🍎 iPhone Pick
Apple AirPods 4
$129 / Amazon
ANCNo (std. version)
Battery (bud)5 hrs
Total w/ case30 hrs
Bluetooth5.3
ChipH2
DesignOpen-ear (no tips)
IP RatingIP54
Weight4.3g per bud
🤖 Android Pick
Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE
$149 / Amazon
ANCYes
Battery (bud)6H (ANC) / 8.5H
Total w/ case24H (ANC) / 30H
Bluetooth5.4
Driver11mm Dynamic
DesignIn-ear (with tips)
IP RatingIP54
WeightNot specified
Few matchups in the earbud world generate more debate than Apple vs Samsung. Both companies sell earbuds that work brilliantly within their own ecosystems — and frustratingly outside of them. The AirPods 4 (standard) at $129 and the Galaxy Buds3 FE at around $149 are both solid picks, but they are fundamentally different products built around different philosophies.
The single biggest thing to understand going into this comparison: the standard AirPods 4 has no Active Noise Cancellation. The Galaxy Buds3 FE does. That one difference shapes almost every other comparison in this article.
📋 Considering a different pair? See our full Top 10 Wireless Earbuds Under $100 ranked list — verified specs, honest rankings.
Round by Round Breakdown
Every category that matters, judged honestly.
Round 1
Design & Fit
This is the most polarizing difference between the two. AirPods 4 use an open-ear design — no silicone tips, nothing creating a seal in your ear canal. They sit lightly and feel remarkably airy. Some people love this; others find them fall out easily or can't get a secure fit. The Galaxy Buds3 FE use a traditional in-ear design with silicone tips that seal inside the ear. This creates better passive noise isolation and a more secure fit, especially during exercise. Which is "better" is genuinely subjective — but the Galaxy's fit is more universally reliable.
Winner
Depends on you
Round 2
Noise Cancellation
This round isn't close. The Galaxy Buds3 FE has active noise cancellation built in. The standard AirPods 4 does not — full stop. If you commute, travel, or work in noisy environments, this is a decisive factor. The AirPods 4 open-ear design actually lets in more sound by design. For some people (cyclists, those needing situational awareness) that's a feature. For most people who want focus, it's a significant disadvantage.
Winner
Galaxy Buds3 FE
Round 3
Battery Life
According to Apple's official specs, the AirPods 4 deliver 5 hours per charge and up to 30 hours total with the case. The Galaxy Buds3 FE gives 6 hours with ANC on (8.5 hours ANC off) and 24 hours total with ANC on (30 hours without). At similar total case battery, the Galaxy wins per-bud battery — and it achieves that with ANC running. The AirPods fall short per charge. Both offer around 30 hours when ANC isn't involved.
Winner
Galaxy Buds3 FE
Round 4
Sound Quality
Apple's custom high-excursion driver with the H2 chip, Adaptive EQ, and Personalized Spatial Audio with head tracking is genuinely impressive technology. For iPhone users streaming on Apple Music or Spotify, the sound is clean, well-balanced, and immersive. The Galaxy Buds3 FE pack a larger 11mm dynamic driver in an in-ear design, which naturally produces deeper bass thanks to the ear canal seal. For pure audiophile detail, the AirPods' spatial audio advantage is real — but only on Apple devices. On Android, the Galaxy wins on warmth and bass.
Winner
Depends on device
Round 5
Ecosystem & Features
AirPods 4 with the H2 chip offer instant one-tap pairing with any Apple device, automatic switching between iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch, Siri with hands-free "Hey Siri" and head-nod gestures, and deep iOS integration. On Android, the AirPods lose nearly all of these features and become basic Bluetooth earbuds. The Galaxy Buds3 FE integrate deeply with Samsung devices — Galaxy AI, auto-switching, and the Galaxy Wearable app. Outside Samsung, most features still work better than AirPods on Android.
Winner
AirPods 4 (iOS)
Round 6
Call Quality
Apple equips the AirPods 4 with dual beamforming microphones plus an inward-facing microphone and a speech-detecting accelerometer — the H2 chip processes all of this with Voice Isolation to suppress background noise. Call quality on iPhone is excellent. The Galaxy Buds3 FE also handles calls well, particularly on Samsung devices. In noisy environments the Galaxy's physical ear seal helps your voice come through more cleanly. Both are above average for their price range.
Winner
Tie
Round 7
Water Resistance
Both earbuds carry an IP54 rating according to their official spec sheets — protection against dust and water splashes. This makes both suitable for sweaty workouts and light rain. Neither is rated for swimming. Equal footing here.
