Samsung’s new line of Galaxy Buds isn’t a surprise thanks to a recent leak, but the company still had to officially debut its latest audio accessory at Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked event. In addition to new foldable phones, watches and even a smart ring, Samsung has revealed the Galaxy Buds 3 series. The new models have a stickbud or “blade” design that looks more like AirPods, and Samsung is trying to catch up with new features like the Interpreter tool, Adaptive EQ and more.
Until now, Samsung has opted for the more common rounded headphone design that most companies prefer for their products. However, the stick-based look is increasingly popular, and most of Apple’s competition has debuted their own take on the style. Now we can also count Samsung among the fold. The company says its new “blade” design is based on “various collected statistics” and offers a “more intuitive physical experience” thanks to pinch and swipe controls — another aspect of AirPods Pro. The key difference is that the “regular” Galaxy Buds 3 are open like “regular” AirPods, while the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro have a tip that completely seals your ear canal. Despite this variance, both offer active noise cancellation (ANC), but only the Pro model has an ambient sound/transparency mode.
Another big difference between the two models is the two-way speakers on the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro. Samsung has combined a 10.5mm dynamic driver with dual amplifiers and a 6.1mm planar tweeter to offer “accurate high-range sound production”. Both Galaxy Buds 3 models support Ultra High Quality (UHQ) audio up to 24bit/96kHz and 360 Audio when paired with a compatible Samsung device. Both models also differ in battery life. The Galaxy Buds 3 last up to five hours with ANC on (24 hours total with the case), but you get an hour more noise-canceling power with the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro (26 hours total with the case).
As you might expect, Samsung has sprinkled AI on its new headphones. Both models offer Interpreter, which works with compatible Galaxy devices, a tool that relies on artificial intelligence to translate. It’s similar to what Google has been doing on its Pixel Buds for a while now, with the connected device doing all the work, not the earphones.
The company says the microphones on the Galaxy Buds 3 series monitor external noise in real-time and apply enhancements with Adaptive EQ and Adaptive ANC. On the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, the noise canceling setting can also detect sirens and your voice, and when it detects a voice, it will automatically lower the volume and activate transparency mode. Known as Voice Detect, this feature was available on the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, but it’s nice to see the feature making a comeback.
Samsung has also added hands-free control for music and other content with what it calls Voice Command. To improve overall voice quality, the company has added a Super Wideband call tool that allows the Galaxy Buds 3 to transmit voice up to 16kHz. Samsung says the previous earbuds only use the 8kHz band, but the Pixel Buds Pro also support Super Wideband. Of course, the company also uses machine learning models to combat background noise while you speak.
The Galaxy Buds 3 and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are available for pre-order now for $180 and $250 respectively. Both models come in silver and white color options, and if you buy them on the company’s website before July 23, Samsung will throw in a free protective “clip case.”
Follow all the news from Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2024 here!