Galaxy Buds4 Pro

Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro Review: Solid Earbuds for Samsung Fans

If you're a Samsung Galaxy person, these earbuds are worth a serious look. Reviewers consistently say the sound quality is fantastic, with bright, lively audio that handles everything from music to podcasts beautifully. What really impressed me about the feedback is how much people love using these for calls, especially during work video meetings. The microphones pick up your voice clearly while keeping background noise at bay.

Comfort is another strong suit. These are lightweight enough that you can wear them all day without your ears getting tired. The design has that stem look like AirPods, which some people love and others find uninspired, but functionally they work well. You get three ear tip sizes, which helps most people find a good fit.

Here's where I have to be honest though. Several reviewers mentioned a loose fit that could cause them to fall out, which is frustrating at this price point. The noise canceling is decent but not amazing, especially compared to Sony WF-1000XM5 or Bose earbuds. If blocking out noise is your main goal, these might disappoint you.

Battery life is solid, giving you 6-7 hours with ANC on, or up to 11 hours if you turn it off. The case adds another 20-26 hours depending on your settings. That's enough for most people's daily needs.

Now let's talk price. At $249, these are expensive. Reviewers say they're worth about 30% less, and honestly, you can often find them on sale for $150-200. If you catch a discount, the value gets much better. The case feels a bit plasticky and isn't water resistant, which is disappointing at this price. The earbuds themselves are IP57 rated, so they can handle sweat and splashes.

The real advantage comes if you own a Samsung Galaxy phone. You get exclusive features like interpreter mode, adaptive sound, and better integration with your other devices. If you're using an iPhone or older Android, you lose access to some of these perks, which makes them less appealing.

Bottom line, these are great earbuds for Samsung users who want excellent sound and comfort. Just know that the noise canceling isn't class-leading and the price is definitely on the high side.

The Good Sound Doesn't Justify the Compromises

Samsung's Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are technically competent earbuds with legitimate strengths, but they're positioned at a price point where those strengths don't add up to a compelling value proposition.

Start with sound. Multiple reviewers confirm these deliver some of the best audio in wireless earbuds, with a bright, lively presentation that reveals ample detail. The V-shaped profile emphasizes bass and treble in ways many listeners will enjoy. Call quality is genuinely excellent, with clear, natural vocal reproduction and solid background noise isolation. For music lovers with Samsung devices, the audio experience is legitimately strong.

But that's where the story gets complicated.

The fit is a real problem. Reviewers consistently report a loose fit that raises genuine concerns about the earbuds falling out during daily use. Only three ear tip sizes means many users won't achieve an optimal seal. This isn't a minor ergonomic quibble. It's a fundamental execution failure on a product that costs $249.

Active noise cancellation is thorough and effective for everyday scenarios, but it's merely adequate. At this price, you're competing directly against Sony's WF-1000XM5, which offer superior rhythm and dynamic handling. You're also competing against Google's Pixel Buds Pro 2 and Bose earbuds, both of which deliver more aggressive ANC. Samsung's position in the ANC hierarchy is middle-of-the-pack despite the premium pricing.

The feature set is interesting but artificially restricted. Interpreter mode, adaptive ANC, multipoint pairing, and advanced AI voice controls are compelling, but many of these are locked behind ownership of a recent Galaxy device. iPhone users get a crippled experience. Even non-Samsung Android users lose access to key functionality. This ecosystem gatekeeping feels like a business decision, not a technical limitation, and it undercuts the value proposition.

Build quality is underwhelming. The earbuds feel plasticky and insubstantial, which is concerning at flagship pricing. The charging case has zero water resistance, which is inexcusable. The proprietary ear tip system is reportedly fragile, with early adopters breaking tips during normal removal.

Here's the business reality: CNET's reviewer estimated these are worth about 30% less than the $249 asking price. At $175-$200, the Buds 3 Pro would be a genuine contender. At $249, you're paying flagship prices for a product with significant compromises in fit, ANC performance, and build quality. The sound quality alone doesn't bridge that gap when competitors at the same price point offer better overall execution.

For Samsung Galaxy owners willing to work around the fit issues, there's a solid product here. For everyone else, the value case collapses quickly.