Winner
Tie — both IP54
Full Specs Comparison
All data sourced directly from official Apple and Samsung spec sheets.
| Spec | AirPods 4 (Standard) | Galaxy Buds3 FE |
|---|---|---|
| Price (approx.) | $129 | $149 |
| Active Noise Cancellation | No | Yes |
| Design | Open-ear (no tips) | In-ear (silicone tips) |
| Driver | Custom Apple driver | 11mm Dynamic Driver |
| Chip / Processor | H2 chip | — |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.4 |
| Audio codec | AAC | AAC / SBC (Samsung Scalable) |
| Spatial Audio | Yes (head tracking) | — |
| Battery per charge | 5 hrs | 6H (ANC) / 8.5H |
| Total with case | 30 hrs | 24H (ANC) / 30H |
| Quick charge | 5 min = 1 hr | — |
| IP Rating | IP54 | IP54 |
| Weight per bud | 4.3g | Not specified |
| Charging | USB-C | USB-C |
| Wireless charging | No | — |
| Voice assistant | Siri (hands-free) | Bixby / Google |
| Wear detection | Yes (optical sensor) | — |
| Best for | iPhone users | Android users |
Pros & Cons
✅ AirPods 4 Pros
What we love
- +Seamless iPhone / Apple ecosystem integration
- +Personalized Spatial Audio with head tracking
- +Featherlight at 4.3g — most comfortable option
- +H2 chip — excellent call quality & processing
- +Open-ear feel — great for situational awareness
❌ AirPods 4 Cons
What to watch out for
- −No ANC on the standard version
- −Only 5 hrs battery per charge
- −Open-ear design — no noise isolation
- −Near-useless on Android devices
- −No wireless charging (standard version)
✅ Galaxy Buds3 FE Pros
What we love
- +Active Noise Cancellation included
- +In-ear seal — real passive + active isolation
- +6H battery with ANC on
- +Bluetooth 5.4 — latest standard
- +Works well with all Android phones
❌ Galaxy Buds3 FE Cons
What to watch out for
- −Best features limited to Samsung devices
- −No H2 chip-level processing
- −No Spatial Audio with head tracking
- −Slightly higher price
- −In-ear tips not for everyone
Who Should Buy Each One?
Buy AirPods 4 if...
- You use an iPhone as your primary phone
- You own multiple Apple devices (iPad, Mac, Watch)
- You don't need ANC — or prefer open-ear awareness
- You want the lightest, most comfortable fit possible
- You use Spatial Audio on Apple Music or streaming apps
- You want effortless one-tap pairing with Apple devices
Buy Galaxy Buds3 FE if...
- You have an Android phone (any brand)
- Active Noise Cancellation is important to you
- You commute, fly, or work in noisy environments
- You prefer a secure in-ear seal during workouts
- You want more battery life per charge
- You're on a Samsung Galaxy device for the deepest integration
Final Verdict
This comparison ultimately comes down to one question: what phone do you have?
The AirPods 4 are among the best earbuds ever made — for iPhone users. The H2 chip, Personalized Spatial Audio, instant switching across Apple devices, and hands-free Siri create an experience Android earbuds simply can't replicate. At 4.3g, they're also featherlight. If you're in the Apple ecosystem, they're a natural fit.
The Galaxy Buds3 FE wins on the merits that matter to most earbud buyers: it has ANC (the AirPods 4 standard doesn't), a proper in-ear fit that actually isolates sound, more battery per charge, and it works properly with any Android device. For most non-iPhone users, it's the stronger buy on paper.
⚠️ One final reminder: if you want AirPods with ANC, Apple sells that model separately at a higher price. Make sure you're buying the right version.
AIRPODS 4
9.2
⭐ Best for iPhone users
GALAXY BUDS3 FE
8.7
Best for Android + ANC
Frequently Asked Questions
Do AirPods 4 have Active Noise Cancellation?
The standard AirPods 4 (reviewed here) does not have ANC. Apple sells a separate model — AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation — at a higher price point. Always double-check which version you're buying before purchasing.
Will AirPods 4 work with Android phones?
Technically yes — they'll pair as basic Bluetooth earbuds. But you lose Siri, automatic device switching, instant pairing, Spatial Audio, and most smart features. On Android, AirPods are an expensive pair of earbuds with limited functionality. The Galaxy Buds3 FE is a far better choice for Android users.
Which is better for working out — AirPods 4 or Galaxy Buds3 FE?
Both carry an IP54 water resistance rating, making both suitable for sweaty workouts. The Galaxy Buds3 FE's in-ear design creates a more secure physical fit, which many gym users prefer during intense movement. The AirPods' open-ear design can shift or fall out for some users during high-intensity exercise.
Which has better sound quality?
On iPhone with Apple Music, the AirPods 4 with Personalized Spatial Audio and head tracking produces a genuinely impressive, immersive soundstage. On Android or for bass-heavy listening, the Galaxy Buds3 FE's 11mm in-ear driver produces more powerful bass due to the physical ear seal. Neither is definitively better — it depends on your device and listening preferences.
How does the Galaxy Buds3 FE differ from the original Galaxy Buds FE?
The Galaxy Buds3 FE is Samsung's updated version with Bluetooth 5.4 (vs 5.2), refined ANC, and an updated design. If you're shopping, make sure you're comparing the correct model generation — the Buds3 FE is the newer release.
Which is better value — AirPods 4 or Galaxy Buds3 FE?
For iPhone users, AirPods 4 are outstanding value at $129 — the ecosystem integration alone justifies the price. For Android users, the Galaxy Buds3 FE offers ANC, better isolation, and more battery for around $149, making it the better value for non-Apple users. Neither is a bad purchase in its intended ecosystem.
📋 Not sure either of these is right for you? Check out our full Top 10 Wireless Earbuds Under $100 — including our #1 overall pick, the Sony WF-C700N.