As a tech enthusiast, I’m always excited to get my hands on the latest gadgets. So when Samsung unveiled their new Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro at their recent Unpacked event, I couldn’t wait to try them out. These sleek new earbuds promise to deliver premium sound, advanced noise cancellation, and innovative AI features. But do they live up to the hype? After spending a week putting them through their paces, here are my in-depth thoughts on Samsung’s latest flagship earbuds.
Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro Specs
Before diving into the details, here’s a quick overview of the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro’s key specs and features:
- Price: $249.99
- Colors: Phantom Black, Cream, Graphite
- Battery Life: Up to 6 hours (ANC on), 30 hours total with case
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.4
- Drivers: 10.5mm dynamic driver + 6.1mm planar magnetic driver
- Water Resistance: IPX7 rating
- Active Noise Cancellation: Adaptive ANC with AI enhancement
- Special Features: 360 Audio, Voice Detect, Real-time translation, Blade Lights
Design and Comfort
A Fresh New Look
The first thing you’ll notice about the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro is their striking new design. Samsung has ditched the bean-shaped look of previous models in favor of a sleeker, more elongated shape with stems. While some may see this as copying Apple’s AirPods, I think Samsung has put their own unique spin on the stemmed earbud design.
The stems feature sharp, angular edges that give the buds a more futuristic, cutting-edge aesthetic compared to the rounded stems on AirPods. Available in Phantom Black, Cream, and Graphite, the Buds 3 Pro have a premium, sophisticated look that matches well with Samsung’s flagship phones.
One of the coolest design elements is the new “Blade Lights” – LED strips that run along the stems. These light up to show status info like battery life or to help you find a lost earbud in the dark. It’s a clever and eye-catching addition that sets these buds apart visually.
Comfortable for All-Day Wear
Comfort is crucial for earbuds you plan to wear for hours on end. Thankfully, the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro deliver in this department. The buds are lightweight at just 5.5 grams each, and their ergonomic shape nestles nicely in the ear.
Samsung includes three sizes of silicone ear tips to help you find the perfect fit. I found the medium tips worked well for me, creating a good seal without any discomfort. Even after 3-4 hour listening sessions, my ears never felt fatigued or sore.
The IPX7 water resistance rating means you don’t have to worry about sweat or rain damaging the buds during workouts or outdoor use. Overall, these are earbuds you can comfortably wear all day long.
Sound Quality
Dual-Driver Setup Delivers Rich Audio
Samsung has equipped the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro with an impressive dual-driver audio system. There’s a 10.5mm dynamic driver to handle the mids and bass, paired with a 6.1mm planar magnetic driver for the treble frequencies.
This two-way speaker setup results in rich, detailed sound across the frequency spectrum. Bass notes have satisfying weight and punch without overwhelming the mix. Mids are clear and well-defined, letting vocals and instruments shine through. And the dedicated planar driver produces crisp, sparkly highs with excellent extension.
Listening to my usual test playlist, I was impressed by how the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro handled a variety of genres:
- On “Bad Guy” by Billie Eilish, the deep, rumbling bass line had plenty of impact while Billie’s breathy vocals floated effortlessly on top.
- The intricate guitar work on “Hotel California” by The Eagles was rendered with excellent detail and separation.
- For classical, Beethoven’s 5th Symphony sounded expansive and dynamic, with each section of the orchestra clearly defined in the soundstage.
Overall, these buds produce a lively, engaging sound signature that should please most listeners. Audiophiles may find the bass a bit boosted compared to a perfectly flat response, but I think Samsung has struck a nice balance that works well for modern music.
Customizable EQ and Audio Enhancements
If you want to tweak the sound, the Galaxy Wearable app offers a 6-band equalizer to adjust the frequency response to your liking. There are also several EQ presets if you don’t want to fiddle with a full parametric EQ.
Samsung’s 360 Audio feature uses head-tracking to create a more immersive, spatial audio experience. It works well for movies and some music, though I generally preferred the standard stereo mode for most of my listening.
Active Noise Cancellation
AI-Enhanced ANC Blocks Out the World
Active noise cancellation is a key feature for premium earbuds these days, and the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro don’t disappoint. Samsung has leveraged AI to create an adaptive ANC system that automatically adjusts to your environment.
In my testing, the noise cancellation proved highly effective at blocking out low-frequency drone sounds like airplane engines, air conditioners, and road noise. It also did a good job with mid-range frequencies like nearby conversations.
While not quite on the level of industry leaders like the Sony WF-1000XM5 or Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, the Buds 3 Pro’s ANC is still very capable. It allowed me to focus on my music or podcasts even in noisy coffee shops and on crowded public transit.
Intelligent Ambient Sound Mode
When you do need to hear your surroundings, the ambient sound mode works well to pipe in external audio. The “Voice Detect” feature is particularly clever – it automatically lowers your music volume and enables ambient mode when it detects you speaking. This makes it easy to have quick conversations without manually toggling modes or removing an earbud.
Smart Features and AI Integration
Seamless Device Switching
One of my favorite features of the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro is how seamlessly they integrate into the Samsung ecosystem. If you use multiple Galaxy devices, the buds will automatically switch between them based on what you’re actively using.
For example, I could be listening to music on my Galaxy S24 Ultra, then open up my Galaxy Tab S9 to watch a video and the audio would instantly switch over to the tablet. It’s a small touch, but one that makes the overall user experience feel much more polished and convenient.
