Galaxy Buds 3 Pro vs AirPods Pro 2: Real User Feedback Reveals Which Earbuds Are Truly Better

Choosing between Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 3 Pro and Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 can feel like splitting hairs. Both promise premium sound, excellent noise cancellation, and a sleek design. But when you start reading what actual users are saying, clear differences emerge. Since mid-2024, these two earbuds have gone head-to-head in real-world tests, and the verdict depends a lot on what you value most, and what phone you use.

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At A Glance: Galaxy Buds 3 Pro vs AirPods Pro 2: Real User Feedback Reveals Which Earbuds Are Truly Better

• SAMSUNG Galaxy Buds 3 Pro
  Our Top Pick
• Apple AirPods Pro 2

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After diving deep into hundreds of reviews and forum discussions, here’s how the Buds 3 Pro and AirPods Pro 2 stack up in practice, with a clear winner in each category.

Sound Quality – Winner: Galaxy Buds 3 Pro

For most people, this is the dealbreaker: how good do they actually sound?

The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro get an overwhelming thumbs-up for their audio performance. Users consistently mention deeper bass, bright clarity, and a more customizable experience. Thanks to the dual-driver setup, instruments and vocals are separated in a way that feels more refined than you’d expect from wireless earbuds. One listener described the Buds 3 Pro as having “better instrument separation and more punch” than the AirPods Pro 2, which made live music and classical tracks pop in ways AirPods didn’t.

AirPods Pro 2 aren’t far behind. In fact, plenty of people call their sound “amazing” and balanced across all genres. They’re tuned to be natural and fatigue-free, which works for most ears. But the lack of EQ is a recurring gripe. Users who love tweaking bass or mids feel boxed in. If you’re the type who just wants earbuds to work without fiddling, AirPods might be enough. But for music lovers who want to shape their sound, Buds 3 Pro take the edge.

Active Noise Cancellation – Winner: AirPods Pro 2

Noise cancellation is another major battleground.

Samsung has made big strides here. Many Buds 3 Pro owners say their ANC is at least on par with Apple’s, sometimes even better. A neat perk is that you can actually adjust the level of ANC in Samsung’s app, letting you fine-tune how much sound gets blocked.

But AirPods Pro 2 still get more consistent praise. Users call their ANC “insanely good,” the kind that makes busy cafes, office chatter, or the drone of an airplane fade into nothing. Importantly, AirPods Pro 2 handle wind and sudden sounds more gracefully, which makes them feel a little more polished.

So while Buds 3 Pro put up a strong fight, most people still give Apple the slight win here.

Transparency Mode – Winner: AirPods Pro 2

This category is more lopsided.

Apple has nailed transparency mode to the point where people forget they’re even wearing earbuds. Reviews constantly describe it as natural and lifelike, like your ears are open but better, with amplified clarity. Walking in traffic, chatting at the office, or listening for flight announcements all feel effortless.

Samsung’s Buds 3 Pro include an ambient sound mode, and they do have one clever trick: they automatically activate transparency during calls so you can hear your own voice naturally. That’s a feature AirPods don’t have. But when it comes to actual sound quality, users are blunt: the Buds’ transparency sounds artificial, sometimes even “trash” compared to Apple.

If staying aware of your surroundings matters, AirPods Pro 2 win by a mile.

Call Quality – Winner: AirPods Pro 2

This is where Samsung stumbles.

Plenty of Buds 3 Pro owners have vented about poor microphone performance. Indoors, in quiet rooms, they’re fine. But take a call outside, and cars or wind can overwhelm the mic completely. One user complained that on WhatsApp calls, even a passing car drowned out their voice entirely. Others said they had to raise their voice just to be heard.

AirPods Pro 2, on the other hand, consistently earn praise for call quality. The microphones pick up voices clearly, and Apple’s noise suppression keeps background chaos to a minimum. Professionals happily use them for Zoom and Teams meetings, and callers on the other end rarely complain.

For anyone who spends a lot of time on calls or video meetings, AirPods Pro 2 are the safer bet.

Comfort and Fit – Winner: Split Decision

Comfort is personal, but trends do emerge.

