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Tom's Guide
Apple AirPods 3 vs. Samsung Galaxy Buds 3: Which are the best mid-range buds?
By Alex Bracetti,
4 hours ago
Apple AirPods 3
The Apple AirPods 3 are essentially the AirPods Pro minus the noise cancellation and eartips
For
Adaptive EQ with well-balanced sound
Spatial audio support
Enhanced ergonomics
Best-in-class controls
Numerous high-end features
Stellar iOS integration
Against
No ANC or Transparency mode
Open design lets in too much noise
Unstable fit
Galaxy Buds 3
The Galaxy Buds 3 noise-canceling earbuds provide flagship audio and moderate ANC in a revamped design
For
Great sound
Impressive ANC
SSC codec makes all the difference
Sleek design
Against
Weak battery life
Unconvincing AI
Some features locked to Galaxy devices
Loose fit
The Apple AirPods 3 and Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 are two of the most popular midrange earbuds out there. Both models produce great audio and mobile connectivity, offering high-end performance for several dollars less than their respective flagship counterparts.
Only one can be considered the superior offering, however. Read our in-depth comparison of the Apple AirPods 3 and Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 to see which presents the better value.
Apple AirPods 3 vs. Samsung Galaxy Buds 3: Specs compared
Apple AirPods 3 vs. Samsung Galaxy Buds 3: Price and availability
(Image credit: Future)
Apple’s buds are occasionally on sale (we’ve seen them for as low as $120). However, Samsung is known for marking down their newest releases sooner than later, and we anticipate the Galaxy Buds 3 will receive a generous discount come Fall 2024.
The MSRP on these two pairs of buds is the same: $179. As with most of the best in-ear wireless ear buds , consumers can buy the AirPods 3 and Galaxy Buds 3 at popular online retailers like Amazon and Best Buy or purchase them directly from the company website.
Winner: Tie
Apple AirPods 3 vs. Samsung Galaxy Buds 3: Design
(Image credit: Future)
The Galaxy Buds 3 adopt the AirPods aesthetic with a stem design composed of plastic. Samsung went with a more angular shape that draws inspiration from the Tesla Cybertruck. IP57 certification means dust-/sweat-proofing and water resistance. These buds would look cooler if the stems didn’t awkwardly stick out. The on-ear fit is highly comfortable, but loose, so you must be mindful when walking over sewer grates. Furthermore, Samsung’s charging case with translucent lid isn’t as fancy as the advertisements make it appear.
(Image credit: Regan Coule/Future)
Take off the AirPods Pro’s eartips and you’d practically have the AirPods 3. The only details that make this version identifiable from predecessors are the extra mic grille on the top and slightly shorter stems. An IPX4 rating keeps the buds sweat- and water-resistant. Their charging case is smaller, too. Comfort and fit are identical to the Galaxy Buds 3.
W inner: S amsung Galaxy Buds 3
Apple AirPods 3 vs. Samsung Galaxy Buds 3: Controls
(Image credit: Future)
Samsung’s big pitch for the Galaxy Buds 3 and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro is AI-powered functionality. It all sounds enticing on paper. The results aren’t anything to brag about. AI integration is currently exclusive to two Samsung devices: the Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Galaxy Z Fold 6 . Features like Interpreter Mode to read and translate foreign languages in real-time create poor transcriptions. We encountered a bug with voice-activated Bixby that, after saying the wake-word phrase, would turn on the function and immediately turn it off. The newly implemented force sensors that Samsung calls “blades” are also impractical because of their slimness, which makes locating them difficult at times. You must press them very hard for the buds to register intended functions. There is a volume strip on the back of the blade to easily adjust volume via swipe gestures.
(Image credit: Regan Coule/Future)
The AirPods 3 have the better and more dependable control scheme. Their force sensors produce terrific tactile feedback that ensures listeners that functions are being executed. Apple’s volume strip has spot-on touch accuracy. “Hey Siri” voice activation instantly fires up the AI bot to handle basic commands and inquiries with precision, demonstrating superb speech recognition and voice capture in the process.
