Quick Verdict
These are the two flagship earbuds most phone owners end up choosing between, and the honest verdict is refreshingly simple: your phone decides. AirPods Pro 2 are the best earbuds for iPhone users, and Galaxy Buds3 Pro are the best earbuds for Galaxy phone users. Both are excellent for basic listening on any phone — music, calls and everyday noise cancelling work well across platforms — but each pair unlocks its best features only inside its own ecosystem. Buy the pair that matches your phone, and you will rarely regret it.
Full Specs Table
| AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) | Galaxy Buds3 Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Chip / platform | Apple H2 chip | Galaxy AI features (with Samsung phones) |
| Speaker design | Custom Apple driver | 2-way speaker system |
| ANC | Adaptive ANC with Adaptive Audio | Adaptive ANC |
| Battery (buds) | Up to 6 hours per charge | Up to 6 hours per charge with ANC on |
| Battery (with case) | Up to 30 hours total | Up to 26 hours total |
| Charging | USB-C MagSafe case | USB-C case with wireless charging |
| Special feature | Hearing-aid feature | Galaxy AI features |
| Bluetooth version | — | — |
| Weight | — | — |
Note: Bluetooth version and per-bud weight are left as “—” because they were not verified for this article and do not change the buying decision. The battery figures above are the manufacturers’ stated figures; real-world battery life varies with volume, ANC use and call time.
Design & Build
AirPods Pro 2 keep Apple’s familiar short-stem design with soft silicone tips, in a compact white USB-C MagSafe case. It is a design that disappears in the ear and in the pocket, and that is the point. The case supports wireless charging alongside USB-C, and it is small enough to carry everywhere without thinking about it.
Galaxy Buds3 Pro take a bolder route with their blade/stem design. The stems give the buds a distinct look and make touch controls easy to find by feel. The case is similarly pocket-friendly, and the overall package feels every bit as premium as the AirPods, just with a different design language. If you like your earbuds to look a little more distinctive, the Buds3 Pro have the edge on looks alone — though comfort is personal, and ear-tip fit matters more than appearance for daily wear.
For a broader look at the earbuds market, our guide to the best wireless earbuds in Pakistan puts both of these pairs in context against cheaper alternatives. If you want each pair on its own, see the full AirPods Pro 2 review and Galaxy Buds3 Pro review.
Sound Quality
Both pairs sound excellent, and both will satisfy most listeners without any tweaking. AirPods Pro 2 deliver a clean, balanced sound with Apple’s H2 chip handling processing, and their Adaptive Audio system adjusts to your surroundings so music stays clear whether you are walking down a busy street or sitting in a quiet room. The sound is polished and easy to enjoy for hours.
Galaxy Buds3 Pro use a 2-way speaker system, which separates different parts of the sound more distinctly and gives music a detailed, spacious character. In practice, most listeners will be happy with either pair; the differences are about tuning preference rather than one pair being clearly “better.” If you love digging into equaliser settings and fine-tuning your sound, Samsung’s app gives you more to play with on a Galaxy phone.
Noise Cancellation and Awareness
Noise cancellation is a headline strength for both. AirPods Pro 2 offer adaptive ANC, and their Adaptive Audio blends noise cancellation with awareness of your surroundings — so important sounds like announcements or a conversation can come through without you removing a bud. It is a genuinely thoughtful system for daily life, not just for flights.
Galaxy Buds3 Pro offer adaptive ANC too, adjusting to your environment, and they handle everyday noise — traffic, office chatter, engine hum — very well. In direct comparison, both are among the best noise-cancelling earbuds you can buy. AirPods Pro 2 have a slight edge in the smoothness of their adaptive system, while the Buds3 Pro are right there for pure noise blocking. Either pair will transform a noisy commute.
Ecosystem Features: Where the Decision Is Made
This is the section that should decide your purchase. AirPods Pro 2 shine brightest with an iPhone: instant pairing, easy switching between Apple devices, spatial audio features and the hearing-aid feature, which is a genuinely meaningful addition for people with mild hearing needs. On an Android phone, AirPods Pro 2 still play music and cancel noise well, but you lose the best of the Apple-specific features.
Galaxy Buds3 Pro return the favour on Samsung phones, where Galaxy AI features come alive — including AI-assisted features tied to Samsung’s software. On a non-Samsung Android phone, the buds still work well for music and calls, but the Galaxy AI extras are not available. On an iPhone, they work as good standard Bluetooth earbuds, but without the deep integration either pair offers its home team.
The practical rule is simple: iPhone owner, buy AirPods Pro 2. Galaxy phone owner, buy Galaxy Buds3 Pro. Owner of another Android phone, either pair works for basic use, so choose on price, fit and which design you prefer.
