Like the Galaxy Buds 2 before it, Samsung's latest earbuds are likely to become the default choice for Android phone owners in time. Whether Samsung will admit it, the Buds 3 take heavy cues from Apple's now-ubiquitous AirPods, resulting in an angular design instead of the more discreet design of previous models. They also feature swipe- and pinch-based gestures to control playback like the AirPods Pro, as well as up to five hours of battery life with ANC on (or 24 hours with the included charging case). Note, however, that their noise cancellation won't be nearly as effective as the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, and that's because Samsung's entry-level earbuds forgo ear tips and instead have an open-back design.
Also, it's worth noting that the Buds 3 Pro are available through Samsung for $219.99 ($30 off). Samsung's premium earbuds support wireless charging and are IP57 dust and water resistant like the standard model, but feature two-way drivers in each earbud, while the standard Buds 3 only have single drivers. They also offer a few more ecosystem tricks — as well as ear detection sensors and immersive spatial head-tracking audio — making them a better choice for those looking to get the most out of their Samsung device.