Galaxy Buds 3 Pro reach the pinnacle in Apple style
Samsung's Galaxy Buds 3 Pro offer a new, yet familiar design with excellent sound and strong noise cancellation.
Samsung took almost two years to release the third generation of the Galaxy Buds Pro into the market. In terms of design, they bear no resemblance to their predecessors, but they deliver sound quality at least as good and show impressive performance in practical testing. This holds especially true when used in conjunction with Galaxy-Smartphones, making the $250 Galaxy Buds 3 Pro an almost unbeatable team.
Completely new, yet familiar design
Samsung has completely overhauled the design of the IP54-rated Buds for dust and water resistance. They now resemble a slightly boxier version of the Apple Airpods Pro and come in a larger box with a transparent lid for charging. This is a good thing as the form factor is more compatible with various ear sizes than the predecessors. The 5.4 gram lightweight Buds sit comfortably in the ear.
Only three ear tip sizes
Like the second generation, Samsung only provides its new earbuds with ear tips in three different sizes. This isn't an issue, as the Buds usually stay in place with less-than-ideal ear tips. However, Samsung also models its control system after the Airpods Pro. This means pressing the stems of the earbuds once or twice to control playback and answer calls or activate functions. The volume is adjusted by sliding your thumb up or down the stems.
This works well, but the Buds tend to shift slightly when they don't sit perfectly. In testing, the right earbud needed to be readjusted after each action to ensure a good seal. Whether this is the case can be tested on Galaxy and other Android devices in the corresponding Galaxy Wearable app. The Buds are not an alternative for iPhone users.
Galaxy users have more advantages
All Android users have access to the neckband detection feature, where the earbuds recognize and warn when the head remains in an unhealthy position for too long. Additionally, the Buds 3 Pro can detect a siren or an incoming call and switch to the Transparency mode, allowing the user to hear their surroundings.
An exclusive feature for Galaxy users is Samsung's AI Translator. During conversations in two languages, real-time translation can be heard through the Buds 3 Pro. The function can also be activated through the earbuds if this is set up in the settings.
Only Galaxy phone owners can enjoy high-resolution music with 24-bit audio. In addition to the higher sample rate, a 48 Hz to 96 KHz doubled oversampling rate is also available. For 360-degree audio, a Samsung smartphone is required.
The Bluetooth LE Audio function Auracast is also exclusive to the Galaxy family. To discover and listen to transmissions from other devices, one must switch to the Bluetooth settings on the Galaxy, while other functions can only be found in the Galaxy Wearable app. This is somewhat roundabout and unnecessarily confusing, especially since it's not an isolated case.
Excellent sound, strong ANC
The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro deliver a well-balanced sound profile with strong bass and clear trebles. The Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) works effectively, blocking out most external noise. The transparency mode is also effective, allowing the user to stay aware of their surroundings while listening to music or taking calls. The touch controls are responsive and intuitive, making it easy to control playback and adjust volume. Overall, the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are a great investment for anyone looking for high-quality wireless earbuds, especially those who own a compatible Samsung smartphone.
In the Wearable-App, there is also a comprehensive Equalizer with various modes and manual adjustment. Normally, one does not need it, as the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro sound excellent, just like their predecessors. Equipped with two drivers, the earbuds deliver powerful, elastic, and deep bass that does not interfere with the clear, never piercing highs. These play on a wide and airy stage for in-ear headphones.
The active noise cancellation (ANC) is approximately as strong as in the second generation. It can be manually adjusted, effectively reducing steady noise such as traffic or aircraft noise. Office noise like keyboard clatter is not completely suppressed, but it is still effective enough for undisturbed music listening. The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro handle wind well, as long as it's not too strong.
There is also an adaptive ANC that adapts the strength "for a unique listening experience" to the environment and individual ear shape. It works in principle, but with significant delay, and the automatic noise cancellation does not suppress sounds as effectively as on the highest manual setting.
In the Transparency Mode, the strength can also be adjusted in several steps. The effect is characterized by low self-noise and a natural sound. The earbuds perform well during phone calls, as long as the environment is not too loud.
The battery life of the Galaxy Buds 3 is okay but not a highlight. With active ANC, they last for about six hours and a half. Without noise cancellation, they last for an hour longer. The charging case holds reserves for approximately 23 hours, and it can be charged via cable or induction.
Summary
Demanding Samsung smartphone owners currently have a hard time finding better earbuds than the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, which impress with their great sound, strong noise cancellation, high wearing comfort, and many features. Android users are also attracted to these earbuds. However, one does not have to spend 250 Euros for similar good earbuds. For example, Samsung's Galaxy Buds FE, which have excellent sound and ANC and cost less than 80 Euros, are available at Stiftung Warentest.
- The Audiotests conducted on the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro revealed their exceptional sound quality, with strong bass and clear trebles, and impressively effective Active Noise Cancellation (ANC).
- To make the most of the Bluetooth technology, Samsung Galaxy headphone users can benefit from the exclusive Bluetooth LE Audio function Auracast, which allows sharing of audio transmissions between devices.
- In addition to the standard ear tips included in the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro packaging, users can explore Technology Tests to find compatible third-party Bluetooth Headphones with size and fit options, ensuring a comfortable listening experience for varied ear shapes.
