Summary and Rating: Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 vs Buds 3 Pro
Pros – Samsung Galaxy Buds3
- IP57 dust and water resistance
- Fast, reliable Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity, especially within the Samsung ecosystem
- Seamless integration with Samsung devices
- Wireless charging
Pros – Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro
- Our favorite overall sound performance from commercial earbuds: balanced, natural, with clarity in all registers
- Effective noise cancellation for high and mid-frequency sounds
- Comfortable, secure fit with multiple ear tip sizes
- Fast, reliable Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity, especially within the Samsung ecosystem
- Seamless integration with Samsung devices
- Wireless charging
Cons – Samsung Galaxy Buds3
- No eartips means the sound is inconsistent at best
- Open-fit design also affects secure fit and ANC performance
- No multipoint connectivity for switching between devices
Cons – Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro
- Less effective than competitors at canceling low-frequency noises (e.g., engine hum)
- Moderate battery life with ANC
Bottom Line:
Go Pro. In this case, it’s worth it.
Introducing the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 and the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro
We recently got our hands on the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 and the Galaxy Buds3 Pro, both intriguing in their own rights and developed in collaboration with AKG.
Having reviewed a lot of gear, I’ve noticed the ‘pro’ designation is sometimes clear marketing fluff. Is that the case with the Galaxy Buds3 and Pro? Well, short answer: no.
Let’s dive into the comparison to find out why.
Who are these Headphones for?
Samsung Galaxy Buds3
The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 (see complete review) are best suited for users who prefer an open-fit earbud design and prioritize seamless integration with Samsung devices. They cater to those who value AI-driven features like real-time translation and adaptive sound adjustments.
Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro
In a crowded earbud market, the Galaxy Buds3 Pro (full review) stand out for outstanding sound qualityThey’re a good fit if you prioritize quality sound, effective noise control, and comfort for daily use. Samsung users will see added perks, but even outside the ecosystem, these buds hold their own with practical, adaptable functionality suited for anyone navigating today’s high-tech audio options.
Who are these Headphones NOT for?
Samsung Galaxy Buds3
The Galaxy Buds3 are not ideal for audiophiles seeking balanced sound, users needing strong noise cancellation, or those requiring a secure in-ear fit for active lifestyles. The open-fit design will disappoint those preferring complete isolation from ambient noise.
Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro
The Galaxy Buds3 Pro may not be the best choice if you’re looking for budget-friendly earbuds. Those within the Apple ecosystem can still enjoy the superior sound of these buds, but connectivity will be a bit less seamless.
Check out our gear category page for more on Earbuds, IEMs, Headphones and audio gear.
Alternatives to these Headphones
Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro
One of the best value earbuds out there currently. Excellent, balanced frequency response. A joy to listen to.
Check Price:
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4
One of our top earbud choices with excellent balance and satisfying bass.
Check Price:
AirPods Pro 2
Some of the most popular earbuds for a reason. Tailored for those seeking a combination of comfort, cutting-edge tech, and quality sound.
Check Price:
sound: Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 vs Buds 3 Pro
Frequency Response Diagram Samsung Galaxy Buds3
Frequency Response Diagram Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro
Winner: Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro
Comparing the sound of the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 and Buds3 Pro is kind of a joke. The Buds3 Pro have a balanced sound that makes them feel like high-end IEMs. The normal Buds3, however, struggle to provide consistent sound quality due to the insecure, open-fit design.
The Buds3 can deliver decent sound across bass, mids, and treble when properly positioned. However, regular movement or sweat can easily displace them, resulting in a loss of bass impact and a thinner overall sound profile.
When the Buds3 are perfectly situated, they offer commendable clarity in midrange, but this diminishes in noisy settings or with slight movement.
The Buds3’s high frequencies are crisp but can be overly sharp, causing certain sounds to stand out more than necessary. This sharpness may become tiring during extended listening periods.
The Treble Boost option can improve the balance, but the sound quality still heavily depends on maintaining a stable fit.
The Buds3 Pro, on the other hand, offer a superior treble experience. The dedicated planar driver for treble delivers crisp, quick transients, making cymbals, hi-hats, and sibilants clear without harshness.
