Powerbeats Pro 2 vs Galaxy Buds 3 Pro
Two makers, one class, one decision: the Powerbeats Pro 2 from Beats or the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro from Samsung. Of the 3 areas we compared, the Powerbeats Pro 2 wins 2. If one area explains the result, it’s battery & charging.
At a glance
- Sound & Noise Cancelling Tie
- Battery & Charging Powerbeats Pro 2 wins
- Features & Connectivity Powerbeats Pro 2 wins
- Price Tie
- Sound & Noise Cancelling10.0
- Battery & Charging8.2
- Sound & Noise Cancelling10.0
- Battery & Charging3.6
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
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The Powerbeats Pro 2 has 2 h more listening per charge
At 8 h versus 6 h, this is a decisive lead for the Powerbeats Pro 2, the kind of difference you notice without looking for it. Longer listening per charge matters on long flights, workdays and road trips.
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The Powerbeats Pro 2 has 10 h more total battery with the case
If battery (with case) is one of your priorities, this settles it: the Powerbeats Pro 2 leads clearly with 36 h to the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro’s 26 h. Total battery with the case tells you how long you can go before plugging anything in.
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The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro has a 0.12 oz lighter build
The numbers aren’t close. The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro lists 0.19 oz for weight (per earbud / headset), while the Powerbeats Pro 2 lists 0.31 oz. The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro puts less weight on your ears or head, which adds up over a full day.
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The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro has a tougher IP57 rating
A clear win for the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro: IP57 against IPX4. Few specs in this matchup are as one-sided. Water resistance ratings describe lab conditions and don’t make the pair safe for swimming unless stated.
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The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro has
Here the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro pulls well ahead of the Powerbeats Pro 2, with 1.64 oz compared to 2.43 oz. The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro’s case is lighter, one less thing weighing down your pocket.
Design & Size
Pick the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro and you save 0.12 oz.
Fit & Build
| Spec | Powerbeats Pro 2 | Galaxy Buds 3 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | Ear-hook | In-ear with blade stem |
| Water resistance | IPX4 | IP57 (winner) |
| Weight (per earbud / headset) | 0.31 oz Heaviest in class | 0.19 oz (winner) |
| Case weight | 2.43 oz | 1.64 oz (winner) |
Sound & Noise Cancelling
Too close to call
In the sound & noise cancelling category, the Powerbeats Pro 2 and the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro land in almost the same place. Neither pair gives you a reason to choose it on sound & noise cancelling.
Battery & Charging
Powerbeats Pro 2 leads
The Powerbeats Pro 2 dominates the battery & charging section, and the gaps are large enough to matter in daily use. Point to the Powerbeats Pro 2 for 2 h more listening per charge. The Powerbeats Pro 2 runs longer before needing a break, so you’re less likely to be interrupted mid-podcast. In short, the Powerbeats Pro 2 is the better-equipped pair for battery & charging.
Battery (single charge)
Powerbeats Pro 2: 8 h Galaxy Buds 3 Pro: 6 h Ratings usually assume moderate volume and specific settings, so real results vary.
Battery (with case)
Powerbeats Pro 2: 36 h Galaxy Buds 3 Pro: 26 h A bigger total means fewer case charges per week, a small but real convenience.
Features & Connectivity
Powerbeats Pro 2 leads
The Powerbeats Pro 2 edges the features & connectivity section, though the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro stays close. On the Powerbeats Pro 2, you get built-in heart-rate sensing. Built-in heart-rate sensing lets you track workouts without wearing a watch or chest strap. If features & connectivity is your priority, the Powerbeats Pro 2 is the pair to pick.
Heart-rate sensing
Powerbeats Pro 2: yes Galaxy Buds 3 Pro: no If you already wear a fitness tracker, this feature is a nice extra rather than a must-have.
Full Specifications
Sound & Noise Cancelling
| Spec | Powerbeats Pro 2 | Galaxy Buds 3 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Driver size | N/A (not specified) | 0.41 in |
| Active noise cancelling | Yes | Yes |
| Transparency mode | Yes | Yes |
| Spatial audio | Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking | 360 Audio (head tracking) |
| Bluetooth codecs | N/A (not specified) | SSC (incl. UHQ 24-bit/96 kHz), AAC, SBC, LC3 |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | Powerbeats Pro 2 | Galaxy Buds 3 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Battery (single charge)Manufacturer rating, ANC on where available | 8 h (winner) | 6 h |
| Battery (with case)Manufacturer rating | 36 h (winner) Most total battery | 26 h |
| Wireless charging | Yes | Yes |
| Charging port | USB-C | USB-C |
Features & Connectivity
| Spec | Powerbeats Pro 2 | Galaxy Buds 3 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | Class 1 Bluetooth (Apple H2 chip) | Bluetooth 5.4 |
| Heart-rate sensing | Yes (winner) | No |
| Controls | Physical button + volume rocker on each earbud | Pinch and swipe on stem |
Fit & Build
| Spec | Powerbeats Pro 2 | Galaxy Buds 3 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | Ear-hook | In-ear with blade stem |
| Water resistance | IPX4 | IP57 (winner) |
| Weight (per earbud / headset) | 0.31 oz Heaviest in class | 0.19 oz (winner) |
| Case weight | 2.43 oz | 1.64 oz (winner) |
Price
| Spec | Powerbeats Pro 2 | Galaxy Buds 3 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $250 | $250 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
Price is a tie: both launched at the same figure.
All prices are official US launch prices, last checked February 2025. Actual prices at stores may differ.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Powerbeats Pro 2 if…
- you listen for hours at a stretch (8 h vs 6 h per charge)
- you travel a lot and rarely want to charge the case (36 h vs 26 h)
- you like tracking your heart rate during workouts without a watch
Choose the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro if…
- you want the lighter fit (0.19 oz vs 0.31 oz)
- you work out hard or get caught in the rain (IP57 vs IPX4)
- you want the lighter case (1.64 oz vs 2.43 oz)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the Powerbeats Pro 2 or the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro?
For most people, the Powerbeats Pro 2 is the stronger choice, unless you’d rather have a 0.12 oz lighter build on the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro.
Does the Powerbeats Pro 2 last longer on a charge than the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro?
Going by the official figures, the Powerbeats Pro 2 leads: 8 h versus 6 h for battery (single charge). Screen use, settings and efficiency will shape your own results.
Is the Powerbeats Pro 2 lighter than the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro?
Going by the official figures, the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro weighs 0.12 oz less than the Powerbeats Pro 2.
Executive Summary
The Powerbeats Pro 2 from Beats and the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro from Samsung go after the same buyer. Here’s how I see them. The Powerbeats Pro 2 earns my vote first and foremost with 2 h more listening per charge. Less flashy, but still real: the Powerbeats Pro 2 brings built-in heart-rate sensing. Where the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro fights back is a 0.12 oz lighter build.
Choose by what you’d use most: battery & charging leads to the Powerbeats Pro 2, comfort leads to the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro.
My pick: the Powerbeats Pro 2 is the one I’d buy, unless you value a 0.12 oz lighter build above everything else.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.