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).
| 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