Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy Buds 4
Quick take: The Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 costs $40 less; the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro lasts longer per charge (6 hrs).
Which one to buy
Same ecosystem lock, opposite fits. The Buds3 Pro seal with silicone tips; the Buds 4, launched March 2026, are an unsealed AirPods 4-style shell with no tips or fins. For Samsung owners that fit question decides almost everything, because the shared features cancel out. Both get SSC UHQ 24-bit audio, 360 Audio and Galaxy AI on a Samsung phone, both lose most of that elsewhere, and neither has true multipoint, only Samsung's Auto Switch.
The Buds3 Pro are the better earbud for most people. The seal makes their ANC work properly, since they're rated just behind Sony on commutes, whereas the Buds 4's ANC softens bus drone and does little else, with owners who have a loose fit saying they can barely tell it's on. The Pro also has the better driver setup (a woofer plus a planar tweeter, against a single 11mm driver), IP57 against IP54, and 6 hours with ANC against 5, which drops to about 3 on the Buds 4 when 360 Audio is on.
The Buds 4 exist for one reason: people who can't stand anything in the ear canal. If the hard shell matches your ear, owners describe pressure-free all-day comfort and sound that's surprisingly rich. If it doesn't, the buds slip on a brisk walk and the bass goes thin. The $40 saving is modest, and the Buds3 Pro's known issues (early ear tips tearing, since fixed, and a shallow fit for some ears) are easier to work around than a shell that doesn't fit.
Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro
Best if you can wear silicone tips. They do noise cancelling, workouts and long commutes better, and the price difference is small.
Samsung Galaxy Buds 4
If sealed tips have always bothered you and open AirPods-style buds have stayed in your ears before. Buy where returns are easy.
| Spec | Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro | Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Approx. price | ~$219 | ~$179 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Wireless Earbuds | Wireless Earbuds |
| Noise Cancelling | Adaptive ANC | Adaptive ANC |
| Battery (single charge) | 6 hrs | 5 hrs |
| Battery (with case) | 26 hrs | 24 hrs |
| Quick Charge | 5 min = 1 hr | — |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, SSC UHQ | SBC, AAC, SSC UHQ, LC3 |
| Bluetooth | 5.4 | 6.1 |
| Multipoint | No | No |
| Driver Size | 10.5 mm | 11 mm |
| Weight | 5.4 g | 4.6 g |
| Water Resistance | IP57 | IP54 |
| Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes |
| Transparency Mode | Yes | Yes |
| Spatial Audio | Yes | Yes |
| App EQ | Yes | Yes |
Pros & cons
Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro
- ✓Dual 10.5mm woofer plus planar tweeter architecture
- ✓24-bit SSC UHQ hi-res on Samsung phones
- ✓Rugged IP57 tops most flagship rivals
- ✓Blade pinch controls beat finicky touch surfaces
- ✓26-hour total battery with wireless charging
- ✓Street prices run well under the $250 list
- ✗Best features locked inside the Galaxy ecosystem
- ✗Plain AAC on a Pixel, no iPhone app at all
- ✗No true multipoint, only Samsung auto-switching
- ✗Middling 6-hour ANC battery
- ✗AirPods-style stem redesign annoyed returning owners
Samsung Galaxy Buds 4
- ✓Open stem design stays comfortable for hours
- ✓Adaptive ANC takes the edge off despite no seal
- ✓Wireless charging case — base AirPods 4 doesn't have one
- ✓Bluetooth 6.1 with Auracast and LE Audio
- ✓Pinch-and-swipe stem controls work reliably
- ✓IP54 dust and splash resistance
- ✗5-hour ANC battery is bottom of the class
- ✗Open fit is a lottery — bass and ANC depend on your ears
- ✗Hi-res and AI features locked to Samsung phones
- ✗No true multipoint, only Samsung-account Auto Switch
- ✗Physics caps unsealed ANC well below sealed rivals
- ✗$180 is a tough ask against the $129 AirPods 4 ANC
Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy Buds 4: common questions
Is the Buds 4's ANC worth anything without a seal?▾
A little. It takes the edge off low drone like bus engines, but voices and chatter come straight through. The Buds3 Pro's sealed ANC is in a different class.
Are the Buds3 Pro or the Buds 4 better for running?▾
The Buds3 Pro. They're IP57 and held in by tips. Buds 4 owners report buds slipping even while walking, and a head shake can eject one.
Do the Buds3 Pro or the Buds 4 connect to a Windows laptop and a phone at once?▾
No. Both rely on Samsung's Auto Switch, which only moves between devices on your Samsung account. A non-Samsung laptop means re-pairing manually with either model.
Is the Buds 4's lower price worth the trade-offs?▾
Only if tips are a dealbreaker for you. The $40 saving gets you weaker ANC, less battery (5 hours against 6, and about 3 with 360 Audio on), and a fit that depends on your ear shape. If sealed tips are fine, the Buds3 Pro is the better buy.