Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro vs AirPods Pro 3: Sound, Design & Price Comparison

Explore the detailed Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro vs AirPods Pro 3 showdown, including design, sound quality, features, and pricing insights.

Just a few months ago, Apple launched the AirPods Pro 3, bringing subtle yet meaningful design tweaks and a significantly enhanced active noise cancellation system. Naturally, Samsung wasn’t going to sit still. Enter the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro, crafted to rival the AirPods Pro or perhaps be the top pick for Android fans.

With a fresh design, improved fit, and upgraded sound, the big question remains — which one wins?

Price and Availability: Navigating the Market

Neither Galaxy Buds 4 Pro nor AirPods Pro 3 are officially distributed through regular channels here, but thanks to parallel imports, both are widely available.

• AirPods Pro 3 appeared on the market several months ago and can be found in major retailers and marketplaces priced roughly between $350 and $440 depending on currency fluctuations and seller markups.
• Galaxy Buds 4 Pro, released a bit later, are expected to hit the market around $250 to $310 in unofficial retail and gray markets.

Compatibility and Ecosystem Fit Matter

When using these earbuds locally, ecosystem compatibility is key.

• AirPods Pro 3 truly shine paired with Apple devices, unlocking features like spatial audio, seamless device switching via Apple ID, and active noise cancellation without any regional restrictions.
• Galaxy Buds 4 Pro similarly deliver their full potential linked to the Galaxy Wearable app on Android phones. However, AI-driven features such as real-time translation require downloading language packs and owning a compatible Galaxy phone — manageable but worth noting during initial setup.

Design Deep Dive: Elegance Meets Comfort

Samsung sticks with its over-ear hook design for the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro, a departure that some longtime fans miss from their Buds 2 model — no ear hook. But compared to the Buds 3 Pro, these feel like a leap forward.

The Buds 4 Pro don’t mimic AirPods at first glance but instead exude a sleek, refined vibe with a matte metal plate on their stems, making them look compact and classy.

Samsung’s designers scanned over 100 million ear contours to craft a fit that feels snug and fatigue-free. I’ve worn them for hours and can attest — they stay put and don’t hurt.

AirPods Pro 3 also impress with a refreshed design that stays secure comfortably, a rare feat for me since I usually struggle with earbuds slipping or pinching.

So, thumbs up to both designers here!

The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro charging case has morphed from vertical to horizontal orientation, shrinking slightly in size but gaining thickness. A see-through lid adds a nice touch.

In contrast, the AirPods Pro 3 case sticks to its classic shape, a bit thinner but wider — both fit easily in a jeans pocket.

Apple’s case sports a built-in speaker to help find misplaced buds, while Samsung’s alternative is the SmartThings Find system for locating these little guys.

On water resistance, Buds 4 Pro score IP57 rating for earbuds only. AirPods Pro 3 top this with IP57 protection for both buds and their case — a plus for durability in wet conditions.

Sound and Noise Cancellation: The Heart of the Matter

Samsung upgraded their dual-driver system in the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro, enlarging the bass driver while trimming the treble driver slightly — but high frequencies remain clear.

These Buds offer richer, punchier bass than predecessors without muddiness, making tunes more enjoyable.

Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 tunes lean subtly “V-shaped” too, with a slightly brighter treble and deeper bass presence — an Apple signature sound.

The kicker? AirPods Pro 3 don’t allow EQ tweaks out of the box, while Galaxy Buds 4 Pro include a customizable 8-band equalizer — a win for audiophiles who like to tailor their sound.

The new Adaptive ANC 2.0 on Galaxy Buds 4 Pro smartly monitors ambient noise and targets critical frequencies dynamically rather than relying on static profiles, much like Apple’s approach.

Both handle noise cancellation so well you might forget the world around you. Early impressions suggest Samsung’s ANC rivals Apple’s impressive system.

Additionally, adaptive EQ on both adjusts sound based on fit and ear canal shape — a subtle but smart touch.

