Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro

A Bold Design Gamble That Almost Pays Off

Samsung has thrown caution to the wind with the Galaxy Buds3 Pro, abandoning the familiar bean-shaped design of previous generations for a controversial "blade" form factor that sits somewhere between AirPods and industrial design experiment. At £179, these earbuds are Samsung's most ambitious audio offering yet, packing genuinely impressive tech into a package that will either love or loathe.

Design and Build Quality

Let's address the elephant in the room: these earbuds look nothing like their predecessors. The blade design extends downward from your ear, creating a distinctive silhouette that's immediately recognisable but undeniably divisive. I've been testing them for three weeks, and whilst I've grown accustomed to the aesthetic, I can't shake the feeling that Samsung prioritised standing out over universal appeal.

The build quality itself is solid. At 5.4g per earbud, they're reasonably light, and the IP57 rating provides reassurance for gym sessions and British drizzle alike. The case feels premium enough, though it's notably chunkier than the sleek charging cases from Sennheiser's Momentum True Wireless 4. The magnetic closure is satisfying, and the earbuds snap into place with confidence.

Comfort is where things get complicated. The blade design actually works quite well for extended listening sessions – I've worn them for 4-5 hour stretches without significant discomfort. However, the protruding design makes them less discrete than traditional in-ear monitors, and they do catch on clothing collars more frequently than I'd like.

Audio Performance That Justifies the Price

This is where Samsung has genuinely excelled. The dual-driver setup (10.5mm woofer plus 6.1mm tweeter) delivers audio quality that punches well above the £179 price point. The SSC HiFi codec supporting 24-bit/96kHz audio isn't just marketing fluff – when paired with compatible Samsung devices, the difference is immediately apparent.

Bass response is controlled and punchy without overwhelming the midrange. The dedicated tweeter handles high frequencies with impressive clarity, creating genuine separation between instruments that lesser earbuds muddy together. Testing with everything from Radiohead's complex arrangements to Hans Zimmer's orchestral bombast, the Buds3 Pro consistently impressed with their dynamic range and spatial positioning.

Compared to the Jabra Elite 10 Gen 2 at £199, Samsung's offering sounds more refined in the upper frequencies, though Jabra edges ahead slightly for vocal clarity in the midrange. The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 remains the audio quality champion at £249, but the gap is smaller than the £70 price difference would suggest.

Smart Features That Actually Work

Samsung's Intelligent ANC adapts impressively to different environments. Walking from a quiet coffee shop onto a busy London street, the transition feels natural rather than jarring. The system doesn't quite match Sony's industry-leading noise cancellation, but it's more than adequate for most situations.

The 360 Audio feature works well with compatible content, though it remains somewhat niche. More practically useful is the AI-powered voice detection, which automatically pauses music and reduces ANC when you start speaking. This feature works reliably and feels less gimmicky than similar implementations from other manufacturers.

Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity has been rock-solid throughout testing, with seamless switching between my Samsung phone and laptop. The 7-hour battery life with ANC enabled is competitive, and the case's additional 23 hours brings total playback to a respectable 30 hours.

Value Proposition Against Strong Competition

At £179, the Galaxy Buds3 Pro sit in an awkward middle ground. They're £20 cheaper than the Jabra Elite 10 Gen 2, which offer superior call quality and more universal comfort. Meanwhile, they're £70 less than the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4, which deliver noticeably better audio quality and more premium materials.

The Samsung earbuds make most sense for existing Galaxy device owners who can take full advantage of the SSC HiFi codec and seamless ecosystem integration. For iPhone users or those with non-Samsung Android devices, the value proposition becomes murkier.

Build quality feels appropriate for the price point, though not exceptional. The IP57 rating beats both competitors' IP54 ratings, making these better suited for active use. However, the polarising design means they won't work for everyone, regardless of technical merit.

The Verdict: Technical Excellence, Aesthetic Risk

Samsung has created technically accomplished earbuds that deliver genuine audio quality improvements over their predecessors. The dual-driver setup produces impressive soundstage and clarity, whilst the intelligent ANC and extended battery life tick the practical boxes.

However, the blade design feels like an unnecessary risk that will alienate potential buyers without providing meaningful functional benefits. The audio quality is excellent but not definitively better than the more conventionally designed Jabra Elite 10 Gen 2.

These earbuds work best for Samsung ecosystem users who prioritise audio quality over universal aesthetic appeal. If you can live with the distinctive design, the Galaxy Buds3 Pro offer compelling performance at a reasonable price. Just don't expect them to replace your regular earbuds for every situation.