I’ve used the AirPods Pro 3 for months — here are 5 features Samsung and Google should steal
Introduction: The Premium Audio Gap in the Android Ecosystem
As audio technology evolves at a breakneck pace, the true wireless stereo (TWS) market has become the primary battleground for tech giants. We have spent months rigorously testing the latest iterations of flagship earbuds, specifically the Apple AirPods Pro 3, while simultaneously analyzing the current offerings from Samsung and Google. While the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro and Google Pixel Buds Pro offer competent sound and decent noise cancellation, a significant gap remains in user experience and software integration. This gap is defined by features that prioritize seamless interaction, health monitoring, and intelligent audio manipulation. In this comprehensive analysis, we will dissect the five specific features found in the AirPods Pro 3 ecosystem that we believe Samsung and Google must adopt immediately to remain competitive. These are not merely conveniences; they represent the future of how we interact with auditory technology.
The objective of this article is to provide a technical roadmap for Android manufacturers. By borrowing these specific mechanisms, Samsung and Google can elevate their audio hardware from “accessories” to “essential wearable extensions” of their respective mobile operating systems. For enthusiasts who rely on custom firmware to maximize device potential—such as those frequenting the Magisk Module Repository at Magisk Modules—system-level integration is paramount. The following sections explore the technical specifications and user benefits of these features in exhaustive detail.
1. Personalized Spatial Audio with Dynamic Head Tracking
The Immersive Soundstage
One of the most distinct differentiators we experienced with the AirPods Pro 3 is the implementation of Personalized Spatial Audio. While many Android earbuds claim to support spatial audio, Apple’s approach utilizes a sophisticated scanning process via the TrueDepth camera on the iPhone to create a 3D map of the user’s ears. This allows the audio profile to be tailored specifically to the unique geometry of the listener’s ear canals. The result is a soundstage that feels fixed in space rather than trapped inside the head.
Dynamic Head Tracking Mechanics
The true magic lies in Dynamic Head Tracking. Utilizing a suite of sensors including accelerometers and gyroscopes, the earbuds adjust the frequencies of sounds in real-time as the user moves their head. If you are watching a movie and turn your head to look at a passing car, the sound of that car remains anchored to its position on the screen. This creates a profound sense of presence that static stereo imaging cannot replicate.
The Android Gap
Currently, Android implementations of spatial audio rely heavily on generic software approximations or basic Dolby Atmos upmixing. While Samsung has made strides with 360 Audio, it lacks the hardware-level personalization found in the AirPods Pro 3. Without the user-specific ear geometry data, the sound field feels smeared and less precise. We propose that Google and Samsung integrate ARCore and LiDAR scanning technology into their respective flagship phones to build a personal hearing profile. This profile should be stored securely on the device and processed in real-time by the earbud’s DSP (Digital Signal Processor) to deliver a truly immersive, cinema-grade experience that adapts to the listener’s movements.
Implementation for Android OEMs
To match the AirPods Pro 3, Samsung and Google must move beyond simple channel rotation. They need to implement binaural rendering engines that account for Head-Related Transfer Functions (HRTF) customized to the user. This would require a calibration process within the companion apps—similar to the “Ear ID” scan—where the user moves their head while the phone tracks them via the camera. The resulting data would drive the earbuds’ drivers with pinpoint accuracy, offering a competitive edge in gaming and media consumption.
2. Advanced Hearing Health Integration and Protection
The Hearing Aid Paradigm Shift
With the AirPods Pro 3, Apple has officially pivoted towards health monitoring, transforming the earbud into a clinical-grade device. The inclusion of a clinical-grade Hearing Aid feature (pending regulatory approval in various regions) and Hearing Protection is a watershed moment. We utilized the built-in hearing test, which plays specific tones to map hearing sensitivity across frequencies. The results generate a personalized audiogram that the device uses to amplify specific frequencies where the user has mild to moderate hearing loss.
Continuous Environmental Monitoring
Beyond amplification, the AirPods Pro 3 continuously monitors environmental sound levels. If the user is in a loud environment—exceeding safe decibel thresholds—the earbuds engage active noise cancellation (ANC) to protect the ear while still allowing critical sounds to pass through. This is not just volume limiting; it is intelligent frequency management to prevent noise-induced hearing loss.
The Android Gap
Samsung and Google health ecosystems are robust, yet they lack this granular, real-time auditory health integration. The Galaxy Watch tracks heart rate and sleep, but it does not communicate with Galaxy Buds to protect the user’s hearing during a live concert or a commute on a loud subway train. Google Fit can aggregate data, but it cannot initiate a hearing test or adjust audio output based on a hearing deficiency.
Proposed Implementation
Samsung and Google must develop a “Hearing Wellness” suite. This should start with a calibrated hearing test within the “Galaxy Wearable” or “Google Pixel Buds” app. The data should inform a “Safe Sound” algorithm that dynamically compresses loud peaks without ruining dynamic range. Furthermore, an “Amplify Speech” mode should be developed that functions as an assistive listening device, filtering out background noise and boosting human speech frequencies based on the user’s specific audiogram. This moves the device from a media player to a genuine health tool.
3. The Magic of Voice Isolation and Conversation Awareness
Intelligent Noise Suppression
The Voice Isolation feature on the AirPods Pro 3 utilizes advanced machine learning models running on the H2 chip to distinguish the user’s voice from ambient noise. In practice, this means that during a phone call, the earbuds aggressively filter out wind, traffic, and cafe chatter, transmitting only the frequencies characteristic of the user’s vocal cords. The clarity is startling; to the caller, it sounds as if the user is speaking into a dedicated studio microphone.