The Buds3 Pro excel in the midrange, providing vocals and instruments with a natural timbre. This natural sound is a rarity in earbuds.
And, to boot, the Buds3 Pro’s bass response is satisfying and controlled, offering enough depth without overpowering other frequencies. The bass presence is due to a sub-bass lift, which eases off around 100 Hz, providing bass presence without bloat.
When it comes to sound quality, this is not a fair fight between the Galaxy Buds3 and Buds3 Pro. The Buds3 are the pony, the Buds3 Pro are the racehorse.
Specs Compared
Samsung Galaxy Buds3
- Driver – 11mm dynamic driver
- Frequency Range – Not specified
- Cable – USB-C Charging Cable
- Weight – Earbuds: 4.7 grams each; Charging Case: 46.5 grams
- Impedance – Not specified
- IP Rating – IP57 (dust and water resistant)
- Battery Life – Earbuds: 5 hours with ANC on; 6 hours with ANC off; Charging Case: 24 hours with ANC on; 30 hours with ANC off
- Bluetooth Version – 5.4
- Codecs Supported – SBC, AAC, Samsung Seamless Codec (SSC)
Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro
- Driver – 10.5mm dynamic driver for mids and bass, 6.1mm planar driver for treble
- Frequency Range – 20 Hz – 20 kHz
- Cable – USB-C
- Weight – 5.4 grams per earbud; 46.5 grams for the charging case
- Impedance – Not specified
- IP Rating – IP57 (dust and water resistant)
- Battery Life – Up to 5 hours with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) on; up to 18 hours total with charging case
- Bluetooth Version – 5.4
- Codecs Supported – SBC, AAC, Samsung Seamless Codec (SSC)
Build / Comfort
Winner: Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro
When it comes to comfort, the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 has a lightweight, open-fit design that feels almost invisible, especially compared to traditional in-ear buds. The matte finish is a a nice touch. It remained sleek and fingerprint-free even after heavy use.
On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro takes a leap forward with its more ergonomic, stemmed design. It might remind you of Apple’s AirPods, but it’s got Samsung’s unique touch. The design change, moving away from the older, ‘bean’ shape of the Buds2 Pro, makes the Buds3 Pro feel lighter and more comfortable.
What sets the Buds3 Pro apart is the inclusion of silicone ear tips – this is no small detail! These ear tips not just provide a snug fit, but also enable proper bass response and ANC performance.
Both models sport a IP57 rating which offers dust and water resistance – useful for those unexpected drizzles or sweaty workouts.
For the charging case, both models have a pocket-friendly AirPod-like case with a transparent lid. The transparent lid is a neat touch, allowing for quick battery checks without opening the case. Charging is via USB-C and also supports wireless charging.
When it comes to control, the new stemmed design on these buds works wonders. I found adjusting tracks or volume much easier, without jamming the buds further into the ears or triggering accidental touches.
Underneath the hood, the Buds3 Pro really outshine the regular Buds3. They sport a new dual-driver system, with a 10.5mm dynamic driver for lows and mids, and a 6.1mm planar driver for the top end.
Each driver has a dedicated amp. These upgrades to the pro model are not just marketing. They make a noticeable difference in sound, particularly the lightning-fast transient response, as we will later discuss.
Connectivity
Winner: Draw
The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 and Buds3 Pro both offer reliable Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity and seamless device-switching for Samsung users. It’s crazy-fast, stable, and has very little latency.
Even when I moved a room or two away from my device, both earbuds maintained a strong connection, allowing me to stream audio without interruptions.
Both models have AI-driven features like real-time translation and adaptive sound adjustments which are particularly impressive when paired with a Samsung Galaxy device.
The experience is somewhat more limited for iOS users, however, with basic connectivity working fine but app-based personalization and advanced features lacking.
Both the Buds3 and Buds3 Pro offer seamless connectivity for all IOS and Android users, and pairing with non-Samsung devices is still smooth through standard Bluetooth. Samsung users, however, will definitely enjoy the full suite of features, including automatic switching between Samsung devices and high-quality streaming support via Samsung’s SSC codec on the Buds3 Pro.
