Wireless Earbuds · owner-verdict comparison

Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro: what real owners say

Real owners lean toward the Apple AirPods Pro 3: 51% of 343 owners recommend it, vs 44% of 105 for the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro.

Verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube owner comments — affiliate reviews excluded. Sample sizes differ; judge accordingly. How we score

Apple AirPods Pro 3

51%of 343 owners recommend
51% recommend · 22% neutral · 27% don't
Owners praise
  • Noise cancellation is a massive leap over the Pro 2, with many calling it the best ANC on the market and beating rivals like Bose QC Ultra and Sony XM5/XM6
  • New foam-hybrid tips give a noticeably more secure, comfortable fit that stays in during workouts and doesn't fall out like earlier generations
  • Fuller, richer sound with deeper bass and more clarity than the Pro 2, especially once EQ/adaptive settings are dialed in
Owners complain about
  • New V-shaped sound signature pushes treble and bass while gutting the mids, which many describe as harsh, sibilant, or fatiguing compared to the more balanced Pro 2 tuning
  • Fit is inconsistent across ears: a meaningful group finds them painful, ill-fitting, or prone to loosening/falling out with sweat, even after trying multiple tip sizes
  • Many owners returned the Pro 3 and went back to the Pro 2, saying the older model sounds better or fits better and the upgrade wasn't worth it
Full owner report →

Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro

44%of 105 owners recommend
44% recommend · 22% neutral · 34% don't
Owners praise
  • Sound quality is widely called exceptional and a clear step up, with owners praising detailed bass, clean mids, and strong instrument separation
  • ANC is noticeably improved over prior Buds generations and holds up well against rivals like the OnePlus Buds Pro 3
  • Comfortable, secure fit for most wearers, with several calling them more comfortable than the Buds3 Pro or first-gen Buds
Owners complain about
  • Transparency/ambient mode has a persistent hiss and makes the wearer's own voice sound occluded, which several call broken or a downgrade
  • Fit is inconsistent for some ears - buds falling out, feeling loose during workouts, or just uncomfortable compared to other models
  • A subset of owners report poor mic pickup, saying callers can't hear them clearly or that Bluetooth recording quality is weak
Full owner report →

Which should you buy?

Get the Apple AirPods Pro 3 if
  • ✓iPhone owners who want the best-in-class ANC for flights, commutes, and city noise
  • ✓Gym-goers and runners who need a secure, sweat-resistant fit that stays locked in
  • ✓Upgraders from AirPods Pro 1 or 2 chasing a noticeably deeper, more isolating noise-cancelling jump
  • ✓Android users who just want reliable earbuds without needing full Apple ecosystem features
Skip it if
  • Audiophiles sensitive to treble who dislike the V-shaped, bass/treble-boosted, mids-recessed tuning
  • People with smaller or oddly-shaped ear canals who can't get tips to seal without pain or falling out
Get the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro if
  • ✓Samsung Galaxy phone owners who want top sound quality via the SSC codec
  • ✓Audiophiles who enjoy custom EQ tuning for detailed, punchy bass
  • ✓Runners and gym-goers wanting a comfortable, secure all-day fit
  • ✓Buds3 Pro upgraders chasing noticeably better ANC and sound detail
Skip it if
  • Multi-device users who need multipoint pairing (unsupported, a dealbreaker for some)
  • Anyone sensitive to ANC hiss or needing a flawless transparency mode

What Apple AirPods Pro 3 owners say

“Yea, I compared them to my xm5 (over ear headphones)… and not kidding, the ANC is better, and so are the low ends and bass. It’s actually insane”
— Bokchoyk on Reddit
“I find that the new Airpods Pro 3 have a more secure fit, at least on my ears, and the ANC performance was better compared to the Airpods Pro 2.”
— DagobietRTINGS on Reddit
“They hurt my ear holes. I can’t wear them”
— djbdb on Reddit

What Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro owners say

“They did feel like a big step up compared to the BP3 considering theyre able to go toe to toe with the XM6”
— Dry_Faithlessness308 on Reddit
“wow it's a night and day difference when you use the earbuds on a Samsung device vs any other device. And they finally don't fall out my ear.”
— LongSteamyDump on Reddit
“Buds 4 pro, none of the sizes fit well, constantly fall out, never feel like they sit well in the ears”
— brm1286 on Reddit

Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro: frequently asked questions

Is the Apple AirPods Pro 3 or the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro better?

Real owners lean toward the Apple AirPods Pro 3: 51% of 343 owners recommend it, vs 44% of 105 for the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro.

Who should get the Apple AirPods Pro 3?

Owners point the Apple AirPods Pro 3 at iPhone owners who want the best-in-class ANC for flights, commutes, and city noise, and gym-goers and runners who need a secure, sweat-resistant fit that stays locked in.

Who should get the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro?

Owners point the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro at samsung Galaxy phone owners who want top sound quality via the SSC codec, and audiophiles who enjoy custom EQ tuning for detailed, punchy bass.

What do owners complain about?

The most-cited downside of the Apple AirPods Pro 3 is new V-shaped sound signature pushes treble and bass while gutting the mids, which many describe as harsh, sibilant, or fatiguing compared to the more balanced Pro 2 tuning. For the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro, it's transparency/ambient mode has a persistent hiss and makes the wearer's own voice sound occluded, which several call broken or a downgrade.