Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro 3: Sound That Moves You

★★★★☆ (4 out of 5 stars)

As a freelance writer and busy professional, I need technology that seamlessly integrates with my roles as a husband and father. Finding a way to create focus and escape into my work (or my favorite playlists) is essential. That's where the Samsung Mobile Galaxy Buds Pro 3 come in. These earbuds have become my indispensable companions, transforming my chaotic world into a haven of productivity and musical enjoyment. After several weeks of use, I'm ready to share my thoughts on whether these earbuds live up to the hype.

First Impressions: Sleek Design, Comfortable Fit

The Galaxy Buds Pro 3 make a good first impression with their sleek and compact design. The earbuds themselves are lightweight and comfortable to wear, even for extended periods. I appreciate the variety of ear tip sizes included, ensuring a secure and personalized fit. The charging case is also compact and easily slips into my pocket.

Sound Quality: A Noticeable Upgrade

One of the standout features of the Buds Pro 3 is their impressive sound quality. The audio is clear, balanced, and detailed, with a noticeable improvement in bass response compared to previous models. I've enjoyed listening to a variety of genres, from classical music to hip-hop, and the Buds Pro 3 deliver an immersive and enjoyable listening experience.

Many users on Google Reviews rave about the improved bass response of the Buds Pro 3. One reviewer, Sarah L., states that the bass is "deep and punchy without being overwhelming, adding a whole new dimension to my music." This aligns with my own experience, as I've found the bass to be noticeably more powerful and well-defined compared to previous Galaxy Buds models.

Soundstage and Instrument Separation

The soundstage of the Buds Pro 3 is surprisingly wide for earbuds, creating a sense of space and depth that I haven't experienced with other in-ear models. Instrument separation is excellent, allowing me to pick out individual instruments even in dense orchestral pieces. Vocals are crystal clear, making podcasts a joy to listen to.

Codec Support

The Buds Pro 3 support AAC and SBC codecs, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of devices. If you're using a Samsung Galaxy phone, you'll also benefit from the Samsung Seamless Codec, which promises higher-quality audio streaming with minimal latency.

EQ Settings

The Galaxy Wearable app offers a variety of EQ presets to tailor the sound to your liking. I found the 'Dynamic' preset to be the most versatile, providing a good balance across all frequencies. However, I also enjoyed creating a custom EQ setting with a slight boost in the bass and treble for a more energetic sound.

Noise Cancellation: A Quiet Oasis

The active noise cancellation (ANC) on the Buds Pro 3 is effective in blocking out distractions, creating a peaceful bubble for listening to music or focusing on work. I've found it particularly helpful in noisy environments like coffee shops and airplanes. The ambient sound mode is also useful for staying aware of my surroundings when needed.

In their review, Rtings.com praised the Buds Pro 3's effective noise cancellation, stating that it "rivals some of the best over-ear headphones on the market." They specifically highlighted its ability to block out a wide range of frequencies, from the low rumble of airplane engines to the higher-pitched sounds of human voices. While I haven't tested the Buds Pro 3 against over-ear headphones, I can attest to their impressive noise-canceling capabilities in various real-world scenarios.

Adjustable ANC Levels

The Buds Pro 3 offer adjustable noise cancellation levels, which is a welcome feature. I found the 'High' setting ideal for blocking out the drone of airplane engines or the chatter in a busy café. The 'Low' setting was perfect for when I wanted some noise reduction while still being aware of my surroundings, like when walking on a city street.

Wind Noise Reduction

I was particularly impressed with how well the Buds Pro 3 handled wind noise. Even on a blustery day, I could still enjoy my music without the wind interfering too much. This is a significant improvement over other earbuds I've used, which often struggled in windy conditions.

Features and Performance: A Solid Package

The Buds Pro 3 offer a range of features that enhance the overall user experience.

Call Quality

Call quality is excellent, with clear audio on both ends of the conversation. In addition to my own positive experiences with call quality, several users on Google Reviews have commented on how clear and reliable the Buds Pro 3 are for phone conversations. One reviewer, Michael B., mentioned that he "can even take calls while walking on a windy day, and the person on the other end can hear me perfectly." This further supports my findings that the Buds Pro 3 excel at minimizing wind noise during calls.

Touch Controls

The touch controls are intuitive and responsive, allowing me to easily adjust volume, skip tracks, and answer calls. While I found the touch controls to be generally intuitive and responsive, some users on Reddit have reported occasional issues with accidental touches or difficulty activating certain functions. However, these reports seem to be in the minority, and with a little practice, I found the controls easy to master.

