Like the Galaxy Buds 2 before them, Samsung’s latest earbuds will likely become a default pick for Android phone owners with time. Regardless of whether Samsung will admit it, the Buds 3 take heavy design cues from Apple’s now-ubiquitous AirPods, resulting in an angular stemmed look instead of the more discrete design of earlier models. They sport swipe and pinch-based gestures for controlling playback, too, just like the AirPods Pro, along with up to five hours of battery life with ANC on (or 24 hours with the included charging case). Be aware that their noise cancellation won’t be nearly as effective as it is on the step-up Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, though, namely because Samsung’s entry-level earbuds eschew ear tips in favor of an open-style design.
Also, it’s worth noting that the Buds 3 Pro are on sale via Samsung for $219.99 ($30 off). Samsung’s premium earbuds support wireless charging and carry an IP57 rating against dust and water, just like the standard model, but feature two-way drivers in each earbud, whereas the standard Buds 3 have just single drivers. They also offer a few more ecosystem tricks — as well as ear detection sensors and immersive head-tracking spatial audio — making them a better pick for those looking to get the most out of their Samsung device.
