AirPods Pro 3 and Galaxy Buds 4 take very different approaches to premium earbuds. AirPods Pro 3 use a sealed in-ear fit and add iPhone-only health features, while Galaxy Buds 4 use an open fit and unlock their best audio and Galaxy AI features on compatible Galaxy phones.
This AirPods Pro 3 vs Galaxy Buds 4 comparison covers fit, noise cancellation, sound, battery life, health tools and ecosystem compatibility. Quick answer: choose AirPods Pro 3 if you use an iPhone and need stronger isolation for flights or the Metro. Choose Galaxy Buds 4 if you use a recent Galaxy phone, prefer an open fit and want Samsung’s Galaxy AI features.
Price and design
That Pro model matters for anyone weighing AirPods Pro 3 vs Galaxy Buds 4 on price alone. Jumbo lists the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro at AED 949, the same price as Apple’s earbuds. The standard Buds 4 compete on value, not as a direct rival to Apple’s flagship. Retail prices in Dubai can change quickly with bank offers and grey imports, so check the final checkout price, UAE warranty and return policy before chasing the lowest listing.
The two designs take opposite approaches to fit. Apple uses a sealed, in-ear design: the ear tips are angled inward for a more secure fit and add a layer of foam-infused microspheres to improve noise cancellation, and the box now includes five tip sizes, from XXS to L. They are also the first AirPods rated IP57, and use a force sensor for press controls and swipes for volume.
Samsung went the other way. The Galaxy Buds 4 use an open-fit design without silicone tips, which Samsung describes as light and pressure-free, though the fit can vary with ear shape. Each bud weighs 4.6g, the earbuds are rated IP54, and the case has a translucent lid and supports wireless charging. Controls use pinch and swipe gestures on a metal blade, and you can nod or shake your head to answer or decline calls. For buyers who need a firmer seal, Samsung itself points to the Buds 4 Pro, which comes with three sizes of silicone tips.
Sound quality and ANC
Apple says the AirPods Pro 3 use a new multiport acoustic architecture designed to deliver deeper bass, a wider soundstage and clearer vocals. The company claims they cancel up to twice as much noise as AirPods Pro 2, and it markets the result as the best in-ear active noise cancellation (ANC) available. That is Apple’s own claim, not an independent measurement. Like earlier AirPods, they stream over Bluetooth using Apple’s AAC codec rather than a high-resolution format.
The Galaxy Buds 4 use an 11mm wide-range speaker. On compatible Galaxy phones, Samsung’s Seamless Codec can stream 24-bit/96kHz audio through its Ultra High Quality mode, and a nine-band equaliser lets you tune the sound. Samsung lists support for Galaxy S23 and later, among other devices.
The open-fit design provides less passive isolation than a sealed silicone tip, so the Galaxy Buds 4 are less suited to very noisy journeys. Samsung reserves its Adaptive ANC 2.0 system for the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro.
For commuters on the Dubai Metro or frequent flyers, Apple’s sealed design has a clear structural advantage. The Buds 4 suit listeners who find in-ear pressure uncomfortable and are willing to accept weaker isolation.
Battery life
Apple lists up to 8 hours of listening with ANC on, 6.5 hours when heart rate sensing is active during workouts, and up to 10 hours in Transparency mode with Hearing Aid. The case brings total listening time to up to 24 hours with ANC on. A five-minute charge provides about an hour of listening, according to Apple’s UAE AirPods Pro 3 specifications.
Samsung rates the Galaxy Buds 4 at up to 5 hours of music with ANC on, or 24 hours including the case. With ANC off, that rises to 6 hours per charge and 30 hours in total. samsung
The totals with the case are therefore identical with ANC on, but the AirPods last three hours longer between top-ups. That matters on long-haul flights out of Dubai. Neither box includes a charging cable: Apple leaves out the USB-C cable and power adapter, and Samsung’s box contains only the earbuds, case and quick start guide.