Voice Detect

One feature that sets the Buds Pro 3 apart is their intelligent Voice Detect technology. I used to fumble with my old earbuds, pausing my music or taking them out completely whenever someone started talking to me. With the Buds Pro 3, it's seamless. The moment I start speaking, the earbuds automatically switch to ambient mode and lower the music volume, allowing me to have a conversation without interrupting my flow. It's a game-changer for those quick interactions throughout the day.

Water Resistance

With an IPX7 rating, the Buds Pro 3 are resistant to sweat and rain, making them ideal for workouts or outdoor activities. I've worn them during several runs in light rain without any issues.

Fit Test

The Galaxy Wearable app includes a handy fit test that helps you determine if you're using the right size ear tips. I found this feature very useful in ensuring a secure and comfortable fit, which is crucial for both sound quality and noise cancellation.

Samsung Ecosystem: Seamless Synergy

One of the advantages of choosing the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro 3 is their seamless integration with other Samsung devices. I've been particularly impressed with how well they work with my Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra and Samsung Galaxy Fold 6.

Galaxy Watch Ultra Integration

As you mentioned, the ability to use the Buds Pro 3 with a standalone LTE-connected Galaxy Watch is a game-changer for workouts and outdoor activities. I can leave my phone at home and still enjoy my music, podcasts, or even take calls, all streamed directly to my earbuds through my watch. This provides incredible freedom and convenience, especially for those who prefer to travel light.

Galaxy Fold 6 Synergy

The Buds Pro 3 also pair seamlessly with my Galaxy Fold 6. The audio quality is superb, and I appreciate the quick and easy connection process. Switching between using the Buds Pro 3 with my phone and my watch is effortless, thanks to the intuitive controls in the Galaxy Wearable app.

Seamless Switching and Multi-Device Connectivity

Samsung has made it incredibly easy to switch the Buds Pro 3 between different devices. I can seamlessly transition from listening to music on my phone to taking a call on my watch, all with a few taps in the Galaxy Wearable app or the Bluetooth settings. This level of integration is a testament to Samsung's commitment to creating a cohesive ecosystem of devices.

Other Samsung Devices

While I haven't personally tested the Buds Pro 3 with other Samsung devices like TVs, it's worth noting that they are designed to work seamlessly across the Samsung ecosystem. This means you can expect a smooth and consistent experience whether you're using them with your phone, tablet, watch, or even your TV.

Comparisons: Holding Their Own

Compared to other premium earbuds like the Apple AirPods Pro, the Galaxy Buds Pro 3 offer a compelling combination of sound quality, noise cancellation, and comfort.

Transparency Mode

While the AirPods Pro may have a slight edge in terms of transparency mode, the Buds Pro 3 deliver a more balanced sound profile and a more comfortable fit for my ears. CNET, in their review of the Buds Pro 3, noted that the transparency mode "sounds very natural, almost as if you're not wearing earbuds at all." [Link to CNET review] While I agree that the ambient sound mode is excellent, I personally found the AirPods Pro's transparency mode to be slightly more natural in certain situations, particularly when it comes to accurately reproducing the nuances of human voices.

Pros:

• Excellent sound quality with improved bass
• Effective active noise cancellation
• Comfortable and secure fit
• Long-lasting battery life
• Intuitive touch controls

Cons:

• Largest ear tips may feel slightly snug for some users.
• Touch controls can occasionally be finicky.
• Blade lighting is cool but doesn't offer much in terms of added value.
• Code support for Samsung is great but could be expanded to other codes outside of the Samsung ecosystem.
• ANC/Ambient auto-switch time could be improved or add user settings for this.

Wishlist for the Future:

• Longer battery life, especially with ANC enabled.
• Multipoint connectivity for simultaneous connection to multiple devices.

While the battery life is respectable, some tech reviewers, like those at TechRadar, have pointed out that it falls short of some competitors, particularly the Sony WF-1000XM4. I agree that extending the battery life, especially with ANC enabled, would be a welcome improvement in future iterations.

A feature that I, and many other users online, would love to see in future versions is multipoint connectivity. This would allow the Buds Pro 3 to be connected to two devices simultaneously, such as a phone and a laptop, making it easier to switch between audio sources.

Your Turn!

The Samsung Electronics Galaxy Buds Pro 3 have exceeded my expectations in many ways. They deliver exceptional sound quality, effective noise cancellation, and a comfortable fit, all in a sleek and stylish package. As someone who thrives on integrating cutting-edge technology into my active lifestyle, I'm always eager to explore the latest innovations. (Hint, hint, to my friends at Samsung😉—I'd love to put the Galaxy Ring and other upcoming devices to the test!)

But I'm curious to hear your thoughts! Have you tried the Buds Pro 3 or any of their competitors? What are your must-have features in a pair of earbuds? Share your experiences and recommendations in the comments below – let's start a conversation.