When Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro ($189.99) launched in early 2024, they entered a mature wireless earbud market where standout features matter more than ever. The Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro ($129.99) arrived in late 2023, positioning itself as a value-focused competitor. Both products reflect how far wireless audio has come, with features that would have seemed impossible just a few years ago.
Today's wireless earbuds aren't just about playing music - they're sophisticated mini-computers that handle everything from noise cancellation to spatial audio processing. Before we dive into the specifics, let's understand what matters most in wireless earbuds in 2024:
The Galaxy Buds3 Pro and Liberty 4 Pro take different approaches to sound. Samsung opts for a balanced, refined sound signature that works well across music genres. They support Samsung's Seamless Codec, which provides high-quality audio when paired with Samsung devices - think of it like having a special high-speed lane just for Samsung products.
The Liberty 4 Pro, meanwhile, delivers a more dynamic sound with stronger bass. It supports LDAC - an advanced audio codec that can transmit about three times more data than standard Bluetooth audio. This means better sound quality, especially noticeable with high-resolution music services like Tidal or Amazon Music HD.
I've tested both extensively, and while the Galaxy Buds3 Pro sounds more natural, the Liberty 4 Pro's bigger sound is more exciting for genres like rock and hip-hop. For home theater use, I prefer the Samsung's more balanced approach for dialogue clarity.
Both products offer active noise cancellation (ANC), which uses microphones to detect external noise and create inverse sound waves to cancel it out. The Galaxy Buds3 Pro features more sophisticated noise cancellation with multiple microphones and advanced processing. In testing, it better handles variable noise like coffee shop chatter or train sounds.
The Liberty 4 Pro's noise cancellation is still effective but works best with consistent low-frequency noise like airplane engines or air conditioners. Both are significant improvements over their predecessors, showing how quickly this technology is advancing.
Here's where the Liberty 4 Pro really shines:
The Galaxy Buds3 Pro offers:
If you're using Samsung devices, the Galaxy Buds3 Pro offers several exclusive features:
The Liberty 4 Pro works equally well with all devices and includes some clever features:
Both sets of earbuds handle music beautifully, but they excel in different ways. The Galaxy Buds3 Pro's balanced sound makes acoustic music and vocals shine, while the Liberty 4 Pro's more dynamic presentation gives electronic and bass-heavy music more impact.
For home theater use, the Galaxy Buds3 Pro's head tracking and spatial audio create a more immersive experience when watching movies. The Liberty 4 Pro lacks head tracking but still delivers engaging sound for video content.
The Galaxy Buds3 Pro has a slight edge in call quality, with better wind noise reduction and clearer voice pickup. Both handles video calls well, but if you're frequently on calls, the Samsung option might be worth the extra investment.
The Galaxy Buds3 Pro's IP57 rating means they're fully protected against dust and can handle being submerged in water briefly. The Liberty 4 Pro's IPX5 rating protects against sweat and rain but isn't quite as robust.
Consider choosing the Galaxy Buds3 Pro if:
Go for the Liberty 4 Pro if:
Both products represent excellent choices in different segments of the market. The Galaxy Buds3 Pro justifies its higher price with premium features and seamless Samsung integration. The Liberty 4 Pro offers tremendous value with some technical advantages over its pricier competitor.
Remember, the best choice depends on your specific needs and how you'll use them. Consider your primary use cases, ecosystem preferences, and budget when making your decision. Both products show how far wireless audio has come and represent solid investments for different types of users.
| Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro $189.99 | Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro $129.99 |
|---|---|
| Price/Value Proposition - Your budget impact and feature value | |
| Premium price, ecosystem benefits | Better value, more features per dollar |
| Battery Life - How long you can use them without recharging | |
| 5-6 hours (buds), 20 hours total with case | 10 hours (buds), 40 hours total with case |
| Water Resistance - Protection for workouts and rain | |
| IP57 (fully waterproof) | IPX5 (splash resistant) |
| Audio Codec Support - Quality of wireless audio transmission | |
| Samsung Seamless (Samsung devices only), AAC, SBC | LDAC, AAC, SBC (better for high-res audio) |
| Noise Cancellation - Ability to block external sounds | |
| Advanced multi-mic system, better for variable noise | Good for constant noise, slightly less effective |
| Ecosystem Integration - Special features with specific devices | |
| Seamless Samsung integration, 360° audio, auto-switching | Universal compatibility, no ecosystem lock-in |
| Quick Charging - How fast you can top up battery | |
| 1 hour playback from 5 min charge | 4 hours playback from 5 min charge |
| Fit Options - Getting the right seal for comfort and sound | |
| 3 tip sizes, proprietary design | 6 tip sizes, standard design |
| Extra Features - Additional functionality that adds value | |
| Head tracking, voice detect, Samsung Find | Display on case, custom EQ, multipoint connection |
For home theater use, the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro ($189.99) has an advantage with its 360° audio and head tracking features, creating a more immersive experience. While the Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro ($129.99) offers good sound quality, it lacks spatial audio features for movies.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro costs $189.99, while the Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro is priced at $129.99, making it $60 less expensive.
The Liberty 4 Pro offers significantly better battery life with 10 hours per charge and 40 hours total with the case, while the Galaxy Buds3 Pro provides 5-6 hours per charge and 20 hours total.
Both can connect to TVs with Bluetooth capability. The Galaxy Buds3 Pro works especially well with Samsung TVs, offering lower latency and better integration. The Liberty 4 Pro works universally but may have slight audio delay.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro offers superior noise cancellation with its advanced multi-microphone system, particularly useful for home theater use in noisy environments. The Liberty 4 Pro still provides good noise cancellation but isn't quite as effective.
While both can be used for gaming, neither is specifically optimized for it due to potential Bluetooth latency. The Galaxy Buds3 Pro has lower latency when paired with Samsung devices.
The Liberty 4 Pro offers more fit options with six different ear tip sizes, while the Galaxy Buds3 Pro comes with three sizes. Personal comfort will vary, but more size options typically means better fit customization.
The Liberty 4 Pro supports multipoint connection for easy switching between devices. The Galaxy Buds3 Pro offers seamless switching, but only between Samsung devices.
Both offer excellent sound quality, but the Galaxy Buds3 Pro provides a more balanced, natural sound ideal for movies and TV shows. The Liberty 4 Pro offers stronger bass and supports LDAC for high-resolution audio.
Yes, both are excellent for late-night viewing. The Galaxy Buds3 Pro has an edge with its spatial audio features, while the Liberty 4 Pro offers longer battery life for extended viewing sessions.
Both work perfectly with all streaming services. The Galaxy Buds3 Pro offers enhanced integration with Samsung TVs and devices, while the Liberty 4 Pro provides universal compatibility.
If you have Samsung devices and prioritize spatial audio, choose the Galaxy Buds3 Pro. If you want better battery life and value for money, go with the Liberty 4 Pro. Both provide excellent audio quality for movie watching.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: head-fi.org - soundguys.com - yankodesign.com - youtube.com - techradar.com - phonearena.com - cdw.com - soundguys.com - youtube.com - samsung.com - cnet.com - samsung.com - bestbuy.com - soundcore.com - alwayswander.info - youtube.com - digitaltrends.com - gadgetoid.com - soundguys.com - laptopmag.com
