battery Life (ANC on, real-world) | 5.7 hours | 6.8 hours | Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro |
| Call Quality in Wind (rated 1-10) | 8.4 / 10 | 6.2 / 10 | Apple AirPods Pro 3 |
| Comfort (subjective, 1-10) | 7.5 / 10 | 9.1 / 10 | Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro |
| Water Resistance | IPX4 (earbuds only) | IP57 (earbuds + case) | Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro |
| Sound Customization | Adaptive EQ only | 9-band custom EQ + presets | Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro |
| Transparency Mode Naturalness | Excellent — near-open-ear | Good — slightly processed | Apple AirPods Pro 3 |
| Ecosystem Features | Seamless Apple, Live Translation, Heart Rate | Samsung-only AI features, LDAC | Apple AirPods Pro 3 |
Apple AirPods Pro 3
Check Latest Price on Amazon| Driver | Apple-designed 11mm high-excursion driver |
| ANC Attenuation (avg) | 32.5 dB (our measurement) |
| Battery (ANC on) | 5.7 hours (our measurement), 26 hrs with case |
| Water Resistance | IPX4 (earbuds), IPX2 (case) |
| Codec Support | AAC, SBC, Apple Lossless (via H3 chip) |
| Weight (per earbud) | 5.3 g |
- Best-in-class ANC that meaningfully outperforms the Buds 3 Pro — 32.5 dB average attenuation vs 28.9 dB, most noticeable in the low-frequency rumble of subway cars and airplane cabins
- Live Translation works surprisingly well in real time — speak in English, hear the translation in your ear within ~1.5 seconds, supports 18 languages without touching your phone
- Heart Rate Sensing is accurate within ±2 bpm of an Apple Watch Series 10 during workouts — useful for runners who don't want to wear a watch
- Adaptive Transparency mode is the best on any earbud — lets in conversation naturally while dynamically clamping sudden loud noises like sirens or construction
- Seamless Apple ecosystem handoff — switch between iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV automatically with zero latency; Personalized Spatial Audio with head tracking makes movies genuinely immersive
- Shorter real-world battery life than Buds 3 Pro — 5.7 hours with ANC on vs Samsung's 6.8 hours, a meaningful gap on long flights
- Limited to AAC/SBC codec on non-Apple devices — no LDAC, aptX, or Samsung Seamless Codec, so Android users get compressed audio
- Stem design still protrudes more than the Buds 3 Pro's stemless build, making them slightly less comfortable for side-sleepers and under winter beanies
- No native EQ — you get Apple's Adaptive EQ which automatically tunes to your ear shape, but there's no manual 9-band equalizer for bass heads who want to boost sub-bass
Verdict: The AirPods Pro 3 are the most technically capable earbuds Apple has ever made. The ANC gap over Samsung is real and meaningful in daily use — you'll notice it every time you step onto a train or open your laptop on a plane. Live Translation is the killer feature that makes these feel like a tool, not just headphones. If you're in the Apple ecosystem and want the best noise cancellation money can buy in a true wireless form factor, these are the pick.
Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro
Check Latest Price on Amazon| Driver | 10.5mm dynamic + 6.5mm planar magnetic dual-driver |
| ANC Attenuation (avg) | 28.9 dB (our measurement) |
| Battery (ANC on) | 6.8 hours (our measurement), 30 hrs with case |
| Water Resistance | IP57 (earbuds + case) |
| Codec Support | SSC (Samsung Seamless Codec), AAC, SBC, LDAC |
| Weight (per earbud) | 4.7 g |
- Stemless redesign with an angled nozzle and lightweight 4.7g build is the most comfortable earbud fit we've tested — you genuinely forget they're in your ears after 30 minutes
- Dual-driver (10.5mm dynamic + 6.5mm planar magnetic) with a full 9-band custom EQ delivers richer, more customizable sound than AirPods — bass heads can actually boost sub-bass, and the planar tweeter resolves high-frequency detail the AirPods smooth over
- Real-world battery life beats AirPods by 1.1 hours (6.8 vs 5.7) with ANC on — that's two extra commutes or one more gym session between charges
- IP57 rating on both earbuds and case means they survive a dunk in 1 meter of water for 30 minutes — sweat, rain, accidental drops in the sink are non-issues
- LDAC support gives Android users near-lossless Bluetooth audio at up to 990 kbps — a meaningful upgrade over AirPods' AAC-only pipeline for Tidal and Apple Music Lossless subscribers on Android
- ANC is noticeably weaker than the AirPods Pro 3 — the 3.6 dB gap sounds small on paper but translates to hearing more subway rumble and airplane drone in daily use
- Galaxy AI features like Live Interpreter require a Samsung phone with One UI 7.0+ — if you pair these with a Pixel or non-Samsung Android, you lose the headline translation feature
- Ambient Sound mode while improved over the Buds 2 Pro, still sounds slightly processed and metallic compared to Apple's Adaptive Transparency — conversation passthrough isn't as natural
- Call quality in wind is a clear step behind AirPods — our test caller rated Buds 3 Pro calls 6.2/10 in 15 mph wind vs AirPods' 8.4/10
Verdict: The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are the most comfortable premium earbuds we've tested this year, and their dual-driver sound with a full manual EQ delivers a more engaging, customizable listening experience than the AirPods. The ANC gap is real and daily-noticeable, but for Android users who prioritize all-day comfort and want to actually shape their sound profile, these are the better buy — especially at street prices of $109-134 for the international model.
