Samsung has finally embraced the stemmed design made popular by Apple’s AirPods.
After trying out odd bulb and bean shapes, Samsung’s new Galaxy Buds3 and Buds3 Pro now adopt the famous stemmed design of Apple’s AirPods.
But this change isn’t just about looks. It’s a clear signal that Samsung is ready to compete with Apple in the tough wireless earbud market, with new technologies up their sleeves.
Galaxy Buds3 Pro Features
At first glance, you might think Samsung simply copied Apple’s homework. But dig a little deeper, and you’ll find that these earbuds have a personality all their own.
For one, Samsung rebranded the stems as “blades” and added a sleek LED color strip for that extra bit of flair in the Buds3 Pro.
But let’s talk about what really matters: sound quality and comfort.
When it comes to comfort, Samsung collected various data to improve the shape of the Galaxy Buds. They also finally added silicone ear tips for a superior fit in the Buds3 Pro, so you can wear them for a long time without any issue.
The sound quality has been improved a lot, too.
For the first time for Galaxy Buds, the Buds3 Pro have two advanced drivers for each earbud. One is a 10.5mm dynamic driver, and the other is a 6.1mm planar tweeter.
This combination is said to give you clearer sound across frequencies. Plus, the addition of dual amplifiers should help keep distortion at bay.
Audiophiles will also appreciate the Buds3 Pro’s support for Ultra High Quality Audio.
When used with compatible Samsung devices, you can enjoy up to 24-bit/96kHz high-res audio, which older Bluetooth headphones (including AirPods) can’t do. This matches the true lossless audio abilities of the Galaxy S24 phones released this year.
But the Buds3 Pro don’t stop there.
As expected, Samsung has integrated its Galaxy AI technology into the Buds3 Pro.
Thanks to it, the noise cancellation functions of the Buds3 Pro are greatly improved.
For one, users can enjoy the Adaptive Noise Control, which smartly balances active noise cancellation and ambient sound based on what’s around you. Adaptive EQ makes this even better by analyzing sound in real-time using inside and outside mics and adjusting your audio accordingly.
And, to keep you safe, they also have Voice Detect and Siren Detect, which automatically turn off ANC when needed.
Besides ANC, Galaxy AI brings the new Interpreter tool to the Buds3 Pro for live speech translation when paired with a compatible Samsung smartphone. With this, you can hear translations right in your earbuds, helping break down language barriers in many situations.
But that’s not all! The Buds3 Pro round out their feature set with some practical additions:
- IP57 water-resistance rating so you can use them outdoors without worry
- Decent battery life that can go up to 6 hours with ANC on and up to 26 hours with the charging case
- PC Auto Switch for easy connection between Samsung devices
- Auracast broadcast technology lets you share audio with multiple devices
- Sound settings can be set to your hearing profile through Samsung Health powered by Calm, which also offers relaxation and mindfulness features.
Galaxy Buds3 Features
The Buds3 Pro might steal the spotlight. But, their standard counterpart shouldn’t be overlooked.
While they share the stemmed design with the Pro model, the standard Buds3 don’t have the LED light strip, so they have a simpler aesthetic.
Speaking of aesthetics, the Galaxy Buds3 have an open-fit design without silicone ear tips. This style is for those who prefer to hear more of their surroundings or don’t like the feeling of earbuds placed deep inside their ears.
Moreover, the Buds3 use a single dynamic driver in each earbud, unlike the Pro’s dual-driver setup. So, we can expect them to sound a bit less precise than the Pro version. But whether you can really hear the difference depends a lot on how good your ears are.
Despite the more modest hardware, the Buds3 retain the active noise cancellation capabilities. Yet, they’re a bit less sophisticated than the Pro’s adaptive system.
This is because, while the Buds3 have some Galaxy AI features, they don’t have the more advanced Adaptive Noise Control, Siren Detect, and Voice Detect functions found in the Pro version.
But they still support key features like the Interpreter tool and voice commands, keeping a high level of function at a lower price.
Where to Buy
Available in Silver and White, the Galaxy Buds3 Pro and Buds3 will officially be launched on July 24. But, you can already pre-order them via Samsung’s website. Doing so will entitle you with a complimentary Clip Case.