Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro vs Galaxy Buds 3: How do Samsung’s redesigned wireless earbuds compare?
Samsung raised eyebrows at Unpacked this week with a design overhaul for its Galaxy Buds line. It’s impossible to ignore how similar they now look to Apple’s AirPods.
There’s a lot more to the new Galaxy Buds than meets the eye, though. On paper, both the Galaxy Buds 3 and Galaxy Buds Pro seem like strong performers. Let’s take a look at the differences between a pair of new contenders for our guide to the best wireless earbuds.
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The Buds 3 Pro have earbuds
While both the Galaxy Buds 3 and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro have access to Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), the Pro edition will likely perform better in this department.
The Pro model has silicone ear tips. As you probably know from using ear tips with and without tips, the ones with tips offer better noise isolation. In fact, we’ve often wondered what the benefits are of adding ANC to ear tips that don’t create a seal with the ear canal.
Aside from that, the only design difference is an LED light in the stem. However, both models feature touch-sensitive surfaces that can be swiped or pinched to control playback, answer calls, and more.
Both models have an AirPods-like case with a transparent lid.
Buds Pro 3 Pro has better AI-based ANC
As we mentioned above, both of Samsung’s new wireless earbuds have active noise cancellation. The Pro version, however, is a little better. It offers what Samsung calls Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation.
The difference is that Adaptive ANC is a Galaxy AI-based feature that senses your surroundings, such as unwanted conversations or the noise of passing cars, and automatically turns them off.
With the Pro models, you can choose how much background noise you want to ignore, while staying alerted to alarms and sirens. You can also choose to prioritize calls if someone starts talking to you while you’re listening to music.
Pro promises slightly better sound
Besides the design and ANC benefits, the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro should be able to produce slightly better sound. The Pro model has a two-way woofer and tweeter, while the Buds 3 offers a one-way speaker with an 11mm dynamic driver.
However, both models can handle high-quality 24-bit/96 Hz sound and 360-degree spatial audio. Both also offer automatic device switching technology and Bluetooth 5.4 LE.
Both models feature the new Adaptive EQ
Many of the cooler new Galaxy Buds Pro features are available on both models. Adaptive EQ, which adjusts how audio is delivered based on the shape of your ear, is one. The ability to translate call and conversation languages in real time is another.
Buds 3 Pro has a bigger battery
The Buds 3 Pro have a 53mAh battery, while the Buds 3 have a 48mAh battery. The Buds 3 can last up to 6 hours of listening time with ANC turned on, and up to 30 hours total when using the charging case. The Buds 3 Pro can. Last up to 7 hours, but also up to 30 hours total if you count charges via the case. Both cases offer the same 515mAh battery.
Buds 3 Pro are much more expensive
Samsung wants £219 for the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, while the Galaxy Buds 3 will cost £159. We’ll be publishing reviews of both sets of Galaxy Buds in due course, which will give us a better idea of the value proposition.