70

AirPods 4 Earbuds

Open-fit TWS · 5h/30h · H2 chip · BT 5.3

$130

MSRP

84

Galaxy Buds3 Pro Earbuds

In-ear TWS · ANC · 7h/30h · BT 5.4

$250

MSRP

Our verdict

The Galaxy Buds3 Pro Earbuds takes the performance lead with a 20% higher overall score, driven by its more shader cores, more of memory, and higher TFLOPS of compute power. In gaming benchmarks at 1440p, it delivers roughly 0% more frames per second across demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Alan Wake 2.

However, the AirPods 4 Earbuds tells a compelling value story. At $130 versus the Galaxy Buds3 Pro Earbuds's $250 price tag, it costs 92% less while delivering performance that's only 20% behind. Its of memory is still more than enough for 1440p and even 4K gaming in most titles.

Our recommendation: for the majority of gamers targeting 1440p or even 4K with upscaling enabled, the AirPods 4 Earbuds is the smarter purchase. The Galaxy Buds3 Pro Earbuds only makes sense if you need the absolute maximum performance for native 4K ray tracing, professional 3D rendering, or AI workloads where the extra VRAM and compute power provide a tangible advantage.

Performance winner

Galaxy Buds3 Pro Earbuds

20% faster overall

Best value for money

AirPods 4 Earbuds

8% better value per dollar

AirPods 4 Earbuds best for

Value for money

8% better value per dollar

Audio

Driver Size
11mm
10.5mm
Frequency Response
20Hz - 20kHz
20Hz - 20kHz
Form Factor
Open-fit TWS
In-ear TWS

Battery

Battery Life (ANC On)
5h
7h
Total with Case
30h
30h
Fast Charge
5min → 1h
5min → 1h

Comfort

Weight
4.3g
5.4g
IP Rating
IP54
IP57
Wireless Charging
Yes (MagSafe + Qi)
Yes (Qi)

Connectivity

Bluetooth
5.3
5.4
Codecs
AAC
Samsung Scalable, AAC, SBC
Multipoint
No
Yes (2 devices)

Noise Cancellation

Active Noise Cancellation
No
Yes (Galaxy AI)
Transparency Mode
No
Yes (Adaptive)

Frequently asked questions

Is the Galaxy Buds3 Pro Earbuds worth $120 more than the AirPods 4 Earbuds?

It depends on your needs. The Galaxy Buds3 Pro Earbuds scores 84 overall vs 70 for the AirPods 4 Earbuds. If you need the extra performance for demanding tasks, the premium is justified. For most users gaming at 1440p or below, the AirPods 4 Earbuds offers better value.

Which GPU is better for 1440p gaming, the AirPods 4 Earbuds or Galaxy Buds3 Pro Earbuds?

The Galaxy Buds3 Pro Earbuds delivers higher frame rates at 1440p, but both GPUs handle 1440p gaming well. The Galaxy Buds3 Pro Earbuds provides more headroom for ray tracing and future titles, while the AirPods 4 Earbuds still maintains smooth gameplay in current games.

Can the AirPods 4 Earbuds handle 4K gaming?

The AirPods 4 Earbuds can handle 4K gaming in less demanding titles and with upscaling technologies like DLSS or FSR. For native 4K at ultra settings in demanding games, the Galaxy Buds3 Pro Earbuds is the better choice with its higher performance ceiling.

Which should I buy, the AirPods 4 Earbuds or Galaxy Buds3 Pro Earbuds?

Choose the AirPods 4 Earbuds if you want the best value for money and primarily game at 1080p or 1440p. Choose the Galaxy Buds3 Pro Earbuds if you need maximum performance, play at 4K, or do professional workloads like video editing and 3D rendering.

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