Samsung Galaxy Buds3 (SM-R530) / Apple AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C)

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.

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.

SpecificationSamsung Galaxy Buds3 (SM-R530)Apple AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C)
Release year20242023
DesignOpen-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
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Driver and microphones11 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
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Noise cancellingActive 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
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Sound qualityUHQ 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
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Connectivity and codecsBluetooth 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
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Controls and sensorsPinch 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
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Battery lifeMusic: 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
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
Water resistanceIP57 (earbuds only)

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

Samsung
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CompatibilityAndroid 10 or later with more than 1.5 GB of memory

Some features are not available on non-Samsung devices.

Samsung
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Size and weightEarbud 18.1 × 20.4 × 31.9 mm, 4.7 g; case 58.9 × 48.7 × 24.4 mm, 46.5 g SamsungEarbud 30.9 × 21.8 × 24.0 mm, 5.3 g; case 45.2 × 60.6 × 21.7 mm, 50.8 g Apple
Chip—Apple H2 in the earbuds; Apple U1 in the case

The U1 chip lets Find My show the direction and distance of the case precisely.

Apple
Sound and noise control—Custom high-excursion Apple driver and amplifier; Active Noise Cancellation; Adaptive Audio; Transparency mode; Conversation Awareness; Voice Isolation

Adaptive Audio blends ANC and Transparency based on surrounding noise; Conversation Awareness lowers the music when you start speaking.

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

The Hearing Test runs with a compatible iPhone; availability depends on country and software version.

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
Case charging—MagSafe charger, Apple Watch charger, Qi-certified chargers or USB-C

The case has a speaker for Find My and a lanyard loop.

Apple
Durability—Earbuds and case rated IP54 for dust, sweat and water

IP54 protects against splashes and sweat but not immersion, and resistance can decrease over time.

Apple
Connectivity—Bluetooth 5.3

With non-Apple devices they work as basic Bluetooth earbuds; most settings need an Apple device.

Apple
Ear tips—Silicone; XS, S, M, L Apple