Samsung has been producing headsets as an additional accessory to its smartphones for many years. At one time, they even bought one of the famous brands of music equipment — AKG. And they did it to improve the sound quality of the bundled headphones. Today, we’re going to take a look at Galaxy Buds3, a headset from Samsung’s flagship line for music lovers.
Content
| Headphone type | Wireless TWS |
| Features | ANC, 360 Audio, separate application, equalizer |
| Connection | Wireless |
| Playback frequency | Unknown |
| Support for codecs | AAC, SBC, SSC(Samsung Seamless Codec) HiFi, SSC UHQ (Samsung Proprietary) |
| Bluetooth version | 5.4 |
| Management | Sensory zone |
| Microphones | Yes, six pieces |
| Protection against moisture | IP57 |
| Compatibility | Android, iOS, PC, MacOS |
| Autonomy | 6/30 hours without ANC; 5/24 hours with ANC; |
| Charging connector | USB Type-C |
| Dimensions | Headphones: 18.1 x 20.4 x 31.9 mm Case: 48.7 x 58.9 x 24.4 mm |
| Weight | Headphones: 4,7 г Case: 46,5 г |
Samsung Galaxy Buds3 comes in a small white box. Nothing else important, such as model features, is described.
Inside is the audio device itself, documentation, and a short USB Type-C cable for charging.
Samsung Galaxy Buds3 — classic in-ear TWS headphones with a long leg. Each weighs 4.7 g, and the dimensions are 18.1 x 20.4 x 31.9 mm. The body is plastic with a metal texture. The «leg» of the headphones has an unusual triangle shape. And at the end there is one of the indicators for the correct choice of which earbud to insert into the ear: blue (left) and orange (right).
The touch zone on the «legs» headphones allows you to control functions such as start/stop a song, answer a call, or increase/decrease the volume level by swiping up/down. At first, it’s quite difficult to control because you don’t know where to press or swipe. However, you will get used to it quickly. If this is not your first TWS headset, you will find it much more convenient to press the flat edges «legs».
The structure of the case looks unusual. It weighs 46.5 grams and measures 48.7 x 58.9 x 24.4 mm. The case is slightly larger than standard cases. However, it will always fit in your pocket or backpack.
Just like the headphones, the case has a matte texture and is completely unmarked by traces of use. The transparent lid has a light-colored Samsung logo. Ahead of it is a charge indicator with different backlight colors: green (headset is charged), yellow (case is 50% charged or lower), blue (lights up only when a single function key is long pressed), and orange (charging or low charge of the case/headphones). On the bottom of the case, we see a special button for resetting the headphone connection settings and a USB Type-C connector. By the way, the lower part is flat, so the headset will stand nicely and comfortably in place.
Samsung Galaxy Buds3 are presented at the review in Silver color. There are also white ones on sale. The headphones, like the case, will be in the same color. As for me, both options look interesting.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 headset is equipped with a single driver system with an 11mm speaker and a dual amplifier. Samsung does not provide the exact frequency range. Popular profiles supported are A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, PBP, TMAP. For owners of the latest Samsung mobile devices, the SSC (Samsung Seamless Codec) codec is available, which supports 24-bit/96 kHz. Also have AAC, SBC, SSC UHQ (Samsung Proprietary).
Samsung Galaxy Buds3 received the ANC noise reduction system. It is not possible to change modes for better control. Noise reduction will work for «in-ear» headphones, but not as well as for «vacuum» headphones.
ANC is activated in a separate Samsung Wearable app or by pressing the lower touch area of the «leg» for a few seconds. Then you will hear a corresponding beep.
ANC mostly works well, but you need to understand that due to the shape of the headphones, you will hear much more external sounds. For example, in the subway, you need to turn on almost the maximum volume of the headset.
I did not find the Transparency mode function, but there is an analog of Spatial Audio — Audio 360. It works well, and there are two modes: with or without head tracking. However, I’m not a fan of this mode because of the appearance of noise and therefore the reduced quality of the listened to song. And on the street it will not be particularly convenient because of the head rotation and change of direction of sound.
To improve the sound quality, you can enable the Ultra High-Quality Audio option in the settings. It enables the SSC codec. Unfortunately, when listening to music via YouTube, I didn’t manage to feel much difference when this option was enabled. But it will probably be noticeable if you listen in Lossless.
