This year’s Samsung Unpacked was a pretty loaded event. We saw the release of the Galaxy Fold 6, a successor to the best folding phone. The new Samsung Galaxy Ring reminded Flo of why she hates rings, and the Galaxy Watch Ultra impressed us to the point where we thought it was essentially like the Apple Watch Ultra but for Android users. Samsung also launched its latest earbuds, the Galaxy Buds 3 series, which gave us serious deja vu.
The earbud series consists of a modest base model, the $180 Galaxy Buds 3, and its pricier counterpart, the $250 Galaxy Buds 3 Pros. Before we discuss the differences and determine which model is right for you, let’s first examine their similarities.
They are more alike than you think
You’re promised 24-bit hi-fi audio across the series, so that’s not something you should worry about. The predecessors, Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, also offered 24-bit audio, which makes the Samsung Galaxy FE Buds, the company’s entry-level $99 Buds, the only current offering without hi-fi sound. While Samsung guarantees hi-def sound across the board, the catch is that you can only enjoy it with Samsung phones. Building a wall around your features to trap consumers inside your ecosystem isn’t new and is something we’ve been seeing on Samsung’s biggest rival for ages.
Fortunately, both new buds sport ANC. ANC is often omitted on budget earbuds, but the base model’s midrange $180 price tag merits the feature. Both buds offer a fully customizable EQ so you can get your music exactly how you like it.
Of course, the buds boast a bunch of AI stuff. With Galaxy AI powering both models, you can use the Interpreter feature in Listening mode on the new Galaxy Z Fold 6 or Flip 6 to translate a foreign language in real-time. Your Galaxy Buds 3 series will translate the words as they are being spoken. Voice Command is another AI feature that allows you to control playback on the buds simply by uttering a short voice prompt. This allows for easy, hands-free control and reminds me of using head gestures in iOS 18 to control AirPods.
In terms of design, the Apple AirPods-style stems, sorry “blades”, can be found on both the buds. I don’t know if this was done not to look like complete AirPod duplicates, but the blades sport a strange triangular design, which is the same across both models. The blades can be pinched or swiped up or down to control your device or adjust volume. An IP57 rating (on both the buds only, not the charging cases) ensures they can withstand light splashes and sweat. Both models support quick charging and wireless charging, too.
What kind of ears do you have?
If you have weird ears like me, who can’t accept in-ear buds, the Buds 3 host an on-ear design that sits right outside your ear canal, while the Pros feature an in-ear or canal design that goes inside your ears. I know many people apart from myself (my coworker Kyle, a bunch of friends, and some family members) whose ears just aren’t built for canal buds. I took the Pros out for a quick walk to test if these were any different and found myself manually pushing them in every few seconds, or they would plop out of my ears.
Deciding this also requires considering your lifestyle. The Buds 3 will be an excellent fit if you’re into running or other outdoor activities. Open earbuds are also known as running buds for that reason. They facilitate situational awareness and allow you to keep in touch with what’s happening around you. I haven’t gotten a chance to take them out for a run yet, but I commuted with them to work, which involves a lot of walking and a Subway ride, and it felt nice not having every ambient sound blocked out. I’ve missed important train announcements because of ANC, so I liked being mindful of my environment and music simultaneously.
Just a little note: the Pros do feature an Ambient Mode, which will offer the same experience as the Buds 3, but this way, you’re paying extra money for a mode that’s the default on the base model. So, if you’re sure about your lifestyle and priorities, it’s best to opt for a model based on that simple.
Go For The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro
Suppose you’re into those bells and whistles. The Pros, as they should be, are undeniably fancy owing to the stunning blade lights that amp up their overall look. The buds light up multiple times, such as when docking or taking them out of the case. As much as I’d hate to pay an extra $70 just for lights, I probably will if I decide between these two. That’s how pretty they are.
More importantly, go for the Buds 3 Pros if you’re an audiophile who can’t compromise on sound quality. Though both offer 24-bit, 96 KHz sound, the Pros feature a two-way speaker system with a planar tweeter and dual amplifiers. The tweeter helps with enhanced treble or high-end sound, and the amplifiers make your music sound richer and clearer.
Surprisingly, the difference was noticeable in my quick hands-on with both buds. I listened to a lot of Anjunadeep, which I turn to when I want to discern the details in music closely. The Pros offer clear highs that don’t sound excessively sharp at high volumes and mids that are balanced and sound full and rich. The low-end, I’ll admit, wasn’t as easily discernible on these despite the presence of a dedicated woofer. So, if you’re a hardcore bass fan, you might not be thrilled about these.
Though both buds do ANC, the Pros go a step ahead and feature Galaxy AI-powered Adaptive ANC. This means it can detect sharp, unexpected sirens, general ambient noise, or human voice to turn its level up or down accordingly. ANC-wise, I couldn’t feel a noticeable difference between the buds. As in, I couldn’t tell if the Pros considerably enhanced cancellation as soon as I entered the rather loud Kips Bay Trader Joe’s and decreased it as soon as I exited it. I felt like both the buds performed the same regarding ANC, but maybe that’s an opinion that will change when I get into deeper testing.
Another feature that I haven’t yet gotten a chance to test out is battery life. The base model sports 24 hours with ANC off and 30 with it on, and the Pros provide 26 hours with ANC off and 30 with ANC On. Since there isn’t much difference, I wouldn’t recommend battery life as one of the main reasons to invest an extra $70. But stay tuned to find out what the actual scores are.
Which are the Buds 3 for you?
Based on my quick testing, the early verdict is pretty clear. The Pros make more sense if sound matters a lot to you and you’re someone who’d notice the upgrade and make the extra investment worthwhile. The regular Buds 3 sound decent, too, so if you’re looking for a not-so-expensive pair of Buds for your daily commute or run, they will be more than enough to fulfill your needs. They sport ANC, too, so it’s not like you’ll always have to be subjected to ambient sound.
Again, the base model doesn’t feature many of the bells and whistles the Pros do, but it’s also $70 cheaper. Feel free to pass on the Pros if you think a strip of lights on the blades isn’t worth 70 bucks. Apart from the lights, the sleek, streamlined blade design is consistent across the series.
Looking at how other features such as battery life, water resistance, wireless charging, quick charging, some AI features, and custom EQ are also shared across both new buds. If anything, I see more similarities than differences. But ultimately, it also comes down to the weightage you attribute to a feature. If the most significant reason you’re paying extra for–upgraded sound–is something you’re not willing to compromise on, then you have your answer already. The Pro is the way to go.
