Samsung Galaxy Buds3 vs Galaxy Buds Live: Battle of the open earbuds

The last time Samsung made open earbuds was with the uniquely bean-shaped Galaxy Buds Live. The second generation lineup of Samsung earbuds all had in-ear tips for a better seal, but now, the Galaxy Buds3 has made the peculiar choice of returning to an open-ear format with a new stem design.  While both offer premium features for Samsung users, they differ significantly in design and performance, given the years between them. If you like open earbuds, should you buy the latest and greatest, or is the older Live still up to the task? We compare them both in this Galaxy Buds3 vs Galaxy Buds Live comparison to help you decide which pair best suits your needs.

Editor’s note: this article was published on August 28, 2024, and is the first version of the article. Updates will follow as the market changes.

What’s it like to use the Galaxy Buds3 compared to the Galaxy Buds Live?

The Galaxy Buds3 and Buds Live offer distinctly different user experiences, primarily due to their contrasting designs.

The Buds3 feature a lollipop stem design similar to Apple’s AirPods, with a bulbous earbud that sits between your tragus and antitragus. This design relies on gravity and a snug fit in the ear’s contours to stay in place. However, we found that many users will experience significant fit issues:

• The buds may become dislodged easily during movement or over time
• After about 20 minutes, they might start popping out unexpectedly
• Sweat, skin oils, and temperature changes can affect the fit
• The earbuds may cause soreness in the outer ears after 90 minutes of use

In contrast, the Buds Live utilize a unique bean-shaped design that employs a two-point contact system for a more secure fit. While comfort can still vary between users, the Buds Live generally offer a more stable experience:

• They tend to stay in place during various exercises like rock climbing and running
• The design allows for better awareness of surroundings
• Some users may find them more comfortable for extended wear

The Buds3 have an IP57 rating for dust and water resistance, while the Buds Live are rated IPX2, offering far less protection against the elements.

Should you use the apps of either Galaxy Buds3 or Galaxy Buds Live?

Yes, the Samsung Wearable app is recommended for both models. It provides access to firmware updates, EQ presets, and feature customization. For the Buds3, it’s essential for accessing ANC controls and AI features. The Buds Live also benefit from the app for adjusting noise cancelation and customizing touch controls.

It’s important to note that some features are limited to Android or specific Samsung devices. For example, hands-free Bixby access and Samsung 360 Audio are exclusive to Samsung Galaxy devices.

How do the Galaxy Buds3 and Galaxy Buds Live connect?

Both earbuds use Bluetooth for connectivity. The Buds3 features Bluetooth 5.4, while the Buds Live uses Bluetooth 5.0. Both support multiple codecs, including SBC and AAC. The Buds3’s Seamless Codec offers near-lossless audio with compatible Samsung devices. At the same time, Buds Live’s Scalable Codec operates on a sliding scale from 96 to 512kbps to balance sound quality and connection stability. The Buds3 also supports Bluetooth Multipoint connection, allowing you to connect to multiple devices simultaneously.

Is battery life better on the Galaxy Buds3 or Galaxy Buds Live?

The Galaxy Buds Live edges out the newer Galaxy Buds3 when it comes to battery life. Our testing produced the following results:

• Buds3: 4 hours 56 minutes with ANC on, 6 hours 20 minutes with ANC off
• Buds Live: 5 hours 15 minutes with ANC on, 8 hours with ANC off

Both models feature quick charging, with just five minutes for one hour of listening with the Galaxy Buds Live and taking Buds3 a little longer, with 10 minutes of charging providing up to 1.5 hours.

Do the Galaxy Buds3 or Galaxy Buds Live block noise better?

When it comes to noise cancelation, both the Galaxy Buds3 and Buds Live face challenges due to their open designs, but they approach this obstacle differently. The Galaxy Buds3 struggles with consistent ANC performance, largely due to fit issues. When properly fitted, the ANC can be quite effective, but this ideal state is often short-lived. A change in fit can cause the ear sensor to lose contact, automatically disabling the ANC. In typical use, the Buds3 shows minimal low-frequency attenuation, falling short of expectations for noise canceling earbuds.

The Galaxy Buds Live, on the other hand, offer a more consistent ANC experience despite their unconventional design. While they can’t match the isolation of sealed earbuds, they manage to provide some low-frequency noise reduction. The ANC performance is impressive given the open design, capable of quieting low frequencies to sound about half as loud as they would without ANC enabled. This more reliable performance is largely due to the Buds Live’s more stable fit in the ear.

It’s worth noting that both models allow some awareness of surroundings, which can be beneficial in certain situations. However, if strong noise isolation is a priority, neither model can compete with well-sealed earbuds designed for that purpose.

Do the Galaxy Buds3 sound better than the Galaxy Buds Live?

Sound quality for both models is heavily dependent on fit. When properly positioned, the Buds3 can deliver good audio quality with a consumer-friendly sound profile. However, their inconsistent fit often leads to compromised bass response and overemphasized treble.

While fit also affects The Buds Live, it generally provides a more consistent listening experience. Its bass-forward sound works well for popular music genres.

Both models offer EQ presets through the Samsung Wearable app, allowing users to adjust the sound profile to their liking. This feature is particularly useful for the Buds3, as it can help compensate for some fit-related issues.

Objective Measurements

The Buds3’s frequency response varies significantly based on fit. In ideal conditions, they offer elevated bass and low mids, with some treble emphasis. However, a typical fit often results in bass roll-off and overemphasized treble.

The Buds Live’s frequency response isn’t detailed in the provided review, but it does have an emphasized bass that can mask some musical detail.

Do the Galaxy Buds3 or Galaxy Buds Live have a better microphone?

The Buds3 feature a three-microphone array that performs well in ideal conditions. They have noise reduction capabilities, but the effectiveness varies depending on environmental conditions. Interestingly, the Buds3 don’t seem to attempt much outside noise reduction without Samsung’s app or phones, which could be a limitation for some users.

The Galaxy Buds Live, on the other hand, employs two beam-forming microphones and one inward-facing voice pickup unit that uses bone conduction. Our reviewer praised it for its excellent microphone quality and good background noise rejection. The Buds Live consistently delivers clear audio transmission in various conditions, giving them a slight edge in microphone performance, especially in terms of consistency and noise rejection.

Galaxy Buds3 microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

Galaxy Buds Live microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

Galaxy Buds3 microphone demo (Office conditions):

Galaxy Buds3 vs Galaxy Buds Live: Price and availability

The Galaxy Buds3, priced at $179.99 at Samsung, are the newer model, released in 2024. They represent Samsung’s latest technology in the true wireless earbud space. The Galaxy Buds Live, originally priced at $89 at Amazon, were released in August 2020. As an older model, the Buds Live may be more readily available at reduced prices. Both models are likely subject to discounts and promotions, which could affect the value proposition for potential buyers. The price difference, when not on sale, is minimal, so the choice between the two may come down more to feature preferences than cost.

Should you get the Galaxy Buds3 or Galaxy Buds Live?

Your choice between the Galaxy Buds3 and Buds Live will depend on your specific needs and preferences. Here’s a straightforward summary to help you decide:

Keep in mind that both models have limitations due to their open designs, particularly in noise isolation and consistent audio quality. If these factors are crucial to you, consider sealed earbuds from Samsung’s lineup or other brands.

Comfort and fit will play a significant role in your experience, so try both before buying, if possible. The Buds Live might be the safer choice for those prioritizing fit stability and consistent performance. At the same time, the Buds3 could be preferable for users seeking the latest features and potentially more balanced audio, provided they can achieve a good fit.

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