The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro was the star of this year’s Samsung Unpacked event, thanks to its major design overhaul featuring flashy lights and a sleek new look. However, the internet quickly labeled it as an AirPods copycat. Intrigued by the design, I decided to give the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro a try. After a week of use, here’s my review of whether this pricey accessory is worth your money.
Table of Contents
Unboxing the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro
Taking a closer look at what’s included in the box will help you better understand what to expect:
– Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro
– Small and large ear tips (medium tips pre-installed)
– User manual
– USB A to C cable
Build and Design
The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro’s design is one of its standout features. Samsung has shifted from the traditional in-ear buds to a more classic lollipop design, reminiscent of the AirPods. The change aims to improve sound pickup from the microphone, though Samsung anticipated the inevitable comparisons to Apple’s product.
Samsung’s unique touch comes in the form of triangular stems that sit at an angle, along with a new Blade Light that only flashes white. However, the light bar’s functionality seems questionable—who is it for? It blinks when the battery is below 30%, but it’s not visible when you’re wearing the buds, leaving me wondering about its purpose.
During my time using the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, I found myself frequently adjusting them. They weren’t uncomfortable, but they never quite disappeared into the background like other earbuds. Even returning them to the case was sometimes a challenge, feeling like a game of trying to fit the right block into the right hole.
The case itself has also undergone a redesign. Now made of metal with a clear lid, it feels compact and lightweight. The translucent lid and blade lights give off a futuristic vibe, possibly inspired by Tron. The compact size of the case makes it easy to carry around, even in tight jeans, without any discomfort. Overall, while I appreciate Samsung’s bold design choices, there’s room for improvement in future iterations.
Connectivity
Dual-device pairing is supported and the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro features Bluetooth 5.4 (LE audio ready), Google Fast Pair, and Microsoft Swift Pair. The pairing process is seamless, especially when connecting to the latest Samsung foldable devices like the Flip 6, where the pop-up appears instantly.
The buds also paired quickly with my Windows laptop, making them an excellent choice for PC use. Switching between devices was nearly instantaneous, and the connection remained stable even when I moved across the office. When it comes to connectivity, the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro truly shine.
Sound Quality
When you’re paying a premium for earbuds, you expect top-notch sound quality. Samsung delivers with a dual-channel 10.5mm dynamic driver and a 6mm planar tweeter, supporting high-resolution audio codecs like SBC, AAC, and Samsung’s proprietary Scalable and Seamless codecs.
But how do they sound? The mids are incredibly clear, making vocals stand out with detail and definition. For example, listening to “Bekhayali” from Kabir Singh, I noticed details I hadn’t before, like a female co-singer. The buds have a bright sound signature that highlights instruments and vocals, creating an open and rich soundstage.
However, the bass is balanced but lacks the punch that some users might prefer, especially for genres like EDM or hard rock. While I appreciate the clarity in the vocals, the lack of strong bass may disappoint those looking for a more bass-heavy experience.
Samsung’s 360 Audio feature, or spatial audio, offers an immersive experience, especially with head tracking enabled. However, there was noticeable latency when using Ultra High Quality audio, making it less appealing.
The biggest drawback of the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro isn’t the sound quality itself, but the fact that you need a Galaxy S23 or newer flagship running One UI 6.1.1 to fully experience it. Without this, you’re limited to AAC, which doesn’t quite justify the high price tag.
Microphone Quality
Samsung’s design changes were partly aimed at improving microphone pickup, and it seems to have paid off. I found that the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro provided some of the best microphone performance that I have ever experienced, even in loud environments. During a call in a crowded metro, the person on the other end reported hearing my voice clearly, with minimal background noise.
Noise Cancellation and Transparency Modes
Ambient noise cancellation (transparency), adaptive noise cancellation, and active noise cancellation are all available on the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro. The Adaptive mode, which toggles between noise cancellation and ambient mode based on external noise, was unreliable and often switched modes unnecessarily.
However, the Active Noise Cancellation is impressive, rivaling industry standards like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra. The transparency mode also performs well, providing a clear and natural sound when you need to hear your surroundings.
AI Features and Voice Control
The buds include Samsung’s Live Interpreter AI feature, which translates speech in real time. While it worked okay for simple sentences, more complex phrases often resulted in gibberish. Voice control is also available, but I found it more convenient to use touch controls.
Touch Controls
The new lollipop design introduces pinch and swipe touch controls for changing modes and volumes. While these controls are useful, Samsung didn’t include any physical indicators on the buds, making it difficult to know where to pinch. It took some trial and error to figure out the correct spot, though the audible feedback helped.
Battery Life and Charging
As far as I know, the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro have a battery life of around 6.5 hours with noise cancellation turned on. The buds and case take about 1 hour and 20 minutes to fully charge, with wireless charging support for added convenience.
Companion App Experience
To access the full range of features, you’ll need to download the Galaxy Wear app. The setup process is tedious, but once completed, the app offers a user-friendly interface with well-labeled menus. You can manage equalizer settings, touch controls, and other features, though the initial setup might be off-putting for some users.
Is the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro Master Worth Buying?
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are priced at $249 / £219 / Rs 20,000, making them more expensive than the Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Gen. While they offer great sound and a feature-rich experience, their full potential is only unlocked when paired with the latest Samsung flagship devices. This limitation makes them more of an accessory to Samsung’s ecosystem rather than a standalone premium product. If you already own a Samsung S23 or newer flagship, or if you can get a good deal when buying a new Samsung device, the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro could be a great choice. Otherwise, you might want to consider more versatile options that don’t lock you into a specific brand ecosystem.