Samsung Unveils AirPods-Inspired Galaxy Buds 3 Series at Galaxy Unpacked
During the Galaxy Unpacked event in Paris, Samsung introduced its latest true wireless stereo (TWS) earbuds, the Galaxy Buds 3 and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro. The devices mark a departure in design for the company, adopting an AirPods-like form factor.
AirPods-Inspired Design
The white color variant of the Galaxy Buds 3 bears a striking resemblance to Apple’s AirPods. However, Samsung has attempted to differentiate its new earbuds with a “blade” design featuring sharp edges. Notably, this is the first time Samsung has incorporated a stem design into its earbuds, departing from the in-ear designs of previous models like the Galaxy Buds Live.
Pinch Gestures and Blade Light
Similar to AirPods, the Galaxy Buds 3 and Buds 3 Pro feature pinch gestures for playback control and swipes for adjusting volume. Additionally, Samsung has introduced a new “Blade Light” indicator that illuminates to indicate Bluetooth pairing status. The company has indicated that the light’s functionality may be expanded in the future.
Differentiated Features
While the designs of the Buds 3 and Buds 3 Pro share similarities, they also exhibit key differences. The Buds 3 feature an open design, while the Buds 3 Pro utilize in-ear fitting with silicone tips for enhanced noise isolation. Both earbuds boast active noise cancellation (ANC), but the Buds 3 Pro’s ANC is expected to be superior due to their better isolation.
Audio Enhancements
The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro feature 2-way speakers and dual amplifiers, while the Buds 3 have single drivers. Samsung’s “Ultra High-Quality” feature enables high-resolution music output with a doubled sampling rate and SSC codec. The earbuds can stream 24-bit/96kHz audio wirelessly using Samsung’s own Bluetooth codec, though LDAC support is still lacking.
Other Features
The Galaxy Buds 3 series has an IP57 rating for dust and water resistance and supports wireless charging. They do not support multi-device connection outside of Samsung’s ecosystem. Additionally, the earbuds incorporate Galaxy AI for language translation and voice command control.
Pricing and Availability
The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are priced at ₹19,999, while the Galaxy Buds 3 are priced at ₹14,999. Pre-orders are now open on Samsung India’s website.
