The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro have arrived, setting a new standard for wireless earbuds in 2024. These cutting-edge earphones combine sleek design with advanced features, promising an unparalleled listening experience. As the latest addition to Samsung’s popular Galaxy Buds lineup, they aim to compete directly with Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 and other high-end earbuds on the market.
This review delves into the key aspects of the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, examining their design, comfort, sound quality, and noise cancelation capabilities. We’ll also explore their smart features, controls, and battery life to determine if they live up to the hype. By the end of this samsung galaxy buds pro review, readers will have a clear understanding of whether these earbuds are worth the investment and how they stack up against the competition.
Design and Comfort
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro showcase a significant departure from their predecessors with a sleek and futuristic design. These earbuds feature a unique stem-style design, which Samsung calls “blades” due to their angular shape. This redesign aims to improve comfort and weight distribution, resulting in a more ergonomic fit for users.
Stem design and fit
The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro’s stem design allows for a smaller in-ear component, better microphone placement, and more convenient touch-control surfaces. The angular stems create two flat control surfaces, offering improved functionality compared to previous models. However, some users may find it challenging to locate the touch sensors initially due to the multiple lines and sharp edges on the blades.
Case and color options
The charging case for the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro has also undergone a redesign. It features a transparent lid, allowing users to see the earbuds and their LEDs inside. The case is slightly larger than that of the AirPods Pro 2 but remains highly portable. Samsung offers the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro in white and silver color options, with the latter featuring an attractive finish that extends to the case.
IPX7 water resistance
One of the standout features of the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro is their impressive IP57 rating for water and dust resistance. This rating means the earbuds can withstand submersion in fresh water up to 1 meter deep for 30 minutes. While not intended for underwater use, this level of protection ensures the earbuds can handle sweat during workouts or accidental drops in water.
Sound Quality and ANC
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro showcase impressive audio performance, thanks to their innovative dual driver system. This setup consists of a 10.5mm dynamic driver paired with a 6.1mm planar magnetic driver, a combination rarely seen in true wireless earbuds. Each driver has its own digital-to-analog converter (DAC), ensuring high-quality sound reproduction. The buds support high-resolution audio output of 24-bit/96kHz at up to 512kbps, surpassing traditional Bluetooth capabilities.
Dual driver system
The dual driver system in the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro delivers a broad spectrum of sound with minimal distortion. The planar magnetic driver, typically found in high-end audiophile headphones, contributes to exceptional clarity and detail. This setup allows for a more balanced and nuanced audio experience, with improved bass response and crisp highs.
Active noise cancelation performance
The active noise cancelation (ANC) in the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro has been enhanced compared to its predecessors. Unlike older ANC systems that primarily targeted low-frequency noise, these earbuds emphasize middle and high-frequency cancelation. This approach makes them particularly effective in office or school environments, where they can block out fan noise and significantly reduce voices from nearby rooms.
Ambient sound mode
The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro feature a clear and customizable Ambient Sound Mode. Users can adjust the level of external sound allowed through, making it easy to stay aware of their surroundings. While the mode is effective, some users may find the sound slightly crisper compared to more natural-sounding alternatives like the AirPods Pro 2.
Smart Features and Controls
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro offer an array of smart features and intuitive controls that enhance the user experience. The earbuds utilize a unique blade design, which introduces a new way to interact with the device. Users can easily adjust the volume by swiping up or down on the blade, while a single pinch plays or pauses audio. Double and triple pinches allow for skipping tracks forward or backward, respectively.
One of the standout features is the Voice Control function, which enables users to control the earbuds without physical contact. By simply saying commands like “Volume up” or “Next song,” users can manage their audio experience hands-free. This feature proves particularly useful in situations where touching the earbuds might be inconvenient.
The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro integrate seamlessly with the Samsung ecosystem. The Auto Switch feature allows for smooth transitions between Galaxy devices, such as phones and Windows PCs, without manual intervention. This functionality enhances productivity and convenience for users who frequently switch between devices.
Bluetooth connectivity has been improved with the inclusion of Bluetooth 5.4 technology. The earbuds support various audio codecs, including AAC, SBC, and Samsung’s proprietary SSC codec. The latter enables high-resolution 24-bit/96kHz playback on compatible Samsung devices, offering audiophiles an enhanced listening experience.
For gaming enthusiasts, the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro include a dedicated Gaming Mode. This feature aims to reduce audio latency, ensuring that sound effects and dialog in mobile games are perfectly synchronized with on-screen action.
Battery Life and Verdict
Battery performance
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro offer a respectable battery life that aligns with industry standards for premium wireless earbuds. Users can expect around six hours of continuous playback with Active Noise Cancelation (ANC) enabled. Without ANC, the battery life extends to seven hours. These figures are comparable to competitors like the AirPods Pro 2, making them suitable for extended listening sessions.
In real-world testing, the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro consistently delivered around five and a half to six hours of battery life with ANC activated. This performance represents an improvement over the previous generation, providing users with an extra hour of listening time compared to the Buds 2 Pro.
Charging options
The charging case for the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro significantly enhances their overall battery life. With the case, users can enjoy up to 26 hours of total playtime with ANC on, or 30 hours with ANC off. This extended battery life ensures multiple days of use before requiring a recharge.
Samsung has incorporated versatile charging options for the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro. The case supports wireless charging with compatible chargers and features PowerShare technology, allowing users to charge the buds by placing them on the back of a compatible Galaxy device. This flexibility adds convenience for users on the go.
Final recommendation
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro stand out as a compelling choice in the wireless earbud market, especially for Samsung Galaxy device owners. They offer a futuristic design, excellent sound quality, and a range of useful features. The improved ANC performance, advanced voice controls, and overall comfort make them a significant upgrade over their predecessors.
While some features are optimized for the Samsung ecosystem, the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro still deliver a high-quality experience for Android users in general. However, potential buyers should consider waiting for a price drop or look for bundle deals with smartphones to maximize value.
Conclusion
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro have made a big splash in the wireless earbud market, offering a mix of sleek design and cutting-edge features. Their unique blade-style stems, impressive sound quality, and enhanced noise cancelation set them apart from the competition. What’s more, the smart features like voice control and seamless device switching make them a standout choice, especially for Samsung Galaxy users.
In the end, these earbuds are a solid option for anyone looking to upgrade their audio experience. While they shine brightest within the Samsung ecosystem, they still offer great value for Android users in general. Their battery life and charging options add to their appeal, making them a strong contender in the high-end earbud market. If you’re in the market for top-notch wireless earbuds, the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are definitely worth considering.
FAQs
1. Are the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro a good investment?
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro offer significant comfort, allowing for prolonged use without ear fatigue, which is particularly beneficial for extended periods such as a full workday. The voice call quality is notably impressive, as highlighted in a recent Vergecast episode where the microphone quality of these earbuds was demonstrated.
2. What is the battery life of the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro when active noise cancelation is on?
The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are designed to last approximately 6 hours with active noise cancelation (ANC) enabled. If ANC is turned off, they can last an additional hour. These figures align with real-world usage, although it’s worth noting that the earbuds will automatically shut off after 15 minutes if removed from the ears, even if auto-detect is disabled.
3. Do the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro feature active noise cancelation?
Yes, the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are equipped with effective active noise cancelation. They perform particularly well by focusing on reducing middle and high-frequency sounds, which makes them versatile for various quiet-intensive activities such as writing.
4. What distinguishes the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro from the Galaxy Buds 3?
The query regarding the differences between the Galaxy Buds 3 and the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro remains unanswered in the provided input. For specific details comparing these two models, one might need to refer directly to Samsung’s official comparisons or other detailed reviews.
