Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro
our rating
5
(out of 5)
Specs
- 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)
Pros
- 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 5.3 connectivity, especially within the Samsung ecosystem
- Compact, pocket-friendly charging case with a transparent lid for easy monitoring
Cons
- Less effective at canceling low-frequency noises (e.g., engine hum)
- Moderate battery life with ANC
Bottom Line:
Earbuds that are joy to listen to. Our top choice for ANC earbuds.
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Introducing the Galaxy Buds3 Pro
The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro, developed in collaboration with AKG, peaked our interest from the start. Given our appreciation for the sound of their predecessors, the Buds2 Pro, we were curious indeed.
In our tests, we focused on whether the Buds3 Pro would hold up to the high standard set by the Buds2 Pro, especially with the new design tweaks. Here’s what we found.
Discover more about headphones and audio gear on our Gear Category Page.
Who are the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro for?
In a crowded earbud market, the Galaxy Buds3 Pro stand out for listeners who want solid performance without being oversold. They’re a good fit if you prioritize quality sound, effective noise control, and comfort for daily use but don’t want to pay extra for flashy features.
They stand head-and-shoulders above the normal Galaxy Buds3 (see here for the side-by-side comparison of the Buds3 and Buds3 Pro) and make strides on their predecessors, the Galaxy Buds2 Pro.
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.
Alternatives to the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4
One of our top earbud choices with excellent balance and satisfying bass.
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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.
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Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro
One of the best value earbuds out there currently. Excellent, balanced frequency response. A joy to listen to.
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Who are the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro NOT for?
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.
What’s in the Box?
The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro box arrived with the following:
- Galaxy Buds3 Pro earbuds
- Charging case
- Three pairs of silicone ear tips in sizes small, medium (pre-installed), and large
- USB-C charging cable
Build / Comfort
The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro make some thoughtful updates from the Galaxy Buds2 Pro, especially in comfort and fit. The biggest shift is the move to a stemmed design, stepping away from the rounder, “bean” shape of the Buds2 Pro.
Personally, I applaud this design change. I loved the Buds2 Pro but found them a bit too balloon-shaped in the ear. The old design touches so many parts of the ear, where this AirPods-like stem design feels lighter while still making a proper seal in the ear canal.
Samsung kept the materials lightweight, and when they’re in, you notice them less. They’ve included multiple sizes of soft silicone ear tips, and when we tested these, we found the right tip size made a big difference. With a snug fit, the seal boosts sound quality and ensures features like noise cancellation work as they should. Plus, the soft silicone feels gentle on the ears, making it easier to get the buds in and out.
The Buds3 Pro also come with a redesigned charging case that’s smaller and more pocket-friendly. A unique feature is the transparent lid, which lets you see the earbuds inside without opening the case—handy for a quick battery check. The case charges via USB-C and supports wireless charging, which we found convenient for top-ups on the go.
Compared to the Buds2 Pro, the Buds3 Pro’s stemmed design makes touch controls a lot easier to use without jamming the buds further into your ears. When we tested these, we noticed fewer accidental triggers while adjusting, which is helpful if you’re switching tracks or adjusting volume often.
On the inside, the Galaxy Buds3 Pro have some serious tech. They sport a new dual-driver system—a 10.5mm dynamic driver for lows and mids, paired with a 6.1mm planar driver. And, each driver has a dedicated amp.
These changes to the innards are noticeable in the sound, particularly in the lightning fast transient response on the top end.
Controls
The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro feature intuitive touch controls that make it easy to manage audio without reaching for your device.
By pinching the stem, you can play or pause music, skip tracks, and answer calls. A longer pinch activates noise control modes, letting you quickly toggle between ANC and ambient sound. Swiping up or down adjusts volume, a practical addition that reduces the need for on-device adjustments.
In my experience, the controls were responsive and easy to master, with fewer accidental triggers compared to the Buds2 Pro. Overall, the Buds3 Pro’s controls feel intuitive and well-designed for daily use.
The Galaxy Buds3 Pro also have fancy blade LED indicators on the earbuds and a charging case LED that provide quick visual feedback on their status. While this seems a little gimmicky, I liked the indicators on the charging case for the battery levels.
The case glows with a red, yellow, and green LED system to indicate battery levels: red for low (below 30%), yellow for moderate (30–60%), and green for high (above 60%).
Overview of the Controls on the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro
| Gesture | Action |
|---|---|
| Single Pinch | Play/Pause track, Answer/End a call, Stop using Read notifications aloud or Voice detect feature |
| Double Pinch | Play next track |
| Triple Pinch | Play previous track |
| Pinch and Hold | Activate noise control mode (default), Decline a call, Turn on blade lights when not wearing earbuds |
| Swipe Upwards | Increase volume |
| Swipe Downwards | Decrease volume |
Sound: Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro
Frequency Response Diagram Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro
As you can see here, the Buds3 Pro adhere closely to the 2019 IE Harman curve, a frequency response model based on listener preferences—basically, what listeners generally prefer in a frequency response.
