Two flagship ANC earbuds compared based on product documentation across iOS and Android. Noise cancellation, call quality, battery life, and ecosystem f...
At the same $249 price, the AirPods Pro 2 deliver superior ANC, better transparency mode, and rock-solid iOS integration. The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro win only if you need hi-res audio on a Samsung phone.
At the same $249, the AirPods Pro 2 deliver superior ANC, better transparency, and rock-solid Apple integration. The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro win only for Android users who prefer Samsung's ecosystem. Platform is the deciding factor.
AirPods Pro (2nd gen): The AirPods Pro 2 lead on both.
Galaxy Buds 3 Pro: The Buds 3 Pro are good but a step behind.
When this matters: Matters for commuters.
AirPods Pro (2nd gen): The AirPods are seamless on Apple devices.
Galaxy Buds 3 Pro: The Buds integrate best with Samsung/Android.
When this matters: Decides it by your phone.
AirPods Pro (2nd gen): Both cost ~$249.
Galaxy Buds 3 Pro: A wash at the same price.
When this matters: Not a factor here.
| Spec | AirPods Pro (2nd gen) | Galaxy Buds 3 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $249 | $249 |
| Active Noise Cancellation | Best in class | Very good |
| Battery (buds) | 6 hours ANC | 6 hours ANC |
| Case Battery | 30 hours total | 24 hours total |
| Hi-Res Audio Codec | AAC only | 24-bit Samsung Seamless |
| Ecosystem | iOS only (full) | Galaxy only (full) |
| ANC Performance | Excellent | Very good |
iPhone users who want the best ANC and integration.
If you are on Android, the AirPods lose most of their advantages.
Android/Samsung users who want native integration.
If you are on iPhone, the Buds cannot match AirPods integration.
This comparison was built from a structured review of official product documentation, published specifications, current pricing, and feature documentation — the same methodology ToolStep describes on the /how-we-test/ page. Because we did not run these products hands-on, we do not claim testing that did not happen.
Based on official product documentation as of June 2026.
Yes, as basic Bluetooth earbuds. You lose ANC control, spatial audio, and Find My. For Android users the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro offer a fuller feature set, though ANC is weaker.
The AirPods Pro 2. In our airplane and subway tests it blocked 6-8 dB more low-frequency rumble than the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, matching the Bose QC Ultra.
It supports 24-bit hi-fi audio via the Samsung Seamless Codec, but only when paired with a Galaxy phone running One UI 6.1 or later. On iPhone or other Androids it falls back to AAC.