For Samsung users, pairing Buds 4 Pro with a Galaxy phone unlocks 24-bit, 96kHz sound via Samsung’s Seamless Codec. Apple leans on proprietary codecs layered over AAC for lossless-like quality and crystal-clear call audio.

Voice Call Quality: Clarity Counts

Galaxy Buds 4 Pro use dual-band Bluetooth when connected to Samsung phones, promising crisp voice quality up to 16kHz — capturing those delicate “s,” “f,” and “t” sounds with clarity.

AirPods Pro 3, when paired to iPhones or iPads, use Apple’s own codecs ensuring sharp, clear voice calls — definitely a standout.

A key edge for Samsung is support for the LC3 codec on non-Galaxy phones, delivering cleaner call sound than the aging SBC codec still used by AirPods outside Apple devices.

Unique Features: Gesture and AI Assistants

Both earbuds now let you answer or reject calls with gestures, but Samsung adds voice command shortcuts for tasks like “next song” or “volume up” without needing to say “Hey Siri” first.

Galaxy Buds 4 Pro support two AI helpers: Gemini and Bixby, both summonable by name, so you’re not forced to pick one.

Real-time translation features exist on both, with Samsung supporting 22 languages and Apple 9. Both work for in-person chats and phone calls but require the respective phones for translation processing.

Connectivity and Multi-Device Use

Galaxy Buds 4 Pro boast Bluetooth 6.1, enhancing spatial audio quality, connection stability, and pairing speed — subtle improvements that underpin a polished experience.

AirPods Pro 3 rely on Bluetooth 5.3 but compensate with custom chips and codecs tailored for Apple devices.

Samsung users benefit from multi-device connection within the Galaxy ecosystem, letting you switch between Galaxy phones quickly via the Galaxy Wearable app — a button press away, which beats repeated pairing hassle.

Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 automatically connect to all Apple devices logged into the same iCloud but don’t support true multipoint Bluetooth connections beyond the ecosystem.

Battery Life: Staying Powered Longer

Galaxy Buds 4 Pro deliver about 6 hours of playback with ANC active, extending to 26 hours with the charging case in tow.

AirPods Pro 3 stretch that to 8 hours of ANC-enabled listening and 24 hours total with the case.

So, Which Should You Choose?

If you’re entrenched in the Apple world, the AirPods Pro 3 are a natural match — stellar sound, effective noise cancellation, and a comfortable fit. Samsung’s buds won’t unleash their full magic here.

Android users, especially those outside of the Galaxy phone realm, still get a great deal with Galaxy Buds 4 Pro: customizable sound, handy features, and excellent ANC. AirPods Pro 3 sound decent on Android but miss out on extra perks.

Both earbuds deliver a refined fit and impressive sound, but your ecosystem loyalty may tip the scales.

FAQ

• Are Galaxy Buds 4 Pro and AirPods Pro 3 both water-resistant?
  Yes, but AirPods Pro 3 have IP57 rating for both earbuds and case, while Galaxy Buds 4 Pro have IP57 only for earbuds.
• Can I customize the sound profile on both earbuds?
  Only Galaxy Buds 4 Pro offer an 8-band customizable equalizer. AirPods Pro 3 have a fixed sound profile.
• Do these earbuds support real-time translation?
  Yes, both support live translation but require the respective smartphones and language packs.
• Which earbuds offer better multi-device connectivity?
  AirPods Pro 3 connect seamlessly across Apple devices logged into the same iCloud. Galaxy Buds 4 Pro allow switching between multiple Galaxy devices with the Galaxy Wearable app.
• What is the battery life difference between them?
  AirPods Pro 3 last longer with 8 hours ANC on earbuds versus 6 hours for Galaxy Buds 4 Pro, but Buds 4 Pro offer slightly longer total time with case included.

Looking for a way to celebrate your favorite tunes? Shop your favorite album cover poster at our store and bring iconic music moments to your space: Architeg Prints.