Six things that set the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro apart from the standard Galaxy Buds 3 are the Ambient Sound, Adaptive Noise Control, two-way speakers instead of one-way, canal design instead of open, blade lights, and 1-2 hours longer battery life compared to the Buds 3.
Galaxy Buds 3 vs Buds 3 Pro: Six Differences, Worth the Money?
By Naila Syifa
Updated July 2024
Samsung has just released its next-generation earbuds, the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, which target audiophiles and power users with advanced features and premium sound quality, as well as the Galaxy 3 Buds, which suit everyday users with the most essential features at a more affordable price point.
What are the key similarities and differences between the two? Which one will provide the most value for you? Let's break it down.
Key Takeaways
There are six things that set the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro apart from the standard Galaxy Buds 3: Ambient Sound, Adaptive Noise Control, two-way speakers instead of one-way, canal design instead of open, blade lights, and 1-2 hours longer battery life compared to the Buds 3.
Galaxy Buds 3
Enhanced Everyday Audio
✓ One-Way Speaker
✓ ANC
✓ Galaxy AI
✓ 5-30 Hours Play Time
Galaxy Buds 3 Pro
Premium & Personalized Audio
✓ Two-Way Speakers
✓ ANC, Adaptive Noise Control, Ambient Sound
✓ Galaxy AI
✓ 6-30 Hours Play Time
#1 Price
Galaxy Buds 3
Galaxy Buds 3 Pro can be quite an investment at US$249.99, targeting audiophiles and high-end users who prioritize premium features and sound quality.
While the Galaxy Buds 3 are more budget-friendly at US$179.99, it is certainly not a cheap option either, but offers a good balance of features and affordability for casual users.
#2 Design
Galaxy Buds 3 Pro
Despite looking strikingly similar at a glance, the Galaxy Buds 3 and Buds 3 Pro have some important design distinctions. While the Buds 3 has an open-ear design, the Buds 3 Pro features a closed in-ear canal design with silicone tips, which provides better audio immersion and focus.
The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro also adds glowing "blade lights" to its stems, which doesn't only look cool but also serves as a status indicator for power and pairing, as well as making it easier to locate the earbuds in the dark.
Other than those two differences, both models share similar design elements, including an IP57 dust and water-resistant, a glossy finish, touch-sensitive swipe and pinch controls on the stem, and a compact charging case. Both the Galaxy Buds 3 and Buds 3 Pro are also available in the same color options: silver and white.
#3 Audio Features
Galaxy Buds 3 Pro
The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro's advantages over the Buds 3 are apparent in its more advanced audio capabilities and superior sound quality. With enhanced two-way woofer and tweeter speakers, the Buds 3 Pro delivers richer, more detailed audio across a broader frequency range than the single 11mm dynamic driver of the Galaxy Buds 3.
Both earbuds offer Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) that can effectively filter out unwanted noise, but the Buds 3 Pro also offers Ambient Sound and Adaptive Noise Control.
Ambient mode will let in external sound to keep you aware of your surroundings, while Adaptive mode automatically adjusts a mix of ANC and ambient sound based on your environment.
While using the ANC, you can also enable the auto switch to Ambient mode, which uses Voice Detect and Siren Detect technology to automatically let in ambient sound when you start speaking or when emergency sirens are detected nearby.
So, while the Buds 3 users can only toggle the ANC on and off manually, the Buds 3 Pro users have the option to activate ANC, Ambient, or Adaptive modes and to enable auto switch from ANC to Ambient.
#4 Smart Features
Interpreter
Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 and Buds 3 Pro offer equally impressive smart features. One that really stands out is Galaxy AI-powered Interpreter and Live Translate, which can translate conversations in real-time or over-the-phone between 13 different languages. Note that a supported Galaxy device is required to use these features.
In the Interpreter or Conversation Mode, the earbuds will translate what your conversation partner says into your language right to your ear and then translate what you say to the other person's language and play it through the phone speaker. In the Live Translate or Listening Mode, the earbuds will translate one way to your ear in real-time.
Voice control and Bixby support are also available on both models, allowing hands-free operation. You can simply say "volume up" or "answer call" to command various functions without needing to touch your phone or the earbuds.
Another smart feature that both the Buds 3 and Buds 3 Pro share is SmartThings Find, which allows you to locate the earbuds easily via the SmartThings app so you never have to worry about misplacing them.
#5 Connectivity
Galaxy Buds 3
There is no difference between the Galaxy Buds 3 and Buds 3 Pro when it comes to connectivity features. Both earbuds support Bluetooth 5.4. When pairing with compatible devices, Auto Switch and Auracast are also supported.
Auto Switch allows seamless switching between multiple devices like a smartphone and PC without manual reconnection. Meanwhile, Auracast enables sharing audio with multiple users simultaneously.
#6 Battery Life
Galaxy Buds 3 Pro
Galaxy Buds 3 boasts a 48mAh battery capacity for its earbud, and 515mAh for the charging case. When used with ANC, it offers up to 5 hours of playback time, which extends to 24 hours with the case. Without the ANC, the Buds 3 can last for up to 6 hours, with a total of 30 hours when using the charging case.
Compared to the standard Buds 3, the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro offers around 1-2 hours extra battery life. A 53mAh earbud battery capacity and a 515mAh case battery provide up to 6 hours of playback with ANC on, extending to 26 hours with the case. With ANC off, the Buds 3 Pro can last for up to 7 hours, with a total of 30 hours when using the charging case.
Galaxy Buds 3 vs Buds 3 Pro
Final Thoughts
Galaxy Buds 3 vs Buds 3 Pro
Both the Galaxy Buds 3 and Buds 3 Pro offer compelling features for different user needs. The Buds 3 provides solid performance and battery life at a more accessible price point, making it an excellent choice for casual listeners and those new to true wireless earbuds.
On the other hand, the Buds 3 Pro justifies its higher price tag with superior audio quality, more advanced noise control options, and slightly better battery life, catering to audiophiles and power users who demand top-tier performance.
Ultimately, the choice between the two models will depend on individual preferences, budget constraints, and the specific features that matter most to each user.
If you like to read more about wireless earbuds, check out our other relevant guides here:
Best Wireless Earbuds
Galaxy Buds 2 Pro vs Buds 3
Galaxy Buds 2 Pro vs Buds 3 Pro
Galaxy Buds FE vs Buds 3
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