UK Head-to-Head · Electronics
Galaxy Buds4 Pro vs AirPods Pro 3 UK: Which Should You Buy in 2026?
The short answer
On an iPhone, choose the AirPods Pro 3; on an Android phone, and a Samsung Galaxy in particular, choose the Galaxy Buds4 Pro — on like-for-like figures the AirPods Pro 3 lead on listening per charge with ANC on (up to 8 vs 6 hours) and on IP57 coverage that includes the case, while the Galaxy Buds4 Pro lead on total listening with the case (up to 26 vs 24 hours, ANC on).
Best on features
Apple AirPods Pro 3
Best on value
Apple AirPods Pro 3
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This comparison contains Amazon affiliate links, and we may earn a commission — but it never changes our verdict.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro and Apple AirPods Pro 3 are both wireless earbuds with Active Noise Cancellation, Adaptive EQ, spatial audio and an IP57 rating. They differ on the figures each maker publishes for the same measures: Apple lists more listening time per charge with ANC on, Samsung lists more total time with the charging case, and the two IP57 ratings cover different parts. Most of all, they differ on the phone they are built around — Samsung lists Android 12 or higher, and Apple lists its own devices. This comparison uses only Samsung’s and Apple’s published specifications and the two Amazon UK listings, and compares the pairs only on measures both makers state.
Specs Comparison
| Spec | Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro | Apple AirPods Pro 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Listening time, ANC on (per charge) | Up to 6 hours | Up to 8 hours (winner) |
| Total with charging case, ANC on | Up to 26 hours (winner) | Up to 24 hours |
| Water resistance | IP57 (earbuds only) | IP57 (earbuds and charging case) (winner) |
| Weight (each earbud / case) | 5.1g / 44.3g (with M size ear tip) | 5.55g / 43.99g |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 6.1 | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Speaker and amplifier | 2-way speaker (woofer and tweeter) with dual amplifiers | Custom high-excursion Apple driver with custom high dynamic range amplifier |
| Noise control | ANC, Adaptive ANC and ambient sound mode | ANC, Adaptive Audio and Transparency mode |
| Adaptive EQ | Yes | Yes (next-generation, per the listing) |
| Spatial audio | 360 Audio with Direct Multi-Channel | Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking |
| Wireless charging | Yes (stated in the Amazon listing) | Yes (MagSafe, Apple Watch or Qi-certified chargers) |
| Device compatibility | Android 12 or higher (more than 1.5GB memory); some features may not be available on non-Samsung devices | Apple devices with the latest software; functionality may be limited on non-Apple devices |
Pros & Cons
Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro
Pros
- Up to 26 hours of total music time with the case and ANC on, against up to 24 hours Apple lists for the AirPods Pro 3
- 2-way speaker with a woofer and tweeter, each with a dedicated amplifier, per the listing
- Ultra High Quality audio up to 24-bit/96kHz via Samsung Seamless Codec, on the listed Galaxy devices with One UI 6.1.1 or above
- Voice Detect boosts ambient sound when you start talking, and Siren Detect raises it for alerts such as alarms and emergency vehicles
- Super Clear Call uses machine-learned DNN technology to capture your voice clearly, per the listing
- The UK version carries a 2 Year Extended Warranty: Samsung adds one year and records it automatically (this may take up to 120 days from purchase)
Cons
- Up to 6 hours of music per charge with ANC on, against up to 8 hours Apple lists for the AirPods Pro 3
- Samsung’s footnote states the IP57 rating applies to the earbuds only, whereas Apple’s IP57 rating covers its charging case too
- Ultra High Quality audio is limited to the listed Galaxy devices with One UI 6.1.1 or above
- Samsung notes some features may not be available on non-Samsung devices
Apple AirPods Pro 3
Pros
- Up to 8 hours of listening per charge with ANC on, against up to 6 hours Samsung lists for the Galaxy Buds4 Pro
- IP57 dust, sweat and water resistance covers both the earbuds and the charging case
- Apple states the ANC removes up to 2x more unwanted noise than AirPods Pro 2 — a claim versus Apple’s earlier model
- Apple lists Voice Isolation and Conversation Awareness, with dual beamforming microphones and a speech-detecting accelerometer
- Heart rate sensing tracks heart rate and calories burned for up to 50 workout types, and Live Translation helps you communicate across languages
- Hearing health tools — a hearing test, a Hearing Aid feature with Conversation Boost and Hearing Protection — each footnoted by Apple, so check its conditions of use
- Ear tips in five sizes (XXS, XS, S, M, L) in the box, and a charging case with a speaker for use with Find My
Cons
- Up to 24 hours of total listening with the case and ANC on, against up to 26 hours Samsung lists for the Galaxy Buds4 Pro
- Apple states functionality may be limited on non-Apple devices
- The Move ring, step count and Workout Buddy are accessed with an iPhone, and Workout Buddy and Live Translation rely on Apple Intelligence
- Listening time is up to 6.5 hours per charge with heart rate sensing during workouts
Our Verdict
On an iPhone, choose the AirPods Pro 3; on an Android phone, and a Samsung Galaxy in particular, choose the Galaxy Buds4 Pro — on like-for-like figures the AirPods Pro 3 lead on listening per charge with ANC on (up to 8 vs 6 hours) and on IP57 coverage that includes the case, while the Galaxy Buds4 Pro lead on total listening with the case (up to 26 vs 24 hours, ANC on). Apple lists up to 8 hours of listening per charge with ANC on, against up to 6 hours for the Galaxy Buds4 Pro, and Apple’s IP57 rating covers the charging case as well as the earbuds, while Samsung’s applies to the earbuds only. Samsung lists up to 26 hours in total with the case against Apple’s up to 24 hours, both with ANC on, so the AirPods Pro 3 lead on two of the three scored measures and are marked best on features. If you use an iPhone, choose the AirPods Pro 3: Apple lists iPhone models in its system requirements, while Samsung lists Android 12 or higher for the Buds4 Pro. If you use an Android phone, and a Samsung Galaxy in particular, choose the Galaxy Buds4 Pro: Samsung lists Android 12 or higher and notes some features may not be available on non-Samsung devices, while Apple states AirPods functionality may be limited on non-Apple devices.
