Galaxy Buds 3 Review: You’re Better Off With the Pros

Samsung recently unveiledtwo newfangled Galaxy Budsat its pretty packed Samsung Unpacked issue in July . I gave the enthusiast of the two , theGalaxy Buds 3 Pro , a solid 4.5 out of 5 after my review article . alas , at just $ 70 garish , the open - ear Galaxy Buds 3 substructure modeling is disappointing .

I initially thought the fresh Galaxy Buds were simply wannabeAirPods , but reviewing the Buds 3 Pro made me substantiate they ’re much more than that . In terminus of variant and social occasion , I could n’t help but suppose how much the $ 180 Galaxy Buds 3 resemble the stock undefendable - earAirPods 3rd Genbut with one major difference . The Samsung Buds sport active noise cancel , while the AirPods do n’t . For the exact same Mary Leontyne Price , the inclusion of ANC is a big asset , even though it was n’t as effective as I ’d hop .

With features that are similar across the table , I do n’t see the point of obsessing over whether Samsung ripped off Apple . Visually , they do see quite similar but we can get over that . The more crucial matter here is that they ’re design for two totally separate audience — iOS and Samsung Galaxy users — and consumers can choose one base on their elementary equipment .

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Photo:Dua Rashid

Samsung Galaxy Buds 3

If the ANC was in effect , these could have stood a hazard .

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Galaxy Buds 3

Photo: Dua Rashid

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Galaxy Buds 3 Design

Galaxy Buds 3 sport the same weird pentagonal - from - the - bottom , triangular - from - the - side form as Galaxy Buds 3 Pro . As I mentioned in my review of the Pros , the shape is unusual and feels like a design option that ’s intended to just be a little different than the AirPods for the sake of being dissimilar . Samsung prefer to give the stems sharp cornered edge and decide to call them ‘ blades ’ . It takes time to grow on you .

It also make it hard to bob the bud inside the charge sheath because you have to check that the frame of the bud matches the socket , which is a pain sensation when you ’re blow around in a hurry . as luck would have it , the undersides of both buds have tinge labels that equal the colorful socket in the charging case , so you eff which bud go where .

gratefully , the odd aim does n’t get in the manner of navigation . I found it much prosperous to pinch the brand than the rounded stem on AirPods because my forefinger and thumb , when fetch together , made the same triangular shape as the sharpness of the earbud .

Galaxy Buds 3

Photo: Dua Rashid

While reviewing , I also hollow the edged pattern because of the silken look it gives the buds . The buds are penetrative and aerodynamic , which in my ( subjective ) opinion , looks much better than its clunky bean plant - shape precursor . The subtle black accents on the body assist amp up its overall aesthetic .

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Galaxy Buds 3

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Generally , open - ear buds tend to be less snug than their in - ear vis-a-vis . I did experience that difference of opinion switching to the on - ear Galaxy Buds 3 from the in - spike Galaxy Buds 3 Pros . I believe Samsung could have made the difference of opinion a bit less glaring . Instead , they gave the Buds 3 Pros an even larger body than the AirPods 3rd Gen ; the bulb that rests on your ear is considerably bulky and clunkier . As a result , these moved around in my ears a good deal and plopped out a few times , too .

So , while I was already prepared for a comparatively relaxed , cursory scene , these cut across that sweet spot . I did n’t mind wearing them for a few trips to FedEx and the Laundromat and the overly loose fit kept ear fatigue away , but I would n’t run with these because of the fright of dismiss them .

In purchase order to recreate / pause euphony or have / declension call , you ’re required to pinch one of the blades . I strongly dislike touch - capacitive controls on earbuds , since I often bunk into unintended taps when I ’m fix the bud in my ear . But on these earbuds — which I establish myself fix more than usual — I was especially pleased with the catch ascendance . It was a relief to not stress about accidentally switching the birdsong or fall up during a call while strain to adjust the bud ’s position .

Galaxy Buds 3

Photo: Dua Rashid

The jot gesture was responsive , ask an appropriate level of force per unit area , and responded with a reassuring suction stop . A long emergency cycle between ANC on and off which was as tranquil as a regular pinch .