Battery Life
Battery life is close, with one clear difference in total endurance. Both pairs give up to 6 hours of listening per charge — the Buds3 Pro figure is stated with ANC on. With the charging case, AirPods Pro 2 reach up to 30 hours in total, while Galaxy Buds3 Pro reach up to 26 hours. In daily use, both easily last a full day of typical listening with top-ups from the case, and the 4-hour total difference only matters on long trips without a charger.
Charging is convenient on both: AirPods Pro 2 use a USB-C MagSafe case, and Galaxy Buds3 Pro use a USB-C case with wireless charging. A short top-up in the case gives you useful extra listening time on either pair, which matters more in practice than the headline totals.
Calls and Everyday Use
Both pairs handle calls well, with microphones designed to pick up your voice while reducing background noise. AirPods Pro 2 benefit from Apple’s processing and their tight integration with iPhones, making them a natural choice for people who take many calls on Apple devices. Galaxy Buds3 Pro are equally capable on Samsung phones, and their stem design places microphones in a sensible position for voice pickup.
For workouts and daily wear, both are comfortable for most ears, though fit varies by person — try the included ear-tip sizes before judging comfort. Neither pair is a substitute for dedicated sports earbuds with ear hooks if you do very vigorous training, but for gym sessions, runs and commuting, both are practical daily companions.
Faide (Pros) — AirPods Pro 2
- Excellent adaptive ANC with Adaptive Audio
- Seamless integration with iPhone, iPad and Mac
- Hearing-aid feature adds real value
- Up to 30 hours total battery life with the case
Kamzoriyan (Cons) — AirPods Pro 2
- Best features need Apple devices
- Premium price class
- Sound tuning options are limited compared to Samsung’s app
Faide (Pros) — Galaxy Buds3 Pro
- Detailed sound from the 2-way speaker system
- Strong adaptive ANC
- Galaxy AI features for Samsung phone owners
- Distinctive, easy-to-handle blade/stem design
Kamzoriyan (Cons) — Galaxy Buds3 Pro
- Galaxy AI features need a Samsung phone
- Shorter total case battery (up to 26 hours) than AirPods Pro 2
- Loses its best extras outside the Samsung ecosystem
Price in Pakistan, India, UAE, USA, UK
| Country | AirPods Pro 2 | Galaxy Buds3 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Pakistan (PKR) | — | — |
| India (INR) | — | — |
| UAE (AED) | — | — |
| USA (USD) | — | — |
| UK (GBP) | — | — |
Price note: no prices are given in this article, including for Pakistan, because no single verified figure was used and earbuds street prices vary by shop, stock and import route. Always check current local pricing from a trusted seller before buying, and be wary of unusually cheap listings — flagship earbuds are among the most counterfeited products on the market.
Kis Ke Liye Lena Chahiye, Kis Ke Liye Nahi
Buy AirPods Pro 2 if: you use an iPhone, you want the smoothest ANC and Adaptive Audio experience, or the hearing-aid feature matters to you.
Buy Galaxy Buds3 Pro if: you use a Samsung Galaxy phone, you want Galaxy AI features, or you prefer the blade/stem design and Samsung’s sound tuning.
Either works if: you just want great sound and noise cancelling for music and calls on any phone, and you are happy without ecosystem extras. In that case, buy whichever is cheaper or fits your ears better.
Buy neither if: your budget is tight — both are premium products, and our best wireless earbuds in Pakistan guide covers strong cheaper options that cover the basics well.
Final Verdict + Overall Rating
There is no single winner here, only a right answer for your phone. AirPods Pro 2 edge ahead on adaptive audio, total battery life and the hearing-aid feature, which is why they take the slightly higher rating. Galaxy Buds3 Pro are a superb alternative that Samsung owners should choose without hesitation. Match the earbuds to your phone and you get the best of either pair.
★★★★☆ Our Rating: AirPods Pro 2 8.8/10 | Galaxy Buds3 Pro 8.4/10
FAQs
1. Can I use AirPods Pro 2 with an Android phone?
Yes. They work as standard Bluetooth earbuds for music, calls and noise cancelling, but Apple-specific features like seamless device switching are not available.
2. Can I use Galaxy Buds3 Pro with an iPhone?
Yes, for basic listening and calls, but Galaxy AI features require a Samsung phone, so iPhone owners get less of the full experience.
3. Which has better battery life?
AirPods Pro 2, on total endurance: up to 30 hours with the case versus up to 26 hours for Galaxy Buds3 Pro. Per-charge listening is up to 6 hours on both.
4. Which has better noise cancelling?
Both are among the best available. AirPods Pro 2 have a slight edge in adaptive behaviour through Adaptive Audio, but the difference is small in everyday use.
5. Are these earbuds worth it over cheaper options?
If you value top-tier ANC, ecosystem features and sound quality, yes. If you only need solid everyday earbuds, cheaper options in our best wireless earbuds in Pakistan guide will serve you well for less.