Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro vs. Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro: Which are the best buds?

Aug 28, 2024
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My personal experience working in a noisy environment (lots of fan noise) shows a vast improvement in ANC with the 3's over the 2's. I literally can't even tell if the ANC is even on with my 2's anymore after experiencing the 3's far superior performance. Again, just my experience.
 
Aug 28, 2024
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The author clearly does not understand the IP rating system. IPX7 has the SAME liquid ingress protection as IP57. The X means solid particle ingress (dust) is unknown or not tested while the 5 in the Buds Pro 3 indicates they tested particle ingress and found it "mostly" protected but not "dust proof."

Sound quality is likely very subjective. I found the Buds Pro 3 to have a much better sound as compared to the Buds Pro 2. Better being defined as "fuller, richer, clearer" not to mention louder for the same volume setting.

Overall very a disappointing "comparison shopping guide." I expected more from Tom's Hardware - I guess I shouldn't.
 
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Fifth313ment

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Feb 24, 2020
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The author clearly does not understand the IP rating system. IPX7 has the SAME liquid ingress protection as IP57. The X means solid particle ingress (dust) is unknown or not tested while the 5 in the Buds Pro 3 indicates they tested particle ingress and found it "mostly" protected but not "dust proof."

Sound quality is likely very subjective. I found the Buds Pro 3 to have a much better sound as compared to the Buds Pro 2. Better being defined as "fuller, richer, clearer" not to mention louder for the same volume setting.

Overall very a disappointing "comparison shopping guide." I expected more from Tom's Hardware - I guess I shouldn't.
Exactly, the Buds 3 Pro has better protection, yet the reviewer doesn't understand this. Also, the reviewer says the interpeter mode only works with One 6.1.1 but I have 6.1 on my S23 Ultra and it works great. I'm starting to think they never actually reviewed anything. I've owned almost every set of Samsung buds, and the ANC in the Buds 3 Pro is insanely good. When you turn it on, I can hear the background noise literally turn off. And the sound quality is great. I also usually hate buds with silicone tips, but the pro 3 has tips that don't cause me pain over the long term and are super soft. Being able to take calls and control music without touching anything is amazing. The buds 3 are way better IMO.
 
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Domain Rider

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Jun 4, 2017
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The author clearly does not understand the IP rating system. IPX7 has the SAME liquid ingress protection as IP57. The X means solid particle ingress (dust) is unknown or not tested while the 5 in the Buds Pro 3 indicates they tested particle ingress and found it "mostly" protected but not "dust proof."

Sound quality is likely very subjective. I found the Buds Pro 3 to have a much better sound as compared to the Buds Pro 2. Better being defined as "fuller, richer, clearer" not to mention louder for the same volume setting.

Overall very a disappointing "comparison shopping guide." I expected more from Tom's Hardware - I guess I shouldn't.
Yes, I agree. The Buds Pro 2 were good, but the Buds Pro 3 are a significant step up, both in sound and ANC. The stems are a matter of taste, but they work well once you're accustomed to them, and the voice commands are surprisingly good.

The Buds Pro 3 also feel more secure in my ears (although the Buds Pro 2 never actually fell out).

My only (minor) gripe is the feedback squeal if you grip the top of the Buds Pro 3 to insert them or adjust their position.
 

derek880

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Sep 22, 2017
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It's become very hard to take these reviews seriously any more. I'm sitting here holding my case for my Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pros and my Apple Airpod 2 Pros, and it's the SAME plastic case. There is no better quality in the iPad case. One is all white, and the other is gray with a clear upper piece. I use my Samsung Galaxy Bud 3 pros with my Fold 6 and my Samsung Tab 10 Ultra. I use my Airpod Pros with my work iPhone and iPad Pro. They both hold almost exactly the same length of charge after I've tried both with ANC on or off. The only difference between the two is the stem design really. However, I still have my Galaxy Buds Pro 2 as well, because the way that they cover my entire ear canal gives me a really immersive ANC experience that is better than the Galaxy bud 3 pros and the Airpod 2 pros. I'm not a fan of stems, but when I gave them a chance, I did get a more fuller sound from the Galaxy Bud 3 pros than any of the others. So, I would leave it up to the user to decide. Sound can often be subjective, and apparently that's the case with this review. Except its subjectivity is a little off base with some of the criticisms.

How can reviews like this make sense to people when you ding the Buds 3 Pros for having a plastic case when the Airpod 2 pros have one as well? How do you ding the Buds 3 Pros for holding the same level of charge as the Airpod 2 pros, yet still tell us that the Airpod 2 Pros are too good to be true?

I think the comparisons have become sort of a waste of time when you're nitpicking one thing that is no different from another item that you praise. Luckily I have the advantage of having all three models, and can clearly see the forest for the trees.