I generally liked the sound in Samsung Galaxy Buds3 headphones. As for me, the sound will suit and appeal to many users. However, the first thing I realized when I turned on the songs was that I was missing something. I couldn’t figure out what it was for a long time, and then it turned out that I didn’t have enough low frequencies. They are there, I just don’t hear them personally. So if you’re not a fan of bass, this headset is for you. I had no questions about the midrange or high frequencies. I didn’t notice any lack here.
The application has a 9-band equalizer, which you can use to try to customize the headphones to your liking. There are six pre-configured presets and one custom one. I didn’t like any of the proposed settings. I tried to make my own (more bass and treble), and it worked for me.
Each of the headphones has three microphones built in. The sound is good, but I didn’t feel anything special. I recorded two separate sound fragments so that you can compare: the first in silence and the other — with this soundtrack in the background running on a laptop nearby.
Samsung Galaxy Buds3 connects to devices via Bluetooth 5.4. The headset is easy to connect to smartphones, laptops, and tablets. Just open the lid of the case, take out the headphones, and the nearby smartphone will automatically see them. If the search doesn’t work for the first time, you need to press the button on the bottom of the case, which resets all settings.
The headset works with the proprietary Samsung Galaxy Wearable application (download from Google Play) — is a simple application for managing branded devices (headsets, watches). It allows you to see the charge of the headphones and case, control ANC and Audio 360 (analogous to Spatial Audio), adjust the equalizer, and other available functions.
The app provides a short animated user guide. In general, the settings seem a bit small for this class of premium devices. However, this functionality is enough for undemanding users, and in general, everything works without bugs or other problems.
The manufacturer’s claimed battery life of Samsung Galaxy Buds3 is 6 hours on a single charge of the headphones and 30 hours of additional battery life from the case. When ANC mode is enabled, the battery life on a single charge loses 1 hour more, and the case loses up to 6 hours.
According to test results, one hour of music listening (45-50% volume) consistently consumes 8% of the charge. If you turn on ANC, the battery charge decreases by 14%. In general, the test shows much higher results than the manufacturer claims. When calculated, it turns out that with ANC enabled, the headphones will last more than 7 hours. And this is a good result. It should be noted that the time spent using the headphones depends not only on the enabled functionality (for example, the headset additionally turns on microphones for ANC), but also on the choice of the quality of the songs played.
One of the interesting things was connecting the headset to competitors. It turned out that there were no obvious problems. But after the first few days of use, I wondered what functionality was available for the iPhone. So I searched for and downloaded an application from the App Store called Galaxy Buds. However, it was not suitable for controlling Buds3. Therefore, to fully use Samsung Galaxy Buds3, you need to have a Samsung or Android device.
In general, if you’re going to use Buds3 without a Samsung smartphone or tablet, you won’t face any problems, but the SSC (Samsung Seamless Codec) codec is exclusive to Samsung devices. The only thing you’ll need to have is an Android device to adjust the equalizer.
The main advantage for a certain number of potential buyers will be the shape of the headphones, «earbuds». Perhaps they simply do not like «vacuum» for various individual reasons. It’s good that the Samsung brand cares about such people. But the ANC function simply works better with «vacuum», which «in-ear» cannot physically resist.
What would you like to add? Support for another mobile operating system (iOS) with the minimum necessary functions: battery power in the headphones and case; turning ANC on and off; equalizer with different presets. Even if it is in a separate app.
Samsung Galaxy Buds3 is 6999 UAH. I think the price is higher than it should be.
The main competitor, especially for iPhone users, is the Apple AirPods 4 in two versions: without and with ANC noise cancellation. The price is 6599 and 10499 UAH respectively. I haven’t reviewed the last few generations of AirPods, and if the noise-canceling version still makes some sense because of the lower price, I doubt that overpaying for another model with ANC is worth it.
Another competitor is the Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro for the same 6999 UAH. They are «vacuum» and have already been on review. However, minor software bugs prevented them from choosing the editorial team. However, there is much more functionality there.
Other competitors are Xiaomi Buds 5 (for UAH 4999), JBL Live Flex 3 (5499 UAH), Marshall Minor IV (5499 UAH).