In This Review
The AirPods Pro 2 and Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are the two best wireless earbuds you can buy right now — but they're built for different people. After 60 days of daily use, we can tell you exactly who should buy which.
Active Noise Cancellation
ANC is the most important feature for most people buying premium earbuds. Here's what we found after testing both on subway commutes, open offices, and a transatlantic flight.
AirPods Pro 2 has the best ANC we've ever tested in earbuds. On our flight from New York to London, engine noise dropped to a near-whisper. Conversations around us disappeared almost completely. Apple's H2 chip processes ANC 48,000 times per second — and you can feel the difference.
Galaxy Buds 3 Pro has excellent ANC that beats every other Android earbuds on the market — but it's a step behind Apple. Low-frequency noise (plane engines, subway rumble) is handled very well. High-frequency noise (voices, keyboard clicks) is where it falls slightly short of the AirPods.
Winner: AirPods Pro 2 — best ANC in any earbud, period.
Sound Quality
This is where it gets interesting. The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro actually edges out the AirPods Pro 2 for pure audio quality — they have slightly more bass presence, a wider soundstage, and more detailed highs. For music lovers, especially those who listen to hip-hop, electronic, or orchestral music, the Buds 3 Pro sound marginally better.
The AirPods Pro 2 have a more neutral, balanced profile — which many audiophiles prefer, but casual listeners may find slightly less exciting.
Winner: Galaxy Buds 3 Pro — slightly richer sound profile for music.
Battery Life
AirPods Pro 2 get about 6 hours per charge, with the case providing 24 hours total. Galaxy Buds 3 Pro get about 6 hours per charge with 18 hours from the case. Both support fast charging — 5 minutes in the case gives about an hour of listening.
Winner: AirPods Pro 2 — more total battery with the case.
Fit & Comfort
The AirPods Pro 2 fit the vast majority of ears well — the silicone ear tips and new small/medium/large/extra-large sizing means most people find a secure fit quickly. The built-in Ear Tip Fit Test in iOS is genuinely useful.
Galaxy Buds 3 Pro have an open-type design with wing tips — more secure during workouts but some users find them less comfortable for long sessions. The fit is very personal here.
Winner: Tie — depends entirely on your ear shape.
Features & Ecosystem
If you have an iPhone, AirPods Pro 2 are the obvious choice. One-tap pairing, Siri integration, seamless switching between all your Apple devices, Find My support, and Conversation Awareness (volume automatically lowers when you start speaking) are all Apple-exclusive.
Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are the best choice if you use Samsung Android phones — the Galaxy AI integration, auto-switching between Samsung devices, and deep Samsung ecosystem features are excellent. On non-Samsung Android phones, some features are lost.
Winner: Depends on your phone.
Full Comparison
| Category | AirPods Pro 2 | Galaxy Buds 3 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| ANC Quality | Best in class ✓ | Excellent |
| Sound Quality | Neutral, balanced | Richer bass, wider stage ✓ |
| Battery (buds) | 6 hours | 6 hours |
| Battery (total) | 30 hours ✓ | 18 hours |
| Best Ecosystem | iPhone / Apple ✓ | Samsung Android ✓ |
| Water Resistance | IP54 | IP57 |
| Fit Style | In-ear tips | Open + wing tips |
| Call Quality | Excellent ✓ | Very good |
Our Verdict
Buy AirPods Pro 2 if: you have an iPhone. The ANC is unmatched, the Apple ecosystem integration is seamless, and the overall package is the best all-around earbud you can buy. Simple.
Buy Galaxy Buds 3 Pro if: you use a Samsung Android phone and want slightly better music sound quality. The ANC is excellent — just not quite at AirPods level.
FAQ
Do AirPods Pro 2 work with Android?
Yes, but with limited features. You get basic audio and ANC, but no Siri, no automatic device switching, no Ear Tip Fit Test, and no Find My. If you have Android, the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are the better choice.
Are Galaxy Buds 3 Pro worth it without a Samsung phone?
On non-Samsung Android phones, you lose some Galaxy AI features but keep the core audio quality and ANC. On iPhone, we'd recommend AirPods Pro 2 instead.
Which is better for working out?
Galaxy Buds 3 Pro — the wing tip design provides a more secure fit during intense exercise. AirPods Pro 2 are fine for most workouts but can occasionally shift during very vigorous activity.