Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 review: A worthy rival to AirPods 4?

As a tech enthusiast with years of experience testing various earbuds, let me tell you about my take on the Samsung Galaxy Buds3. First off, the design is sleek and futuristic, making them an instant eye-catcher. They’re lightweight, which is always a plus when it comes to earbuds, and they seem durable enough for everyday use.


In 2024, Samsung revamped their true wireless earbuds, shifting from vibrant, round designs towards a stem-shaped style that resembles Apple’s AirPods.

Compared to the two Samsung earbuds released this summer, the Galaxy Buds3 are less expensive and have an open design, making them competitors for the AirPods 4. On the other hand, the more expensive Galaxy Buds3 Pro come with an in-ear design, positioning themselves against the AirPods Pro. Both sets deliver good noise-cancelling performance, although they cater to different needs.

The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 are available for purchase at a price of £159, but we’ve noticed it dropping to as low as £129 in the past. Therefore, it might be wise to wait for sales such as Amazon Prime Day or Black Friday for potential discounts. If you prefer the Pro model, its original retail price is £219.

Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 review: A worthy rival to AirPods 4?

Samsung Galaxy Buds3 review: Design and fit

bucking typical trends, Samsung’s Galaxy Buds3 adopt an open design, which means they sit on the exterior portion of your ear rather than fitting deeply into the ear canal like most true wireless earbuds. While some individuals might appreciate this shape, others might find them less secure.

Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 review: A worthy rival to AirPods 4?

I find it quite pleasant when earbuds sit slightly beyond my ears most of the time, as it often feels more comfortable and allows me to stay attentive to my surroundings. However, I’m not a fan of their design for running or workouts because they seem precarious and I fear they might fall out easily. As a result, I find myself frequently readjusting them during these activities.

Each earbud weighs approximately 4.7 grams, making them incredibly light, and their compact case can easily slip into snug pockets or petite bags, accommodating alongside your usual daily items.

Moving on, the Galaxy Buds3 boast a modern, sleek design featuring a slender, pointed stem and see-through cover on the charging case. They are available in silver (as I’ve tested) or a timeless, white shade.

Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 review: A worthy rival to AirPods 4?

Apart from the standard L (left) and R (right) indicators, a blue-orange stripe runs along the base of each earbud’s stem and on the charging case as well. This makes it easier to identify which bud goes in which ear.

As a gamer, I can confidently say that these earbuds are designed to handle any gaming environment, thanks to their IP57 rating. Whether it’s a sudden rainstorm or a little dust and dirt, these earbuds won’t miss a beat! This means I can game anywhere without fretting about damaging them.

With both touch and squeeze gestures, you can manage your music effortlessly without needing to unlock your device. To alter the volume, simply swipe up or down along the stem’s edge. Pressing slightly will start, pause, or change tracks (double for next, triple for previous). Squeezing firmly will toggle noise cancellation on/off by default, but you can customize this action in the Galaxy Wearable app to summon your digital assistant, launch Spotify, activate listening mode for Live Translate, or other functions.

For the majority of times, the controls functioned smoothly and proved to be more dependable than many touch or gesture-based controls; however, there was one minor issue I encountered: occasionally, I accidentally dislodged the device from my ear while using it.

Samsung Galaxy Buds3 review: Performance and features

The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 deliver a pleasing sound quality, however, they can’t match the immersive, full-bodied sound of in-ear or over-ear headphones. They do produce warm and bassy tracks, but don’t expect them to deliver highly detailed midrange and treble tones. If you enjoy upbeat dance music, these earbuds could be a great fit for you, but if you prefer more vocal-centric ballads, they might not offer the clarity you seek.

In-ear earbud models, such as these, typically lack built-in noise-cancelling because it’s challenging to achieve without the tight seal provided by snug ear tips. However, an exception is the Samsung Galaxy Buds3, which do feature Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), and surprisingly, it functions quite effectively. Samsung utilizes AI technology to analyze sounds captured by both the inner and outer microphones, allowing it to block out noise in the most efficient manner possible.

Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 review: A worthy rival to AirPods 4?

