The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro is the brand’s latest attempt to woo audiophiles and casual listeners alike from the loyal Apple fanbase.
Now wearing their AirPods-inspired stem design proudly, these earbuds are gunning for the top spot.
design that balances form and function.
The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro have embraced the stem-style look, a bold pivot from the previous bean-shaped iterations. This change improves microphone placement, weight distribution, and honestly makes it easier to yank them out of your ears without looking like you’re performing some weird ear massage.
But Samsung didn’t just copy and paste from the AirPods playbook. The stems on these buds are angular rather than smooth, giving them a distinctive look. While most brands stick to safe shades like black and white, Samsung throws in some flair with a silver option. My review unit in silver caught the light beautifully.
Touch controls are intuitive, but they require a bit more pressure than I’m used to. Pinch once to play/pause, twice to skip tracks, or swipe the stem to adjust volume. If you’ve got a Samsung phone, the buds will even light up with custom LED patterns.
sound that shines.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro sport a dual-driver setup: a 10.5mm dynamic driver handles the bass, while a 6.1mm planar driver takes care of the highs. What you get is a rich, detailed sound profile that manages to strike a balance between punchy bass and crisp highs.
However, there’s a caveat. While these buds support Samsung’s Seamless Codec for high-res audio, it’s exclusive to Samsung devices. Non-Samsung users are stuck with standard SBC and AAC codecs, which, while decent, won’t unlock the buds’ full potential. A bit like owning a sports car but only being allowed to drive it in a school zone.
noise cancellation is good, but not Apple or Bose level.
Samsung has made big promises with its AI-tuned Adaptive Noise Cancellation (ANC), and for the most part, it delivers. Whether you’re on a noisy bus or working in a bustling café, the Buds 3 Pro do a commendable job of muting the chaos.
But, they don’t quite match the prowess of Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra or even the AirPods Pro when it comes to low-frequency rumble. For example, during a recent trip, the roar of an aeroplane cabin was dulled but not completely silenced.
Adaptive mode is supposed to adjust ANC based on your surroundings, but I found it a bit inconsistent. At times, it let in more ambient noise than I’d like, forcing me to manually switch to regular ANC mode.
decent battery life.
Samsung claims you’ll get six hours of playback with ANC on, plus another 20 hours from the charging case.
In real-world use, I found those numbers to be fairly accurate, though they fall short of competitors like the Sony WF-1000XM5, which offer up to eight hours per charge.
For power users like me, the Buds 3 Pro often needed a recharge by mid-afternoon. On the bright side, they support fast charging; 30 minutes of juice gave me about 50% battery life.
software and AI is Samsung-exclusive.
If you own a Samsung phone, you’re in for a treat. The Galaxy Wear app unlocks a treasure trove of features, including EQ customization, noise mode toggles, and some nifty AI perks.
Unfortunately, non-Samsung users miss out on these goodies, and iPhone users? Forget about it.
You can still pair the buds as basic Bluetooth headphones, but that’s ordering a gourmet meal and only getting the breadbasket.
verdict: tailored for the Samsung faithful.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are a solid addition to Samsung’s lineup, offering excellent sound quality, good noise cancellation, and a stylish, comfortable design.
However, their best features are locked behind Samsung’s walled garden, making them a harder sell for non-Samsung users.
If you’re already deep in the Galaxy ecosystem, these are a no-brainer. But if you’re platform-agnostic or want more codec flexibility, alternatives like the AirPods Pro, Bose QuietComfort Ultra, or Sony WF-1000XM5 might be a better fit.
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