AirPods Pro 3 vs Galaxy Buds4 Pro: Which Earbuds Should You Buy in 2026?

By the WhatNotSell team · Updated October 3, 2026Price ranges in this guide are typical prices as of the date above and change often. The live prices on this page are current.

Short answer: buy the earbuds that match your phone. AirPods Pro 3 if you have an iPhone, Galaxy Buds4 Pro if you have a Samsung Galaxy. Both cost about $249, both are excellent, and each loses a lot of its best features on the other company's phone. If you have a Pixel or another Android phone, the Galaxy Buds4 Pro still work better than AirPods, but you'll miss some Samsung-only extras.

The Quick Answer

Choose AirPods Pro 3 if you:

• Use an iPhone. Automatic switching between your iPhone, iPad and Mac, spatial audio with head tracking and Find My all need Apple devices.
• Want longer battery per charge: up to 8 hours with noise cancellation vs 6 hours
• Want health features: a built-in heart rate sensor, a hearing test and a clinical-grade hearing aid mode
• Want live translation of conversations through your earbuds (with a recent iPhone)

Choose Galaxy Buds4 Pro if you:

• Use a Samsung Galaxy phone. Samsung's hi-res codec, seamless switching and full feature set need one.
• Care most about sound quality: a two-way driver (woofer plus tweeter) and 24-bit/96kHz audio on recent Galaxy phones
• Want slightly more total battery with the case: up to 26 hours vs 24
• Use an Android phone that isn't a Samsung. AirPods are much more limited there.

Specs Side by Side

Prices and specs as of October 2026, from Apple and Samsung and published reviews.

Sound and Noise Cancellation

Both are among the best noise-cancelling earbuds you can buy. Apple says the AirPods Pro 3 cancel up to twice as much noise as the AirPods Pro 2, and reviewers rate the noise cancellation on both as excellent for flights, commutes and open offices.

On sound, the Galaxy Buds4 Pro have the edge on paper and with a Samsung phone. The two-way driver gives clearer highs, and Samsung's own codec streams higher-resolution audio than Bluetooth AAC. The AirPods Pro 3 sound balanced and consistent, and Personalized Spatial Audio with head tracking is the most convincing "surround" effect on any earbuds, but only on Apple devices.

Winner: Galaxy Buds4 Pro for audio detail on a Galaxy phone. AirPods Pro 3 for spatial audio on an iPhone.

What You Lose on the "Wrong" Phone

This matters more than any spec.

AirPods Pro 3 on Android: you get basic playback, calls, noise cancellation and transparency (switched by squeezing the stem). You lose the settings app, automatic switching, spatial audio with head tracking, the hearing test and hearing aid, heart rate tracking and Find My. That's most of what you pay the "Pro" price for.

Galaxy Buds4 Pro on iPhone: basic Bluetooth audio only. There's no Samsung app on iPhone, so no EQ and no settings, and you lose the hi-res codec and seamless switching.

Galaxy Buds4 Pro on a Pixel or other Android: most features work through the Galaxy Wearable app, but Samsung's hi-res codec, the ultra-wideband call microphones and automatic switching between devices need a Samsung phone.

If you have a non-Samsung Android phone, also look at Google's Pixel Buds or Sony's earbuds, which don't depend on one phone brand. If you want something that works well on both iPhone and Android, see our AirPods vs Beats comparison. Beats work on both platforms.

Battery and Health Features

The AirPods Pro 3 last longer per charge (8 hours vs 6 with noise cancellation), which matters on long flights. The Galaxy Buds4 Pro case holds slightly more total charge (26 hours vs 24).

Only the AirPods have health features. The heart rate sensor lets them track workouts in the Fitness app without an Apple Watch, and the hearing test and hearing aid mode are genuinely useful for people with mild to moderate hearing loss. The Galaxy Buds4 Pro have no equivalent.

Cheaper Options: AirPods 4 vs Galaxy Buds4 ($179)

If $249 is more than you want to spend, both companies have a $179 model with noise cancellation:

• AirPods 4 with ANC ($179): open-fit design without silicone tips, about 5 hours per charge (30 with case). Best for iPhone users who don't like in-ear tips.
• Galaxy Buds4 ($179): also an open-fit design, about 6 hours per charge (30 with case), with Bluetooth 6.1 and Samsung's hi-res codec on Galaxy phones.

The open-fit design on both means noise cancellation is noticeably weaker than on the Pro models. If quiet is the priority, spend the extra $70, or wait for a sale on the Pro versions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are AirPods Pro 3 better than Galaxy Buds4 Pro?

On an iPhone, yes, because of the Apple-only features and the longer battery per charge. On a Samsung phone, the Galaxy Buds4 Pro are better. They cost the same, so your phone decides it.

Do AirPods work with Samsung phones?

Yes, as basic Bluetooth earbuds with noise cancellation. You lose the app, automatic switching, spatial audio, the health and hearing features and Find My.

Do Galaxy Buds work with iPhone?

Yes, but only as basic Bluetooth earbuds. Samsung's app isn't available on iPhone, so there are no settings or EQ.

Which is better for Android phones that aren't Samsung?

The Galaxy Buds4 Pro, since most of their features work through Samsung's app on any Android phone. AirPods lose far more on Android.

When do these earbuds go on sale?

Both get discounted regularly, and Prime Big Deal Days (October 6–7, 2026) and Black Friday (November 27, 2026) are the usual big drops. Check the price history first. A "was" price that the earbuds never actually sold at doesn't make a deal.

Final Recommendation

iPhone users: AirPods Pro 3 at $249.

Samsung Galaxy users: Galaxy Buds4 Pro at $249.99.

Other Android users: Galaxy Buds4 Pro, or a brand-neutral option like Pixel Buds or Sony.

On a budget: AirPods 4 with ANC (iPhone) or Galaxy Buds4 (Samsung) at $179.

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