I did not just like the design of the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Professional however that’s simply my private opinion that did not have an effect on the great efficiency of the wi-fi earphones. I do not just like the design of the Galaxy Buds 3, both. Nonetheless, this design tremendously impacts the person expertise this time round. On this Galaxy Buds 3 overview, I will share my ideas on whether or not this flaw is a purpose to show down a purchase order or not.
Good
- IP57 certification
- Environment friendly contact and haptic controls
- Good battery life & wi-fi charging
Dangerous
- Poor match within the ears
- Poor match affected the audio high quality
- Ineffective ANC
- Hello-Res audio reserved for brand new Samsung units
Samsung Galaxy Buds 3: All offers
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 in a nutshell
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 has been accessible since July 24, 2024. Samsung’s wi-fi earbuds are priced at $179.99 a pop. In contrast to the Galaxy Buds 3 Professional (overview), these are open-ear headphones. They don’t include a silicone tip that sinks into your ear canal. They merely relaxation in your ears.
Design
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 are open-ear wi-fi earbuds. That is their main flaw and occurs to be near a deal-breaker for me. The just about non-existent match supplied by Samsung’s earbuds makes them tough to make use of in my eyes (and ears!).
Professionals:
- IP57 certification.
- Compact case.
- Simple-to-handle triangular stems.
Cons:
- Virtually non-existent assist as a result of open-ear type issue.
- Coloured stripes on the backside of the stems spoil the design.
The Galaxy Buds 3 can be found in two colours: white and silver. They’re IP57-certified for water and dirt resistance. They’re pretty mild, weighing simply 4.6 g per earbud. These are open-ear earbuds. Like AirPods 4, there aren’t any tricks to push into the ear canal, in contrast to different in-ear headphones. The earbuds merely relaxation within the ear.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3’s case is pretty compact. Its cowl is manufactured from clear plastic and every earbud has a small coloured strip on the backside of its stem to differentiate the suitable from the left. The stem is triangular in design with tactile surfaces.
The angular form of the earphone stem makes them simple to deal with. I am not a fan of the semi-transparent case, nevertheless it makes it simple to test whether or not the earbuds are inside or not. The IP57 score does not make the earbuds appropriate for sports activities, nonetheless, as they do not have a superb grip in any respect.
It is primarily the open-ear format that gave me issues. The earbuds actually do not match properly in my ears. As quickly as I transfer my head, placed on a hoodie, or chew, the earbuds get dislodged a little bit. I used to be consistently afraid of dropping them when strolling down the road or taking public transport.
I feel this design flaw is an actual downside. It impacts every little thing from audio high quality to Lively Noise Cancellation. It is a disgrace as a result of the Galaxy Buds 3 has lots going for it on paper. It could have been a good suggestion so as to add detachable retaining wings, or on the very least, a barely grippier coating across the tip of every earbud.
Audio high quality
Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 3 has every little thing it takes to ship glorious audio high quality. Nonetheless, except you are in a quiet surroundings and do not transfer round an excessive amount of, you will not get sufficient out of them.
Professionals:
- If the earbuds match properly within the ear, the sound high quality is superb.
- Balanced audio signature beneath the suitable circumstances.
Cons:
- If the earbuds do not match correctly, the sound high quality is poor.
- Samsung’s unique SSC-UHQ codec.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 options 11 mm drivers. In contrast with the Professional mannequin, the 6 mm planar driver is misplaced in transition. The wi-fi earbuds assist Bluetooth codecs SBC and AAC, in addition to Samsung’s SSC codec and its SSC-UHQ model. This “Ultra high quality” codec permits listening to 24-bit tracks at 96 kHz. Technically, the Galaxy Buds 3 is Hello-Res licensed.
Nonetheless, this UHQ perform solely works with a reasonably new Samsung smartphone, so its usefulness is comparatively restricted. Samsung does not point out the bitrate both, however I doubt we’re speaking about lossless high quality right here.
Technicalities apart, the audio signature of the Galaxy Buds 3 relies upon largely on how they slot in your ears. Underneath preferrred circumstances, with the earbuds firmly in place, you get a reasonably basic W sound. Bass is a little bit flattered, with good depth and influence. The midrange is impartial, however voices and devices are clearly distinguishable. The sound is wealthy and detailed. Even with out the UHQ perform, I discovered the definition to be superb.
Nonetheless, most often, the earbuds did not match correctly in my ears. This meant having the audio high quality take successful. The bass grew to become far too absent, the midrange took a again seat too, and the treble took up far an excessive amount of house. Consequently, we now have a variety of sibilance issues with “F”, “S” and “Ch” sounds, which had been too strident at occasions. The remainder of the musical message sounded hole.
You may definitely increase the bass by way of Samsung’s glorious equalizer however you may’t work miracles with that. The sound lacks texture, it is dry. I am satisfied that that is as a result of open-ear format, which is ill-suited to my morphology. Technically, the Galaxy Buds 3 can produce superb sound. That is the most important disgrace.
Lively Noise Cancellation (ANC)
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 characteristic Lively Noise Cancellation (ANC). As with audio high quality, ANC high quality is way too depending on maintaining the earbuds in your ears.
Professionals:
Cons:
- ANC is ineffective as a result of open-ear format.