Samsung redesigned the Buds 3 Pro with a stem-style shape, and many users call them the most comfortable Galaxy Buds yet. They’re lightweight and sit snugly without pressing uncomfortably. People who listen for hours often prefer the Buds’ softer, almost invisible feel.

AirPods Pro 2 are also well-loved, though for slightly different reasons. Their fit is secure and stable, making them better suited for workouts and running. They may not feel as cloud-like comfy as the Buds when sitting still, but they’re less likely to slip out mid-sprint.

In short: Buds win for plush comfort, AirPods win for stability. Pick based on whether you lounge or move.

Battery Life and Charging – Winner: AirPods Pro 2

Battery life is fairly close, but reliability tips the scale.

The Buds 3 Pro promise 5–8 hours per charge, but some users have run into frustrating charging issues, like the buds refusing to charge due to sweat or moisture triggering a sensor error. Samsung has patched this with updates, but complaints still surface.

AirPods Pro 2 are less dramatic. They get about 6 hours per charge, up to 30 with the case, and almost no one complains about charging reliability. Add in MagSafe wireless charging and a case speaker for easy tracking, and Apple edges this category out.

Connectivity – Winner: Tie

This one comes down to ecosystem.

• If you’re in Apple’s world, AirPods Pro 2 are unbeatable. Pairing is instant, switching between devices is seamless, and connections almost never drop.
• If you’re in Samsung’s world, the Buds 3 Pro are equally strong. They pair instantly with Galaxy phones, auto-switch between Samsung devices, and unlock features like high-res audio.

Neither shines outside its native ecosystem. AirPods feel stripped down on Android, and Buds lose key features on iOS. The takeaway: buy the earbuds that match your phone brand.

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App and Customization – Winner: Galaxy Buds 3 Pro

Here’s where Samsung pulls ahead.

The Galaxy Wearable app gives Buds 3 Pro owners tons of control: EQ, ANC levels, touch controls, voice detection, even experimental features like real-time translation. For tinkerers, it’s a playground.

AirPods Pro 2 go the opposite direction: simplicity. Settings live inside iOS, firmware updates are automatic, and that’s it. Many users appreciate the “it just works” approach, but if you like adjusting your sound, AirPods can feel bare-bones.

For customization, Samsung wins big.

Build Quality and Durability – Winner: AirPods Pro 2

Here’s an area where Apple’s maturity shows.

AirPods Pro 2 may only come in glossy white, but they’re consistently praised for solid construction. Cases last years, hinges rarely break, and even after heavy use, most just show cosmetic scuffs.

The Buds 3 Pro, while stylish, get more mixed feedback. Some users report chipped paint, flimsy hinges, or fragile case designs. Sweat and moisture, despite the higher IP57 rating, sometimes cause more headaches than AirPods’ lower IPX4 rating.

In practice, AirPods Pro 2 are more reliable over time.

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Price and Value – Winner: Galaxy Buds 3 Pro

Here’s where Samsung fights back hard.

While both earbuds retail at $249, AirPods Pro 2 rarely dip below $199. Buds 3 Pro, on the other hand, get bundled with Samsung phones or discounted to as low as $150. Some users even got them essentially free with promotions.

For Android users, that makes the Buds 3 Pro an incredible value. You’re getting premium sound, strong ANC, and a feature-rich app for less. AirPods Pro 2 feel worth the price if you’re in Apple’s ecosystem, but outside it, they’re harder to justify.

Our Take

Both the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro and AirPods Pro 2 are outstanding earbuds, but they’re designed for different audiences.

• iPhone users should stick with AirPods Pro 2. The integration, noise cancellation, transparency, and call quality are nearly flawless, and they’ll feel like an extension of your phone.
• Android (especially Samsung) users should go with Galaxy Buds 3 Pro. They sound richer, cost less, and give you far more customization.

For fitness and frequent callers, AirPods Pro 2 are still the better pick. For audiophiles and bargain hunters, Buds 3 Pro shine.

At the end of the day, the advice from real-world users couldn’t be clearer: match your earbuds to your phone. In the right ecosystem, both of these models absolutely live up to their premium reputation.