Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro
The new Galaxy Buds 3 Pro offer strong ANC and sound quality but poor controls and underwhelming AI features
For
Convenient (though familiar) designAdaptive EQ/ANCIndicator lights
Against
Plastic case lid looks flimsy5-hour battery lifePoor controls
Sony WF-1000XM5 review: Best-ever wireless earbuds
The WF-1000XM5 noise-canceling earbuds are Sony’s best yet
For
Outstanding sound qualityStrong noise cancelationExcellent level of control
Against
Fit could be betterFlaky 360 Reality Audio setup
Since debuting last summer, the Sony WF-1000XM5 have maintained their status as the best wireless earbuds overall. Upgrades to active noise cancellation, design, and sound, along with the inclusion of Sony technologies like 360 Reality Audio and DSEE (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine) upscaling, have given them the edge over every formidable rival.
Samsung has their sights set on the true wireless crown and they believe that artificial intelligence is the key to elevating them atop the product category. The all-new Galaxy Buds 3 Pro come with supercharged AI features and retain series hallmarks such as 24-bit audio, robust ANC, and UHQ (Ultra High Quality) sound. They also take on a new, but familiar, design.
Are the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro smart enough to conquer the undefeated WF-1000XM5? Here’s our in-depth analysis breaking down both models.
Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro vs. Sony WF-1000XM5: Specs compared
Header Cell – Column 0 | Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 | Sony WF-1000XM5 |
---|---|---|
Price | €249 / £191 / AU€399 | €299 / £236 / AU€449 |
Wireless charging case | Yes | Yes |
Chip | Unknown | V2 |
Battery life (rated) | 6 hours (ANC on), 7 hours (ANC off), 26 hours (with case and ANC on), 30 hours with ANC off | 8 hours (ANC on); 12 hours (ANC off); 24 hours (with case and ANC on); 36 hours (with case and ANC off) |
Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.4 with SBC, AAC, HiFi and SSC (Samsung Scalable Codec) | Bluetooth 5.3 with SBC, AAC and LDAC |
Durability | IPX57 (buds only) | IPX4 (buds only) |
Size | 1.30 x 0.77 x 0.71 inches (per bud); 2.31 x 1.91 x 0.96 inches (charging case) | Not specified |
Weight | 0.31 ounces (buds and charging case) | 0.21 ounces (per bud); 1.38 ounces (charging case) |
Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 vs. Sony WF-1000XM5: Price and availability
Samsung recently launched the Galaxy Buds 3 at €249 / £191 / AU€399 worldwide. Color options are silver and white. The Sony WF-1000XM5 were released back in July 2023 for €299, though they’re occasionally discounted and have recently been seen for as low as €238 at Walmart – both the black and white versions.
These are equally valuable entries that boast premium performance and specs. You can purchase either sets of buds from popular online retailers such as Amazon and Best Buy, or from their respective company website.
Winner: Tie
Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 vs. Sony WF-1000XM5: Design
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
Rather than adopt the Apple AirPods design, which has been copied by endless headphone manufacturers, including Samsung, Sony developed a striking true wireless oval design with sleek detailing. This was introduced on the critically acclaimed WF-1000XM4 and perfected on their successor.
Small touches, like the flush mesh grilles, gold branding, and memory foam tips that provide outstanding in-ear stability, are superbly executed. IPX4 certification makes these buds sweat- and water-resistant. The charging case is just as handsome with a minimalist appearance and small size that’s conveniently portable.
Why Samsung revamped their true wireless design is bewildering, especially when the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro displayed fine craftsmanship, from the oval shape to the super-compact charging case. The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are a downgrade that jack the AirPods Pro 2’s appearance and try too hard to stand out.
Certain details like the in-ear sound port, IP57 rating for dust and water resistance, and the LED strip are appreciated. Others are a detriment to the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro’s aesthetic appeal. They have sharply angled long stems that make these buds look extra bulky when worn. Then there’s the charging case with translucent lid that looks and feels generic.
Winner: Sony WF-1000XM5
Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 vs. Sony WF-1000XM5: Controls
The WF-1000XM5’s controls aren’t groundbreaking, but they’re responsive and swift in execution. That’s really all you can ask for from a pair of wireless earbuds. You can go hands-free with head gesture controls that accept incoming calls by shaking or nodding your head. Quick Attention lowers volume to 10 percent when performing the long-press gesture, while Speak-to-Chat automatically pauses content when detecting your voice.
Sony’s mic array demonstrates superb speech recognition when enabling your phone’s native voice assistant (e.g., Google Assistant, Siri). Most importantly, the WF-1000XM5’s touch panels accurately register tap and long-press inputs.
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
Samsung botched the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro’s force sensors. They’re difficult to locate because of the very slim stem, and they require a forceful press to enable functions, which work less than half the time. At least the volume strip does a commendable job of adjusting volume levels through swipe gestures.
The AI voice-activated features miss more than they hit. Call management and playback voice commands are fine. Bixby is buggy and often crashes or freezes when speaking the wake-word phrase. Voice Detect is self-explanatory and works well, but Siren Detect struggles to pick up high-frequency sounds to alert of situational emergencies.
Winner: Sony WF-1000XM5
Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 vs. Sony WF-1000XM5: Sound quality
Sony has too much sonic firepower at their disposal. The WF-1000XM5 pack in a variety of audio enhancement features that elevate your listening experience. First, there’s the customizable EQ in the Sony Headphones Connect app. DSEE is tremendous for upscaling the fidelity on poorly engineered tracks and ripped MP3 files.
The recently introduced Find Your Equalizer easily tailors audio to your hearing based on a series of listening tests. Bluetooth 5.3 with LDAC codec results in smooth, clear-sounding streams at fast bitrates (990kbps). Sony’s stellar soundstage delivers punchy bass and well-balanced frequency range. Lastly, there’s 360 Reality Audio with headtracking that adds a sense of realism to music and movies by producing natural sound, which is properly adjusted to head movements.
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
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