Galaxy Buds 3 are just an apparent copy of AirPods, The Verge editors say
Samsung's latest release, the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro and Galaxy Buds 3, bear a striking resemblance to Apple's AirPods in terms of design and functionality. Departing from their previous in-ear style, Samsung has opted for a stem-like look that closely resembles the iconic AirPods, particularly in the color white. They also come in a gunmetal gray finish, reminiscent of Tesla's Cybertruck. Although the decision was supposedly influenced by statistical data indicating improved comfort and in-ear stability with the stem form factor, it is disheartening to witness the extent of similarity to Apple's AirPods, especially given Samsung's capability for innovative designs like the vibrant purple Buds 2 Pro and bean-shaped Buds Live. This is prepared by SSP.
The controls on the new Galaxy Buds models are nearly identical to those found on AirPods Pro, incorporating pinch gestures for play/pause/track and swipes. However, one notable feature in the $249.99 Buds 3 Pro is the presence of thin "blade lights" on each earbud. These lights can illuminate to indicate Bluetooth pairing, and users have the option to keep them on at all times. It would have been convenient if the lights could also reflect the battery charge level, but unfortunately, that is not the case.
The Buds 3 Pro feature an in-ear fit with silicone tips, while the regular Buds 3 have an open-style design for users who prefer a less obstructed feeling. Both variants offer active noise cancellation, but due to the absence of a seal on the Buds 3, users should not expect exceptional noise cancellation performance. In terms of audio quality, the Buds 3 Pro's inclusion of two-way drivers in each earbud is likely to provide superior performance compared to the standard Buds 3, which only have single drivers.
What sets the Buds 3 Pro apart is its adaptive noise cancellation feature. The ANC adjusts automatically based on the surrounding environment, temporarily reducing noise cancellation when important sounds such as sirens are detected. Both models boast IP57 ratings against dust and water, as well as wireless charging capabilities. Samsung's proprietary Bluetooth codec now supports wireless streaming of up to 24-bit/96kHz audio when used with recent Samsung phones, but it still omits support for LDAC. The absence of multipoint functionality means that these buds can only switch automatically between Samsung devices.
In terms of battery life, the Pro version lasts up to six hours with ANC activated or up to a total of 26 hours including case recharges. The standard Buds 3 offer five hours of playtime and 24 hours with the case, or six and 30 hours, respectively, if ANC is turned off. Samsung asserts that voice call quality has significantly improved across both models, thanks to the inclusion of super wideband, a feature observed in competing earbuds such as the Pixel Buds Pro.
Both the Galaxy Buds 3 and Buds 3 Pro are now available for preorder and will be officially released on July 24th. Stay tuned for my upcoming comprehensive review which will evaluate whether Samsung's shift towards the stem design was a worthwhile change.