I used to be all about sticking with one brand for my earbuds. Not anymore. Samsung's Galaxy Buds 4 Pro and Apple's AirPods Pro 3 are pushing earbuds forward, making it harder to just pick a side based on brand.

Sound and Noise Cancellation: A Tight Battle

Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 4 Pro and Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 each cost about $250 and focus on delivering great sound and noise cancellation. Samsung revamped their Buds 4 Pro, giving them a new shape based on extensive ear data to improve fit and comfort. Inside, they pack a two-way driver setup with a wider woofer for cleaner bass and a dedicated tweeter for richer treble. They also support high-quality 24bit/96kHz audio from recent Samsung phones, plus direct multi-channel 360 audio.

Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 don’t tout hi-res audio specs but excel in delivering balanced sound with strong bass and clear vocals. The real standout for Apple remains their active noise cancellation (ANC). The AirPods Pro 3 handle low-end rumbles like airplane engines better than most, and they suppress unpredictable noises — think street chatter or sudden loud sounds — more effectively than Samsung’s buds. Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds might edge them out slightly on pure ANC, but the gap is small.

Samsung has improved ANC on the Buds 4 Pro, especially for transit sounds such as bus and train engines. Their adaptive ANC adjusts automatically, and the earbuds can detect when you’re speaking to boost ambient sound for conversations before resuming noise canceling.

They also include a Siren Detect feature that picks up emergency alerts, a useful safety addition.

But when it comes to ambient sound modes, Apple’s Transparency Mode still leads. It offers the most natural pass-through of outside noise, allowing you to stay aware without sacrificing sound quality. Samsung’s version tends to add a background hiss and isn’t as accurate with higher frequencies.

Design and Comfort: Subtle Differences Matter

Samsung refined the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro’s design from previous models, ditching sharper angles for a flatter metal surface with engraved pinch controls. The earbuds lie flat in their charging case instead of standing upright, and the Pro version seals off your ear canal for better noise isolation. Their open-fit Galaxy Buds 4 have a looser fit, which some users prefer for comfort.

Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 keep a familiar design that’s become iconic. They fit snugly with silicone tips that seal well, supporting both comfort and noise cancellation. The earbuds and case now sport USB-C charging instead of Lightning, a shift welcomed by many users.

When it comes to water resistance, Samsung’s Buds 4 Pro have an IPX7 rating, meaning they’re better protected against water than Apple’s AirPods Pro 3, which carry an IP54 rating. That could sway users who want earbuds for workouts or rainy days.

Feature Sets and Ecosystem Ties

Samsung is pushing new hands-free controls on the Buds 4 Pro, letting users manage calls and interact with Bixby by nodding or shaking their heads. Voice commands also extend to AI assistants like Gemini and Perplexity, keeping the earbuds plugged into Samsung’s broader AI ambitions.

Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 shine in ecosystem integration. If you already own an iPhone, iPad, and Mac, the AirPods Pro 3 connect seamlessly across devices.

Features like Automatic Switching let you move from an iPad video to an iPhone call to a Mac FaceTime session without fiddling with Bluetooth settings. That kind of smooth handoff remains unmatched by Samsung or any third-party earbuds.

Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 4 Pro work best with recent Samsung phones to unlock their full capabilities, including 24bit audio support and 360 audio. Outside of that, some features can feel limited. Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 also work well on Android devices but without the deep system integration.

Price, Battery Life, and Value

Both earbuds hit the $250 price point at launch. Discounts happen regularly, with the Buds 3 Pro previously selling as low as $188 and AirPods Pro 3 dipping below $160 in some sales. Battery life is competitive, with each offering around six hours of listening with ANC on and about 30 hours total with their charging cases.

Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 4 Pro bring features like adaptive ANC, head gesture controls, and superior water resistance that add value for some users. Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 win on noise-canceling finesse and ecosystem perks, which are arguably priceless if you’re entrenched in Apple devices.

Choosing between Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 4 Pro and Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 really depends on what you value most—whether that’s sound and noise cancellation, how well they work with your devices, or extra perks like water resistance and gesture controls. It’s clear now that brand loyalty doesn’t decide things anymore; the earbuds’ features and performance speak for themselves.