Picking the right earbuds can feel like you’re lost in a maze when you’re trying to decide between two top-of-the-line options: the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro and the OnePlus Buds Pro 3.
These earbuds both offer great features and work well, but they’re made for different people.
In this article, we’ll take a close look at everything, from how good they sound to their noise cancelling how well the mic works, and more. This way, you’ll be able to pick the earbuds that fit your life best.
Table of Contents
Price and Availability
- Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro: Priced at $249.99 and are available for purchase through various retailers, including Amazon and Best Buy.
- OnePlus Buds Pro 3: Available for $149.00.
The price difference between the two models is notable, with the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro being approximately $100 more expensive than the OnePlus Buds Pro 3.
Color Options
- Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro: These earbuds are available in Silver and White, offering a sleek and modern aesthetic.
- OnePlus Buds Pro 3: The OnePlus Buds Pro 3 come in two color variants: Midnight Opus (black) and Lunar Radiance (white).
Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro vs OnePlus Buds Pro 3: Specs Comparison
| Category | Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro | OnePlus Buds Pro 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Sleek, prism-like design; available in Silver and White; IP57 water and dust resistance | Shiny, chrome finish; available in Midnight Opus (black) and Lunar Radiance (white); IP55 water and dust resistance |
| Drivers | Two-way: 10.5mm dynamic driver + 6.1mm planar driver | Dual-driver: 11mm woofer + 6mm tweeter |
| Audio Quality | Supports 24-bit Hi-Fi sound at 96kHz sampling rate; 360 Audio (Spatial Audio) | LHDC 5.0 support; balanced sound signature with emphasis on bass |
| Noise Cancellation | Adaptive ANC; Ambient Sound mode | Adaptive Noise Cancellation up to 50dB; Transparency mode |
| Battery Life | Up to 7 hours (earbuds) / 30 hours (with case) without ANC; up to 6 hours (earbuds) / 26 hours (with case) with ANC | Up to 10 hours (earbuds) / 43 hours (with case) without ANC; up to 6 hours (earbuds) / 33 hours (with case) with ANC |
| Charging | USB-C; wireless charging | USB-C; wireless charging |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.4; Auto Switching between Samsung devices | Bluetooth 5.4; Dual Device Connection; Google Fast Pair |
| Microphones | Three microphones per earbud; enhanced call quality | Three microphones per earbud; Voice Pick Up Bone Sensor |
| Special Features | Galaxy AI for real-time translation; LED Blade Lights on stem | Spatial audio with head tracking; customizable EQ settings |
Design and Comfort
Design preferences differ from person to person, but both earbuds deliver on comfort and aesthetics. The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro feature a sleek and modern prism-like design. They’re lightweight and comfortable for long use, but their proprietary eartips can be frustrating to replace and prone to tearing, which could be a drawback for some users.
The OnePlus Buds Pro 3, with their shiny chrome finish, stand out visually. While some might find the look a bit flashy, others will appreciate the bold design. These earbuds are designed to stay secure even during intense workouts, and their compatibility with foam tips adds a layer of customization and comfort that’s hard to beat.
Winner: Tie (it really depends on your personal style and needs)
Sound Quality: A Battle of Bass and Balance
For anyone who loves music, sound quality can make or break the experience. The OnePlus Buds Pro 3 are a standout, especially for bass lovers. These earbuds come equipped with a dual-driver system, featuring an 11mm woofer and a 6mm tweeter. The result is deep, thumping bass that makes you feel like you’re at a live concert. The mids and highs are equally impressive, offering a well-rounded and dynamic sound profile. If you opt to use foam tips, the sound gets even better, as they enhance noise isolation and provide more depth and richness.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, by contrast, cater to listeners who prefer a balanced sound signature. Their V-shaped profile ensures that the bass is strong but doesn’t overshadow the mids and treble. This balance makes them ideal for those who enjoy a more even soundstage. However, some users might find the mids slightly recessed, which can be noticeable when compared to the OnePlus Buds Pro 3. While Samsung’s sound quality is undeniably excellent, it lacks the energy and impact of the OnePlus Buds, particularly for bass-heavy tracks.