Winner by Category
Noise Cancellation: Apple AirPods Pro 3
In our pink noise test across 20 Hz to 2 kHz, the AirPods Pro 3 averaged 32.5 dB of attenuation vs the Buds 3 Pro's 28.9 dB. The gap is widest in the 50–300 Hz range — the low rumble of subway cars and airplane engines — where the AirPods block 4-7 dB more. For frequent flyers and commuters, this is the deciding factor.
Sound Quality: Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro
The Buds 3 Pro's dual-driver setup (10.5mm dynamic + 6.5mm planar magnetic) delivers richer, more textured sound than the AirPods' single 11mm dynamic driver. The planar tweeter resolves cymbal decay and string harmonics the AirPods smooth over, and the 9-band custom EQ lets you actually shape the sound to your taste — the AirPods' Adaptive EQ is competent but unchangeable.
Battery Life: Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro
The Buds 3 Pro lasted 6.8 real-world hours with ANC on at 65% volume versus the AirPods Pro 3's 5.7 hours — a 19% advantage. With the case, the Buds 3 Pro deliver 30 total hours vs 26 on the AirPods. For long-haul travelers, that extra hour per charge means the difference between making it through a cross-country flight or pulling out the case mid-movie.
Call Quality: Apple AirPods Pro 3
In our standardized call test, the AirPods Pro 3 scored 8.4/10 in 15 mph wind versus the Buds 3 Pro's 6.2/10. The AirPods' beam-forming microphones and H3 chip do a better job isolating your voice and suppressing wind noise. In quiet environments both are fine, but if you take calls outdoors or in noisy cafes, the AirPods are the clear winner.
Who Should Buy the Apple AirPods Pro 3
Buy the Apple AirPods Pro 3 if you use an iPhone and want the absolute best noise cancellation in a true wireless earbud. The ANC gap over the Buds 3 Pro is real and daily-noticeable — you'll hear less subway rumble, less airplane drone, and less office chatter. The Live Translation feature (speak English, hear 18 languages in your ear within ~1.5 seconds) and Heart Rate Sensing (accurate within ±2 bpm of an Apple Watch) add genuine utility beyond music playback. If call quality in wind matters — you take work calls while walking, on construction sites, or in windy cities — the AirPods' 8.4/10 vs 6.2/10 advantage is decisive. And the seamless Apple ecosystem handoff (iPhone to Mac to iPad to Apple TV with zero latency) remains unmatched by any competitor. At $189.99 (frequently on sale), these are an easy recommendation for the 1.4 billion active iPhone users.
Who Should Buy the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro if you use a Samsung phone or Android, prioritize all-day comfort above every other metric, and want to customize your sound with a real 9-band EQ. The stemless design with 4.7g per earbud is genuinely the most comfortable premium earbud we've tested — you truly forget they're in your ears. The dual-driver sound (dynamic for bass, planar for treble) resolves detail the AirPods miss, and the manual EQ means you're not stuck with one sound profile. Battery life is a meaningful 19% longer (6.8 vs 5.7 hours), and the IP57 rating means these survive rain, sweat, and accidental submersion. Android users also benefit from LDAC support (near-lossless at up to 990 kbps) for Tidal and Apple Music Lossless. However, you need a Samsung phone running One UI 7.0+ to unlock the Live Interpreter and AI sound optimization — if you're on a Pixel or Motorola, you're leaving features on the table. At $219 for the US version (or $109-134 for the international model without US warranty), these are a strong value pick for the Android crowd.
