AirPods Pro 3 vs. Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro: Why I'm looking past brand ecosystems now
Samsung's new earbuds offer 30-hour battery life and Bluetooth 6.1, closing the gap with Apple's flagship ANC.
A new ZDNET review by Christian de Looper pits the Apple AirPods Pro 3 against the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro, revealing a narrowing performance gap that challenges brand loyalty. Both premium earbuds retail for nearly identical prices ($249-$250) and deliver excellent core audio and noise cancellation. However, the Samsung Buds 4 Pro counter with superior technical specs: a 30-hour total battery life with the case (versus Apple's 24 hours), Bluetooth 6.1 connectivity, and an IP57 rating for both earbuds and case, making them more durable than the Buds' IPX4 rating.
While the AirPods Pro 3 maintain a lead in specific user experience areas—boasting what is considered the industry's best Transparency Mode and a slight edge in adaptive noise cancellation—the Samsung alternative is no longer a clear underdog. The Buds 4 Pro introduce unique features like Siren Detect for safety and Bluetooth Super Wideband for call clarity. This parity in core performance, coupled with distinct feature sets (Apple's Hearing Aid Mode and Live Translation vs. Samsung's Real-Time Interpreter and LE Audio), means the 'best' choice now hinges more on individual feature preference than being locked into an Apple or Samsung ecosystem.
- Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro offer 30-hour total battery life, surpassing the AirPods Pro 3's 24 hours.
- AirPods Pro 3 retain an advantage with best-in-class Transparency Mode and adaptive noise cancellation.
- The $250 price parity and narrowed performance gap make ecosystem lock-in a less decisive factor.
Why It Matters
Consumers can now choose premium earbuds based on features, not just brand, increasing competition and value.