Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE (SM-R420): Galaxy Buds3 FE, SM-R420 (2025); Black and Gray. Sealed in-ear design with silicone tips. The tipless semi-open Galaxy Buds3, the Buds3 Pro and the original 2023 Galaxy Buds FE are separate models.
Apple AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C): AirPods Pro 2 with MagSafe Charging Case (USB-C); 2023 version. The 2022 Lightning-case version has the same earbuds but a different case; AirPods Pro 3 is a separate model.
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE (SM-R420) | Apple AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) |
|---|---|---|
| Release year | 2025 | 2023 |
| Design and fit | Sealed in-ear design, silicone tips (three sizes), stem body; earbud 18.0 × 21.1 × 33.8 mm, 5 g (with M tip); case 58.9 × 48.7 × 24.4 mm, 41.8 g Samsung | — |
| Driver and microphones | 1-way dynamic driver; 3 microphones per earbud Samsung | — |
| Noise control | Active noise cancelling (ANC) and ambient sound Samsung | — |
| Connectivity and codecs | Bluetooth 5.4, Auto Switch; SSC (Samsung Seamless Codec), AAC, SBC Samsung | — |
| Battery | Earbud 53 mAh, case 515 mAh (typical); music: 6 h / 24 h total with ANC on, 8.5 h / 30 h total with ANC off; talk: 4 h / 18 h total Samsung | — |
| Sensors and controls | Proximity, Hall, touch and pressure sensors; pinch/swipe controls on the stem Samsung | — |
| Water resistance | IP54 (earbuds only) Samsung | — |
| Compatibility | Android 11 or later with more than 1.5 GB of RAM Samsung | — |
| Chip | — | Apple H2 in the earbuds; Apple U1 in the case Apple |
| Sound and noise control | — | Custom high-excursion Apple driver and amplifier; Active Noise Cancellation; Adaptive Audio; Transparency mode; Conversation Awareness; Voice Isolation Apple |
| Spatial audio and EQ | — | Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking; Adaptive EQ; vent system for pressure equalisation Apple |
| Hearing health | — | Hearing Test; Loud Sound Reduction Apple |
| Microphones and sensors | — | Dual beamforming microphones and an inward-facing microphone; skin-detect sensor; motion- and speech-detecting accelerometers; touch control Apple |
| Controls | — | Press once: play/pause, calls; twice: skip forward; three times: skip back; press and hold: switch modes; swipe: volume Apple |
| Battery life | — | Up to 6 hours per charge with ANC (5.5 hours with Spatial Audio); up to 30 hours total with the case; about 1 hour from 5 minutes of charging Apple |
| Case charging | — | MagSafe charger, Apple Watch charger, Qi-certified chargers or USB-C Apple |
| Durability | — | Earbuds and case rated IP54 for dust, sweat and water Apple |
| Connectivity | — | Bluetooth 5.3 Apple |
| Size and weight | — | Earbud 30.9 × 21.8 × 24.0 mm, 5.3 g; case 45.2 × 60.6 × 21.7 mm, 50.8 g Apple |
| Ear tips | — | Silicone; XS, S, M, L Apple |