Turning on Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) made my surroundings seem muffled compared to when it was off. The office chatter became less distracting, and the tube noise was significantly less bothersome. Although the ANC performance wasn’t exceptional, it helped me concentrate more on the music than I usually do without it.

For individuals who prefer tailoring their audio experience, they can find a comprehensive Equalizer (EQ) with nine adjustable sliders at their disposal. Alternatively, there’s an array of pre-set sound modes available, such as Balanced, Bass Boost, Smooth, and Dynamic, just to mention a few.

A Smart Equalizer (EQ) utilizes artificial intelligence to autonomously tweak the audio, providing a personalized sound experience based on your ear’s unique shape and how you position the earbuds. I discovered that with it turned on, music appeared significantly richer compared to when it was off.

As soon as you remove the earbuds from their case, they should automatically connect with your phone. However, if they don’t, simply press the button at the bottom of the case to initiate pairing mode.

If you own a non-Samsung smartphone, keep in mind that you’ll have to get two apps: the Samsung Wearables app and the Samsung Buds3 Manager, which can be downloaded from the Google Play Store. Be cautious if your device has limited storage space.

Using the Samsung Wearables app is remarkably straightforward. It avoids an overwhelming array of choices and settings, instead focusing on a streamlined, minimalistic design.

As an excited user, I can’t help but rave about the Real-Time Language Interpretation feature on my Galaxy Buds3! This amazing AI technology translates conversations directly into my ears in real-time, making communication a breeze. However, please note that you’ll need a Samsung Galaxy smartphone to enjoy this fantastic feature.

Samsung Galaxy Buds3 review: Battery life

As a devoted fan, I’d like to share some insights about the Samsung Galaxy Buds3. When Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) is switched off, these buds can deliver approximately six hours of non-stop music enjoyment, and with the additional charge from the case, they can last an impressive 30 hours. However, if you prefer to use ANC, you’ll get about five hours of listening time per charge, and the charging case will extend this to around 24 hours.

Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 review: A worthy rival to AirPods 4?

With some true wireless earbuds, such as the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC, offering an impressive battery life of up to 50 hours from the case, you can enjoy extended use before needing to recharge them. Remarkably, you could potentially go for several days without having to plug in the Galaxy Buds3’s charging case.

The wireless charging case for Galaxy Buds allows you to charge them without cables. Samsung indicates that it takes approximately 135 minutes to fully charge them when using a charging cable instead.

Samsung Galaxy Buds3 review: Verdict

If you lean towards open-design earbuds, it’s hard to beat the quality of the Samsung Galaxy Buds3.

From my perspective, these devices appear remarkably stylish and futuristic, boasting a lightweight design that suggests durability. Secondly, their pinch controls offer a convenient means to alter the music or volume without needing to grab your phone constantly. Lastly, despite lacking passive noise cancellation, they deliver commendable Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) powered by AI, helping you concentrate on your music. Although they won’t completely isolate you from external sounds like earbuds do, they effectively muffle distractions to some extent.

In a similar vein, the listening experience may not be as detailed or engaging compared to in-ear models such as Sony WF-1000XM5. However, they make up for this by delivering powerful bass and if you’re accustomed to open earbuds, they will likely outperform many other options in the market.

Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 review: A worthy rival to AirPods 4?

Samsung Galaxy Buds3 review: Also consider

For an Apple iPhone user, the most apparent rival is the Apple AirPods 4. They share a similar ear fit with the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3, featuring a semi-in-ear design. Interestingly, they both cost approximately the same amount. However, it’s important to note that if you want noise-cancelling functionality, you’ll need to pay extra for the Galaxy Buds. In this aspect, the Galaxy Buds offer a more economical choice.

Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 review: A worthy rival to AirPods 4?

If you’re open to investing in high-end earbuds that offer exceptional noise cancellation and a comfortable, secure fit inside your ears, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds could be perfect for you. Unlike other earbuds, these from Bose excel at blocking out bothersome background noise, and they deliver sound quality that is well-balanced and crisp.

Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 review: A worthy rival to AirPods 4?

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2024-09-26 16:19

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