Galaxy Buds3 Pro
Dual driver · 24-bit hi-res · Galaxy AI
AirPods Pro 3
H2 chip · IP57 · 8 h ANC
AirPods Pro 3 takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Galaxy Buds3 Pro lands at 89 and AirPods Pro 3 at 92. That puts AirPods Pro 3 ahead by 3 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Galaxy Buds3 Pro if…
- ✓Great sound with Galaxy phones
- ✓New open-stem design
- ✓Real-time translation
Pick AirPods Pro 3 if…
- ✓Up to 8 hours ANC on a single charge
- ✓IP57 dust + water resistance
- ✓MagSafe, Qi, Apple Watch + USB-C charging
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testFeatures
AirPods Pro 3Compared on the features sub-score
AirPods Pro 3 leads on features (96 vs 94).
Noise cancelling
AirPods Pro 3Compared on the noise cancelling sub-score
AirPods Pro 3 leads on anc (94 vs 88).
Sound
Galaxy Buds3 ProCompared on the sound sub-score
Galaxy Buds3 Pro leads on sound (92 vs 90).
Value for money
TieSpecdex score per dollar at MSRP
Effectively tied — similar score-per-dollar at MSRP.
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Galaxy Buds3 Pro | AirPods Pro 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Drivers | 10.5 mm woofer + planar tweeter | — |
| Codecs | SSC Hi-Fi, LDAC, AAC, SBC | — |
| Battery | 6 h (ANC) / 26 h case | — |
| Chip | — | Apple H2 headphone chip |
| Battery (ANC on) | — | Up to 8 hours |
| Battery (with case, ANC on) | — | Up to 24 hours |
| Microphones | — | Dual beamforming + inward-facing + speech-detecting accelerometer |
| Bluetooth | — | 5.3 |
| Water rating | — | IP57 (case + earbuds) |
| Charging | — | MagSafe / Apple Watch charger / Qi / USB-C |
Galaxy Buds3 Pro
- +Great sound with Galaxy phones
- +New open-stem design
- +Real-time translation
- −Fit issues for some ears
- −Galaxy-first (AI features limited on iOS)
- −App needed for tuning
AirPods Pro 3
- +Up to 8 hours ANC on a single charge
- +IP57 dust + water resistance
- +MagSafe, Qi, Apple Watch + USB-C charging
- −Android features remain limited
- −Premium price
- −In-ear fit not for everyone
FAQ: Galaxy Buds3 Pro vs AirPods Pro 3
Which is better, Galaxy Buds3 Pro or AirPods Pro 3? +
AirPods Pro 3 scores 92 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 3. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Galaxy Buds3 Pro worth the price? +
At $249, Galaxy Buds3 Pro delivers a Specdex score of 89 — strongest in features.
Is AirPods Pro 3 worth the price? +
At $249, AirPods Pro 3 delivers a Specdex score of 92 — strongest in features.
Does Galaxy Buds3 Pro or AirPods Pro 3 last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.
Which is better for features, Galaxy Buds3 Pro or AirPods Pro 3? +
AirPods Pro 3 — leads on features (96 vs 94). Compared on the features sub-score.
Which is better for noise cancelling, Galaxy Buds3 Pro or AirPods Pro 3? +
AirPods Pro 3 — leads on anc (94 vs 88). Compared on the noise cancelling sub-score.