Galaxy Buds 4 Pro vs AirPods Pro 3
It’s Samsung against Apple in the premium wireless earbuds class, and the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro and the AirPods Pro 3 are the models carrying each flag. The scorecard favors the AirPods Pro 3, which leads in 1 of 2 areas. Its strongest showing is in the battery & charging category.
At a glance
- Sound & Noise Cancelling Tie
- Battery & Charging AirPods Pro 3 wins
- Price AirPods Pro 3 wins
- Sound & Noise Cancelling10.0
- Battery & Charging3.6
- Sound & Noise Cancelling10.0
- Battery & Charging4.8
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
-
The AirPods Pro 3 has 2 h more listening per charge
The AirPods Pro 3 clearly leads on battery (single charge), and 8 h versus 6 h is a difference that reaches well beyond the spec sheet. Longer listening per charge matters on long flights, workdays and road trips.
-
The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro has 2 h more total battery with the case
You may not notice this one every day, but the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro’s 26 h is a step ahead of the AirPods Pro 3’s 24 h. Total battery with the case tells you how long you can go before plugging anything in.
-
The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro has a 0.02 oz lighter build
Slight advantage to the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro: 0.18 oz compared with 0.20 oz. Lighter earbuds or headsets feel less noticeable during long listening sessions.
Design & Size
There’s 0.02 oz between them, and the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro is on the lighter side.
Fit & Build
| Spec | Galaxy Buds 4 Pro | AirPods Pro 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | In-ear | In-ear with stem |
| Water resistance | IP57 | IP57 |
| Weight (per earbud / headset) | 0.18 oz (winner) | 0.20 oz |
| Case weight | 1.56 oz | 1.55 oz |
Sound & Noise Cancelling
Too close to call
There’s little to choose between them when it comes to sound & noise cancelling. So sound & noise cancelling is a non-factor here; move on to the areas where they actually differ.
Battery & Charging
AirPods Pro 3 leads
In the battery & charging category, the AirPods Pro 3 isn’t just ahead; it’s clearly ahead. The AirPods Pro 3 gives you 2 h more listening per charge. The AirPods Pro 3 runs longer before needing a break, so you’re less likely to be interrupted mid-podcast. The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro delivers 2 h more total battery with the case. Bottom line for battery & charging: the AirPods Pro 3 has the edge.
Battery (single charge)
Galaxy Buds 4 Pro: 6 h AirPods Pro 3: 8 h Ratings usually assume moderate volume and specific settings, so real results vary.
Battery (with case)
Galaxy Buds 4 Pro: 26 h AirPods Pro 3: 24 h The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro’s case holds more extra charge, which is handy on trips.
Features & Connectivity
For features & connectivity, the differences are in the specifics (component names and types), so the table is the place to look.
Full Specifications
Sound & Noise Cancelling
| Spec | Galaxy Buds 4 Pro | AirPods Pro 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Driver size | 0.43 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Active noise cancelling | Yes | Yes |
| Transparency mode | Yes | Yes |
| Spatial audio | N/A (not specified) | Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking |
| Bluetooth codecs | SSC HiFi, SSC UHQ, AAC, SBC, LC3 | N/A (not specified) |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | Galaxy Buds 4 Pro | AirPods Pro 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery (single charge)Manufacturer rating, ANC on where available | 6 h | 8 h (winner) |
| Battery (with case)Manufacturer rating | 26 h (winner) | 24 h |
| Wireless charging | Yes | Yes |
| Charging port | USB-C | USB-C |
Features & Connectivity
| Spec | Galaxy Buds 4 Pro | AirPods Pro 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 6.1 | Bluetooth 5.3 (Apple H2 chip) |
| Heart-rate sensing | N/A (not specified) | Yes |
| Hearing health features | N/A (not specified) | Hearing Test, Hearing Aid, Hearing Protection |
| Controls | N/A (not specified) | Force sensor, swipe for volume |
Fit & Build
| Spec | Galaxy Buds 4 Pro | AirPods Pro 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | In-ear | In-ear with stem |
| Water resistance | IP57 | IP57 |
| Weight (per earbud / headset) | 0.18 oz (winner) | 0.20 oz |
| Case weight | 1.56 oz | 1.55 oz |
Price
| Spec | Galaxy Buds 4 Pro | AirPods Pro 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $250 | $249 |
“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
The AirPods Pro 3 has a small price advantage of $1 at launch. The AirPods Pro 3 costs $1 less and still comes out ahead in more areas, a rare combination.
Launch prices in the US as of February 2026; street prices move, so check before you buy.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro if…
- you want more total battery with the case (26 h vs 24 h)
- you want the lighter fit (0.18 oz vs 0.20 oz)
- you prefer staying with Samsung
Choose the AirPods Pro 3 if…
- you listen for hours at a stretch (8 h vs 6 h per charge)
- you’d put the $1 saving toward something else
- you already know your way around Apple’s products
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro or the AirPods Pro 3?
We’d point most buyers to the AirPods Pro 3. The main exception is if you specifically want 2 h more total battery with the case, where the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro has the edge.
Does the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro last longer on a charge than the AirPods Pro 3?
On paper, the AirPods Pro 3 has the edge: 8 h of battery (single charge) against 6 h for the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro. Real-world results also depend on how you use it.
Which costs less, the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro or the AirPods Pro 3?
The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro launched at $1 more than the AirPods Pro 3, based on prices as of February 2026.
Is the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro lighter than the AirPods Pro 3?
On the scale, the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro comes out ahead at 0.02 oz lighter than the AirPods Pro 3.
Executive Summary
Brand loyalty aside, I tried to judge the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro and the AirPods Pro 3 purely on what they offer. Here’s what matters most to me: the AirPods Pro 3 offers 2 h more listening per charge. The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro’s strongest argument is 2 h more total battery with the case.
The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro is built for people who weigh battery life heavily, and the AirPods Pro 3 for people who weigh battery & charging.
My pick: the AirPods Pro 3; the one scenario where I’d reach for the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro is if what you want most is 2 h more total battery with the case.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.