The Bottom Line

The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro’s comfortable fit, quality sound, wireless earbuds, and clever AI features make them compelling for Samsung phone users, though their noise cancellation isn’t quite as strong as similarly priced competitors.

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro

Pros

Excellent audio quality
Above-average noise cancellation
Sleek software
Comfortable
Stylish design

Cons
- Battery life is merely fine
- High-resolution playback limited to only Samsung phones
Experience the Best with Buds | 3 Wireless Earbuds

Type In-Canal

Wireless yes

True Wireless yes

Connection Type Bluetooth

Water/Sweat-Resistant yes

Active Noise Cancellation yes

Samsung’s top-of-the-line Galaxy Buds 3 Pro make a change for the better by adopting the stem-style design of the Air-Pods Pro. Highlights of the $249.99 noise-cancelling true wireless earbuds include a snug fit, nuanced sound quality with exceptional clarity, and above-average protection against dust and water. However, their limited codec support for non-Samsung Android phones and underwhelming battery life mean they fall short of our Editors’ Choice award. Our top honors go to the $249 AirPods Pro for their seamless Apple device support, the $299 Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Earbuds for their unbeatable active noise cancellation (ANC), and the $299.99 Sony WF-1000XM5 for better codec options. If you have a Samsung phone and find the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro’s AI features appealing, however, they’re definitely worth considering.

Design: Angular Stems and a More Comfortable Fit

The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro have a stem-style design. Samsung notes several reasons for the switch from previous models, including improvements to comfort and weight distribution. I’m a fan of this change since the stem allows for a smaller in-ear component, better microphone placement, and more convenient touch-control surfaces. I also concur that these earphones are more comfortable than their predecessors. The three included sets of silicone eartips the box further ensure you achieve a secure fit.

Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro between two fingers

I appreciate Samsung’s effort to differentiate the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro from obvious alternatives like the AirPods Pro. For instance, the earphones are available in both white or silver (the model I tested). The latter’s finish looks quite nice, and I like that it extends to the case. Additionally, the stem on the earbuds is angular rather than smooth. It took some time for me to adjust to this shape, but it does result in two flat control surfaces rather than one. These surfaces require a bit more pressure to operate than those for the AirPods Pro, but it’s easy enough to adjust to this change.

Each earpiece has two drivers: a 10.5mm dynamic driver and a 6.1mm planar driver that enhances the high-end. Together, they deliver a frequency response of 20Hz-40kHz. The earbuds support Bluetooth 5.4, the AAC, SBC, and SSC codecs, and Google Fast Pair. That last codec option, Samsung Seamless Codec, supports 24-bit/96kHz playback. However, it’s proprietary to Samsung phones, and I would have preferred the more widespread LDAC option for hi-res playback on other Android devices. The Sony WF-1000XM5 earphones offer both LDAC and multipoint connectivity with up to two devices, another omission from the Buds 3 Pro.

An IP57 rating means the earpieces are reasonably dust-resistant and can survive submersion in water at depths of up to 1 meter for 30 minutes. They aren’t meant for underwater use, but you don’t have to fret if you drop them in the sink or if you work up lots of sweat during exercise. This is a better rating than you get with most noise-cancelling alternatives, but the IP68-rated Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 earphones are a better bet at $229 if you want the ultimate in durability.

Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro with charging cables and extra ear tips

(Credit: Christian de Looper)

Since the charging case doesn’t have an IP rating, you need to dry the earpieces off before you place them inside. The case is portable and only slightly larger than that of the AirPods Pro. Its lid is transparent, so you can see the earbuds and their LEDs when they are inside. I’m nitpicking a little, but I found that the earpieces’ long, triangular stems made them slightly inconvenient to slot inside. As for charging, you get a USB-C port for the included USB-C-to-USB-C charging cable and wireless charging support.

Samsung says the earbuds should last up to 6 hours per charge with ANC on and that the case holds an extra 20 hours of battery life. Your real-world results are likely to vary depending on your typical listening volume level and codec choice. For comparison, the Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds provide up to 8 hours per charge with ANC on and pull another 24 hours from their charging case.

Software Experience: Full-Featured With Some AI Tricks

The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro work best with Samsung phones like the Galaxy Z Fold 6. They work with non-Samsung Android phones, too, albeit with some limitations. You can’t download the Samsung Wear app on an iOS device at all, though you can always just connect them as standard Bluetooth headphones if you don’t mind losing the ability to customize the experience.

Samsung phones should immediately recognize the earbuds once you open the lid of the charging case. You then set them up and control them via the Galaxy Wear app. This is the same app that’s required to manage Samsung’s other wearables, such as the Galaxy Watch Ultra

From the Wear app, you can choose between several noise modes (Active Noise Cancellation, Adaptive, Ambient Sound, and Off) and adjust some options. The app has a nine-band EQ that allows you to customize the audio to your preference. An optional Adaptive Equalizer tool uses AI to adjust the sound based on how the earphones sit within your ears.

Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro companion app

(Credit: Samsung)

The earbuds also bring some AI-based features to other apps on Samsung devices. The Interpreter app, for instance, can play translated speech from you through your phone’s speakers and relay translated words from another party through the earbuds in its Conversation mode. Meanwhile, Listening mode can send translated speech from videos and lectures through the earbuds. These features worked decently well in testing, though speech can sound unnatural at times.

The Wear app is available on non-Samsung Android devices via the Google Play Store. It has all the same features and settings as a Samsung phone, though it doesn’t include the above AI-centric features. Whether that’s a deal breaker depends on how much you intend to use them.

Noise Cancellation: Good, But Not the Best

Samsung touts the Buds 3 Pro’s AI-tuned Adaptive Noise Cancellation feature, which is supposed to automatically adjust to your surroundings. I was expecting this to largely default to noise cancellation and let through important noises like sirens or voices. This mode does the opposite, which is fine, but I wish it was more aggressive. The earbuds didn’t fully engage their ANC mode when a noisy bus drove past, for instance, so it still sounded plenty loud. The Loud Sound Reduction option for the AirPods Pro does a much better job for such scenarios. The earphones also seemed to get a little confused with the Voice Detection option on, as they continued to limit noise cancellation levels even when voices weren’t present. Ultimately, I changed back to the regular ANC mode to get the most consistent performance.

Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro close-up

(Credit: Christian de Looper)

In more typical noise cancellation scenarios, the Galaxy Buds performed well, but not to the level of the AirPods Pro or Bose QuietComfort Ultra. They cut back most of the low-frequency noise from a recording of a plane cabin, but the Apple and Bose models dialed back more of the deep rumble. All three were about as effective against the mid and high frequencies, however.

On a bus, the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro mitigated sounds from across the frequency range, though some engine noise was still audible. The AirPods Pro performed better in both regards. Lastly, in a busy cafe, the Galaxy Buds took out most of the commotion. However, the Apple and Bose models handled the lower frequencies better.

The Ambient Sound mode works fine but doesn’t present your surroundings as naturally as that of the AirPods Pro. It introduced some hiss and didn’t reproduce high-frequency sounds quite as crisply in testing as I prefer, though it still makes it possible to conduct conversations without removing the earbuds.

Sound Quality: Stunning and Clear

Between their dual-driver setup and Samsung’s tuning, the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro sound excellent. Just note that enabling the ANC detracts from the detail and clarity of higher frequencies. I stuck with the default EQ settings for my evaluation below and enjoyed the full-bodied, high-quality experience.

On Bill Callahan’s “Drover,” the earbuds highlight the rich vocal tones and ensure that instruments like the guitar and percussion still have a proper amount of detail. The deep, pounding kick drum has plenty of definition without ever sounding overbearing. I did notice a slight dip in some of the high mids, but that didn’t detract from the track’s presentation.

Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro in open case

Tracks with more bass, like The Knife’s “Silent Shout,” sound great, too. This song can often sound muddy, but the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro keep the bass frequencies in check. This allows the higher-frequency synths to break through and the percussion to add a subtle complement.

For more mainstream tracks, like Kendrick Lamar’s “Loyalty,” vocals are rich, the percussion sounds detailed, and the track gets plenty of body. The sub-bass is a highlight. The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro do better than most to accurately reproduce the sub-bass tones, only pulling back on the deepest notes.

Orchestral tracks, like the opening scene from John Adams’ The Gospel According To The Other Mary, sound full and natural. Strings have sufficient separation, with good clarity amongst the higher strings and an appreciable body from the lower strings. The brass in the track comes through brightly, while the vocals have plenty of space.

Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro next to case

The voice mic array is merely fine. It picked up my voice decently well in a test recording I made from a Samsung phone, though I sounded slightly unnatural and unclear. It should be fine for calls, but you might occasionally need to repeat yourself.

Impressive Sound Quality

Buds | 3 wireless earbuds provide an amazing audio experience. These earbuds deliver crisp highs and deep lows, making every song sound incredible. You can enjoy your music, podcasts, or calls without worrying about sound quality. Because Buds | 3 uses advanced audio technology, you will feel like you are in a live concert. However, they don't just sound great; they are designed for comfort too.

Comfort and Fit

When you wear Buds | 3 wireless earbuds, you will notice how comfortable they are. They are designed with ergonomic shapes that fit snugly in your ears. This means you can wear them for hours without discomfort. Many users appreciate this feature, especially during long commutes or workouts. So, no matter what you are doing, these earbuds will stay in place.

Long Battery Life

Buds | 3 are built to last throughout your day. With up to 10 hours of battery life on a single charge, these wireless earbuds can easily keep up with your busy lifestyle. Additionally, the charging case provides extra power, meaning you can keep listening for days without needing to plug in. Because of this long battery life, you can enjoy uninterrupted music and calls wherever you go.