Best for Budget
Apple AirPods Pro 3
Best for Features
Apple AirPods Pro 3
Our process
How do we choose our picks?
We don’t lab-test products ourselves. Instead we synthesise current Amazon UK listings and published specs into clear, honest recommendations. We earn a commission if you buy through our links, but that never changes which products we rank.
Current UK availability
We check each pick against live Amazon UK catalogue data rather than last year’s model lists. Stock moves fast, so a listing can sell out after we publish.
Published specs
We compare manufacturer specifications so each pick is right for a real budget and use-case.
UK-specific fit
We factor in UK voltage and plug/fitting standards — details that generic global lists miss.
More about our standards on the About page.
Buying Guide
- 1Start with your phone — Samsung lists the Galaxy Buds4 Pro for Android 12 or higher and notes some features may not be available on non-Samsung devices, while Apple states AirPods Pro 3 functionality may be limited on non-Apple devices.
- 2Decide which battery figure matters more — with ANC on, Apple lists up to 8 hours per charge and up to 24 hours with the case, and Samsung lists up to 6 hours per charge and up to 26 hours with the case.
- 3Check what the water rating covers — both are IP57, but Samsung’s rating applies to the earbuds only, while Apple’s covers the earbuds and the charging case.
- 4Check the conditions on each pair’s extras — Samsung’s Ultra High Quality audio up to 24-bit/96kHz needs one of the listed Galaxy devices (Galaxy S23 to S26 series, Z TriFold, Z Fold5 to Z Fold7, Z Flip5 to Z Flip7 or Tab S9 series) with One UI 6.1.1 or above, while Apple’s Live Translation and Workout Buddy rely on Apple Intelligence.
- 5Compare weight if you wear earbuds for long spells — Samsung lists 5.1g per earbud (with M size ear tip) and 44.3g for the case; Apple lists 5.55 grams per earbud and 43.99 grams for the case.
Editor's Note
Both makers publish battery figures for the same condition — ANC on — so those are the fairest comparison: up to 6 hours per charge and up to 26 hours with the case for the Galaxy Buds4 Pro (Samsung notes these are based on internal testing with a Galaxy smartphone), and up to 8 hours per charge and up to 24 hours with the case for the AirPods Pro 3. Other figures are for different modes and are not set against each other: Samsung lists up to 7 hours per charge and up to 30 hours in total with ANC off, while Apple lists up to 10 hours per charge in Transparency using the Hearing Aid feature. On weight, Samsung lists 5.1g per earbud (with M size ear tip) and 44.3g for the case; Apple lists 5.55 grams per earbud and 43.99 grams for the case, so Samsung’s earbud is lighter and Apple’s case is marginally lighter. Samsung lists Bluetooth 6.1 and Apple lists Bluetooth 5.3; neither maker states what the version difference means in use, so it is not scored. On noise cancelling, neither maker measures one pair against the other: Samsung lists Adaptive ANC, and Apple’s up to 2x claim is relative to AirPods Pro 2, not a comparison versus the Galaxy Buds4 Pro.
Our Take
Your phone decides this one. On an iPhone, the AirPods Pro 3 are the pair to pick, and they also carry the longer per-charge ANC figure and a water rating that covers the case. On a Samsung Galaxy phone, the Galaxy Buds4 Pro make more sense: Samsung lists them for Android 12 or higher, notes some features may not be available on non-Samsung devices, and lists more total listening time with the case.
Questions & answers
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Galaxy Buds4 Pro or AirPods Pro 3?
Which has longer battery life, Galaxy Buds4 Pro or AirPods Pro 3?
Are the Galaxy Buds4 Pro and AirPods Pro 3 water resistant?
Which phones work with the Galaxy Buds4 Pro and AirPods Pro 3?
Which has better noise cancelling, Galaxy Buds4 Pro or AirPods Pro 3?
Do the Galaxy Buds4 Pro and AirPods Pro 3 both have spatial audio and Adaptive EQ?
Further Reading
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This comparison contains affiliate links. If you purchase via our links, UKPicks may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This does not influence our rankings.