I’ve been a long-time AirPods user, but I was eager to check-out the latest Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro and I was extremely impressed with how they stack up both in design, but also in feature-set and audio quality.
They’ve copped a lot of flack for looking similar to the AirPods Pro, and it is the case, but there’s a few key changes that I absolutely love. Firstly, they’re a dark silver which looks absolutely incredible and much more premium than the white AirPods, and also won’t show dirt anywhere near as easily.
There’s also two light strips on each of the stems which you only really see when you’re taking them out of the case, so they don’t show when they’re in your ear, but it’s still a really cool touch nonetheless. The last part of the design that I really like is the case, which is also a really luxe silver, but also has a translucent top that lets you see the buds through the case, which again, is minor, but just adds a design element that I really appreciate.
Controlling the Buds3 Pro is super seamless as well, with a simple swipe on either blade adjusting the volume, and a quick pinch on either bud to play/pause your audio and holding to go between noise cancelling and transparency mode. There’s nothing worse than earbud controls that don’t respond and this couldn’t be further from the truth with the Galaxy Buds3 Pro.
As far as audio quality goes in the Buds3 Pro it’s first class with a good amount of bass and clarity whether you’re using one bud or both. it’s about on par with the best wireless buds that I’ve used both when listening to music or taking a call.
Galaxy AI features in the Buds too when using them with Android devices, so your buds are constantly adapting both the EQ but also the ANC to eliminate the sounds you don’t want to hear (such as traffic), but let in people talking you directly and also alarms and sirens.
The noise cancelling is fairly fantastic, but probably a touch below that of the AirPods Pro Gen 2 which is best-in-class. It’s absolutely fine and still blocks out a good amount of external noise, it just doesn’t absolutely drown them out in the same way the AirPods do.
Similarly, the buds are always listening os that you don’t even need to use a wake command to perform functions such as answering a call or turning the volume up, and they pair nicely with the Galaxy phones for translation purposes so that you can get what you’re listening to translated in real time.
As far as battery life goes, you can expect 6 hours with ANC on (26 hours total including case recharging) or 7 hours with ANC off (30 hours with case recharging). You can also also take advantage of wireless charging for the case as well, which is a nice touch if you’re trying to ditch the cords.
Samsung has been hitting it out of the park with its wearables this year. I absolutely loved the Galaxy Ring, and the Galaxy Buds3 Pro finally feel like the high-end, premium solution that Samsung users deserve, and they more than deliver.