Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro vs Sony WF-1000XM5

Design & Build

The Sony WF-1000XM5 win the design category on paper. At 5.9g per earbud, they're compact and discreet, with a premium feel that reviewers consistently praise. According to What Hi-Fi?, the smaller design is "a significant improvement" over the XM4. The charging case is pocketable, and the overall aesthetic screams quality.

Apple's AirPods Pro 3 match Sony's weight at 5g per bud and maintain the familiar stem design that polarizes people. You either love the look or think it's dated. But here's what matters: the fit is comfortable enough for all-day wear without fatigue, according to multiple reviewers. The build quality is solid, though nothing groundbreaking for a third-generation product.

Samsung's Galaxy Buds4 Pro are the lightest and most comfortable for extended sessions, but there's a critical problem. CNET and Tom's Guide both flag the loose fit as a real concern. Tom's Guide specifically notes they "may fall out for some people," and that's a dealbreaker at $249. The charging case feels cheap and lacks water resistance, which is baffling for a flagship product.

Section Winner: Sony WF-1000XM5 for premium feel and compact design, though the AirPods Pro 3 deliver better real-world wearability.

Performance & Sound Quality

This is where things get interesting. The Sony WF-1000XM5 deliver what reviewers call "class-leading sound detail and clarity." Tom's Guide gave them 9.0/10, praising "outstanding sound quality" with exceptional detail and balanced musicality. What Hi-Fi? confirms they offer "class-leading detail" that audiophiles will appreciate. The 8.4mm drivers punch above their size, though the bass isn't as pronounced as some competitors.

Apple's AirPods Pro 3 show "noticeably richer and more detailed" sound than previous generations, according to reviewers. PCMag rated them 9.2/10, calling them the "best earbuds for Apple users." The sound quality improved meaningfully, with better instrument separation and vocal clarity. But here's the catch: there's no lossless audio support, which caps the quality ceiling for serious listeners.

Samsung's Galaxy Buds4 Pro deliver "excellent sound quality with natural, detailed vocals," per CNET's 8.5/10 review. The V-shaped sound profile emphasizes bass and treble in ways many listeners enjoy. The Verge confirms "excellent sound quality," but multiple reviewers note the sound doesn't quite reach Sony's level of refinement.

Section Winner: Sony WF-1000XM5 for pure audio fidelity, though the AirPods Pro 3 offer better overall balance for most listeners.

Active Noise Cancellation

The AirPods Pro 3 dominate this category decisively. RTINGS measured 90% noise reduction, which puts them at the absolute top tier of the earbud market. That's not marketing spin, that's measurable performance. Digital Trends' 9.1/10 review specifically highlights "improved ANC" as a standout feature, and Ars Technica confirms the ANC is "genuinely impressive."

Sony's WF-1000XM5 offer "excellent noise cancellation with refined AI-based noise reduction," according to reviewers. Tom's Guide praises the "strong noise cancelation," and RTINGS gave them 8.6/10 for "improved ANC." The AI-driven system adapts well to different environments, but it doesn't match Apple's raw reduction numbers.

Samsung's Galaxy Buds4 Pro trail both competitors here. Tom's Guide notes the ANC is "impressive" but "not best-in-class." Multiple reviewers confirm it's adequate for daily use but doesn't compete with Sony or Apple when you're on a plane or in a truly noisy environment. At $249, adequate isn't good enough.

Section Winner: Apple AirPods Pro 3 by a significant margin. The 90% noise reduction is measurably better than the competition.

Battery Life & Charging

Apple claims 30 hours total battery life with the charging case, which is the best on paper. But reviewers note the per-charge listening time "could be better for the price point." The charging speed is solid, and wireless charging works seamlessly with MagSafe accessories.

Samsung's Galaxy Buds4 Pro offer 11 hours of listening time, which is respectable but not exceptional. The charging case adds more juice, but reviewers don't rave about the battery performance the way they do with other features.

Sony's WF-1000XM5 deliver 8 hours per charge with 24 hours total from the case. Here's the problem: that's unchanged from the XM4, despite a $50 price increase. Reviewers consistently flag this as disappointing. The quick charge feature gives you an hour of playback in 3 minutes, which is genuinely useful, but the overall battery life is just adequate.

Section Winner: Apple AirPods Pro 3 for total battery capacity, though none of these earbuds are battery life champions.

