Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 3 and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are the first from the company to feature stem designs, sparking some comments about their resemblance to Apple AirPods. While the comparison holds some truth, the real test lies in their fit, sound, and performance, where they excel. However, I did find a few minor issues.
The Galaxy Buds 3 ($180) are designed as open buds, similar to AirPods 3, catering to those who dislike in-ear tips. The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro ($250) are noise-isolating, akin to AirPods Pro 2. Both models come in silver or white and are priced similarly to their AirPods counterparts, placing them in the premium earbuds category. Their battery life is comparable too, with both offering up to 6 hours without noise canceling and 5 hours with it.
Equipped with Bluetooth 5.4, both models are IP57 rated for water and dust resistance, and support LE audio and Samsung’s 360 audio feature. The IP57 rating means they’re not fully waterproof but can withstand water sprays.
Galaxy Buds 3 Pro Design
The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro’s design has been critiqued for its lack of uniqueness, but the case feels solid, and the buds don’t look cheaper than AirPods. Samsung’s stem design, which they call blades, features an angular look reminiscent of the Tesla Cybertruck, particularly in silver.
Samsung’s testing found the blade design to offer a better fit for most people, addressing previous fit issues with Galaxy Buds Live and Galaxy Buds Pro 2. Both I and fellow editor Lisa Eadicicco found them lightweight and comfortable. Achieving a tight seal is crucial for optimal sound and noise-canceling performance, which can be tested using the Galaxy Wear app. While I passed the seal test with the largest ear tips, a slightly larger option would have been nice since the custom-designed tips make finding alternatives tricky.
The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro feature lights in their blades, useful for pairing mode indication and the Find My feature. The lights can also be activated by pinching and holding each bud, allowing you to walk around with them lit if you like.
These earbuds have pinch controls similar to AirPods and swipe controls for volume adjustment, which work well.
Features
The Galaxy Buds 3 and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro share many features, including active noise canceling and identical cases offering wireless and USB-C charging with a dedicated Bluetooth button for easier pairing. The Buds 3 Pro have additional features like ear-detection sensors and support for LE audio and Auracast, allowing for Bluetooth broadcasts in public places.
I tested the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro with both an iPhone 14 Pro and Samsung’s Galaxy Flip 5. While the audio didn’t switch automatically between the iPhone and Flip 5, Samsung users benefit from automatic pairing and switching between Galaxy devices, including laptops.
The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro’s ambient mode, adjustable in levels, sounded natural without hiss. They also feature Adaptive Noise Control, Siren Detect, and Voice Detect, which adjust the sound automatically based on the environment. The Voice Detect feature lowers the audio volume and activates ambient mode when you start talking, useful for conversations.
Samsung’s exclusive Interpreter feature, part of Galaxy AI, works with the Buds 3 series, allowing real-time translation during lectures or classes, for instance.
Noise-Canceling Performance
The active noise canceling on the Buds 3 Pro is good, comparable to the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, though slightly behind AirPods Pro 2, Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, and Sony WF-1000XM5. In various environments, including the NYC subway, the Buds 3 Pro performed well, though the competing models slightly outperformed them in muffling noise.
For effective noise canceling, a tight seal with the ear tips is crucial. The Galaxy Buds 3’s active noise canceling, however, is minimal due to their open design, making the Buds 3 Pro the better choice for true noise canceling.
Sound Quality
Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 3 Pro feature dual drivers (a 10mm dynamic driver and a Planar tweeter) for improved treble and bass. They also have dual amps, enhancing wireless performance. Compared to the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, the Buds 3 Pro sound better, with superior treble clarity, bass definition, and overall sound accuracy.
In my tests, the Buds 3 Pro sounded slightly better than the AirPods Pro 2, offering more dynamic and punchy sound with good stereo separation and openness. Android users can tweak the sound using the Galaxy Wear app’s equalizer, though iPhone users don’t have this option.
Both Galaxy Buds models support the Samsung Seamless Codec for high-resolution audio with certain Galaxy devices, but the default AAC codec sounds fine for most users.
Voice-Calling Performance
The voice-calling performance is impressive, with three microphones and a voice pickup unit in each bud. In noisy environments, callers could barely hear background noise, and my voice was clear with limited distortion. Check out my companion video review for a sample call.
Final Thoughts
If you can get a good seal with the included ear tips, the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are hard to fault. While the noise-canceling could be slightly better, the sound quality is a marked improvement from the Buds 2 Pro, and the voice-calling performance is excellent. The $250 list price is steep, but Samsung often offers trade-in deals or discounts, so you likely won’t pay full price.
If you’re deciding between the Galaxy Buds 3 and 3 Pro, the Buds 3 are a solid choice for those who dislike in-ear tips, while the Buds 3 Pro offer superior sound and voice-calling performance, making them a strong competitor in the premium earbuds market.
Upgrading from the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro to the Buds 3 Pro offers noticeable improvements, though not drastic. Ultimately, the decision may come down to the deals available and personal preference for stem designs.