The price of the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro has dropped sharply compared to the rival AirPods 5

At $149.99, the Buds3 Pro are clearly in the price range most people compare to the shortlist of best wireless earbuds, a range usually reserved for older or entry-level models rather than the current flagship pair.

Adaptive active noise cancellation powered by Galaxy AI is the main feature of the Buds3 Pro, which automatically mutes crowded trains or a noisy office without having to fiddle with settings as the environment changes throughout the day.

Galaxy AI also drives an adaptive equalizer here, tuning the sound to how the Buds actually sit in your ears, rather than applying a generic profile for all listeners, so the same pair will sound noticeably different depending on who’s wearing them.

Samsung’s ecosystem thinking also includes automatic switching between Galaxy phones and Galaxy PCs, eliminating the usual awkwardness of reconnecting Bluetooth every time you switch from a laptop to a call, which is all the more important the more devices someone juggles on a daily basis.

Battery life is about six hours with noise canceling on, seven hours with it off, and the case lasts for roughly 20 hours before needing a proper charge. Wireless fast charging restores several hours of listening time on a bench in just a few minutes.

Touch controls manage calls, tracks and volume without touching the phone, and the IP57 rating means they can handle sweat, rain and the occasional drop during a workout or commute in inclement weather.

With touch controls and IP57 durability covering the everyday bases, the real question is why pay Apple’s price for AirPods Pro when you can get Galaxy AI for $149.99 on a 4.5-star pair backed by nearly 4,000 reviews while the discount lasts?