Health features (heart rate, hearing aid mode)
This is the category where the two products differ most.
The AirPods Pro 3 include a heart rate sensor that uses LEDs pulsing invisible light 256 times per second, combined with accelerometer data. Apple says this tracks heart rate and calories burned across up to 50 workout types in the Fitness app. The Fitness app experience requires an iPhone.
AirPods Pro 3 support Apple’s hearing health tools, including Hearing Test, Hearing Aid and Hearing Protection features. Apple states that availability varies by region and requires a compatible iPhone or iPad and the latest firmware. The features are intended for adults aged 18 and over with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss; they are not a substitute for professional assessment. If you have hearing concerns, consult an audiologist.
The Galaxy Buds 4 have neither feature. Samsung’s spec sheet lists an accelerometer, gyro, hall, pressure, proximity and touch sensors plus a voice pickup unit, with no heart rate sensor. Its wellness feature is a Neck Stretch Reminder. Samsung does not advertise a clinical hearing aid mode for the Buds 4. Instead, it pairs the Buds with the Galaxy Watch8 for sleep and cardio health tracking.
Ecosystem compatibility (iOS vs Android)
For most buyers, this section settles the decision.
AirPods Pro 3 are built around the iPhone. Apple says they work as standard Bluetooth headphones with non-Apple devices, but with limited functionality. They pair with Android phones, but Live Translation and fitness tracking need an iPhone.
The Galaxy Buds 4 are also built around Samsung’s ecosystem. On Galaxy phones running One UI 8.0 or later, their settings can be managed directly in the phone settings; earlier versions use the Galaxy Wearable app. Auto Switch works only on supported Galaxy devices signed in to the same Samsung account. For UAE users, Samsung lists Arabic among the languages supported by Interpreter and Live Translate, although availability varies by compatible device and software version.
On other Android phones, Galaxy Buds 4 can be managed with the Galaxy Wearable app if the phone runs Android 12 or later and has at least 1.5GB of memory. On iPhone, they work as Bluetooth earbuds, but Galaxy Wearable is not supported and the advanced Galaxy AI features are unavailable. If you are still working through the wider iPhone vs Samsung decision, or deciding between a Samsung or Xiaomi handset, settle the phone question first. It decides which of these earbuds makes sense.
Verdict
Side-by-side specifications
| Feature | AirPods Pro 3 | Galaxy Buds 4 |
|---|---|---|
| UAE Price | AED 949 (Apple) | AED 699 (Jumbo) |
| US Price | $249 | $179.99 |
| Fit | In-ear, silicone tips (5 sizes) | Open-fit, no tips |
| Water / Dust Rating | IP57 | IP54 |
| Battery (ANC On) | Up to 8 hours | Up to 5 hours |
| Total with Case (ANC On) | Up to 24 hours | Up to 24 hours |
| Heart Rate Sensor | Yes | No |
| Hearing tools | Yes Hearing Test, Hearing Aid and Hearing Protection (availability varies by region) | No clinical hearing-aid mode advertised |
| Best Paired With | iPhone | Samsung Galaxy phone |
The AirPods Pro 3 vs Galaxy Buds 4 decision comes down to your phone first and your ears second.
Buy the AirPods Pro 3 if you use an iPhone, need strong noise cancellation for flights or the Metro, or want heart rate tracking during workouts and Apple’s hearing tools where available.
Buy the Galaxy Buds 4 if you use a recent Galaxy phone, dislike the pressure of sealed earbuds, and want Samsung’s high-resolution audio and Arabic-capable Interpreter features.
If you use a Galaxy phone and want a sealed fit with more advanced ANC, compare the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro as well. It is a closer feature-for-feature alternative to AirPods Pro 3 than the standard Buds 4.
On a non-Samsung Android phone, neither pair shows its full strengths. For heavy use on those phones, look beyond both brands.
For more phone, wearable and audio buying guides, browse our Technology section.