iPhone owners should buy AirPods Pro 3. Galaxy phone owners should buy the Galaxy Buds4 Pro. Each pair saves its best features for its own brand's phones. On a Pixel or other Android phone, AirPods Pro 3 are the stronger pair overall, but the Sony WF-1000XM6 beats both there.
Our picks
Live pricesiPhone owners should buy AirPods Pro 3. Galaxy phone owners should buy the Galaxy Buds4 Pro. Each pair saves its best features for its own brand's phones. On a Pixel or other Android phone, AirPods Pro 3 are the stronger pair overall, but the Sony WF-1000XM6 beats both there.
Spec analysis · Published Oct 9, 2026
|
If you are… |
Buy |
Why |
|---|---|---|
|
iPhone owner |
AirPods Pro 3 |
Heart rate, Hearing Aid, auto-switching; Samsung's app doesn't support iOS |
|
Galaxy phone owner |
Galaxy Buds4 Pro |
24-bit SSC UHQ codec, Auto Switch |
|
Pixel or other Android owner |
Neither: Sony WF-1000XM6 |
LDAC and multipoint |
|
Runner |
AirPods Pro 3 |
Heart-rate sensing, IP57 buds and case |
|
All-day listener |
AirPods Pro 3 |
8 hours with ANC against 6 |
Scoreboard
|
Round |
Winner |
|---|---|
|
Noise canceling |
Draw |
|
Sound and codecs |
Galaxy Buds4 Pro on Galaxy, AirPods on iPhone |
|
Battery |
AirPods Pro 3 |
|
Fit and durability |
AirPods Pro 3 |
|
Mics |
Draw |
|
Extras |
AirPods Pro 3 |
Gadget Clash readers' preference:
Key differences
|
|
AirPods Pro 3 |
Galaxy Buds4 Pro |
|---|---|---|
|
Battery, ANC on |
8 h, 24 h with case (Apple claim) |
6 h, 26 h with case (Samsung claim) |
|
Water resistance |
IP57, buds and case |
IP57, buds only |
|
Bud weight |
0.20 oz (5.55 g) |
0.18 oz (5.1 g) |
|
Codecs |
AAC |
SBC, AAC, SSC, SSC UHQ (24-bit/96kHz), LC3 |
|
Switching |
Auto-switching across Apple devices |
Auto Switch across Galaxy devices |
|
Ear tips |
5 sizes, XXS to L |
3 sizes |
|
Health |
Heart-rate sensor, Hearing Test, Hearing Aid |
None |
|
Bluetooth |
5.3 |
6.1 |
Noise canceling
Draw. One review measured the Buds4 Pro's ANC level with AirPods Pro 3. An independent lab measured 84% overall noise reduction from the Buds4 Pro and a 5–10 dB low-frequency gain over the Buds3 Pro. AirPods Pro 3 have collected several perfect ANC scores in reviews. Both are top-tier; one review rated the Buds4 Pro only average, so Apple's results are a little more consistent.
Sound and codecs
Winner: whichever matches your phone. On a Galaxy phone, Samsung's SSC UHQ codec streams up to 24-bit/96kHz (Samsung claim). AirPods Pro 3 use AAC everywhere, which is the best an iPhone supports anyway. Apple offers Adaptive EQ but no manual EQ.
Battery
Winner: AirPods Pro 3. Apple claims 8 hours with ANC (6.5 hours with heart-rate sensing). Samsung claims 6 hours, and one lab measured about the same. With the case, Samsung edges ahead: 26 hours against 24.
Fit and durability
Winner: AirPods Pro 3. Five tip sizes, XXS to L, against Samsung's three makes a good seal more likely. Both buds are IP57, but only Apple rates the case too. Samsung's buds are slightly lighter.
Mics
Draw. Samsung uses six microphones (Samsung claim). Apple uses dual beamforming mics plus an inward-facing mic, with Voice Isolation. No same-lab call test covers both.
iPhone vs Android
This is the deciding round. On Android, AirPods Pro 3 lose auto-switching, heart rate and the hearing features. On iPhone, Buds4 Pro are worse off: Samsung's Galaxy Wearable app doesn't support iOS, and the SSC codec and Auto Switch need a Galaxy device. Buds4 Pro also have no multipoint on any phone.
What you get
- AirPods Pro 3: Gadget Clash score 9.3. Case charges via USB-C, MagSafe, Qi or an Apple Watch charger, with a Find My speaker. USB-C cable sold separately.
- Galaxy Buds4 Pro: Gadget Clash score 8.5. Three ear-tip sizes, Auracast support.
Who should buy AirPods Pro 3
iPhone owners, full stop. Runners get heart-rate sensing too.
Cons:
- No manual EQ.
- No LDAC or aptX for Android.
- Hearing, heart-rate and switching features need an iPhone.
Who should buy the Galaxy Buds4 Pro
Galaxy phone owners who want Samsung's codec and automatic switching with a Galaxy tablet or watch.
Cons:
- No Bluetooth multipoint.
- Shorter battery life with ANC.
- No iOS app.
Consider instead
On a Pixel or other Android phone, the Sony WF-1000XM6 is the better buy. See AirPods Pro 3 vs Sony WF-1000XM6.
Final verdict
AirPods Pro 3 for iPhone owners, Galaxy Buds4 Pro for Galaxy owners. Apple's pair is the better earbud overall, winning battery, fit range and extras, which is why it scores higher with us. Full specs: AirPods Pro 3 · Galaxy Buds4 Pro.
How we evaluated this: This is a spec analysis. Gadget Clash hasn't tested either pair hands-on. We compared official manufacturer specs (labeled as claims), independent lab results and Gadget Clash scores. Every spec was checked against the manufacturers' official pages on Oct 9, 2026. AI assisted with research and drafting. How we score