For the past few weeks, I’ve had the chance to live with the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro. The latest in a growing list of audio products from Samsung, these earbuds feature a unique design and yes, naturally in 2024, feature AI smarts to make the experience smarter.
The experience of using the Galaxy Buds3 Pro is quite a good one, with the pairing process out of the box, one of the easiest I’ve experienced. Considering I was pairing these off-brand, to a Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, I was glad to see this experience be seamless as BT pairing has been painful in the past.
In this review we take a look at the design, performance, features possible improvements, price and a summary.
Design
Available in Silver and White, the buds are surprisingly comfortable, despite their somewhat unusual shape. They sit snugly in the ear, with a good seal that’s crucial for both noise cancellation and sound quality. Compared to the previous generation, the Buds3 Pro feel more refined and less bulbous.
The charging case is also a marked improvement – it’s compact, sleek, and has a satisfying magnetic snap. While the design might not be to everyone’s taste, it’s a step forward for Samsung and stands out from the ubiquitous AirPods aesthetic.
Something I’ve always struggled with is getting the correct earbud in the correct side of the charging case the first time. This is a bigger issue than USB-A ports that thankfully have been solved with the bi-directional USB connector. Samsung aims to solve this issue with coloured markings on both the earbud and charging case that actually works quite well.
The left earbud features a blue line at the end of the stem (or blade), with a complimenting blue line on the front of the charging case where that earbud gets docked. The right side is orange, making it very clear which one goes in each side.
When you do place the earbuds in the charging case, you see the LED strip illuminate for a second inside the case which is quite a nice effect to confirm the charging session has started.
Performance
Next-gen audio is here in Buds3 Pro. Stay immersed in your audio with Adaptive Noise Control, ANC, and EQ powered by Galaxy AI.
In practice, this translates to a very enjoyable listening experience. The sound quality is excellent, with a well-balanced profile that delivers clear highs, rich mids, and punchy bass. The ANC is effective at blocking out most ambient noise, making these earbuds ideal for commuting or working in busy environments.
I was particularly impressed with the Adaptive Noise Control, which intelligently adjusts the level of noise cancellation based on your surroundings.
Features
Controlling the headphones is a different experience than earbuds I’ve used in the past. The typical move is to use tap and double tap on the earbud itself, but the Buds3 Pro uses a swipe and pinch gestures.
A swipe on the stem/blade can adjust the volume up and down, while using a pinch gesture will control the play/pause option, or hold it to launch your default voice assistant.
The Blade lights are a small, strip of light on the exterior of the earbuds that let you know the battery status and pairing status. It’s a subtle touch, but it adds to the premium feel of the device.
Carry on a conversation and Voice Detect will switch the ANC and Ambient sound on/off accordingly — so you can hear loud and clear without needing to take off your Galaxy Buds3 Pro. This feature worked surprisingly well in my testing, seamlessly transitioning between modes when I started speaking.
Real-time translation – Thanks to Galaxy AI Interpreter and Live Translate, you can pair your Buds3 Pro with your Samsung device to experience instant in-ear translations in languages all over the globe. While I didn’t have the opportunity to test this feature extensively, it’s a potentially game-changer for travelers and those who frequently interact with people from different linguistic backgrounds.
Other notable features include:
- Wireless charging support
- Active Noise Control
- IP57 water and dust resistance
- Battery life – Up to 7 hours with ANC, or as much as 30 hours with ANC off.
Software
On the software side, you’ll need to grab the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro Manager app to personalise the earbuds. This allows you to configure the button presses, the sound mode, amount of noise canceling and more.
My favourite feature here is the ability to automatically switch to ambient sound when it detects you are speaking, this helps solve the issue of having to remove the earbud when someone approaches you and begins a conversation. This option opens the mic to bring sound from the outside world, into your head, have the conversation, then seconds after, it automatically switches back to ANC and again allows you to focus.
This detection can also extend to detecting sirens, which can be important during emergency situations. Imagine wearing the earbuds when crossing the road and having the ANC turn off (or down) to allow you to hear an approaching ambulance, allowing you to pause and let them pass safely. This is a nice feature, one I definitely turned off.
Issues and Opportunities
While there’s a lot to love, not everything is perfect. The following items are suggestions for improvement in future editions of the device:
- Fit: While comfortable for most, the design might not be ideal for those with all ears.
- Touch Controls: The swipe and pinch gestures, while innovative, can be a bit finicky at times and take some getting used to. I found myself sometimes knocking into my ear, rather than reliably interacting with the blade.
- Voice commands: In the software, you’ll find the ability to enable Voice Commands, but you’ll find there are just two supported languages – English (United States) and Korean. This seems very limited and should be built out to support local accents for countries this product gets sold into.
Price and Availability
The Samsung Pixel Buds3 Pro are available now from Samsung direct, or all the regular online and retail outlets.
The cost of these earbuds is A$399.00 outright if you buy from most locations, but the best deal we’ve seen is on Catch.com.au which offers the Silver version for just A$330.
At that price, these represent really good value, with a great set of features, an interesting and unique design, and great listening experience.
Overall
The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro are a compelling choice for anyone looking for a premium pair of wireless earbuds. They offer excellent sound quality, effective noise cancellation, and a host of innovative features.
While there’s room for improvement in terms of fit and touch controls, the overall package is impressive. If you’re in the market for new earbuds and can afford the price tag, the Buds3 Pro are definitely worth considering.
I would say that personally I have found other earbuds more comfortable for long-sessions if listening and I think I prefer the touch controls to be on the earbud itself.