Electronics
This comparison covers genuine Korean-market Galaxy Buds4 Pro and AirPods Pro 3 in-ear ANC earbuds. Standard open-fit models are excluded, and prices are official launch prices.
KRW 359,000
Official launch price for the genuine Korean-market product, before coupons or the value of promotional gifts.
Price source ↗
KRW 369,000
Official Korean launch price and Apple's listed price on September 15, 2026. Charging cable and adapter are sold separately.
Price source ↗Photos: Dinkun Chen / Wikimedia Commons ↗ · CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗ / Burkhard Mücke / Wikimedia Commons ↗ · CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗ · Information and sources
A good fit for people using SSC UHQ, EQ and interpreter integration with a Galaxy phone. Features include light earbuds and full bass, with an official maximum of 26 hours of ANC listening including the case.
A good fit for long listening sessions on iPhone or recording heart rate during exercise. Official continuous listening time is up to 8 hours with ANC on, with small ear tips and several ways to charge the case.
AirPods reduced gym conversations and exercise-machine noise more strongly. The reviewer also praised the Buds' fine detail, but judged AirPods the overall winner based on ANC and musical dynamics.
The reviewer listened to both models directly and compared them in a gym. A Galaxy S25 was used to listen to the Buds with SSC UHQ.
The reviewer rated Buds ANC higher with identical played-back traffic noise. For sound, they distinguished the Buds' bass from AirPods' instrument separation, and recommended choosing according to the smartphone already owned.
Traffic noise was played from a laptop at 72–75dB, using the same location, track and volume. Qobuz was used for sound-quality listening.
The Buds remained comfortable over long sessions across several days, but pinch controls led to mistakes, and ANC playback lasted a little over 6 hours. They were rated a good choice that gives Galaxy users AirPods-like connection convenience.
A hands-on Buds4 Pro review with comparisons to AirPods Pro 3 for fit and connection usability.
No comparison reviews match these criteria.
| Feature | Galaxy Buds4 Pro | AirPods Pro 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Connection to your smartphone | Official compatibility starts at Android 12. Galaxy phones with One UI 8 or later can control them through phone settings. They can connect to iPhone via Bluetooth, but the Galaxy Wearable app is not supported. | Full functionality requires an Apple device running the latest software. The setup is convenient for people who manage settings and device connections on iPhone. |
For both products, available settings and extra features depend on the phone you use. 삼성전자 뉴스룸 ↗ · 삼성전자 ↗ · Apple ↗ | ||
| Sound quality and customization | The two-way woofer and tweeter design supports up to 24-bit/96kHz SSC UHQ on compatible Galaxy devices. Bass has a strong presence, and a nine-band EQ lets you tailor the sound. | What Hi-Fi? praised their balance and expression of musical dynamics and rhythm. Tom's Guide perceived better instrument separation than the Buds. These listening differences cannot be explained by codec specifications alone. |
Reasons to choose the Buds include bass and EQ control; the AirPods offer musical balance and spatial presentation praised in the two reviews. 삼성전자 뉴스룸 ↗ · WIRED ↗ · What Hi-Fi? ↗ · Tom’s Guide ↗ | ||
| Blocking surrounding noise | Buds were quieter in Tom's Guide's comparison using played-back traffic noise. The test used the same location, track and volume, and the reviewer also noted that higher sounds such as keyboard noise remained audible. | AirPods reduced conversations and exercise-machine noise more strongly in What Hi-Fi?'s gym comparison. Their suppression of sudden metallic sounds was also rated highly. |
The two outlets' direct comparisons reached different conclusions. Noise type and the seal in your ears affect perceived performance. Tom’s Guide ↗ · What Hi-Fi? ↗ | ||
| Fit and water resistance | Each earbud weighs 5.1g, and IP57 applies only to the earbuds. Some reviewers found them comfortable for long sessions, while others found them loose during exercise. | Each earbud weighs 5.55g, with five ear-tip sizes from XXS to L. IP57 applies to both the earbuds and the charging case. |
Buds are slightly lighter. AirPods offer more small-tip options and water resistance that extends to the case. 삼성전자 뉴스룸 ↗ · Apple ↗ · Apple ↗ · What Hi-Fi? ↗ · WIRED ↗ | ||
| Listening time with ANC on | Official maximum listening time is 6 hours on one charge and 26 hours total with the case. Total listening time offers more headroom if you put them in the case between sessions. | Official maximum listening time is 8 hours on one charge and 24 hours total with the case. With heart-rate measurement enabled, the maximum is 6.5 hours, so duration depends on the features used. |
The ANC-on specifications give AirPods 2 more hours of uninterrupted listening, and Buds 2 more hours in total with the case. 삼성전자 뉴스룸 ↗ · Apple ↗ | ||
| Controls and extra features | Controls include pinching, swiping and head gestures. Interpreter integration works with compatible Galaxy AI smartphones, and available features depend on phone model and OS. | They support stem presses, swipes and Siri interactions, and can measure heart rate during exercise. The case charges via MagSafe, Apple Watch, Qi or USB-C. |
The difference depends on whether Galaxy interpreter integration or Apple's exercise and charging features will be useful in your daily life. 삼성전자 뉴스룸 ↗ · 삼성전자 ↗ · Apple ↗ · Apple ↗ | ||
The figures below are manufacturers' ANC-on battery specifications, not measurements from the same laboratory or sales market shares.
Manufacturer specifications · ANC on for both models · Different test environments
Buds4 Pro lasts up to 6 hours and AirPods Pro 3 up to 8 hours. This is the specification difference for uninterrupted listening without returning the earbuds to the case.
삼성전자 뉴스룸 ↗ · Apple ↗Manufacturer specifications · ANC on, including recharging from the case · Different test environments
Buds4 Pro offers up to 26 hours and AirPods Pro 3 up to 24 hours. These are maximum cumulative listening times when recharging from the case.
삼성전자 뉴스룸 ↗ · Apple ↗Buds4 Pro suits people who use SSC UHQ and EQ adjustments on a compatible Galaxy and can recharge in the case between listening sessions.
Trade-offs Settings and advanced features are limited on iPhone. The case is not covered by IP57, and secure fit during exercise varies by person.
AirPods Pro 3 has clear feature advantages if you need iPhone integration, long uninterrupted listening, workout heart-rate measurement or small ear tips.
Trade-offs It is difficult to fully use Apple integration features on Android. Enabling heart-rate measurement and spatial audio reduces the stated maximum listening time.
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