When it comes to wireless earbuds in 2024, we're spoiled for choice. Today, let's compare two popular options - the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro ($249) and the Beats Studio Buds ($169.95) - to help you make the right choice for your needs.
Wireless earbuds have come a long way since Apple launched the original AirPods in 2016. Today's models pack impressive technology into tiny packages, offering features that seemed impossible just a few years ago. The key things most people care about are sound quality, noise cancellation, battery life, and how well they work with your phone.
Modern earbuds aren't just for music anymore - they're for calls, movies, gaming, and even connecting to multiple devices at once. This versatility makes choosing the right pair more important than ever.
The Galaxy Buds3 Pro are brand new for 2024, representing Samsung's latest tech. They bring several improvements over the Buds2 Pro, including better battery life and upgraded noise cancellation. The dual-driver system (which means there are two separate speakers in each earbud) is a standout feature that really improves sound quality.
The Beats Studio Buds came out in May 2023, and while they're slightly older, they introduced some great features for their price point. They were the first Beats product to offer equally good integration with both iPhone and Android devices - a big step forward for the traditionally Apple-focused brand.
The dual-driver system makes a real difference here. Having separate speakers for high and low frequencies (like having a subwoofer and regular speaker in your home) means clearer sound across all types of music. I've noticed particularly good performance with complex orchestral music and heavy bass tracks - neither overwhelms the other.
The support for high-resolution audio codecs (these are like HD for music) means you'll get better quality when paired with newer phones that support them. You can really hear the difference in quieter passages of classical music or the subtle details in well-recorded jazz.
While they use a single driver, Beats has done a great job tuning these for popular music. The bass is punchy without being overwhelming (unlike older Beats products), and vocals come through clearly. They don't quite match the Galaxy Buds' technical capabilities, but for most people listening to streaming music, the difference isn't huge.
Both models offer active noise cancellation (ANC), which uses microphones to detect outside noise and create anti-noise to cancel it out. They also have transparency modes that let you hear your surroundings when needed.
The Galaxy Buds3 Pro has more advanced noise cancellation, particularly for variable sounds like voices. In my testing, they did a notably better job blocking out coffee shop chatter and subway noise. The transparency mode sounds more natural too - it's almost like you're not wearing earbuds at all.
The Beats Studio Buds cancellation is good for constant sounds like airplane engines or air conditioners, but struggles more with irregular noises. However, for the price, it's quite effective and will satisfy most users.
Battery life is similar between the two, but there are some differences:
Galaxy Buds3 Pro:
Beats Studio Buds:
This is where your choice of phone becomes important. The Galaxy Buds3 Pro work best with Samsung phones, offering instant pairing, automatic switching between devices, and special features like 360-degree audio with head tracking. They still work fine with other Android phones and iPhones, but you lose some advanced features.
The Beats Studio Buds are more ecosystem-neutral. They pair quickly with both Android and iOS devices, though they lack some advanced features like automatic device switching that you'd get with AirPods on iPhone.
The Galaxy Buds3 Pro's IP57 rating means they're fully protected against dust and can handle being submerged in shallow water. This makes them great for workouts or running in the rain.
The Beats have an IPX4 rating, which protects against splashes and sweat but not submersion or dust. They're fine for workouts but need more care in wet conditions.
For home theater use, the Galaxy Buds3 Pro have an advantage with their 360-degree audio and head tracking. When watching movies, the sound feels more spacious and stays oriented correctly as you move your head. There's also less audio delay compared to the Beats, which can be important for lip-sync when watching videos.
Choose the Galaxy Buds3 Pro if:
Choose the Beats Studio Buds if:
Both these earbuds are excellent choices, but they serve different users. The Galaxy Buds3 Pro are the technical winner with better sound quality and more features, but they're also $80 more expensive. The Beats Studio Buds offer tremendous value and might be the smarter choice if you don't need the absolute latest features.
Remember, the best earbuds are the ones that fit your specific needs and budget. Consider how you'll primarily use them, what devices you'll connect them to, and whether the premium features of the Galaxy Buds3 Pro justify the higher price for your usage.
| Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro ($249) | Beats Studio Buds ($169.95) |
|---|---|
| Driver Configuration - Affects sound quality and clarity | |
| Dual driver (separate woofer & tweeter) | Single dynamic driver |
| Water/Dust Protection - Important for outdoor use and durability | |
| IP57 (fully protected) | IPX4 (splash resistant only) |
| Battery Life - Critical for daily use without charging | |
| 5hrs (ANC on), 20hrs with case | 8hrs (ANC off), 24hrs with case |
| Noise Cancellation - Essential for commuting or office use | |
| Advanced ANC with adaptive adjustment | Basic ANC, good for constant noise |
| Device Ecosystem - Affects features you can access | |
| Best with Samsung, good with Android | Equal support Apple/Android |
| Spatial Audio - Enhances movie and gaming experience | |
| Full 360° audio with head tracking | Basic spatial audio, no tracking |
| Codec Support - Important for high-quality audio | |
| 24-bit/Samsung Seamless/AAC/SBC | Standard AAC/SBC only |
| Extra Features - Convenience factors | |
| Voice detect, real-time translation, LE Audio | Find My support, Fast Fuel charging |
| Fit Options - Affects comfort and sound isolation | |
| 3 sizes with ergonomic design | 4 sizes (XS-L) |
| Case Charging - Convenience factor | |
| Wireless + USB-C | USB-C only |
The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro are superior for home theater use, offering true 360° audio with head tracking. The Beats Studio Buds have basic spatial audio but lack head tracking, making them less immersive for movies.
The Galaxy Buds3 Pro cost $249, while the Beats Studio Buds are priced at $169.95, making them $80 cheaper. The price difference reflects additional features in the Galaxy Buds3 Pro.
The Galaxy Buds3 Pro offer more advanced noise cancellation, especially for variable sounds like voices. The Beats Studio Buds handle constant noise well but struggle with irregular sounds.
Yes, both work with any phone, but the Galaxy Buds3 Pro work best with Samsung devices, while the Beats Studio Buds offer more balanced compatibility between iOS and Android.
The Beats Studio Buds offer slightly longer battery life with 8 hours (ANC off) compared to the Galaxy Buds3 Pro at 5-6 hours (ANC on). Both cases provide additional charges.
The Galaxy Buds3 Pro have lower latency and better spatial audio, making them superior for gaming. The Beats Studio Buds have higher latency which might cause audio delay during gaming.
The Galaxy Buds3 Pro have better water resistance (IP57) making them more suitable for intense workouts. The Beats Studio Buds are splash-resistant (IPX4) but less protected.
Only the Galaxy Buds3 Pro support wireless charging. The Beats Studio Buds charging case requires USB-C connection.
The Galaxy Buds3 Pro have superior sound quality due to their dual-driver system. The Beats Studio Buds offer good sound but with less detail and separation.
Both work well for calls, but the Galaxy Buds3 Pro have better noise reduction for voice calls. The Beats Studio Buds perform adequately but with less background noise filtering.
The Galaxy Buds3 Pro are better for TV due to lower latency and head-tracking spatial audio. The Beats Studio Buds may have slight audio delay with TV content.
The Galaxy Buds3 Pro justify their higher price with advanced features and better sound quality. The Beats Studio Buds offer better value if you don't need premium features.
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: 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 - rtings.com - beatsbydre.com - youtube.com - bestbuy.com - abt.com - odpbusiness.com - marketplace.uvation.com - target.com - panthertech.fiu.edu - support.apple.com - youtube.com - beatsbydre.com