Winner: AirPods 3
Apple AirPods 3 vs. Samsung Galaxy Buds 3: Sound quality
(Image credit: Alex Bracetti/Future)
One abbreviation: SSC (Samsung Scalable Codec). Samsung’s proprietary audio codec makes all the difference in sound quality and gives the Galaxy Buds 3 hi-res Bluetooth playback on Samsung devices with up to 24bit / 96kHz audio. Depth and fidelity receive a noticeable boost when indulging in the best music streaming services . 360 Audio is serviceable for immersive listens. These buds have an adaptive EQ to properly adjust sound on the go. Samsung’s customizable EQ with multiple presets can tweak sound to your liking. The low-latency Game Mode boosts sound when mobile gaming, while also fixing lip synchronization on videos. Lastly, there’s the Accessibility setting to adjust audio output on the left and right channels.
(Image credit: Regan Coule/Future)
Even if the AirPods 3 lack their competitor’s audio firepower, they sound wonderful compared to the AirPods 2 . Apple’s adaptive EQ does a fine job of optimizing audio to environments, and the new low-distortion driver creates “powerful bass and crisp, clean high frequencies.” You’ll get nice balanced sound from Dolby Atmos -powered tracks on Apple Music. There is an EQ in the iOS settings with over 20+ presets. The killer sound feature remains spatial audio , which delivers convincing 360-degree sound on compatible content.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy Buds 3
Apple AirPods 3 vs. Samsung Galaxy Buds 3: Special features and apps
(Image credit: Alex Bracetti/Future)
The feature sets on these two pairs of buds are stacked. However, the Galaxy Buds 3 have the upper hand by carrying active noise cancellation that slightly reduces unwanted noises from the soundscape. Personalization tools for sound and usability have all been previously discussed: 360 Audio, Accessibility, Adaptive EQ, EQ with presets, Game Mode, SSC, and voice controls (e.g., Bixby, Google Translate). Rounding things out are a battery level widget, control customization, Find My Earbuds mode, firmware updates, PowerShare technology, and seamless switching.
(Image credit: Regan Coule/Future)
Apple equipped the AirPods 3 with several of the AirPods Pro’s features, including the aforementioned adaptive EQ, “Hey Siri” voice activation, and spatial audio. Other notables include audio sharing, automatic switching, Background Sounds mode (aka soundscape mode), Find My integration, and Live Listen to transform your iPhone into a live mic that sends sounds to the AirPods. The H1 processor instantly pairs the AirPods 3 to iOS/mac OS devices and leaves the door open for additional features introduced in future iOS updates.
Winner : Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro
Apple AirPods 3 vs. Samsung Galaxy Buds 3: Call quality
(Image credit: Regan Coule/Future)
Apple’s wireless earbuds have always provided superb voice calling. Covered mics with acoustic mesh help reduce wind interference when taking calls on the AirPods 3. Their mic array provides sufficient vocal capture for callers on the opposite end to hear you loudly and clearly, especially on FaceTime chats.
The Galaxy Buds 3 suffice for casual conversations in quiet backdrops, but that’s about it. We received complaints about muffling and heavy ambient noise when chatting outdoors.
Winner : AirPods 3
Apple AirPods 3 vs. Samsung Galaxy Buds 3: Battery life
(Image credit: Future)
Look elsewhere if battery life means that much to you. Each pair of buds can hold a maximum of up to 6 hours per charge and each wireless charging case provides an additional 30 hours when fully powered. High volume and special features drop playtimes by about 1.5 to 2 hours on both devices.
The AirPods 3 have better battery life management to squeeze out as much juice as possible before recharging, whereas the Galaxy Buds 3 have extended charging via PowerShare to charge the case when placed on the back of a Galaxy smartphone.
Winner: Tie
Apple AirPods 3 vs. Samsung Galaxy Buds 3: Verdict
The AirPods 3 are a fantastic solution for Apple fans who love the series’ featherweight comfort and want better sound quality and newer features. Adaptive EQ and spatial audio are huge additions. Enhancements to battery life and connectivity seal the deal.
The Galaxy Buds 3 are a lot more impressive than reviews suggest, they just fail to meet the standards that they attempt to set. For instance, AI integration is not overwhelmingly appealing, primarily because Samsung’s intelligible features require the latest Galaxy smartphones. On top of that, other areas like battery life, call quality, and controls are disappointing.
In the end, it will likely depend on what kind of mobile device you use — Apple users will gravitate toward the AirPods, whereas Samsung fans will want the Galaxy Buds 3. Either way, you'll still get a solid pair of in-ear buds.
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