Apple Airpods Pro 3 Vs. Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro: I Listened To Both, And This Pair Wins

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The first-party advantage is real. 

The astir evident illustration of why first-party products are worthy considering is nan AirPods lineup, led by nan latest AirPods Pro 3. These headphones connection measurement much features erstwhile connected to an Apple instrumentality than erstwhile connected to different devices. 

But Apple isn't nan only 1 to return advantage of its multi-device ecosystem. Samsung does it too, pinch its Galaxy Buds 3 Pro earbuds heading its audio lineup.

Also: I'm struggling to warrant nan AirPods Pro 3 erstwhile this exemplary conscionable group a record-low price

But has 1 institution done a amended occupation building retired its characteristic set? Are 1 brace of earbuds really amended than nan other, aliases does it conscionable dangle connected nan ecosystem of devices you take to use? I've utilized some nan AirPods Pro 3 and nan Galaxy Buds 3 Pro beautiful extensively, and here's my take.

Specifications

You should bargain nan AirPods Pro 3 if...

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1. You're presently an Apple user

This one's evident -- nan AirPods Pro 3 activity champion pinch Apple products. Technically, you tin brace nan AirPods Pro 3 via Bluetooth to non-Apple devices, but you'll person a beautiful constricted acquisition and won't beryllium capable to usage precocious features for illustration spatial audio, Find My, and automatic wearing detection. 

Also: How to usage Live Translation connected your AirPods - not conscionable nan newest ones

With Apple products, you tin usage automatic switching to seamlessly link to an infinite number of compatible devices logged successful to your iCloud account. You tin besides usage spatial audio for a much immersive listening acquisition (I personally only really usage it for movies and TV shows). And, you'll get entree to nan caller Live Translation feature, which tin construe reside successful different languages successful real-time erstwhile nan AirPods successful your ears are connected to an iPhone. 

2. You want fittingness search features

The AirPods Pro 3's standout characteristic is nan inclusion of an in-ear bosom complaint monitor. This characteristic shifts nan AirPods Pro from an audio-only instrumentality to a operation of an audio instrumentality and a wellness tracker. The bosom complaint show tin beryllium utilized for complete 50 different workout types, which you tin entree consecutive done nan Apple Fitness app.

Also: AirPods Pro 3 fittingness characteristic surprises triathlete tester - here's what he found

The AirPods Pro 3 besides activity pinch nan caller Workout Buddy feature, which analyzes your fittingness information utilizing AI, past provides personalized information while you activity out, successful audio form, done your earbuds. That helps span nan spread betwixt wellness trackers and existent trainers.

3. You want amended artillery life

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro connection a coagulated artillery life, promising six hours of continuous listening pinch ANC enabled, and a full of 20 hours pinch nan charging case. The AirPods Pro 3, however, hit that. The earbuds connection 8 hours of continuous listening, which makes them a amended action for a long-haul formation aliases an extended time successful nan office. With nan charging case, they'll get up to 24 hours, which again, is an betterment complete nan Galaxy Buds 3 Pro. 

You should bargain nan Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro if...

Kerry Wan/ZDNET

1. You don't usage Apple devices

Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro earbuds don't conscionable activity good pinch Samsung devices -- they activity good pinch Android devices successful general. On an Android phone, you tin download nan Samsung Wear app to power nan earbuds. From there, you tin prime sound modes, alteration nan EQ, and more. There's nary Samsung Wear app for iOS.

Some features activity champion pinch Samsung phones, though. For starters, your Samsung telephone should instantly admit nan earbuds and brace pinch them erstwhile you unfastened nan lid. 

Also: 7 reasons why I take Android complete iOS (and sideloading is not 1 of them)

On apical of that, location are immoderate AI-focused features, for illustration an Interpreter app that tin construe reside successful different languages, akin to nan AirPods Pro 3's caller Live Translation feature. Other features activity for illustration those connected Apple devices, for illustration an Auto Switch characteristic for your Galaxy phones and wearables, a proceeding enhancement feature, and more.

To entree nan afloat suite of nan Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro's features, you'll request a Samsung phone. But, unless you really attraction astir those super-specific features, you'll person a bully acquisition connected immoderate Android device.

2. You want to customize your listening experience

The astir important information erstwhile buying earbuds is what telephone you use. You're not going to bargain AirPods if you person an Android telephone aliases nan Galaxy Buds 3 Pro if you person an iPhone. But different aspects of these earbuds tin make a quality successful really you usage them. Notably, nan Galaxy Buds 3 Pro connection much audio customization than nan AirPods Pro 3.

Also: Finally, a Samsung telephone that I'd put my S25 Ultra distant for (especially astatine this price)

Apple, aft all, thinks nan AirPods already sound astonishing -- why would you want to alteration really they sound? Most different earbud manufacturers return a much customizable approach, and pinch nan Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, you'll get a nine-band EQ, pinch bands ranging from 63Hz to 16kHz. On apical of nan civilization EQ, location are a number of presets you tin usage if you don't want to get into nan weeds of tuning nan audio yourself.  

3. You want deeper, harder-hitting bass

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro aren't conscionable much customizable erstwhile it comes to audio; they besides connection bigger and deeper bass. That doesn't mean they sound better, necessarily. In fact, nan bass connected nan AirPods Pro 3 is much natural-sounding, which appeals much to maine personally. But if you're a instrumentality of large bass -- and there's surely nary shame successful that -- past nan Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are nan amended earbuds for your needs.

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