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Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 vs Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro: Who's the real pro?
In the battle of flagship true wireless earbuds, the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 and Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro stand out as top contenders for Android users. Both offer advanced features, great sound quality, and ecosystem integration, but which one comes out on top? Let’s dive into a detailed comparison of these two premium earbuds to help you decide which is the better choice for your needs.
Editor’s note: this article was published on October 1, 2024, and is the first version of the article. Updates will follow as the market changes.
What’s it like to use the Pixel Buds 2 Pro compared to the Galaxy Buds3 Pro?
The Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 and Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro offer different design approaches. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 are notably smaller and lighter, featuring an oval-shaped nozzle and a soft rubber fin for a secure fit. They boast IP54 water and dust resistance, making them suitable for workouts.
In contrast, the Galaxy Buds3 Pro sports a stem design reminiscent of AirPods, with a completely removable nozzle for better fit customization. They have a higher IP57 rating, offering better protection against water and dust.
Both earbuds provide touch controls, but the Galaxy Buds3 Pro introduces an interesting blade-shaped stem with light indicators. The Pixel Buds Pro 2’s case includes a speaker for easier location with Find My Device, while the Galaxy Buds3 Pro case supports wireless charging.
| Input (either earbud) | Music | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Input (either earbud) One tap | Music Play / Pause | Phone Answer call |
| Input (either earbud) Two taps | Music Next track | Phone Reject call |
| Input (either earbud) Three taps | Music Previous track | Phone |
| Input (either earbud) Tap and hold | Music Toggle ANC/transparency modes | Phone |
| Input (either earbud) Swipe forward | Music Volume up | Phone Volume up |
| Input (either earbud) Swipe backward | Music Volume down | Phone Volume down |
| Input (either earbud) "Hey, Google" | Music Voice your request or inquiry | Phone |
| Input | Left earbud | Right earbud |
|---|---|---|
| Input Slide up / down | Left earbud Volume | Right earbud Volume |
| Input Pinch once | Left earbud Play / pause | Right earbud Play / pause |
| Input Pinch twice | Left earbud Track forward | Right earbud Track forward |
| Input Pinch three times | Left earbud Track backward | Right earbud Track backward |
| Input Long pinch | Left earbud ANC/ ambient mode | Right earbud ANC / ambient mode |
Do the Pixel Buds 2 Pro or Galaxy Buds3 Pro have more features?
Both earbuds pack a plethora of features, with some differences in their AI and ecosystem integrations.
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 offer:
- Google Gemini integration
- Conversation detection
- Spatial audio support
- Multipoint connectivity
- Clear Calling (Pixel 7 or newer)
- Super wideband calling (Pixel 8 or newer)
- Auracast support (future update)
The Galaxy Buds3 Pro boasts:
- Samsung Galaxy AI features
- Real-time language interpreter
- 360 audio
- Multipoint connectivity
- Auracast support (future update)
For Pixel Buds Pro 2, settings are baked into the OS for Pixel and newer Android devices. Samsung users can access Galaxy Buds3 Pro features through the Galaxy Wearable app, which offers EQ presets, ANC controls, and other customizations.
How do the Pixel Buds 2 Pro and Galaxy Buds3 Pro connect?
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 uses Bluetooth 5.4 and supports SBC, AAC, and potentially LC3 codecs in the future.
The Galaxy Buds3 Pro also utilizes Bluetooth 5.4 and supports SBC, AAC, Samsung Scalable Codec, and Samsung Seamless Codec. The latter two are exclusive to newer Samsung devices and offer higher-quality audio transmission.
Is battery life better on the Pixel Buds 2 Pro or Galaxy Buds3 Pro?
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 have a clear advantage in battery life, lasting 7 hours and 55 minutes with ANC on in our testing. They also offer fast charging, providing 1.5 hours of listening time from a 5-minute charge.
The Galaxy Buds3 Pro fall short in this department, lasting only 4 hours and 31 minutes with ANC enabled. While they support wireless charging, no specific fast charging capabilities are mentioned.
Do the Pixel Buds 2 Pro or Galaxy Buds3 Pro block noise better?
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Both earbuds offer good noise cancelation, but the Pixel Buds Pro 2 has a slight edge. With decent isolation and top-tier noise cancelation, you can expect about 79% of outside noise to be attenuated, which is close to top-tier performance.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro are quite good at blocking out noise, and decent — not amazing — at canceling it. With a good fit, you can expect about 57% of outside noise to be hushed without ANC, and about 76% when the unit is enabled.
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Do the Pixel Buds 2 Pro sound better than the Galaxy Buds3 Pro?
Both earbuds offer good sound quality, but the Galaxy Buds3 Pro has a slight edge in overall performance, according to our MDAQS scores.
Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores (MDAQS)
The Galaxy Buds3 Pro score higher in Timbre (4.9 vs 4.4) and Immersiveness (4.7 vs 3.9), while the Pixel Buds Pro 2 has a slight advantage in Distortion (3.5 vs 3.3). Overall, the Galaxy Buds3 Pro scored 4.8 compared to the Pixel Buds Pro 2’s 4.2.
- Timbre (MOS-T) represents how faithfully the headphones reproduce the frequency spectrum and temporal resolution (timing information).
- Distortion (MOS-D) represents non-linearities and added noise: higher scores mean cleaner reproduction.
- Immersiveness (MOS-I) represents perceived source width and positioning: how well virtual sound sources are defined in three-dimensional space.
Objective Measurements
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The default sound of the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro is pretty much what you’d expect out of a set of earbuds nowadays, with a 5dB bass overemphasis to compete with outside noise and more masses-friendly tuning. There really isn’t much more to talk about until you get to the highs, where there’s a rather pronounced over-emphasis from 4kHz to 9kHz.
The Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 takes a strange yet welcome departure from the sound of their predecessors. They offer more restrained bass emphasis and less overemphasis on the highs than the older earbuds. The result is a sound that conforms loosely to what we’d posit is decent for most, though there’s a bit of deviation in the mids and highs. Though nothing is offensively overemphasized, some of the highs might end up grating to you if you listen at high volumes.
Do the Pixel Buds 2 Pro or Galaxy Buds3 Pro have a better microphone?
Both earbuds perform well in call quality, but they have different strengths.
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 offer excellent noise rejection at some cost to audio quality. They also provide Clear Calling features for Pixel phone users.
The Galaxy Buds3 Pro struggle more with noise reduction but offer a “super wideband call” feature for improved call quality on compatible Samsung devices.
Pixel Buds 2 Pro microphone demo (Ideal conditions):
Galaxy Buds3 Pro microphone demo (Ideal conditions):
Pixel Buds 2 Pro microphone demo (Street conditions):
Galaxy Buds3 Pro microphone demo (Street conditions):
Which microphone sounds best to you?
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 vs Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro: Price and availability
The Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 is priced at $229 at Amazon, while the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro retails at $249.99 at Amazon. Both are widely available through their respective manufacturers and major retailers.
Should you get the Pixel Buds 2 Pro or Galaxy Buds3 Pro?
Your choice between these two earbuds largely depends on your ecosystem preferences and priorities:
Choose the Pixel Buds 2 Pro if you:
- Own a Pixel or Android phone
- Prioritize battery life
- Want slightly better ANC performance
- Prefer a smaller, more ergonomic design
Choose the Galaxy Buds3 Pro if you:
- Own a newer Samsung phone
- Want access to Samsung-specific features and codecs
- Prioritize overall sound quality
- Need better water and dust resistance
Both offer excellent performance are are strong contenders for some of the best wireless earbuds to date, but they shine brightest when paired with their respective ecosystems.
Alternative options
While the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 and Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro are excellent choices for their respective ecosystems, there are several compelling alternatives worth considering:
Apple AirPods Pro 2 ($189.99 at Amazon):
- The best true wireless earbuds for iPhone users
- Offers superior ANC and battery life compared to both Pixel Buds Pro 2 and Galaxy Buds3 Pro
- Recently updated with USB-C connectivity
- It provides unique features like Adaptive Audio and Conversation Awareness
- Now doubles as hearing aids with the Live Listen feature
- Excellent sound quality that may be preferred by more listeners according to MDAQS scores
Sony WF-1000XM5 ($298 at Amazon):
- Known for exceptional sound quality and top-tier ANC performance
- Works well across different platforms without ecosystem lock-in
- Offers a more audiophile-focused experience
JBL Tour Pro 3 ($299.95 at JBL):
- Excellent sound quality without the need for AI or ecosystem-specific features
- Good option for those prioritizing audio performance over smart features
Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 ($229.99 at Amazon):
- Offers robust build quality and excellent sound
- Great choice for fitness enthusiasts due to its durability
- Great ANC
JLab Epic Lab Edition ($199.99 at Amazon):
- Provides very good audio quality at a lower price point
- Lacks some of the advanced features of flagship models but offers great value
Ultimately, while the Pixel Buds Pro 2 and Galaxy Buds3 Pro excel in their respective ecosystems, all of these alternatives offer unique features and excellent performance that may better suit your specific needs or preferences.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, both earbuds are compatible with iPhones, but some advanced features may be limited to their respective Android ecosystems.
Yes, both earbuds support wireless charging.
Yes, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 comes with multiple sizes of ear tips for a customizable fit.
Yes, both earbuds support multipoint connectivity, allowing them to connect to multiple devices simultaneously.