Adaptive Conversation Awareness
Complementing Voice Isolation is Conversation Awareness. This feature detects when the user begins speaking. It instantly pauses media playback and engages Transparency Mode, allowing the user to hear their conversation partner clearly. Once the user stops speaking, playback resumes. Unlike previous iterations, the AirPods Pro 3 version is remarkably fast and resists false triggers from non-speech noises or coughs.
The Android Gap
Samsung and Google have “Voice Detect” and “Conversation Detection,” but they are often inconsistent. We have found that Samsung’s implementation can be too slow to resume playback, and Google’s can trigger accidentally when the user hums or coughs. Furthermore, the baseline microphone quality on many Android earbuds still allows significant background noise to bleed through, especially in windy conditions.
Proposed Implementation
To catch up, Samsung and Google need to invest in neural processing units (NPUs) within their earbuds dedicated solely to voice separation. The algorithms must be trained on diverse voice pitches and accents. A “Work Mode” should be introduced where Voice Isolation is maximized for calls, and a “Social Mode” where Conversation Awareness is tuned to detect specific frequency bands associated with human speech, ignoring other sounds. The transition between modes must be seamless, with zero latency, to match the fluidity of the Apple experience.
4. Seamless Ecosystem Handoff and Multipoint Connectivity
The “Invisible” Connection
The Automatic Switching feature of the AirPods Pro 3 is the gold standard of multipoint connectivity. If we are listening to music on an iPad and a call comes in on an iPhone, the audio source switches instantly without user intervention. The transition is so smooth that it feels like the earbuds are not connected to multiple devices, but rather connected to a single cloud consciousness. The H2 chip facilitates low-energy Bluetooth connections that maintain a “standby” link with all devices in the Apple ID account.
Context-Aware Audio Routing
The system is context-aware. It knows if you are actively watching a video on a Mac and prioritizes that connection, but it also knows when you put the Mac to sleep and pick up the iPhone, instantly routing audio to the phone. This eliminates the tedious process of disconnecting from one device to pair with another.
The Android Gap
While Google has adopted the Bluetooth LE Audio standard and Samsung has Auto Switch, the experience is often fragmented. Google’s implementation works best within the Pixel ecosystem but struggles with Windows or other Android tablets. Samsung’s Auto Switch is restrictive, often requiring the user to manually toggle settings between devices, and it is notoriously buggy when switching between a Samsung tablet and a Samsung phone.
Proposed Implementation
Samsung and Google must standardize a Universal Audio Handoff protocol. This should be an OS-level feature in Android that mimics Apple’s ecosystem approach. It requires deep collaboration with chipmakers like Qualcomm to ensure low-latency standby connections. Furthermore, true multipoint connectivity should allow simultaneous audio streaming to two different sources (e.g., a laptop for a meeting and a phone for background music) with independent volume controls. This level of flexibility is essential for the modern multitasking professional.
5. Precision Finding with U1 Chip Technology
Ultra-Wideband (UWB) Tracking
Losing earbuds is a common pain point due to their small size. Apple solved this with the U1 Ultra-Wideband chip in the charging case. Unlike standard Bluetooth tracking (which only provides a rough proximity signal), UWB offers spatial awareness. In the “Find My” app, we can see the precise location of the AirPods Pro 3 case on a map, and when in close range, the interface displays an arrow pointing to the exact direction and distance (e.g., “2 feet to the left”).
Visual and Audio Locating
If the earbuds are inside the case, the case itself can be instructed to play a sound. If the case is open, the individual earbuds can beep. This multi-layered locating system ensures that even if the earbuds are buried in a couch cushion or inside a backpack, they can be recovered efficiently.
The Android Gap
Samsung and Google utilize Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) for their “Find My Device” network. While effective for stationary items like keys or wallets, BLE is imprecise for locating a device within the same room. Samsung offers “SmartThings Find,” which uses a combination of BLE and UWB on select devices, but it is not universally integrated across the mid-range or older Galaxy lineup, and it lacks the “augmented reality” visual overlay that Apple provides.
Proposed Implementation
To truly match the AirPods Pro 3, Google must mandate UWB support in its Pixel ecosystem, and Samsung must make it a standard feature across all Galaxy Buds cases, not just the Pro tier. The “Find My Device” network needs a visual AR interface that overlays the location of the earbuds on the camera feed of the smartphone. Furthermore, a “Community Find” feature (similar to Apple’s network of hundreds of millions of devices) needs to be leveraged to locate lost earbuds even when they are offline, by anonymously pinging off other Android users’ phones in the vicinity.
Conclusion: The Path Forward for Android Audio
The AirPods Pro 3 sets a benchmark that goes beyond sound quality; it defines the standard for intelligent audio integration. The five features discussed—Personalized Spatial Audio, Hearing Health Integration, Voice Isolation, Seamless Ecosystem Handoff, and Precision Finding—are not isolated tricks. They represent a holistic approach where hardware, software, and AI work in unison to reduce friction and enhance safety.
We believe that Samsung and Google have the technical capability to replicate and even improve upon these features. The hardware is largely present; the gap lies in the software polish and ecosystem maturity. By prioritizing these specific areas, Android OEMs can close the experience gap. For the user base that frequents platforms like Magisk Modules and relies on the Magisk Module Repository to customize their Android experience, these features should ideally be implemented at the system level, allowing for deeper customization and integration with custom ROMs and kernels.
The future of personal audio is not just about drivers and codecs; it is about awareness. The earbuds of the future must be aware of the user’s environment, their hearing health, their location, and the devices they use. It is time for the Android ecosystem to steal this playbook and write the next chapter of wearable audio technology.