Real-Time Translation
Perhaps the most futuristic feature is the new real-time translation capability. When paired with a Galaxy S24 series phone, the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro can provide live, in-ear translations of conversations in over 30 languages.
I tested this out with a Spanish-speaking friend and was impressed by how well it worked. There was minimal lag, and while not perfect, the translations were generally accurate enough to hold a basic conversation. It’s not quite the universal translator from Star Trek, but it’s getting surprisingly close!
Voice Commands and Digital Assistant
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro offer hands-free access to Bixby, Samsung’s digital assistant. You can use voice commands to control music playback, check notifications, set reminders, and more.
If you prefer, you can also set up Google Assistant or Alexa as your default voice assistant. The built-in microphones do a good job of picking up voice commands, even in moderately noisy environments.
Call Quality
Clear calls are crucial for earbuds you’ll use all day, and the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro perform admirably here. The stem design places the microphones closer to your mouth, resulting in clearer voice pickup compared to stemless buds.
Samsung has also implemented some clever AI-powered noise reduction to filter out background sounds during calls. In my tests, call recipients reported that my voice came through loud and clear, even when I was walking down a busy street or in a noisy cafe.
The new “Super Wideband” call feature expands the frequency range for voice audio, resulting in more natural-sounding calls when connected to compatible Galaxy phones. It’s a subtle improvement, but one that frequent callers will appreciate.
Battery Life and Charging
All-Day Power with Fast Charging
Samsung claims up to 6 hours of playback time with ANC enabled, extending to 30 hours total when including the charging case. In my real-world testing, these numbers proved pretty accurate. I was able to get through a full workday of intermittent use without needing to recharge.
When you do need to top up, fast charging provides up to 1 hour of playback time from just a 5-minute charge. The case supports both USB-C and Qi wireless charging for added convenience.
While not class-leading, the battery life is solid for flagship earbuds with ANC. Heavy users may need to charge more frequently, but for most people, these should easily last a full day.
Connectivity and Compatibility
Rock-Solid Bluetooth Connection
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro use Bluetooth 5.4 for a stable, low-latency connection. I experienced zero dropouts or audio glitches during my testing, even in crowded areas with lots of potential wireless interference.
For Samsung users, the buds support the company’s proprietary Seamless Codec, enabling high-quality 24-bit audio streaming on compatible Galaxy devices. For other phones, standard SBC and AAC codecs are supported.
Works with Any Device, Best with Samsung
While the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro will work with any Bluetooth-enabled device, you’ll get the most out of them when paired with a Samsung Galaxy phone or tablet. Features like automatic device switching, 24-bit audio, and real-time translation require a Galaxy device to function.
That said, core features like ANC, ambient mode, and customizable touch controls work just fine on other Android phones or iPhones. You’ll just need to use the Galaxy Buds app instead of the integrated settings on non-Samsung devices.
The Competition
How Do They Stack Up?
At $249, the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are priced to compete with other flagship earbuds. Here’s how they compare to some key rivals:
- Apple AirPods Pro 2: Apple’s earbuds offer similar features and arguably better ANC, but lack the advanced AI capabilities of the Buds 3 Pro. The AirPods are the better choice for iPhone users, while the Galaxy Buds have the edge for Android fans.
- Sony WF-1000XM5: Sony’s latest still edge out Samsung in pure noise-cancelling performance, but the Buds 3 Pro offer a more compact design and deeper AI integration.
- Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds: Bose delivers top-tier ANC, but at a higher price point. The Buds 3 Pro provide a more well-rounded package with their smart features.
- Google Pixel Buds Pro: Google’s buds are a strong Android-focused alternative, but lack some of the advanced audio features found in Samsung’s offering.
Pros and Cons
What I Loved
- Sleek, comfortable design with eye-catching Blade Lights
- Rich, detailed sound from the dual-driver setup
- Effective ANC with intelligent ambient mode
- Innovative AI features like real-time translation
- Seamless integration with Samsung devices
Room for Improvement
- Battery life, while good, falls short of some competitors
- Best features limited to Samsung ecosystem
- ANC not quite on par with Sony or Bose flagships
- Premium price point
The Verdict: Cutting-Edge Earbuds for the AI Era
After spending a week with the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, I’m thoroughly impressed. These earbuds deliver excellent sound quality, capable noise cancellation, and a host of innovative smart features that point towards the future of personal audio.
The sleek new design is both stylish and functional, providing all-day comfort and intuitive controls. While battery life and ANC performance don’t quite reach the top of the class, they’re more than sufficient for most users.
Where the Buds 3 Pro really shine is in their seamless ecosystem integration and AI-powered features. If you’re already invested in the Samsung Galaxy ecosystem, these earbuds offer an unparalleled user experience with automatic device switching, high-res audio support, and clever additions like real-time translation.
For Android users looking for premium earbuds packed with cutting-edge tech, the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are an easy recommendation. iPhone users or those seeking the absolute best in noise cancellation may want to consider alternatives, but Samsung has created a compelling overall package that showcases where earbuds are headed in our increasingly AI-driven world.
Final Score: 4.5/5
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro aren’t perfect, but they’re pretty darn close. If you want feature-packed earbuds that sound great and play nice with your Android phone, these deserve a spot at the top of your list.
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