Samsung’s new Galaxy Buds series is hardly a surprise thanks to a recent leak , but the company still had to officially debut its latest audio accessory at its Samsung Galaxy Unpacked event. Alongside new foldable phones, watches and even a smart ring, Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Buds 3 series. The new models have a more AirPods-like look thanks to their stick bud or “blade” design, and Samsung is trailing behind the scenes with new features like an Interpreter tool, Adaptive EQ and more.
Until now, Samsung has opted for the more common, circular earbud design that most companies favor for their products. However, the stick-based look has become increasingly popular, with many of Apple’s competitors launching their own takes on the style. Now, we can count Samsung among the group. The company says its new “blade” design is based on “a variety of aggregated statistical data” and offers “a more intuitive physical experience” thanks to pinch and swipe controls — another aspect of the AirPods Pro. The key difference here is that the “regular” Galaxy Buds 3 have an open fit like “regular” AirPods, while the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro have a tip that completely seals your ear canal. Despite that variation, both offer active noise cancellation (ANC), though only the Pro model has an ambient sound/transparency mode.
Another big difference between the two models is the two-way speakers on the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro. Samsung has paired a 10.5mm dynamic driver with dual amplifiers and a 6.1mm planar tweeter that offers “precise high-end sound production.” Both Galaxy Buds 3 models support ultra high quality (UHQ) sound up to 24-bit/96kHz and 360 Audio when paired with a compatible Samsung device. The two models also differ when it comes to battery life. The Galaxy Buds 3 can last up to five hours with ANC on (24 hours total with the case), but you get an hour more of noise cancellation on the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro (26 hours total with the case).
As you might expect, Samsung is sprinkling AI into its new earbuds. Both models offer an Interpreter feature that works with compatible Galaxy devices, a tool that relies on artificial intelligence to translate. It’s similar to what Google has been doing on its Pixel Buds for a while now, with all of the work done by the connected device rather than the earbuds.
The company says that mics on the Galaxy Buds 3 series monitor external noise in real-time and apply tweaks to it with both an Adaptive EQ and Adaptive ANC. On the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, the noise cancellation setting can also detect sirens as well as your voice, and when it picks up the latter, it will automatically lower the volume and activate Transparency mode. That feature, known as Voice Detect, was available on the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, but it’s nice to see the feature make a return.
Samsung has also added hands-free controls for music and other content with what it calls Voice Command. To improve overall voice quality, the company has added a Super Wideband calling tool that allows the Galaxy Buds 3 to transmit voice at up to 16kHz. Samsung says previous earbuds only use the 8kHz band, but the Pixel Buds Pro also support Super Wideband. Of course, the company is also using machine learning models to combat background noise when you speak.
The Galaxy Buds 3 and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are available for pre-order now for $180 and $250, respectively. Both models come in silver and white, and if you purchase them from the company’s website before July 23, Samsung will throw in a free protective “clip case.”
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