Noise canceling
Winner: Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro
When it comes to ANC, there’s a clear difference between the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 and the Buds3 Pro. The Buds3’s ANC is decent for light ambient noise reduction, but again, the fit issues come into play – it’s like trying to warm a room with an open window.
In our tests with the normal Buds3, they offered very little attenuation across all frequencies.
Meanwhile, the Buds3 Pro excels in reducing high-frequency sounds such as chatter and street noise, leading to a more serene listening environment.
The Buds3 Pro can also dampen most low city rumble or airplane hum, albeit not as well as some competitors like the AirPods Pro 2 or the Sony WF-1000XM5. But for everyday environments, the ANC on the Buds3 Pro should do just fine.
Battery Life
Battery Life of Popular ANC Headphones Compared
Winner: Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro
When it comes to battery life, both the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 and the Buds3 Pro can handle daily use. However, the Buds3 Pro has a slight edge.
During our tests, the standard Buds3 gave us around 4 hours and 10 minutes of playback at 70% volume with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) on. This is decent, but it does fall short compared to some competitors like the Sony WF-1000XM5 or the AirPods Pro 2.
On the other hand, the Buds3 Pro provided about 4 hours and 57 minutes of playback under the same conditions, which is pretty standard for modern ANC earbuds and aligns with Samsung’s promise of 5 hours.
This could cover most commutes and short listening sessions, but heavy users might still need a mid-day recharge, mainly because of the Buds3 Pro’s dual drivers and dedicated amps that require more power.
Both models offer fast charging, giving roughly an hour of playback from a 5-minute charge, a useful feature for busy days.
However, the Buds3 Pro’s charging case gives a bit more stamina, extending total listening time to around 18 hours with ANC on, versus the Buds3’s 13.5 hours. While neither case leads its class, they both support extended use without frequent charging.
Calls
For our call tests, we tested in normal and windy conditions.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy Buds3
Comparatively, both the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 and the Buds3 Pro use 5.4 Bluetooth for calls, yielding decent and stable connections, respectively.
Despite not being top-notch, they outshine most competing earbuds in call quality. Notably, both models perform better than most of the competition during windy conditions.
To make it even clearer, hit the play button below to hear the test results yourself.
Samsung Galaxy Buds3
Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro
Final thoughts: Are Either of These BUds Worth It?
Overall Winner: Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro
When it comes to the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 and the Buds3 Pro, there’s a clear distinction in quality. The ‘pro’ designation in this case is not just marketing blather.
While the Galaxy Buds3 may appeal to casual listeners in the Samsung ecosystem, their open-fit design and inconsistent sound quality might be a letdown for many.
In comparison, the Buds3 Pro offer both some of the best sound quality you can find in earbuds and decent noise cancellation, not to mention their practical comfort.
The Galaxy Buds3 Pro are worth the extra $100 compared to the Buds3. They’ve easily become my favorite earbuds to date, and I’d even recommend them over other serious contenders like the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 (see our full review of the Momentum TW4 here). If you’re on a tighter budget though, the Galaxy Buds2 Pro are a great value option.
FAQ
Do the Galaxy Buds3 support multipoint connectivity?
No, the Galaxy Buds3 do not support multipoint connectivity. You can connect them to one device at a time.
What AI features do the Galaxy Buds3 have?
The Galaxy Buds3 offer AI-driven features like real-time language translation and adaptive sound adjustments, but these are optimized for use with Samsung Galaxy devices.
Are Galaxy Buds3 Pro suitable for sports and outdoor use?
The Galaxy Buds3 Pro can be used during workouts thanks to their IP57 rating, which provides solid protection against dust and water. This means they’re safe to wear in sweaty conditions or when exposed to a bit of rain.
Do the Galaxy Buds3 Pro work with non-Samsung products?
The Galaxy Buds3 Pro can indeed be connected to any Bluetooth-compatible device. Keep in mind that features like AI-based noise cancellation and live translation are optimized for Samsung Galaxy devices and may have limited availability on non-Samsung devices.
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