Samsung Galaxy Buds3
our rating
2
(out of 5)
Specs
- 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)
Pros
- Lightweight design
- IP57 dust and water resistance
- Seamless integration with Samsung devices
- Wireless charging and decent battery life
- AI features like real-time translation (for Samsung users)
Cons
- 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
- Touch controls prone to accidental triggers
Bottom Line:
With no eartips, a poor seal, and poor ANC performance, these are not recommended. Just get the cheaper, way better sounding Galaxy Buds2 Pro.
Check Price:
Introducing the Galaxy Buds3
We recently acquired the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 to evaluate their performance and see how they compare to competitors. Questions I had going in were: why would I buy these over AirPods? Do they offer significant improvements over the Galaxy Buds2? Our tests aimed to answer these questions.
Check out our gear category page for more on earbuds and audio gear.
Who are the Galaxy Buds3 for?
The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 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.
Alternatives to the Galaxy Buds3
Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro
Our favorite earbuds to date. Natural sounding, not shouty, satisfying bass. (complete review)
Check Price:
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. (full review)
Check Price:
Who are the Galaxy Buds3 NOT for?
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 may also disappoint those preferring complete isolation from ambient noise.
What’s in the Box?
The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 box arrived with the following:
- Galaxy Buds3 Earbuds
- Charging Case
- USB-C Cable
Build / Comfort
The Galaxy Buds3 earbuds have a lightweight feel, which makes them comfortable to wear for extended periods. I loved that the open-fit design didn’t create the pressure some in-ear buds can cause, making them feel almost invisible at times.
However, I noticed that during more vigorous activities, such as running or intense workouts, the buds occasionally shifted, making them feel less secure.
The earbuds feature a stemmed design, reminiscent of Apple’s AirPods, but with Samsung’s unique touch. The matte finish resisted fingerprints, maintaining a polished appearance even after heavy use.
A notable feature is their IP57 rating, indicating resistance to dust and water. This provided peace of mind during daily jogs or unexpected drizzles, knowing that a bit of sweat or rain wouldn’t cause damage.
The biggest drawback to these buds is that they do not have ear tips which create a seal on the ear canal. This means they are less snug in the ear and the bass response is lacking.
The Galaxy Buds3 Pro (see here for a comparison of these two models) adopt a more ergonomic design with silicone ear tips, offering proper bass response and a secure fit.
Controls
I found the touch controls on the Galaxy Buds3 to be intuitive and convenient for managing playback and calls. A single tap let me play or pause music, while a double-tap skipped tracks, and a triple-tap returned to the previous track. Holding down activated the voice assistant or switched between ANC and Ambient modes.
I appreciated how easy it was to use, but I occasionally triggered actions accidentally while adjusting the earbuds. Using the Galaxy Wearable app, you can tweak the preferences, which is good for nerds like me who like to tailor EQ settings.
Overview of the Controls on the Samsung Galaxy Buds3
| Action | Control |
|---|---|
| Play/Pause | Tap once |
| Answer/End a call | Tap once |
| Reject a call | Touch and hold |
| Skip to next track | Double-tap |
| Go to previous track | Triple-tap |
| Adjust volume | Swipe up or down (configurable in app) |
| Activate voice assistant | Touch and hold |
| Switch between ANC and Ambient Mode | Touch and hold (customizable in app) |
Sound: Samsung Galaxy Buds3
Frequency Response Diagram Samsung Galaxy Buds3
The sound quality of the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 significantly depends on how well they fit—and that’s not going to be easy with most ears and these buds.
In fact, doing our objective measurements (see frequency response diagram) is very misleading and difficult without a proper seal from IEMs/earbuds. We had to take the average of several tests and compensate for the inconsistent fit that these buds will have with most ears.
In my tests, if I didn’t move after positioning them just right, I could achieve a quality listen. The balance was good across the bass, mids, and treble. But the lack of ear tips—the lack of a seal with my ear canal—made it nearly impossible to keep them in the right position.
One of the standout issues was how easily the earbuds shifted out of place with regular movement or moisture, like sweat. Once the fit was compromised, the bass lost its impact, and the overall sound profile became noticeably thinner. This inconsistency could be frustrating, as the sound quality dropped off quickly when the buds weren’t perfectly situated.
For the midrange, when properly fitted, the clarity of vocals and acoustic instruments was commendable. However, in noisier settings or when the earbuds moved slightly, this clarity diminished, making vocals and solo instruments feel more distant.
The highs were crisp but had moments of sharpness, especially around higher frequencies, which could make certain sounds stand out more than necessary.
Over extended listening periods, this sharpness in the high end might become fatiguing for some users. Adjusting the equalizer settings, particularly with the Treble Boost option, improved the balance in my experience, but it still depended heavily on the fit staying stable.
Connectivity
The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 impressed me with their reliable Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity, providing stable and uninterrupted performance during use. AI-driven features like real-time translation and adaptive sound adjustments were standout additions, especially when paired with a Samsung Galaxy device, adding a smart touch to everyday use.
Using the Galaxy Wearable app on Android, I could easily customize touch controls, adjust EQ settings, and update firmware. However, as an iOS user, I found the experience more limited—basic connectivity worked fine, but app-based personalization and advanced features weren’t available.
Overall, the Buds3 offer seamless connectivity for both Android and iOS users, but Samsung device owners will enjoy the full suite of features and a more integrated experience.
Noise Canceling
The Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) on the Galaxy Buds3 is suitable for light ambient noise reduction at best.
Like the issues with sound quality, the problem is the fit. It’s sort of like trying to heat up a room with an open window—it’s a losing battle.
If ANC is a priority, we recommend the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 buds.
Battery Life
Battery Life of Popular In-ear, true wireless earbuds Compared
We tested these at 70% volume with ANC on and got 4 hours and 10 minutes from the earbuds. The charging case provides an additional 13.5 hours of playing time.
This falls short compared to competitors like the Sony WF-1000XM5, which offer 8 hours with ANC on, the AirPods Pro 2 at 6 hours, or the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 earbuds, which provide approximately 7.5 hours of playback with ANC on.
In our tests, the earbuds took about 65 minutes to fully charge. I appreciated the fast-charging feature—just 5 minutes in the case provided about an hour of playback, which came in handy during busy days. The case charges via USB-C or a Qi-certified wireless pad.
Calls
For our call tests, we tested in normal and windy conditions.
The 5.4 Bluetooth on the Galaxy Buds3 allows for decent call connections. Although these tests below don’t sound fantastic, they are definitely better than most competive buds on calls. They also manage to deal with windy conditions fairly well compared to competitors.
You can hear the results for yourself below.
Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Mic Tests
Final Thoughts: Are the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Worth It?
The Galaxy Buds3 are probably not worth it for most users. The open-fit design and inconsistent sound quality due to fit issues make them hard to recommend. That said, they are suitable for casual listeners in the Samsung ecosystem.
There are better options out there. Personally, I think it’s worth it to spend $100 more to get either the Galaxy Buds3 Pro (our favorite earbuds to date) or the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4.
If your budget is tight, you can’t go wrong the Galaxy Buds2 Pro, which are some of the best value earbuds currently out there.
Samsung Galaxy Buds3
Check Price:
Questions or Comments?
Join the discussion here on Facebook.
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.
