Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro: Function over Form

The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro is a pair of high-end true wireless earbuds that offer a premium audio experience with impressive sound quality, active noise cancellation, and a comfortable fit. These earbuds are designed to cater to users who prioritize audio fidelity and convenience.

I have been using Samsung’s Galaxy Buds series for many years now, that includes but not limited to the following:

• Samsung Galaxy Buds Live (2020)
• Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro (2021)
• Samsung Galaxy Buds2 (2021)
• Samsung Galaxy Buds FE (2023)

Apart from the Buds2 which I have given to my wife, I’m still keeping the other 3, each for different devices. Buds Live for my ROG Phone7, Buds Pro for all my Samsung devices and Buds FE for my Steam Deck. I know you can live with just one pair of bluetooth earbuds with all the different devices, except you might need to manually connect it in the bluetooth menu which is kind of annoying. The again, I digressed.

Design

Back to the Buds3 Pro, the main character for today’s review. First of all, we cannot overlook the all new design. This is the main reason why I got excited over this generation because Samsung is trying something new after keeping the same buds form factor for years. I was wondering if it is worth sacrificing the accessories cross-compatibility for something new.

That goes without saying, the social media has been arguing how the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro and Apple AirPods Pro shares the same design. Honestly, you can’t escape this because the Buds and Stem is AirPods’ iconic design. We even made fun of how Apple literally just cut the cord from their EarPods and call it a new product. Then everything in life come full circle.

As stated on their design blog, the reason they went with this new route is to achieve the objective of function over form. Through the 3D scan and AI simulations, this is what they deem to be the ultimate fit that feels stable and comfortable, even during intense workouts or long listening sessions. The earbuds come with multiple ear tip sizes to ensure a perfect fit for individual ear shapes.

The controls are now located at the back of the stem. This is a massive change because the current buds design is extremely sensitive even to minor touch. By relocating the controls to the stem not just reduces accidental touches but it also introduces new gesture control such as pinch to toggle ANC mode and swipe for volume control.

Even the cradle has been redesigned to accommodate the new form factor. While I like the transparent top design, personally, I think they should rotate the buds placement by 180-degree so that it is much more ergonomic. The current design is more to showcase the light bar which doesn’t serve any purpose to the user. Nonetheless, they are not affecting the sound quality.

Sound Quality

One of the standout features of the Galaxy Buds3 Pro is their exceptional sound quality. The 2-Way Speaker System, featuring a woofer and a tweeter, which in theory should deliver a wide range of sound. From my opinion, Samsung should strengthen the tweeter further as of now, the woofer seems to always overpowering the trebles. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate the distinctive sound profile, just that you will need to turn down the bass in order to sound like a Beats. Otherwise, it is an amazing sounding configuration.

Besides, this is the first Galaxy Buds to support 24bit/96kHz codec. This will retain the highest possible quality audio over the wireless connection, excellent for Hi-Fi music enjoyment. With supported Samsung Galaxy device, you will be able to enable this feature in the Galaxy Wearable app. As of now, only the Galaxy Z Fold6 and Z Flip6 is supporting this feature. The downside of this feature is the response time is affected so it is not recommended for gaming.

Active Noise Cancellation

The Galaxy Buds3 Pro’s Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) technology effectively blocks out background noise, allowing you to immerse yourself in your music or podcasts. The ANC works well in various environments, from noisy offices to crowded public transport. The earbuds also feature Adaptive Sound, which automatically adjusts the sound settings based on your surroundings, ensuring optimal listening experiences.

Battery Life

The Galaxy Buds3 Pro offer decent battery life, providing up to 6 hours of continuous playback with ANC enabled. The charging case can provide 26 hours of additional charges, extending the overall listening time. The cradle also support wireless charging, making it convenient to top them up without using a cable.

Overall Impression

The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro are a premium pair of true wireless earbuds that deliver impressive sound quality, effective noise cancellation, and a comfortable fit. They are well-suited for users who prioritize audio performance and convenience.

While the battery life could be slightly longer, the overall package is impressive. If you’re looking for a high-quality pair of earbuds, the Galaxy Buds3 Pro are definitely worth considering.

Key Features:

• 2-Way Speaker System
• Active Noise Cancellation
• Adaptive Sound
• IPX7 Water Resistance
• Wireless Charging
• Comfortable Fit

Pros:

• Excellent sound quality
• Effective noise cancellation
• Comfortable fit
• Seamless integration with Samsung devices

Cons:

• Requires some tuning
• Earbuds placement in the cradle is not as ergonomic as it should