- ANC is just not manually adjustable.
With open-ear earbuds just like the Galaxy Buds 3, passive noise isolation is just about non-existent. There’s nothing to hinder your ear canal and stop ambient noise from seeping in. To rub salt into the wound, Samsung’s Lively Noise Cancellation is just not manually adjustable. You may flip it on and off, however you may’t improve its depth.
Personally, I did not discover the Galaxy Buds 3’s ANC to be efficient. You may definitely really feel the distinction when ANC is enabled and disabled. Nonetheless, ambient noise is just not sufficiently attenuated. Even structure-borne noises, which is the simplest to attenuate, seep by. Airborne noises equivalent to voices, doorbells, wind, and so forth., move by all too simply.
That is when the earbuds match correctly within the ears. It is because ANC can solely be enabled when the earbuds are detected as worn. Nonetheless, the issue of them getting dislodged all too simply interrupts the ANC.
I sincerely consider that Samsung may have completed with out Lively Noise Cancellation for this mannequin. The Galaxy Buds 3 do not have a transparency mode both. For as soon as, this is a bonus made attainable by the extra open format. You do not want it as the earbuds allow you to keep conscious of your sound surroundings it doesn’t matter what.
Options and purposes
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 retain many of the performance of the Buds 3 Professional. That is a superb factor. A number of features are unique to the Samsung ecosystem. Apple additionally does the identical with its AirPods, so we won’t blame Samsung for following of their stead.
Professionals:
- Exact equalizer.
- Full Android utility.
- Put on detection.
Cons:
- No true multi-touch functionality (works with Samsung units solely).
- Haptic controls will not be very customizable.
The Galaxy Buds 3 works with the Galaxy Put on utility for Android units solely. You may join them to an iPhone, however you do not have entry to any of the settings. I would not advocate shopping for them if you happen to’re utilizing an Apple iPhone. If in case you have a Samsung smartphone, all settings could be carried out by way of the smartphone settings with out the necessity for an app.
Samsung headphones assist multipoint Bluetooth connectivity, nevertheless it solely works between two Samsung units. Samsung’s app right here could be very complete throughout the Samsung ecosystem. There’s the Discover My System perform and, above all, put on detection.
The Galaxy Buds 3 is provided with contact and haptic controls. Contact controls merely contain sliding your finger alongside the entrance of the earbud’s stem. This raises or lowers the quantity. These controls will not be customizable however you may change the haptic controls. These contain pinching the earbud stem.
| Left earbud | Proper earbud | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 pinch | ||
| 2 pinches | ||
| 3 pinches | ||
| Lengthy pinch |
|
|
Battery and charging
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 boast a battery lifetime of 6 hours with out ANC and 5 hours with ANC. With the charging field, complete battery life is rated at as much as 30 hours. That is fairly common numbers.
Professionals:
- Good battery life.
- Wi-fi charging is supported
Cons:
Personally, I used the Samsung wi-fi earbuds in response to these settings:
- 100% charged.
- Put on detection was disabled.
- No charging in any respect.
- Lively Noise Cancellation was all the time on.
- 50% listening quantity.
- Paired with an Android smartphone.
- SBC/AAC codec.
I used to be capable of obtain and really barely exceed the 5 hours of battery with ANC as claimed by Samsung. Battery life is first rate, properly throughout the common for this worth vary, however not more than that.
I used to be pleasantly shocked Samsung supplied wi-fi recharging for its earbuds’ case. The producer may properly have reserved this perform for the Professional mannequin however nonetheless went the additional mile. The earbuds could be recharged at the very least 4 occasions by way of its case.
Technical specs
| Technical specs | |
|---|---|
| System | Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 |
| Picture |  |
| Design |
|
| Weight |
|
| Dimensions |
|
| IP score | |
| Audio |
|
| Frequency response | |
| ANC |
|
| Bluetooth | |
| Codec | |
| Multipoint | |
| Battery life |
|
| Autonomy with case | |
| Wi-fi recharging | ✔️ |
Conclusion
Would I like to recommend you purchase the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 for $179.99? No.
I hesitated lots earlier than score these wi-fi earbuds. The open-ear format did not swimsuit my ears in any respect. The earbud stored on dislodging and this tremendously affected the audio high quality in addition to the standard of the Lively Noise Cancellation.
Nonetheless, I am conscious the open-ear format could be very widespread. Lots of people hate in-ear earbuds, that are too intrusive and uncomfortable. When you occur to fall into this class of customers, I might advise you to strive the earbuds out before you purchase them. Be sure that they match snugly in your ears.
This design “flaw” is all of the extra unlucky as a result of technically, the Galaxy Buds 3 is an excellent pair of wi-fi earbuds. Personally, I do not use my wi-fi earbuds at house, which is quiet more often than not. I transfer round with them, on my technique to work, on the road. If I’ve to tape them to my ears to get pleasure from all the great issues it presents, the idea is redundant to me.
What do you consider the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 after this complete overview? Do you suppose I have been too harsh on Samsung? I hope to have the ability to overview Apple’s AirPods 4 quickly. They’ve the identical open-ear format. I will let if I undergo from the identical issues and I’m curious to know if any of you share my emotions about open-ear wi-fi earbuds.
Samsung Galaxy Buds 3
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