Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro vs. Apple AirPods Pro 3: I compared the two, and this one wins

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The first-party advantage is real.

The clearest example of why first-party products are worth considering is the AirPods lineup, led by the latest airpods pro 3These headphones offer far more features when connected to an Apple device than when connected to other devices.

But Apple isn’t alone in taking advantage of its multi-device ecosystem. Samsung does this too, with Galaxy Buds 3 Pro Earbuds are leading its audio lineup.

Plus: The Nothing Ear 3 have a clever feature I wish my other earbuds had — and they’re under $180

But has any company done a better job of building out its feature set? Is one pair of earbuds really better than another, or does it simply depend on the ecosystem of devices you use? I’ve used both the AirPods Pro 3 and the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro extensively, and here’s my take.

Specifications

You should buy AirPods Pro 3 if…

1. You are currently an Apple user

It’s obvious – AirPods Pro 3 work best with Apple products. Technically, you can connect the AirPods Pro 3 to non-Apple devices via Bluetooth, but you’ll have a fairly limited experience and won’t be able to use advanced features like Spatial Audio, Find My, and automatic wearing detection.

Also: How to use Live Translation on your AirPods — not just the latest ones

With Apple products, you can use Automatic Switching to seamlessly connect to an infinite number of compatible devices logged in to your iCloud account. You can also use Spatial Audio for a more immersive listening experience (I personally only really use this for movies and TV shows). And, you’ll get access to the new Live Translation feature, which can translate speech into other languages ​​in real time when your in-ear AirPods are connected to your iPhone.

2. You want fitness tracking features

The most striking feature of the AirPods Pro 3 is the inclusion of an in-ear heart rate monitor. This feature turns the AirPods Pro from an audio-only device into a combination audio device and health tracker. The heart rate monitor can be used for over 50 different types of workouts, which you can access directly through the Apple Fitness app.

Also: AirPods Pro 3 fitness feature surprises triathlete tester — here’s what he found

The AirPods Pro 3 also come with the new Workout Buddy feature, which analyzes your fitness data using AI, then provides personalized motivation while working out in audio form through your earbuds. This helps bridge the gap between health trackers and actual trainers.

3. You want better battery life

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro offer a solid battery life, promising up to six hours of continuous listening with ANC enabled and up to 20 hours total with the charging case. However, the AirPods Pro 3 beat him to it. The earbuds deliver up to eight hours of continuous listening, making them a better choice for long-haul flights or long days at the office. With the charging case, they will get up to 24 hours of playtime, which is again better than the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro.

You should buy Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro if…

1. You don’t use an Apple device

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro earbuds not only work well with Samsung devices – they also work well with Android devices in general. On Android phones, you can download the Samsung Wear app to control the earbuds. From there, you can select noise modes, change EQ, and more. There is no Samsung Wear app for iOS.

However, some features work best with Samsung phones. For starters, your Samsung phone should immediately recognize the earbuds and pair with them when you open the lid.

Also: 7 Reasons Why I Choose Android Over iOS (And Sideloading Isn’t One of Them)

On top of that, there are some AI-focused features, like an interpreter app that can translate speech into other languages, similar to the AirPods Pro 3’s new Live Translation feature. Other features work just like on Apple devices, like the Auto Switch feature for your Galaxy phones and wearables, the Hearing Enhancement feature, and more.

To access the full features of the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, you’ll need a Samsung phone. But, as long as you don’t really care about those ultra-special features, you’ll have a great experience on any Android device.

2. You want to customize your listening experience

The most important consideration when buying earbuds is what phone you use. If you have an Android phone, you won’t buy AirPods, and if you have an iPhone, you won’t buy the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro. But other aspects of these earbuds can make a difference in how you use them. Notably, the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro offer more audio customization than the AirPods Pro 3.

Also: Finally, a Samsung phone I’d keep my S25 Ultra for (especially at this price)

After all, Apple thinks AirPods already sound amazing — why would you want to change their sound? Most other earbud manufacturers take a more customizable approach, and with the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, you’ll get a nine-band EQ, with bands ranging from 63Hz to 16kHz. In addition to custom EQ, there are several presets you can use if you don’t want to go to the trouble of tuning the audio yourself.

3. You want deeper, more punchy bass

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are not only more customizable when it comes to audio; They also offer bigger and deeper bass. That doesn’t mean they sound better, not necessarily. In fact, the bass is more natural-sounding on the AirPods Pro 3, which appeals to me more personally. But if you’re a fan of big bass – and there’s certainly no shame in that – then the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are the better earbuds for your needs.

options to consider