Apple AirPods 4 (Active Noise Cancellation) / Samsung Galaxy Buds3 (SM-R530)

Apple AirPods 4 (Active Noise Cancellation): AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation; USB-C case with speaker and wireless charging. The AirPods 4 without ANC and the AirPods Pro models are separate.

Samsung Galaxy Buds3 (SM-R530): Galaxy Buds3 (SM-R530), silver or white. The tipped Galaxy Buds3 Pro (SM-R630) with light blades and the 2025 Buds3 FE are separate models.

SpecificationApple AirPods 4 (Active Noise Cancellation)Samsung Galaxy Buds3 (SM-R530)
Release year20242024
ChipApple H2 headphone chip Apple—
Noise controlActive Noise Cancellation, Transparency mode, Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness

Without ear tips the ear canal is not sealed like with silicone-tip earbuds, so ANC mainly reduces low-frequency rumble. Adaptive Audio blends ANC and Transparency based on surrounding sound.

Apple		—
AudioCustom high-excursion Apple driver; high dynamic range amplifier; Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking; Adaptive EQ; vent system for pressure equalisation Apple—
Microphones and sensorsDual beamforming microphones and inward-facing microphone; Voice Isolation; optical in-ear sensor; motion- and speech-detecting accelerometers; force sensor

The force sensor lets you press the stem to control playback, calls and listening modes.

Apple		—
Battery lifeEarbuds: 4 hours with ANC on, 5 hours with noise control off; with case: 20 hours with ANC on, 30 hours off; 5 minutes in the case ≈ 1 hour of listening AppleMusic: 5 hours ANC on (24 total with case), 6 hours ANC off (30 total); talk: 3.5 hours ANC on (18 total), 4 hours off (20 total)

These are Samsung’s internal tests with default settings paired to a Galaxy phone. Capacity is 48 mAh per earbud and 515 mAh in the case (typical).

Samsung
Charging caseCharges via USB-C, an Apple Watch charger or a Qi-certified charger; speaker for Find My

No USB-C cable is included. The speaker helps locate a lost case by sound.

Apple		—
DurabilityIP54 dust, sweat and water resistance

Not intended for water sports; resistance can decrease over time.

Apple		—
ConnectivityBluetooth 5.3

Works as standard Bluetooth earbuds with non-Apple devices; features such as automatic switching, Spatial Audio and Adaptive Audio need current Apple software.

Apple		—
Size and weightEarbud 30.2 × 18.3 × 18.1 mm, 4.3 g; case 46.2 × 50.1 × 21.2 mm, 34.7 g AppleEarbud 18.1 × 20.4 × 31.9 mm, 4.7 g; case 58.9 × 48.7 × 24.4 mm, 46.5 g Samsung
Design—Open-type stem earbuds without silicone tips; silver and white

The open design does not seal the ear canal, so it avoids a pressure feeling over long use but isolates less than tipped models. Fit varies with ear shape.

Samsung
Driver and microphones—11 mm dynamic driver (one-way); 3 mics + voice pickup unit (VPU) per earbud

The VPU picks up the wearer’s voice through bone vibration to help separate speech in noisy calls.

Samsung
Noise cancelling—Active noise cancelling (ANC) and ambient sound mode

ANC measures outside sound with microphones and produces an opposite wave to reduce steady hum; in an open design the effect is more limited than in sealed earbuds.

Samsung
Sound quality—UHQ 24-bit/96 kHz, 24-bit Hi-Fi, 360 Audio with Direct Multi-Channel

UHQ (24-bit/96 kHz) only works on certain Galaxy phones and tablets with One UI 6.1.1 or later (S24, S23, Z Fold6/Flip6, Z Fold5/Flip5, Tab S9 series); 24-bit Hi-Fi needs One UI 4.0 or later. Other devices use AAC or SBC.

Samsung
Connectivity and codecs—Bluetooth 5.4, Auto Switch; SSC HiFi, SSC UHQ, AAC, SBC

Samsung Seamless Codec (SSC) is Samsung’s own codec for higher-resolution wireless audio with Samsung devices. Auto Switch moves the connection between signed-in Galaxy devices automatically.

Samsung
Controls and sensors—Pinch and swipe (Force & Touch) controls; VPU, SWIR, accelerometer, Hall sensor

The SWIR infrared sensor detects whether an earbud is worn; the Hall sensor detects the case opening and closing.

Samsung
Water resistance—IP57 (earbuds only)

IP57 means dust-protected and resistant to brief immersion; the charging case is not covered.

Samsung
Compatibility—Android 10 or later with more than 1.5 GB of memory

Some features are not available on non-Samsung devices.

Samsung