SAMSUNG Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro AI True Wireless Review
Samsung's new Buds 3 Pro are incredibly comfortable and integrate seamlessly with Galaxy phones, but mediocre battery life and call quality make them a tough sell at $239.
The 30-Second Version
Great for Samsung loyalists, average for everyone else. The comfort and Galaxy integration are top-tier, but the battery life and mic quality hold them back from being true champions.
Overview
Samsung's Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are a solid pair of earbuds that nail the basics but leave you wanting more. The one thing you need to know? They're fantastic for Samsung die-hards who live in the ecosystem, but a tougher sell for everyone else. The redesign is sleek and comfortable, and the AI features are neat party tricks, but our data shows they're not the all-rounders Samsung wants them to be.
Performance
The performance story here is a classic case of 'good, not great.' The sound quality lands in the 82nd percentile, which is solid, and the ANC hits the 89th. That means you'll get clear audio and decent noise blocking on your commute. But the real surprise is in the battery life, which sits in the 22nd percentile. Six hours with ANC on is just okay in 2024, and it feels like a compromise compared to competitors pushing eight or nine.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Incredibly comfortable fit (96th percentile). You can wear these all day. 87th
- Seamless connectivity with Galaxy devices. It just works. 84th
- The AI-powered Adaptive ANC and EQ are genuinely useful for tuning sound on the fly. 79th
- Build quality feels premium and they look great. 77th
Cons
- Battery life is mediocre. Six hours won't get you through a long travel day. 17th
- Microphone quality is a weak spot (38th percentile). Don't rely on these for important calls.
- The AI translation features are cool but locked to Samsung's ecosystem.
- At $239, they're expensive for what you get, especially given the battery.
The Word on the Street
Specifications
Full Specifications
Design
| Form Factor | In-Ear |
| Wearing Style | Bud |
| Ear Tips | l |
| Weight | 0.0 kg / 0.0 lbs |
Audio
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Freq Max | 96000 |
| Impedance | 16 |
| Codecs | Fast Charging, Lightweight, Noise Cancellation, Volume Control, Wireless Charging |
Noise Control
| ANC | Yes |
Connectivity
| Wireless | Yes |
| Bluetooth | 5.4 |
| Wired Connector | Bluetooth 5 |
Earbud Battery
| Battery Life | 6 |
| Charge Time | 2.25 |
| Fast Charging | Yes |
Case Battery
| Wireless Charging | Yes |
Microphone
| NC Mic | Yes |
Features
| Touch Controls | Yes |
| Water Resistance | Water-Resistant |
Value & Pricing
At $239, the value proposition is shaky. You're paying a premium for Samsung's AI ecosystem and design. If you're all-in on Samsung phones and tablets, that integration might be worth it. For anyone else, there are better-performing buds at this price, or cheaper buds that do the same core things just as well.
Price History
vs Competition
This is a crowded field. The Sony WF-1000XM5 is the king of ANC and sound, full stop, though they're bulkier. The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds are even better at noise cancellation and have a more reliable mic. And if you want to save cash, the Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC offers 90% of the performance for half the price. The Buds 3 Pro's main advantage is that slick Galaxy integration—if you don't have a Galaxy phone, that advantage evaporates.
| Spec | SAMSUNG Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro AI True Wireless | Technics Technics EAH-AZ80 Noise-Canceling True Wireless | Apple AirPods 4 Active Noise Cancellation Apple - AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation - | Sony Sony WF-1000XM5 Noise-Canceling True Wireless | Bose Bose QuietComfort Ultra True Wireless | Sennheiser Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | In-Ear | In-Ear | True Wireless | In-Ear | In-Ear | In-Ear |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic | Sony WF-1000XM5 Noise-Canceling True Wireless In-Ear Headphones (Black) | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Wireless | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Active Noise Cancellation | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.4 |
| Battery Life Hours | 6 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 7.5 |
| Case Battery Hours | - | 16 | 25 | 16 | 18 | 22.5 |
| Water Resistance | Water-Resistant | IPX4 | Water-Resistant | IPX4 | IPX4 | IP54 |
| Multipoint | - | true | true | true | true | - |
Common Questions
Q: Are these good for working out?
They're water-resistant and secure, so yes for light workouts. But if you're a heavy sweater or do intense training, you might want buds with a higher IP rating.
Q: How's the call quality?
Honestly, not great. Our mic score puts them in the bottom half. They're fine for a quick chat, but don't use them for important work calls in a noisy place.
Q: Do I need a Samsung phone to use these?
No, they'll work with any Bluetooth device. But you'll lose all the cool AI features (Adaptive ANC/EQ, translation, seamless switching). You're basically buying half the product.
Who Should Skip This
If you take a lot of calls or need buds that last a full cross-country flight on a single charge, skip these. Go get the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds for calls or the Sony WF-1000XM5 for marathon battery and better sound.
Verdict
We can't give a blanket recommendation. If you're deeply embedded in the Samsung ecosystem and value comfort and seamless switching above all else, these are a great, if pricey, choice. For everyone else, especially if you take a lot of calls or need all-day battery, look at the Sony XM5s or the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds first. The Buds 3 Pro are good buds that feel like they're made for a very specific person.