Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro vs Galaxy Buds 3: How do Samsung’s redesigned wireless earbuds compare to each other?
Samsung raised eyebrows at Unpacked this week with a design refresh for its Galaxy Buds line. It’s impossible to ignore they now look a lot like Apple’s AirPods.
However, there’s a lot more to the new Galaxy Buds than meets the eye. On paper, the Galaxy Buds 3 and Galaxy Buds Pro appear to be great performers. Let’s take a look at the differences between a pair of new contenders for our best wireless headphones guide.
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Buds 3 Pro has tips
While the Galaxy Buds 3 and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro have access to Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), the Pro edition is likely to be a better performer in this regard.
The Pro model has silicone ear tips. As you probably know from using tipped and untipped buds, the tipped ones offer better noise isolation. In fact, we’ve often wondered about the merits of including ANC with buds that don’t create a seal with the ear canal.
Furthermore, the only change in design is an LED light inside the trunk. However, both models have touch-sensitive surfaces that can be swiped or pinched to control playback, answer calls, and more.
Both rock the AirPods-like case with a transparent cover.
Buds Pro 3 Pro has better ANC, based on AI
As we mentioned above, both of Samsung’s new wireless headphones have active noise cancellation. However, the Pro version is slightly better. It offers what Samsung is calling “Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation”.
The difference is that Adaptive ANC is a Galaxy AI-based feature that takes into account your environment such as unwanted conversations or the noise of passing cars, and automatically tunes it.
With the Pro models, you can choose how much background noise you want to tune out while staying aware of alarms and sirens. You can also choose to prioritize conversations if someone starts talking to you while you’re listening to music.
Pro promises slightly better sound
Beyond the design and ANC advantages, the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro should be capable of slightly better sound. The Pro model has a two-way woofer and tweeter, while the Buds 3 offer a one-way speaker with an 11mm dynamic driver.
However, both models can handle high-quality 24-bit / 96 Hz sound and 360-degree spatial audio. Both also offer automatic switching technology between devices and Bluetooth 5.4 LE.
Both models have new Adaptive EQ
Many of the Galaxy Buds Pro’s coolest features are available on both models. Adaptive EQ, which adjusts how audio is delivered depending on the shape of your ear is one. The ability to translate the languages of calls and chats in real time is another.
Buds 3 Pro has a bigger battery
The Buds 3 Pro has a 53 mAh battery, while the Buds 3 has a 48 mAh battery. Buds 3 will last up to 6 hours of listening time with ANC on and up to 30 hours in total thanks to the charging case. Buds 3 Pro can. It lasts up to 7 hours, but also 30 hours in total when taking into account top-ups from the case. Both cases offer the same 515 mAh battery.
Buds 3 Pro are much more expensive
Samsung is asking £219 for the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, while the Galaxy Buds 3 are £159. We’ll have reviews of both sets of Galaxy Buds in due course, which will give us a better idea of the value proposition.