Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 and Samsung’s Galaxy Buds3 Pro are two of the most popular premium earbuds in the UK. Both have active noise cancelling, both are IP57-rated and both look sleek. But the biggest difference isn’t the sound: it’s which phone you own. Here’s our AirPods Pro 3 vs Galaxy Buds3 Pro comparison, using the specs on Apple’s and Samsung’s UK websites.
Quick answer
- Got an iPhone? AirPods Pro 3. Health features, Live Translation and seamless setup work best with Apple devices.
- Got a Samsung Galaxy? Galaxy Buds3 Pro. Hi-fi 24-bit audio, Interpreter and 360 Audio need a compatible Galaxy device.
- Battery: AirPods Pro 3 last longer per charge (up to 8 hours with ANC, against 6 hours).
- Price: AirPods Pro 3 are £219 on Apple’s UK store (checked 31 Oct 2026). Check Samsung’s site for the latest Buds3 Pro price.
Key specs compared
| Spec | AirPods Pro 3 | Galaxy Buds3 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Battery (ANC on) | Up to 8 hrs, 24 hrs with case | Up to 6 hrs, 26 hrs with case |
| Battery (ANC off) | Not listed | Up to 7 hrs, 30 hrs with case |
| Water and dust | IP57 (earbuds and case) | IP57 (earbuds only, case not water resistant) |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.4, with LE Audio |
| Earbud weight | 5.55g each | 5.4g each |
| Case charging | USB-C, MagSafe, Qi, Apple Watch charger | USB-C and wireless |
| Ear tips | Five sizes (XXS to L) | Three sizes (S, M, L) |
| Charging cable in box | No | Yes, USB cable |
| UK price | £219 at Apple (checked 31 Oct 2026) | Check price at Samsung UK |
Sources: Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 tech specs, Apple UK store and Samsung UK’s Galaxy Buds3 Pro page.
Noise cancelling and sound
Apple says AirPods Pro 3 have the world’s best in-ear active noise cancellation, with Adaptive Audio, Transparency mode and Conversation Awareness. They use a custom Apple driver and amplifier, and support Personalised Spatial Audio with head tracking.
Samsung’s Buds3 Pro use a two-way speaker with a planar tweeter and a dual amplifier, a first for Galaxy Buds. Galaxy AI powers Adaptive ANC and Adaptive EQ, which adjust to your fit, plus Adaptive Noise Control, Voice Detect and Siren Detect, which lets alarms and sirens through. Samsung says its Seamless Codec can carry up to 24-bit/96kHz audio, but only on selected Galaxy phones and tablets.
We haven’t tested either pair, so we can’t say which sounds better. Fit makes a big difference to both sound and noise cancelling, and AirPods Pro 3 come with more ear tip sizes.
Battery life
Apple quotes up to 8 hours of listening with noise cancelling on (7.5 hours with Spatial Audio and head tracking) and up to 24 hours with the case. Samsung quotes up to 6 hours with ANC on and 26 hours with the case, rising to 7 and 30 hours with ANC off. So AirPods last longer between top-ups, while the Buds3 Pro case holds a little more in total.
Health, translation and smart features
AirPods Pro 3 add a heart rate sensor for workouts, which works with the Fitness app on iPhone with iOS 26 or later. They also support Apple’s Hearing Test, Hearing Aid and Hearing Protection features, though Apple says availability varies by region. Live Translation works with an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone, and English (UK) is among the supported languages. The case has a speaker and a lanyard loop to help with Find My.
The Buds3 Pro offer Galaxy AI Interpreter and Live Translate with compatible Galaxy phones, 360 Audio, Auto Switch between Galaxy devices and Auracast audio sharing. You control them by pinching and swiping the stem, which has Samsung’s Blade Lights.
Phone compatibility: the deciding factor
Apple says AirPods work as Bluetooth headphones with non-Apple devices, but with limited features. Samsung’s Galaxy Wearable app needs an Android phone running Android 10 or later, and many headline features, including the 24-bit audio, 360 Audio and Interpreter, need a Samsung Galaxy device. In short, each pair is at its best with its own brand of phone.
Samsung has since introduced newer Buds4 models, so if you’re a Galaxy owner, compare those before you buy. And if you’re shopping in the sales, see our Black Friday 2026 guide.
Want to charge your AirPods case and iPhone together? Our Qi2 vs MagSafe guide explains the options. For gaming audio, see our Arctis Nova 5X vs 7X comparison.
Verdict
If you use an iPhone, AirPods Pro 3 are the easy choice, with longer battery life per charge, heart rate sensing, hearing health features and a case that charges on MagSafe. If you use a Samsung Galaxy phone, the Galaxy Buds3 Pro make more sense, unlocking hi-fi audio, Interpreter and 360 Audio. We haven’t tested these earbuds ourselves; this comparison uses Apple’s and Samsung’s official UK specs. See how we test and choose products.
FAQ
Do AirPods Pro 3 work with Android?
Yes, as Bluetooth headphones, but Apple says functionality may be limited on non-Apple devices.
Do Galaxy Buds3 Pro work with iPhone?
They’re Bluetooth earbuds, but Samsung’s Galaxy Wearable app requires Android 10 or later, and many features need a Samsung Galaxy device.
Which has better battery life?
AirPods Pro 3 last longer per charge: up to 8 hours with ANC, against up to 6 hours for the Buds3 Pro. With the case, Samsung quotes up to 26 hours with ANC, against Apple’s 24.
Are AirPods Pro 3 and Galaxy Buds3 Pro waterproof?
Both are rated IP57 for dust, sweat and water resistance. Apple says the AirPods Pro 3 case is also IP57, while Samsung says the Buds3 Pro case isn’t water resistant.
Featured image: AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods Pro 1, photo by Burkhard Mücke via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.