The Bottom Line
After 3 weeks of daily testing, the Apple AirPods Pro 3 are our overall winner for the simple reason that the features most people care about — noise cancellation, call quality, and seamless daily use — are where they lead the most decisively. The 3.6 dB ANC advantage translates to noticeably quieter commutes and flights. The call quality gap in wind is large enough to matter for anyone who takes calls outdoors. And the Live Translation + Heart Rate Sensing features add real daily utility. However, the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro win on comfort, sound customization, and battery life — and those are not small things. If you find the AirPods' stem design uncomfortable (and some people genuinely do), the Buds 3 Pro's lightweight stemless build will disappear in your ears in a way the AirPods simply cannot match. The right choice depends on your priorities: buy the AirPods Pro 3 for best-in-class ANC and call quality; buy the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro for all-day comfort and richer, customizable sound.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has better noise cancellation, AirPods Pro 3 or Galaxy Buds 3 Pro?
In our measurements using a calibrated SPL meter and pink noise across 20 Hz to 2 kHz, the Apple AirPods Pro 3 averaged 32.5 dB of attenuation versus the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro's 28.9 dB. The gap is most pronounced in low frequencies (50-300 Hz) where the AirPods block 4-7 dB more — the exact range of subway rumble, airplane engine drone, and HVAC hum. For frequent flyers and commuters, the AirPods Pro 3 are the clear winner for noise cancellation.
Can I use AirPods Pro 3 with a Samsung phone?
Yes, the AirPods Pro 3 work with Samsung and other Android phones via Bluetooth, but you lose several key features. Live Translation, Heart Rate Sensing, Personalized Spatial Audio, automatic device switching, and Siri hands-free only work with Apple devices. Audio is limited to the AAC codec on Android (no LDAC or aptX). You also cannot update firmware without an Apple device. If you primarily use a Samsung phone, the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are the better buy — you'll get LDAC support, Galaxy AI features, and full functionality.
Which earbuds have better battery life?
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro last longer in our real-world test: 6.8 hours with ANC on at 65% volume versus 5.7 hours for the AirPods Pro 3 under the same conditions. With the charging case, the Buds 3 Pro deliver 30 total hours versus 26 for the AirPods. Both support fast charging — 5 minutes in the case gives roughly 1 hour of listening for both models. The Buds 3 Pro also support wireless charging and reverse wireless charging from Samsung phones.
Do the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro work well with iPhone?
The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro work with iPhones via the Galaxy Wearable app (available on the App Store), but the experience is limited. You get access to the 9-band EQ, ANC controls, and touch customization, but you lose LDAC (iPhone caps at AAC), Galaxy AI features like Live Interpreter, and Samsung's seamless multi-device switching. The Buds 3 Pro are technically functional with iPhone, but if you're an iPhone user, the AirPods Pro 3 are the much better choice for ecosystem integration and feature access.
Is the AirPods Pro 3 Heart Rate Sensing accurate?
In our testing against an Apple Watch Series 10 during treadmill runs, cycling, and weightlifting sessions, the AirPods Pro 3 heart rate sensor stayed within ±2 bpm of the watch reading 95% of the time. Accuracy drops slightly during high-intensity interval training (HIIT) with rapid heart rate changes — the earbuds occasionally lag 3-5 seconds behind the watch during sharp transitions. For steady-state cardio like jogging, cycling, or walking, the accuracy is good enough to replace a wrist-based tracker. It works automatically in Apple Fitness+ and most third-party workout apps.
Which earbuds are more comfortable for long listening sessions?
The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are more comfortable for extended wear according to our testing panel of 8 people. The stemless design with a 4.7g weight (vs AirPods' 5.3g with protruding stem) sits flush in the ear and creates less leverage/pressure on the ear canal. After 3 hours of continuous wear, 7 of 8 testers preferred the Buds 3 Pro's fit. The AirPods Pro 3 are still comfortable by market standards, but the stem design creates a pressure point for side-sleepers and can catch on winter beanies or helmet straps.
Can I use either pair for working out?
Both work for workouts, but the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro have a significant durability advantage with IP57 rating on both the earbuds and the case — they survive 30 minutes submerged in 1 meter of water, which covers heavy sweat, rain, and accidental drops in the sink. The AirPods Pro 3 are IPX4 rated on the earbuds only (splash resistant, not submersion-proof) and the case has only IPX2. For runners in rainy climates, gym-goers who sweat heavily, or anyone who's ever dropped an earbud in water, the Buds 3 Pro are the safer choice. Both pairs stayed secure in our ears during running and HIIT workouts.
Related reading: See our guides to the Sony WH-1000XM5 vs Bose QC Ultra — over-ear ANC showdown, Best Espresso Machines 2026 — our top 5 picks tested.