Winner: OnePlus Buds Pro 3 (an excellent choice for bass enthusiasts)
Active Noise Cancellation
When it comes to Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), both earbuds deliver strong performances, but with notable differences. The OnePlus Buds Pro 3 have significantly improved ANC compared to their predecessor. They excel at canceling out low-frequency noises like airplane engines, making them ideal for frequent travelers. OnePlus also ensures steady ANC performance without the “on-and-off” effect that can be distracting. With foam tips, the ANC improves further, creating an even more immersive experience.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro also offer effective ANC, particularly for general background noise and higher frequencies like conversations. Samsung’s adaptive ANC adjusts based on your surroundings, but this can sometimes lead to inconsistent performance. For instance, the ANC occasionally fluctuates, reminding you that the feature is active, which some users find distracting. Despite this, Samsung’s earbuds perform well overall, especially for isolating voices and environmental sounds.
Winner: OnePlus Buds Pro 3 (steady performance with or without foam tips)
Transparency Mode
Transparency mode is a game-changer for staying aware of your surroundings without taking your earbuds out. The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro absolutely nail this feature. Their transparency mode feels natural and seamless, boosting ambient sounds without any weird distortion. Whether you’re chatting with someone or walking through a busy street, the sound comes through so clear that you might forget you’re wearing earbuds. It’s perfect for quick conversations or staying safe in crowded areas.
The OnePlus Buds Pro 3 also include a transparency mode, but it doesn’t feel as smooth. Ambient sounds have a slightly processed quality that makes the experience feel a bit artificial. While it’s still useful for hearing your surroundings, it’s not quite on the same level as Samsung’s implementation.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro
Microphone Quality
If you rely on earbuds for calls, microphone quality is a crucial factor. The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro is ahed in this area, offering crystal-clear voice clarity even in noisy environments.
Samsung’s noise reduction technology ensures that background sounds are minimized, allowing your voice to take center stage. In tests involving simulated environments like cafes and offices, the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro consistently delivered strong performance.
However, they can falter in extreme conditions, such as windy or very noisy outdoor settings.
The OnePlus Buds Pro 3 struggle more with microphone quality. While they perform adequately in quiet environments, background noise often disrupts call clarity in busier settings.
For instance, during simulated cafe noise tests, the mic tended to pick up excessive ambient sounds, making the user’s voice sound muffled. This could be a deal-breaker for users who frequently make calls in noisy places.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro
Multipoint Connectivity
Multipoint connectivity is a feature that makes juggling multiple devices much easier. The OnePlus Buds Pro 3 excel in this area, allowing you to effortlessly switch between devices like your phone, laptop, and tablet.
For example, you can easily answer a call on your phone and then go back to streaming music on your laptop without any hassle. The process is smooth and reliable, making these earbuds a fantastic choice for users who work across multiple platforms.
On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro fall short in this department. While they offer seamless connectivity between Samsung devices like Galaxy phones and tablets, the same cannot be said for non-Samsung platforms. For Windows users, the experience can be frustrating, often requiring manual reconnections that disrupt the flow.
Winner: OnePlus Buds Pro 3 (their versatility makes them a standout choice for multi-device users)
Battery Life
Battery life is a critical consideration, especially for long listening sessions. Both earbuds offer around 6-7 hours of playback with ANC enabled, which extends significantly with their charging cases.
The OnePlus Buds Pro 3 lead slightly in overall battery life, offering up to 43 hours with the case compared to the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro’s 30 hours. Both support fast charging, with OnePlus providing a slight edge in quick top-ups.
Winner: OnePlus Buds Pro 3 (by a small margin)
Final Verdict
Choose Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro if you:
- Make lots of phone calls
- Own Samsung devices
- Want the best ANC performance
- Need superior water resistance
- Value natural-sounding transparency mode
Choose OnePlus Buds Pro 3 if you:
- Want the best sound quality for music
- Need longer battery life
- Use multiple devices across platforms
- Want to save money
- Prefer stronger bass response
The OnePlus Buds Pro 3 offer better value for most users, with superior sound quality, battery life, and cross-platform compatibility at a lower price point.
However, if you’re a Samsung user who frequently makes calls or relies heavily on noise cancellation, the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro’s superior microphone quality and ANC might be worth the premium price.
Related:
- Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro vs Buds 2 Pro
- Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro vs Huawei FreeBuds Pro 3
- Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro vs CMF Buds Pro 2
Nick, the Co-founder of Earbuds Arena, is a seasoned freelance tech journalist with over ten years of experience covering wearables, apps, headphones, and gadgets. When he’s not immersed in the tech world, you’ll likely find him unwinding with video games, going for a run, or enjoying a game of soccer on the field.
