
Observe ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.
The primary-party benefit is actual.
The obvious instance of why first-party merchandise are price contemplating is the AirPods lineup, led by the most recent AirPods Pro 3. These headphones provide far more options when linked to an Apple machine than when linked to different gadgets.
However Apple is not the one one to make the most of its multi-device ecosystem. Samsung does it too, with its Galaxy Buds 3 Pro earbuds heading its audio lineup.
Additionally: The Nothing Ear 3 have a clever feature I wish my other earbuds had – and they’re less than $180
However has one firm achieved a greater job constructing out its characteristic set? Are one pair of earbuds truly higher than the opposite, or does it simply rely upon the ecosystem of gadgets you select to make use of? I’ve used each the AirPods Professional 3 and the Galaxy Buds 3 Professional fairly extensively, and this is my take.
Specs
|
Apple AirPods Professional 3 |
Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Professional |
|
|
Battery life |
8 hours (as much as 24 hours with charging case) |
6 hours (as much as 20 hours with charging case) |
|
Audio modes |
ANC, Transparency Mode, Adaptive Audio |
ANC, Ambient Sound, Adaptive |
|
IP ranking |
IP57 (earbuds solely) |
IP57 (earbuds solely) |
|
Bluetooth model |
Bluetooth 5.3 |
Bluetooth 5.4 |
|
Further options |
Listening to help mode, stay translation, Computerized Switching, Spatial Audio, coronary heart charge monitor |
Listening to enhancements, Interpreter, Auto swap, 360 audio |
|
Worth |
You can purchase the AirPods Professional 3 if…
1. You are presently an Apple consumer
This one’s apparent — the AirPods Professional 3 work finest with Apple merchandise. Technically, you’ll be able to pair the AirPods Professional 3 by way of Bluetooth to non-Apple gadgets, however you may have a reasonably restricted expertise and will not have the ability to use superior options like spatial audio, Discover My, and automated sporting detection.
Additionally: How to use Live Translation on your AirPods – not just the newest ones
With Apple merchandise, you need to use automated switching to seamlessly hook up with an infinite variety of appropriate gadgets logged in to your iCloud account. You may also use spatial audio for a extra immersive listening expertise (I personally solely actually use it for motion pictures and TV exhibits). And, you may get entry to the brand new Dwell Translation characteristic, which may translate speech in different languages in real-time when the AirPods in your ears are linked to an iPhone.
2. You need health monitoring options
The AirPods Professional 3’s standout characteristic is the inclusion of an in-ear coronary heart charge monitor. This characteristic shifts the AirPods Professional from an audio-only machine to a mixture of an audio machine and a well being tracker. The center charge monitor can be utilized for over 50 totally different exercise varieties, which you’ll be able to entry straight by way of the Apple Health app.
Additionally: AirPods Pro 3 fitness feature surprises triathlete tester – here’s what he found
The AirPods Professional 3 additionally work with the brand new Exercise Buddy characteristic, which analyzes your health information utilizing AI, then supplies customized motivation whilst you work out, in audio type, by way of your earbuds. That helps bridge the hole between well being trackers and precise trainers.
3. You need higher battery life
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Professional provide a strong battery life, promising six hours of steady listening with ANC enabled, and a complete of 20 hours with the charging case. The AirPods Professional 3, nonetheless, beat that. The earbuds provide eight hours of steady listening, which makes them a greater possibility for a long-haul flight or an prolonged day within the workplace. With the charging case, they’re going to stand up to 24 hours, which once more, is an enchancment over the Galaxy Buds 3 Professional.
You can purchase the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Professional if…
1. You do not use Apple gadgets
Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Professional earbuds do not simply work properly with Samsung gadgets — they work properly with Android gadgets on the whole. On an Android telephone, you’ll be able to obtain the Samsung Put on app to manage the earbuds. From there, you’ll be able to choose noise modes, change the EQ, and extra. There is not any Samsung Put on app for iOS.
Some options work finest with Samsung telephones, although. For starters, your Samsung telephone ought to instantly acknowledge the earbuds and pair with them once you open the lid.
Additionally: 7 reasons why I choose Android over iOS (and sideloading is not one of them)
On prime of that, there are some AI-focused options, like an Interpreter app that may translate speech in different languages, just like the AirPods Professional 3’s new Dwell Translation characteristic. Different options work like these on Apple gadgets, like an Auto Swap characteristic to your Galaxy telephones and wearables, a listening to enhancement characteristic, and extra.
To entry the total suite of the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Professional’s options, you may want a Samsung telephone. However, except you actually care about these super-specific options, you may have a superb expertise on any Android machine.
2. You wish to customise your listening expertise
Crucial consideration when shopping for earbuds is what telephone you employ. You are not going to purchase AirPods when you have an Android telephone or the Galaxy Buds 3 Professional when you have an iPhone. However different points of those earbuds could make a distinction in how you employ them. Notably, the Galaxy Buds 3 Professional provide extra audio customization than the AirPods Professional 3.
Additionally: Finally, a Samsung phone that I’d put my S25 Ultra away for (especially at this price)
Apple, in any case, thinks the AirPods already sound superb — why would you wish to change how they sound? Most different earbud producers take a extra customizable strategy, and with the Galaxy Buds 3 Professional, you may get a nine-band EQ, with bands starting from 63Hz to 16kHz. On prime of the customized EQ, there are a selection of presets you need to use for those who do not wish to get into the weeds of tuning the audio your self.
3. You need deeper, harder-hitting bass
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Professional aren’t simply extra customizable relating to audio; additionally they provide larger and deeper bass. That does not imply they sound higher, essentially. In actual fact, the bass on the AirPods Professional 3 is extra natural-sounding, which appeals extra to me personally. However for those who’re a fan of huge bass — and there is definitely no disgrace in that — then the Galaxy Buds 3 Professional are the higher earbuds to your wants.


















