When it comes to premium wireless earbuds, we're spoiled for choice in 2024. Today, let's compare two popular options: the Beats Powerbeats Pro ($129.99) and the newer Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro ($189.99), breaking down exactly what you get for your money and who should buy each one.
The wireless earbud market has transformed dramatically since the Powerbeats Pro launched in 2019. Back then, having true wireless earbuds with reliable connectivity and decent battery life was impressive enough. Now, features like active noise cancellation (which uses microphones to detect and cancel out ambient noise) and spatial audio (creating a 3D-like sound experience) have become standard expectations.
The Galaxy Buds3 Pro, released in early 2024, represents the current state of the art, with advanced features that would have seemed like science fiction five years ago. Let's dig into what matters most for everyday users.
The Powerbeats Pro delivers surprisingly balanced audio for a sports-focused device. The bass is punchy but not overwhelming, which is rare for Beats products (they were once notorious for excessive bass). Vocals come through clearly, and there's decent separation between instruments - you can pick out individual elements in complex songs.
Samsung's latest offering shows how far earbud technology has come. The dual-driver setup (separate speakers for high and low frequencies) provides more detailed sound. The buds support high-resolution audio codecs (think HD for your ears) when paired with recent Samsung devices. This means you'll hear more detail in your music, though you'll need good quality audio files to notice the difference.
The ear hooks on the Powerbeats Pro might look intimidating, but they're actually quite comfortable. I've worn them for 3-hour runs without issues. The hooks are flexible enough to work with glasses and provide unmatched stability. However, the trade-off is a bulkier design and a larger carrying case that won't fit in small pockets.
The Galaxy Buds3 Pro takes the AirPods-style approach with a compact, stemless design. They're more discrete and lighter (5.4g per bud versus about 11g for the Powerbeats). The fit is secure enough for light exercise, but I wouldn't trust them for high-impact activities like basketball or CrossFit.
This is where the age difference between these products shows an interesting twist. Despite being older, the Powerbeats Pro still leads in battery life:
Both support fast charging, but in different ways:
The Powerbeats Pro is the clear winner here. The ear hooks provide unmatched stability, and the physical buttons work better with sweaty fingers than touch controls. The extra battery life means they'll last through a week of workouts without needing the case.
The Galaxy Buds3 Pro excels here. The ANC helps block out train and traffic noise, while the compact case fits easily in any pocket. The voice detect feature automatically lowers your music when you start speaking - perfect for quick conversations.
Neither product is specifically designed for TV watching, but both can work:
The price difference ($60) might seem significant, but consider what you're getting:
Powerbeats Pro ($129.99):
Galaxy Buds3 Pro ($189.99):
Choose the Powerbeats Pro if:
Choose the Galaxy Buds3 Pro if:
Both products excel in their intended use cases. The Powerbeats Pro shows that sometimes older technology focused on doing a few things really well can still compete with newer, feature-packed alternatives. Meanwhile, the Galaxy Buds3 Pro demonstrates how far wireless earbud technology has come, offering an impressive array of features in a tiny package.
Remember that the best choice depends entirely on your specific needs. Consider your primary use case, ecosystem preference, and must-have features when making your decision. Either way, both options represent solid values in their respective price brackets.
| Beats Powerbeats Pro ($129.99) | Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro ($189.99) |
|---|---|
| Battery Life - Critical for long listening sessions and workout reliability | |
| 9 hours + 24 hours case (exceptional) | 5.2 hours + 20 hours case (average) |
| Water/Sweat Resistance - Important for workouts and durability | |
| IPX4 (splash resistant) | IP57 (fully waterproof) |
| Primary Use Case - Determines if features match your needs | |
| Sports/workout focused with secure ear hooks | Daily lifestyle with premium features |
| Noise Cancellation - Essential for commuting or office use | |
| None (passive isolation only) | Active ANC with adjustable levels |
| Device Ecosystem - Affects features and ease of use | |
| Apple H1 chip (optimal for iOS) | Samsung/Android optimized |
| Codec Support - Impacts audio quality with compatible devices | |
| SBC, AAC only | SBC, AAC, Samsung Seamless (24-bit) |
| Case Size - Affects portability | |
| Large case (somewhat bulky) | Compact case (pocket-friendly) |
| Controls - Impacts ease of use during activities | |
| Physical buttons (more reliable when sweaty) | Touch controls (more features, less reliable when wet) |
| Extra Features - May justify price difference | |
| Basic feature set, ear detection | 360° audio, real-time translation, wireless charging |
| Price/Value Proposition - Consider features vs. cost | |
| Lower price, focused on core features | Higher price, more advanced features |
The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro is better for movies due to its 360° audio support and lower latency. While the Powerbeats Pro works for movies, it may experience slight audio delay and lacks spatial audio features.
Both models work with Bluetooth-enabled TVs. The Galaxy Buds3 Pro offers better TV compatibility with its advanced codec support, while the Powerbeats Pro may have more latency issues.
The Beats Powerbeats Pro offers superior battery life with 9 hours per charge plus 24 hours from the case. The Galaxy Buds3 Pro provides 5.2 hours with ANC on and 20 hours from the case.
Neither is ideal for gaming due to Bluetooth latency. However, the Galaxy Buds3 Pro performs better with its advanced codecs and lower latency when paired with Samsung devices.
The Galaxy Buds3 Pro offers more refined sound with dual drivers and better codec support. The Powerbeats Pro provides good balanced sound but with fewer audio enhancement features.
Both work well for calls. The Galaxy Buds3 Pro has better noise cancellation for calls, while the Powerbeats Pro offers more stable fit during movement.
Both work with any Bluetooth device, but each has advantages with specific ecosystems. The Powerbeats Pro works best with Apple devices, while the Galaxy Buds3 Pro is optimized for Samsung/Android.
The Galaxy Buds3 Pro is lighter and more comfortable for extended casual use. The Powerbeats Pro has ear hooks that some find less comfortable for long periods but provide better stability.
The Powerbeats Pro is specifically designed for workouts with secure ear hooks and sweat resistance. While the Galaxy Buds3 Pro has better water resistance, its fit is less secure for intense activities.
The Galaxy Buds3 Pro features active noise cancellation with adjustable levels. The Powerbeats Pro only offers passive noise isolation through its ear tips.
The Powerbeats Pro at $129.99 offers better value for sports use and battery life. The Galaxy Buds3 Pro at $189.99 justifies its higher price with advanced features like ANC and spatial audio.
For home theater use, the Galaxy Buds3 Pro is superior with its 360° audio and better codec support for reduced latency. The Powerbeats Pro works adequately but lacks advanced audio features for optimal movie watching.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: rtings.com - mddevicerepair.com - adambowie.com - verizon.com - globalmobilesinc.com - costco.com - support.apple.com - soundguys.com - techshop.umich.edu - cnet.com - rcwilley.com - head-fi.org - soundguys.com - yankodesign.com - youtube.com - techradar.com - phonearena.com - cdw.com - soundguys.com - youtube.com - samsung.com - cnet.com - samsung.com
