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The first-party advantage is real.
The most obvious example of why first-party products are worth considering is the AirPods lineup, led by the latest AirPods Pro 3 earbuds heading its audio lineup.
Also: I’m struggling to justify the AirPods Pro 3 when this model just set a record-low price
But has one company done a better job building out its feature set? Are one pair of earbuds actually better than the other, or does it just depend on the ecosystem of devices you choose to use? I’ve used both the AirPods Pro 3 and the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro pretty extensively, and here’s my take.
Specifications
Apple AirPods Pro 3 | Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro | |
Battery life | 8 hours (up to 24 hours with charging case) | 6 hours (up to 20 hours with charging case) |
Audio modes | ANC, Transparency Mode, Adaptive Audio | ANC, Ambient Sound, Adaptive |
IP rating | IP57 (earbuds only) | IP57 (earbuds only) |
Bluetooth version | Bluetooth 5.3 | Bluetooth 5.4 |
Additional features | Hearing aid mode, live translation, Automatic Switching, Spatial Audio, heart rate monitor | Hearing enhancements, Interpreter, Auto switch, 360 audio |
Price | $249 |
You should buy the AirPods Pro 3 if…
1. You don’t use Apple devices
Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro earbuds don’t just work well with Samsung devices — they work well with Android devices in general. On an Android phone, you can download the Samsung Wear app to control the earbuds. From there, you can select noise modes, change the EQ, and more. There’s no Samsung Wear app for iOS.
Some features work best with Samsung phones, though. 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 is not one of them)
On top of that, there are some AI-focused features, like an Interpreter app that can translate speech in other languages, similar to the AirPods Pro 3’s new Live Translation feature. Other features work like those on Apple devices, like an Auto Switch feature for your Galaxy phones and wearables, a hearing enhancement feature, and more.
To access the full suite of the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro’s features, you’ll need a Samsung phone. But, unless you really care about those super-specific features, you’ll have a good 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. You’re not going to buy AirPods if you have an Android phone or the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro if you have an iPhone. 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 that I’d put my S25 Ultra away for (especially at this price)
Apple, after all, thinks the AirPods already sound amazing — why would you want to change how they 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. On top of the custom EQ, there are a number of presets you can use if you don’t want to get into the weeds of tuning the audio yourself.
3. You want deeper, harder-hitting bass
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro aren’t just more customizable when it comes to audio; they also offer bigger and deeper bass. That doesn’t mean they sound better, necessarily. In fact, the bass on the AirPods Pro 3 is more natural-sounding, which appeals more to me 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.