Ecosystem Integration & Features

The AirPods Pro 3 offer "seamless integration with iPhone and Apple devices," according to every reviewer. Pairing is instant, switching between devices is effortless, and features like spatial audio and Find My work perfectly. PCMag's 9.2/10 rating specifically calls them the "best earbuds for Apple users." But if you use Android, you lose most of the advanced features and customization options.

Samsung's Galaxy Buds4 Pro deliver excellent features for Galaxy device owners, including spatial audio and AI voice controls. But here's the catch: the advanced features are locked to recent Samsung Galaxy devices. The Verge notes this limitation, and it's frustrating when you're paying $249 for earbuds that don't work fully with all Android phones.

Sony's WF-1000XM5 offer the richest feature set that works across platforms. You get 360 Reality Audio, multipoint Bluetooth, and extensive customization through the Sony Headphones app. RTINGS praises the feature set, though some reviewers note the 360 Reality Audio personalization setup is "flaky and inconsistent."

Section Winner: Apple AirPods Pro 3 for Apple users, Sony WF-1000XM5 for platform-agnostic features.

Call Quality & Microphones

Samsung's Galaxy Buds4 Pro excel here. CNET's 8.5/10 review specifically highlights "excellent voice-calling performance," and reviewers consistently praise how the microphones pick up your voice clearly while keeping background noise at bay. If you spend hours on video calls, these are the earbuds you want.

Apple's AirPods Pro 3 deliver solid call quality that works well in most environments. The beam-forming microphones handle wind noise reasonably well, and voice clarity is good. But reviewers don't single out call quality as a standout feature the way they do with Samsung.

Sony's WF-1000XM5 offer decent call quality, but it's not a strength. Reviewers note the microphones work fine for occasional calls but don't match Samsung or Apple for regular use.

Section Winner: Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro for best-in-class call quality.

Value for Money

This is where the business math gets brutal. The Sony WF-1000XM5 launched at $298, a $50 increase over the XM4, with unchanged battery life and a fit that requires constant adjustment. Reviewers consistently question whether the incremental improvements justify the premium. At the current Amazon price of $246.92, they're more palatable, but a new model is coming in a few months.

Samsung's Galaxy Buds4 Pro cost $249 with a loose fit that worries reviewers, ANC that trails competitors, and advanced features locked to Samsung devices. The sound and call quality are excellent, but the compromises are hard to justify at this price.

Apple's AirPods Pro 3 are $209.99 on Amazon, down from the $249.99 MSRP. At that price, you're getting best-in-class ANC, improved sound quality, and seamless Apple integration. Yes, you're locked into the Apple ecosystem, and yes, there's no lossless audio. But if you have an iPhone, the value proposition is straightforward: these are the earbuds that work best with your phone, and they're currently $40 cheaper than the competition.

Section Winner: Apple AirPods Pro 3 at the current $209.99 Amazon price.

Who Should Buy What?

Get the Apple AirPods Pro 3 if you have an iPhone and want earbuds that just work. The 90% noise reduction is genuinely best-in-class, the sound quality is noticeably improved, and the seamless integration with Apple devices is worth the ecosystem lock-in. At $209.99 on Amazon, they're the best value in this comparison.

Get the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro if you spend hours on video calls and own a recent Samsung Galaxy phone. The call quality is exceptional, and the sound is excellent. But be aware of the loose fit concerns, and don't expect the advanced features to work fully with non-Samsung devices.

Get the Sony WF-1000XM5 if you're an audiophile who prioritizes sound detail above everything else and doesn't mind fiddling with the fit. The class-leading audio clarity is real, and the feature set works across platforms. But wait for the new model if you can, since it's coming in a few months and the current version is nearly two years old.

Final Verdict

The Apple AirPods Pro 3 win this comparison decisively. The 9.1/10 aggregate rating from professional reviewers tells the story: these are the most well-rounded premium earbuds you can buy right now. The 90% noise reduction is measurably better than the competition, the sound quality improved meaningfully over previous generations, and the seamless Apple integration delivers real daily value.

Yes, the Sony WF-1000XM5 offer slightly better sound detail for audiophiles. Yes, the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro deliver superior call quality. But both have critical compromises. Sony's fit requires constant adjustment, and a new model is imminent. Samsung's loose fit and ecosystem limitations undermine the $249 price.

The AirPods Pro 3 don't win every individual category, but they win the categories that matter most: noise cancellation, overall sound quality, comfort, and value at the current $209.99 Amazon price. If you have an iPhone, this isn't a close call. These are the earbuds you should buy.