# AirPods Pro 3 vs Galaxy Buds 4 Pro: Which $249 Earbuds to Buy (2026) > Apple and Samsung's flagship earbuds both cost $249. Here's how they compare on noise cancelling, battery, features and phone compatibility. - Source: https://specverdict.tech/posts/airpods-pro-3-vs-galaxy-buds-4-pro - Publisher: SpecVerdict - Category: Audio - Published: 2026-10-30 ## Verdict Buy the AirPods Pro 3 if you use an iPhone, and the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro if you use a Samsung phone. They cost the same at launch, $249, and sound is close, so the phone in your pocket decides it. ## Products compared | Product | Brand | Score (/10) | Launch price | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Apple AirPods Pro 3 | Apple | 8.8 | $249 | | Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro | Samsung | 8.3 | $249 | Two flagship earbuds, one price. Apple's AirPods Pro 3 and Samsung's Galaxy Buds 4 Pro both launched at $249, and both are well reviewed. So which one should you spend it on? Short answer: the one that matches your phone. We compared specs and published reviews to show where each pair actually wins. ## The short list | | AirPods Pro 3 | Galaxy Buds 4 Pro | | --- | --- | --- | | Launch price | $249 | $249 | | Battery, ANC on | Up to 8 hours | Up to 6 hours | | Battery with case | Up to 24 hours | Up to 26 hours | | Water resistance | IP57 | IP57 | | Best with | iPhone | Samsung Galaxy phone | | Our pick if... | You own an iPhone | You own a Samsung phone | Prices are official US launch prices. Street prices drop often, so check current offers in your local store. ## Apple AirPods Pro 3 Apple introduced these in September 2025 at $249. The big upgrades over the AirPods Pro 2 are better noise cancelling, longer battery life and a heart-rate sensor for workouts. Tom's Guide found the AirPods Pro 3 are better at cancelling noise than the Pro 2, which were already good, and that Apple's battery claims ring true. TechRadar called them near-perfect noise-cancelling earbuds, with stamina the only minor issue. Apple lists up to 8 hours with noise cancelling on and 24 hours with the case. Apple also lists an FDA-authorized hearing aid feature and Live Translation, which is still labelled beta and needs an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone. **Keep in mind:** Most of the extras need an iPhone running recent software. On Android they work as ordinary Bluetooth earbuds with limited functionality, and SoundGuys notes that firmware updates need an Apple device. ## Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro Samsung launched these in early 2026, also at $249. They use an 11mm woofer and a 5.4mm planar tweeter, and Samsung claims up to 6 hours with noise cancelling on and 26 hours with the case. Android Authority called the sound great, with no default bass overload, and the noise cancelling solid, though it still heard some background noise at maximum strength. It also found about 7 hours in its own use with noise cancelling on and volume under 50%. What Hi-Fi gave them 4 out of 5, and Android Central gave 4.5. **Keep in mind:** Android Authority says many features need a Samsung device. There's no Fast Pair for other Android phones and no LDAC support. The high-quality Samsung codec works only on Samsung devices. ## Side by side | | AirPods Pro 3 | Galaxy Buds 4 Pro | | --- | --- | --- | | Chip / drivers | Apple H2 | 11mm woofer + 5.4mm planar tweeter | | Bluetooth | 5.3 | 6.1 (per Samsung's India page; sources vary) | | Earbud weight | 5.55 g | 5.1 g | | Wireless charging case | Yes (MagSafe, USB-C) | Yes | | Health features | Heart-rate sensing, hearing aid | Not covered in our sources | | Extras need | iPhone | Samsung phone | ## Who should buy which - **iPhone owner:** AirPods Pro 3. Better reviewed noise cancelling, longer battery per charge and the full feature set. - **Samsung Galaxy owner:** Galaxy Buds 4 Pro. You get the full feature set and the longest case battery. - **Other Android phone:** Neither is a natural fit. Both lose features. Consider other brands before paying $249. - **Battery-first buyer:** AirPods last longer per charge. Samsung's case holds more total. ## The bottom line Sound is close and both are good. Noise cancelling and earbud battery tilt toward Apple in the reviews we read. Ecosystem decides the rest. Match the earbuds to your phone, and check current offers before you buy. ## Apple AirPods Pro 3 **Pros:** Up to 8 hours with noise cancelling on; Reviewers found noise cancelling better than AirPods Pro 2; Heart-rate sensing for workouts on iPhone; FDA-authorized hearing aid feature; IP57 dust, sweat and water resistance **Cons:** 24 hours total with the case is less than Samsung's claim; Most extras need an iPhone; Live Translation is still labelled beta - Launch price: $249 - Chip: Apple H2 - Battery (ANC on): Up to 8 hours - Battery with case: Up to 24 hours - Water resistance: IP57 - Bluetooth: 5.3 - Earbud weight: 5.55 g - Best with: iPhone, iPad, Mac ## Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro **Pros:** Great sound, with no default bass overload, says Android Authority; Solid noise cancelling with adjustable strength; Longer total battery with the case (26 hours with ANC on); IP57 water resistance; Wireless charging case **Cons:** Many features need a Samsung phone; No Fast Pair for other Android phones; No LDAC support; Shorter 6 hours per charge with ANC on - Launch price: $249 - Drivers: 11mm woofer + 5.4mm planar tweeter - Battery (ANC on): Up to 6 hours - Battery with case: Up to 26 hours - Water resistance: IP57 - Bluetooth: 6.1 (per Samsung's India page) - Earbud weight: 5.1 g - Best with: Samsung Galaxy phones ## FAQ ### Are AirPods Pro 3 better than Galaxy Buds 4 Pro? For iPhone owners, yes, mostly. Reviewers rate the AirPods Pro 3's noise cancelling and earbud battery higher. For Samsung phone owners the Buds 4 Pro are the better fit. ### Do Galaxy Buds 4 Pro work with iPhone? They connect as standard Bluetooth earbuds, but you lose most of the Samsung-specific features. ### Do AirPods Pro 3 work with Android? Yes, as Bluetooth headphones with limited functionality. SoundGuys notes you lose most ecosystem features, and firmware updates need an Apple device. ### Which has better battery life? The AirPods Pro 3 last longer per charge, up to 8 hours with noise cancelling on versus 6 for the Buds 4 Pro. The Samsung case adds more total time: 26 hours versus 24. ### How much do they cost? Both launched at $249 in the US. Prices often drop at retailers, so check current offers.