Highs
The treble on the Galaxy Buds3 Pro is a step up from the Buds2 Pro. The choice to have a dedicated planar driver for the treble pays off with crisp, quick transients. Cymbals, hi-hats, and sibilants are clear without any harshness.
Mids
The midrange is where the Buds3 Pro truly excel. Vocals and instruments come through with a natural timbre. Spaces, voices, instruments sound natural – which is rare in earbuds.
Lows
The bass response of the Buds3 Pro is satisfying and controlled, providing enough depth without overpowering the other frequencies. And surprisingly for earbuds, the bass even has presence and dynamic weight without overpowering the midrange.
This presence is partially due to a nice sub-bass lift which appropriately eases off as they approach 100 Hz. This response gives bass presence without bloat.
Conclusions About the Sound
Overall, the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro offer a balanced and natural sound profile that outshines popular competitors like the Apple AirPods Pro 2 or the Sony WF-1000XM5. And, the quick transients of the planar drivers in the treble give a sharpness not found in other earbuds.
Above all, I appreciate the natural quality of the sound from these buds. It’s so nice to have things sounding as they should in an earbud.
Most earbuds are so focussed on providing enough bass that the whole balance in response gets weird. With a balanced frequency response, the Galaxy Buds3 Pro enhance detail resolution and avoid the harshness that can cause listener fatigue.
Connectivity
The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro impressed me with their reliable connectivity, especially if you’re already in the Samsung ecosystem. They connect via Bluetooth 5.4, which is crazy-fast and stable with very little latency.
In my tests, the Buds3 Pro held a strong connection even when I moved a room or two away from my device, allowing me to stream audio without interruptions.
One of my favorite features is the seamless device-switching available to Samsung users. The Buds3 Pro can automatically switch between other Samsung devices on the same account, making it easy to go from a phone call to watching something on a Samsung tablet or laptop without re-pairing. The Buds3 Pro also support Samsung’s SSC codec for high-quality streaming on Samsung devices.
For Android users outside the Samsung world or iPhone people, these earbuds still provide a strong connection but without the seamless switching. Pairing them with non-Samsung devices is smooth through standard Bluetooth, though you won’t get some of the exclusive features.
Noise Canceling
In our tests, the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro’s active noise cancellation (ANC) effectively reduced high-frequency sounds, such as chatter and street noise, creating a quieter listening environment.
They also attenuate most low city rumble or airplane hum, but not as well as competitive buds.
If noise canceling is your top priority, consider the AirPods Pro 2 or the Sony WF-1000XM5. That said, we found the Buds3 Pro’s ANC suitable for everyday environments.
Battery Life
Battery Life of Popular In-ear, true wireless earbuds Compared
The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro offer a battery life that holds up well for daily use, though competitive models have the edge here.
With ANC (active noise cancellation) on, in our tests at 70% volume, the earbuds themselves provided about 4 hours and 57 minutes of playback, which is fairly standard for modern noise-canceling earbuds (and accurate! Samsung says they should last 5 hours with ANC on).
This duration covers most commutes and short listening sessions, though heavy users might find themselves needing to recharge during the day. While enhancing the listening experience, the Buds3 Pro’s dual drivers and dedicated amps demand a bit more juice than most earbuds.
The charging case, however, adds a substantial amount of power, extending the total listening time to around 18 hours with ANC on. This includes multiple charges for the earbuds when they’re stored in the case.
While the case isn’t the longest-lasting in its class, it comfortably supports extended use without frequent charging, which is helpful if you’re traveling or away from a power source.
The Buds3 Pro also support fast charging, offering about an hour of playback with just a 5-minute charge in the case. This quick boost can be convenient when you need an extra push of battery power on the go. For users who prioritize ANC, the battery performance is solid, providing enough power to get through most listening needs without hassle.
Calls
For our call tests, we tested in normal and windy conditions.
The 5.4 Bluetooth on the Galaxy Buds3 Pro allows for stable call connections. Although these tests below don’t sound fantastic, they are definitely better than most competive buds on calls.
You can hear the results for yourself below.
Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro Mic Tests
Final Thoughts: Are the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro Worth It?
The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro bring impressive sound quality, dependable noise cancellation, and practical comfort, making them a top contender among commercial earbuds.
Competition is fierce in the earbud market. The Sony WF-1000XM5 excel with noise cancellation (although we have reservations about the sound quality).
The Apple AirPods Pro 2 offers seamless integration for iOS users, excellent tuning, and quality ANC. The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 (see our full review here) buds are some of our favorites with fantastic sound especially if you value bass. That said, the Buds3 Pro stand out for their balanced, natural sound that aligns closely with the Harman curve.
Their collaboration with AKG clearly paid off, especially in midrange clarity and overall tonal balance.
I should mention that sound quality is my bias. It takes priority over other features in everything I review. That is why I’d call the Galaxy Buds3 Pro my favorite earbuds on the current market.
Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro
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Questions or Comments?
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FAQ
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.
