Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro vs. Apple AirPods Pro 3: I compared both, and this one wins

Observe ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.

The primary-party benefit is actual. 

The obvious instance of why first-party merchandise are price contemplating is the AirPods lineup, led by the most recent AirPods Pro 3. These headphones provide far more options when linked to an Apple system than when linked to different gadgets. 

However Apple is not the one one to make the most of its multi-device ecosystem. Samsung does it too, with its Galaxy Buds 3 Pro earbuds heading its audio lineup.

Additionally: The Nothing Ear 3 have a clever feature I wish my other earbuds had – and they’re less than $180

However has one firm accomplished a greater job constructing out its function set? Are one pair of earbuds truly higher than the opposite, or does it simply depend upon the ecosystem of gadgets you select to make use of? I’ve used each the AirPods Professional 3 and the Galaxy Buds 3 Professional fairly extensively, and here is my take.

Specs

You should purchase the AirPods Professional 3 if…

1. You are presently an Apple person

This one’s apparent — the AirPods Professional 3 work greatest with Apple merchandise. Technically, you possibly can pair the AirPods Professional 3 through Bluetooth to non-Apple gadgets, however you may have a reasonably restricted expertise and will not be capable of use superior options like spatial audio, Discover My, and computerized carrying detection. 

Additionally: How to use Live Translation on your AirPods – not just the newest ones

With Apple merchandise, you should utilize computerized switching to seamlessly hook up with an infinite variety of appropriate gadgets logged in to your iCloud account. You can even use spatial audio for a extra immersive listening expertise (I personally solely actually use it for motion pictures and TV exhibits). And, you may get entry to the brand new Reside Translation function, which may translate speech in different languages in real-time when the AirPods in your ears are linked to an iPhone. 

2. You need health monitoring options

The AirPods Professional 3’s standout function is the inclusion of an in-ear coronary heart fee monitor. This function shifts the AirPods Professional from an audio-only system to a mixture of an audio system and a well being tracker. The center fee monitor can be utilized for over 50 completely different exercise varieties, which you’ll entry straight via the Apple Health app.

Additionally: AirPods Pro 3 fitness feature surprises triathlete tester – here’s what he found

The AirPods Professional 3 additionally work with the brand new Exercise Buddy function, which analyzes your health knowledge utilizing AI, then gives personalised motivation whilst you work out, in audio kind, via your earbuds. That helps bridge the hole between well being trackers and precise trainers.

3. You need higher battery life

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Professional provide a strong battery life, promising six hours of steady listening with ANC enabled, and a complete of 20 hours with the charging case. The AirPods Professional 3, nevertheless, beat that. The earbuds provide eight hours of steady listening, which makes them a greater choice for a long-haul flight or an prolonged day within the workplace. With the charging case, they will rise up to 24 hours, which once more, is an enchancment over the Galaxy Buds 3 Professional. 

You should purchase the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Professional if…

1. You do not use Apple gadgets

Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Professional earbuds do not simply work nicely with Samsung gadgets — they work nicely with Android gadgets typically. On an Android telephone, you possibly can obtain the Samsung Put on app to regulate the earbuds. From there, you possibly can choose noise modes, change the EQ, and extra. There is no Samsung Put on app for iOS.

Some options work greatest with Samsung telephones, although. For starters, your Samsung telephone ought to instantly acknowledge the earbuds and pair with them whenever you open the lid. 

Additionally: 7 reasons why I choose Android over iOS (and sideloading is not one of them)

On prime of that, there are some AI-focused options, like an Interpreter app that may translate speech in different languages, much like the AirPods Professional 3’s new Reside Translation function. Different options work like these on Apple gadgets, like an Auto Swap function in your Galaxy telephones and wearables, a listening to enhancement function, and extra.

To entry the total suite of the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Professional’s options, you may want a Samsung telephone. However, except you actually care about these super-specific options, you may have a superb expertise on any Android system.

2. You wish to customise your listening expertise

A very powerful consideration when shopping for earbuds is what telephone you utilize. You are not going to purchase AirPods when you have an Android telephone or the Galaxy Buds 3 Professional when you have an iPhone. However different elements of those earbuds could make a distinction in how you utilize them. Notably, the Galaxy Buds 3 Professional provide extra audio customization than the AirPods Professional 3.

Additionally: Finally, a Samsung phone that I’d put my S25 Ultra away for (especially at this price)

Apple, in spite of everything, thinks the AirPods already sound superb — why would you wish to change how they sound? Most different earbud producers take a extra customizable method, and with the Galaxy Buds 3 Professional, you may get a nine-band EQ, with bands starting from 63Hz to 16kHz. On prime of the customized EQ, there are a variety of presets you should utilize when you do not wish to get into the weeds of tuning the audio your self.  

3. You need deeper, harder-hitting bass

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Professional aren’t simply extra customizable on the subject of audio; additionally they provide larger and deeper bass. That does not imply they sound higher, essentially. In reality, the bass on the AirPods Professional 3 is extra natural-sounding, which appeals extra to me personally. However when you’re a fan of huge bass — and there is definitely no disgrace in that — then the Galaxy Buds 3 Professional are the higher earbuds in your wants.

Alternate options to think about