Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro review
Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro Review
Samsung's done the most in recent decades to change the face of technology. Still, it doesn't shy away from taking a leaf or two from its closest competitors, some of which have led to the creation of some of today's best wireless earbuds.
Apple's conception has been grabbed recently by the new Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, not just in design but in performance characteristics, too—one of the AirPods Pro 2 cornerstones. So, on the one hand, long story short, the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro assume their space, and it is peculiarly much within the Android ecosystem with some really impressive AI-driven features and functionalities.
Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro: Specifications and Price
• Price in India: ₹21,000.
• Colors: White, Silver.
• Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.4 (supports SBC, AAC, and SSC codecs).
• Water Resistance: IP57 (earbuds only).
• Size (Earbud): 18.1 x 19.8 x 33.2 mm.
• Size (Case): 58.9 x 48.7 x 24.4 mm.
• Weight (Earbud): 5.4g.
• Weight (Charging Case): 46.5g.
The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro have not left my ears for the last two weeks running almost independently. While they prove almost perfect in several ways, some things were found wanting anyway. Below is a detailed review of my experience using these super-premium earbuds categorized under design, features, sound quality, and overall performance.
Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro: A Summary
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro is the new top-tier offering from Samsung in the true wireless Bluetooth earphone space. Focused on presenting a feature-enriched device, the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro from Samsung integrates a hybrid mix of active noise cancellation capability, AI-enabled audio improvement for clear communication, and crisp and clear sound clarity. These are priced at ₹ 21,000, sure enough for anyone wielding an Android.
For others, though, the price point on these makes slightly less sense with options in the market now in the sub region—competing against even options like the Pretty rich.
Price and Availability
It has been launched with much fan noise as well because the previously announced date was July 24 but was moved to August 28 due to issues related to the durability of the ear tip.
At ₹21,000, the Buds 3 Pro are among the more expensive TWS iTunes, only most positively rated alternatives even in the running: Nothing Ear (₹12,000) and Pixel Buds Pro (₹11,200). Another, albeit cheaper and discounted option in the market, is Samsung's own Galaxy Buds 3, priced at ₹15,000, but of course, it compromises on the brilliance of both ANC and some whirlwinds of.
For those seeking better sound and an even better-performing sound isolate besides the market-leading ANC, the Sony WF-1000XM5 at a better price after discounts at ₹21,000 would be a better deal. The Sony earbuds boast hugely superior audio performance over the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, and they are also far more comforting to wear.
Design and Fit
The design is quite durable, with an aesthetic look in white or chrome silver. Sadly, in my opinion, the seal doesn't correspond with the design. Regardless of which eartip I used or which ear the Buds were in, it eventually fails to find a comfortable stability in my ear and causes me to be very self-conscious about them falling out. Unfortunately, that's not just my anxiety—it's a common user complaint about the cheaper Galaxy Buds 3.
The Buds 3 Pros look like Apple's regular AirPods, but Samsung has ensured they have their typical design characteristics: angular stems, some added light-up, and a huge number of extra. On the inside of the earbuds, there's supposedly an advanced two-way speaker system with 6.1mm planar tweeter and 10.5mm woofer supported by a dual amplifier arrangement—all of which somehow fit into this single, tiny earbud night light.
The earbuds have an IP57 rating for dust and sweat protection, but the charging case does not feature any water-resistant design. In this respect, users will have to be very careful as regards the case, especially by keeping it in a bag or in case there is a drizzle and to avoid getting it wet.
Touch Controls and Voice Assistant Features
What stands out most is the long list of AI-driven enhancements for the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, with hands-free voice controls topping that list. So long as one had with them a Samsung device like the Galaxy Z Flip 6, he or she could give out commands, such as "Stop music" or "Answer call," without touching the phone. It is important to note, though, that most of these features are AI-related and not generally available on other Androids, let alone iOS devices.
There is no support at this time for the Buds 3 Pro in the iOS variant of the Samsung Wear and Samsung Galaxy Buds apps, and no word on when that might change. This takes a lot of shine off these earbuds for iOS users. Touch controls on the Buds 3 Pro are quite intuitive and responsive.
A consumer uses its light-up stems, which Samsung calls "Blade," to play, skip, launch apps, and exercise almost direct control.
Sound Quality
Sound quality from the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro is quite good, though not quite leading class at this premium price. The dual 10mm drivers in the earbuds are able to make sound that comes across as clean and precise but not once adding brightness or edge to any of your favorite songs, in whichever genre you test the earbuds in. Users will have to really be in the Samsung ecosystem, though, to fully enjoy the high-res. For frustrated listeners, Share Me does not serve the SSC proprietary codec, functioning in similar channels to Sony's LDAC for 24-bit/96kHz streaming.
Sound quality, then, is good for those outside of the Samsung Club, making it fine, fine, but with some very delicate details that the SSC provides are definitely missing with the Buds 3 Pro. Heavy tracks that share a bass, like those from Gunna and Don Toliver, get hit hard and are present with a strong sense of definition, while treble is brought forward, providing a clearer listening experience. However much the bass is a lot for some, though, and while the deep EQ in the Samsung app is sidelined for depth one can do quite a scouring bass, it could well prove objectionable to some.
With jazz tracks, for example, in the track "That's What She Said" by Paul Jackson Jr., it couldn't really be said that they don't deliver in phrases, but there definitely is more depth that can be brought out. The very complex palette of EQ settings is chiefly made intuitive to anyone's very own personal taste. In that regard, during my testing, I found "Clear" to be placed best where it balanced things out fairly well. Still, systems like this on the audio front function best mainly across only a few Samsung-compatible devices; other platforms lack some of the depth and infringes upon the said audio experience.
Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) and Transparency Mode
The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro pack big ANC features—Adaptive, Noise Cancelling, and Ambient Sound. The Ambient Sound mode, however, especially comes in very handy in outdoor places where a user would have to block noise from all over and at the same time not zone access. This mode, while it won't be even used nearly as often as the others, does allow for up to 10 levels of noise cancellation depending on the environment.
Both Adaptive and Noise Cancelling work very effectively, with the latter using the benefits of Samsung's AI in order to detect and prioritize certain sounds, such as voices. While ANC on the Buds 3 Pro is not equal to that found in most over-ear models, it is most impressive versus its competition within earbuds. There are cases that remain open, for instance, in which sirens or car horns may pass through that sound-shield wall.
Battery Life
The one really important thing associated with these true wireless earbuds, of course, is battery life, and the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro perform fine in this area. Samsung claims the earbuds are good for 7 hours without ANC turned on and 6 hours with ANC turned on, and the charging case stretches things out to either 30 hours total playtime with ANC off or 26 hours total playtime with ANC on. With practical normal usage, the battery tested to just above five hours with the noise-canceling system and the speaker support chamber turned on.
It is just a simple turn of the ANC system off and keeping the volume of the speaker low and other functions not turned on to the fullest, so that full battery life can be experienced. It makes the charging case be wirelessly charged or field-charged when needed with Samsung's PowerShare technology on the back of a Galaxy device. In total, the battery life suffices for most people, but it lags slightly behind that of some of its direct competitors, such as the Sony WF-1000XM5, at 8 hours of playback per charge.
Call Quality and Connectivity
Though, realistically, the call quality from Galaxy Buds 3 Pro is impressive. The internal microphone nullifies the background noise and lifts the speaker's voice, so the one at the other call's end will not find any apparent difference in quality from a standard phone call in my experience.
The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro show no issues pairing with a Samsung device; the pop-up for pairing arrives automatically when bringing the earbuds close to the device. The process is considerably more manual for devices that are not from Samsung, where you'll be required to hold down the button on the charging case until the earbuds appear in the Bluetooth menu, with a second pop-up opening to pair the earbuds.
For non-Samsung earbuds users, however, this extra step can prove mildly inconvenient as there are other competitor earbuds like the Nothing Ear or Sony WF-1000XM5, which instantly connects without much hassle.
Verdict: Should You Buy the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro in India?
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro undoubtedly come as one of the best offerings in premium wireless earbuds with some solid ANC and AI-enhanced features and definitely sound quality there is no disappointment. However, that seems rather expensive, standing at ₹21,000, and will have a lot of its best features only within the Samsung ecosystem—probably barring somebody who is not already others such as lined up with the best kind of the Galaxy gear.
For a Samsung and Android enthusiast who craves the best integration and sophistication of features that the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro have to offer, these earbuds are definitely up to the challenge. Great alternatives could be the Sony WF-1000XM5.
FAQs
1. Are Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro iPhones compatible?
With iPhones, Galaxy Buds 3 Pro will basically function through Bluetooth for music and calling. However, it doesn't feature support with the Samsung Scalable Codec, optimizing audio quality, and some AI-driven capabilities that are otherwise deprived on the iOS. This may affect the whole user experience and in a way even depreciate the overall appeal of the Buds 3 Pro for owners of the iPhone, who wouldn't be able to use the earbuds to their full potential.
Options ranging from Apple AirPods Pro may offer more in terms of seamlessness and full feature sets to the iPhone user.
2. What do you, in your words, think are peculiar to the ANC on the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro than the ANC on any other earbuds?
Active noise cancellation in Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro really works; it's quite great for an in-ear. This reduces ambient noise by hundreds of decimals when done at various locations—that, in turn, actually is fantastic for commutes or offices with high noise pollution.
Compared to other earbuds, ANC performance on the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro equals top rivals like the Sony WF-1000XM5. Certainly, these will likely not quite reach the performance level of over-ear headphones like the Bose QuietComfort 45. However, the Buds 3 Pro do offer a tantalizing blend of portability and noise reduction.
3. On the battery, the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro would last for how long?
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro will give you a good battery life that will last for long hours of using. Switching off the ANC gives you 7 hours of playtime; with it on, you will get 6 hours. Furthermore, the charging case extends this commonality further to an additional 23 hours with ANC on and up to 30 hours off vibrating the gorilla off your back. This makes the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro ideal for perfectly reliable consumers who need earphones to last through longer portions of a regular journey.
4. Are the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro devices compatible with any non-Samsung Android devices?
Yes, they pair with no problem at all with other Android-powered devices—making the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro a full, fully functional cross-platform device. Basic functionalities, like music playback and phone calls, work okay. Some of the advanced features, including Samsung's Scalable Codec and the AI-based features, might not be optimized at all. While that does leave the field wide open in terms of the devices running on an Android OS, these buds remain functioning with super audio quality and the best convenience level for Android users. With that said, these features work surprisingly well and enhance the overall experience.
5. Is it worth investing in the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro?
Priced around ₹21,000, the new Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are somewhat on the higher side; they are premium buds, especially from Samsung for those whole ecosystems. Well-rounded in balance, great in sound quality with effective ANC in very comfortable fitting. On the downside, this could prove costly for users not wielding a Samsung product, as some of the salient features are not compatible if the earbuds are used with a non-Samsung device. An option here can be the Sony WF-1000XM5 or an Apple AirPods Pro, which will give you a wider range of features on devices at the same price, or even for less.
