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The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 are here, and they look just like AirPods
- The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 have arrived, and they sport an “Open” design that lacks ear tips.
- Samsung packed the earbuds with features such as a language interpreter, voice commands, Adaptive EQ and ANC, and AI noise-reduction microphones.
- They are launching alongside the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, which have ear tips and interactive lights on the stem.
It’s been nearly three years since the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 launched, but we finally have the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3. The first thing you’ll notice with these earbuds is their rather Apple-esque design, especially in the white color option. We can’t help but draw some stark similarities between the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 and the Apple AirPods (3rd generation). Just like the Apple earbuds, these new Galaxy Buds don’t have ear tips, which means you will likely struggle to attain an ideal fit with a good seal from the outside world. The earbuds also have a stem design that slides vertically into the charging case in the same way as AirPods.
The AirPods similarities don’t stop with the design either. The Galaxy Buds 3 have an Adaptive EQ feature that utilizes the internal and external microphones on the earbuds to adjust the sound in real-time. Sound familiar? The Apple AirPods pioneered the same tech under the same name. The new Galaxy Buds use those same microphones for Adaptive ANC, which is a feature you won’t find on the regular AirPods, but you will find on the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation).
One new and unique feature of the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 is its Interpreter, which can translate incoming audio in real time when the earbuds are paired to a Samsung Galaxy device. The earbuds also have a Voice Command feature, which allows you to control the earbuds without needing to touch the controls. If you want to get hands-on, the new stem promises intuitive pinch and swipe controls.
If you like taking calls on the go, you’ll likely appreciate the new Super-Wideband call functionality on the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3. Samsung is utilizing a pre-trained model based on machine learning to block out background noise. This should ensure the person on the other end of the line can hear you clearly in any environment. If you do plan on wearing your earbuds outdoors, you’ll be happy to know the earbuds have IP57 dust and water resistance.
We’ll have to put the earbuds through our testing to see how the sound quality holds up, but the Galaxy Buds 3 are packing some meaty specs. You get the latest Bluetooth 5.4 with Samsung Seamless Codec (SSC UHQ) which promises ultra-high quality up to 24 bit / 96kHz on supported Galaxy devices. You can find all of the specs listed below.
| Colors | Silver, White |
|---|---|
Dimensions | Earbud: 18.1 x 20.4 x 31.9 mm Charging Case: 58.9 x 48.7 x 24.4 mm |
Weight | Earbud: 4.7g Charging Case: 46.5g |
Speaker | 1-Way: 11mm Dynamic Driver |
Microphone | 3 Mics + VPU |
Sound | UHQ 24bit Hi-Fi 360 Audio with Direct Multi- Channel |
Noise Control | ANC |
Battery | Up to 5 hours / Total up to 24 hours (ANC on) Earbuds: 48mAh (typical) Charging Case: 515mAh (typical) |
Connectivity | Bluetooth® 5.4, Auto Switch Codec: SSC(Samsung Seamless Codec) HiFi, SSC UHQ (Samsung Proprietary) AAC, SBC |
Sensors | Voice Pickup Unit (VPU), Force & Touch (Swipe), SWIR, Accelerometer, Hall sensor |
Durability | IP57 |
Pre-orders begin today for $179.99, with general availability starting on July 24. Stay tuned for our full review of the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3, where we’ll see how these earbuds hold up against AirPods and all the other top wireless earbuds.