To turn the mass up or down , you ’re required to swipe along the blade which could have been more believe out . On a peripheral as kickshaw as earbuds , swiping is neither easy nor does it come in naturally as the most intuitive gesture . While I had the same ailment on the Galaxy Buds 3 Pros , this was a with child issue on the Galaxy Buds 3 because of their on - auricle purpose . Samsung should have known better than making us swipe up and down on a bud that rests on the exterior of the ear .

Galaxy Buds 3 Battery and Water Resistance

Galaxy Buds 3 promise a total of 5 hours of assault and battery lifetime with ANC on and 6 time of day with it off . These flesh are in the main for music playback , and phone calls run to drain the battery faster . My usage admit a good mix of both , and I could still squeeze out a picayune more than 5 hour . I cycled between ANC on and off during my testing period .

With the charge example , you get about 24 hour ( ANC on ) and 30 hour ( ANC off ) of life . The stats for the Galaxy Buds 3 Pros are 26 hours and 30 hours , respectively , so this is one of those areas where paying an extra $ 70 does n’t really count .

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Galaxy Buds 3

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The Galaxy Buds 3 facilitates wireless charging and so does the $ 180 AirPods Gen 3 . Comparing these to the AirPods , I want to mention that if wireless charging is a feature you do n’t care about , you could snagAirPods Gen 3 for $ 170 .

Just like the Pro model , the Galaxy Buds 3 are also stag IP57 for water ohmic resistance . I ca n’t say I ’ve in full tested their resistance to fret and water in just a week , but so far , they ’ve been prevail up reasonably well . I wore them in the kitchen a mountain and was constantly adjusting them with wet hands . I have n’t encountered any issues .

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Galaxy Buds 3 Sound and ANC

You have to be train for a much flat sound on the Galaxy Buds 3 than the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro . You still get balanced mids and some degree of separation among the layer , but not virtually as much quad as the Pros provide . The soprano is less distinct , but the bass voice is surprisingly strong . In fact , onLiving Life , In The Nightby Cheriimoya , which is n’t even what you ’d call a bass - weighed down song , the blue - end stood out super well from the residuum of the orchestra . I listened to some Song dynasty back - to - back on the Galaxy Buds 3 and the Pros and I did feel a considerable upgrade in detail , clarity , and overall prolificacy of the instruments . But anyone attend for an submission - level pair of bud should be more than okay with these .

The inclusion of ANC on these buds is welcome , but it is n’t very serious . In my room , it was able to muffle my not - particularly brassy tower fan , but I was still very bothered by the noise my air purifier was have on Turbo mode . At the berth , a co - worker was ( very loudly ) packing a few carton right next to me and the buds could not silence the randomness . In fact , cycling between the modes , I sometimes could n’t even narrate when ANC was on or off .

I want to say that this is the kind of carrying out you should require for $ 180 , but that ’d be wrong . Samsung ’s Galaxy FE Budsare much good at noise - canceling for just $ 100 .

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Galaxy Buds 3 Verdict

For just $ 70 less , you ’re losing a wad of lineament the Galaxy Buds 3 Pros offer . And it ’s not just bells and whistles like a fancy body or blade light . The downgrade in audio would be moderately obtrusive to even non - audiophiles . The two - way speaker with a planar tweeter on the more expensive model produce much better sound caliber . Listening to high up - pitched Song dynasty ( Sia is my go - to for try out treble ) , I was bid there was a consecrated tweeter on the Galaxy Buds 3 . And the ANC is not nearly as efficient as one would hope .

Specs like H2O electric resistance and battery life story are share across the series , so that should be o.k. . The conniption is another major difference between the two bud . While I ’m normally inclined towards opened - ear buds because they prevent fatigue , fit my ears advantageously , and help me stay cognisant of my surroundings , I preferred the Pros ’ paroxysm over the Galaxy Buds 3 review .

I would be the first to intimate you store your dollar and drop smartly . But front at the leap just a $ 70 difference is cook in terms of economic value , the Galaxy Buds 3 Pros are the wiser option here .

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