The AirPods 3 and Galaxy Buds 2 are "the middle offering" in their respective families of wireless headphones, offering good sound quality and a good mix of features at relatively affordable prices.
And while choosing between the two may seem like a no-brainer (buy the AirPods if you have an iPhone, get the Galaxy Buds if you're on Android), there are a few key features that make both earbuds worth considering, regardless of the platform they're on. find.
Fortunately, we have spent many, many hours with the AirPods 3 (
USD $ 179 /
MX $ 4,499) and Galaxy Buds 2 (
USD $ 115 /
MX $ 2,644) in our ears, and we're ready to make that easy decision for you.
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You should buy the AirPods 3 if ...
You are in the Apple ecosystem
As with any set of Apple headphones, you'll get the most out of the AirPods 3 if you have an iPhone.
They pair instantly with branded devices and let you take advantage of Apple-exclusive features like hands-free Siri control and Find Me tracking to locate your AirPods in case you lose them.
IPhone owners can also take advantage of the AirPods 3's spatial audio feature, which lets you enjoy immersive 360-degree songs in compatible content (including many Apple Music tracks).
The AirPods 3 also work with an Android phone, they paired very well with a Galaxy Note 10, you'll just have to live with a much more basic set of features.
Like the AirPods Pro, the AirPods 3 have tap-based controls that allow you to toggle music playback and invoke Siri by quickly squeezing or holding the stem of the earpiece.
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This is a simpler solution than the controls on the Galaxy Buds 2, which can be overly sensitive at times.
If you're looking for consistent controls that won't automatically skip your favorite song, the AirPods 3 are the winners here. The AirPods 3 and Galaxy Buds 2 have pretty solid battery life, but Apple's headphones lasted a bit longer in our tests. .
The AirPods endured 6 hours and 10 minutes of continuous listening, which was roughly 30 minutes longer than what we got with the Galaxy Buds 2.
Key specs:
Price:
USD $ 179 /
MX $ 4,499
Colors:
White
Special Features:
Spatial Audio, Adaptive EQ
Water resistance:
IPX4 in headphones and case
Wireless charging:
Yes
Size and Weight (box):
2.14 x 1.83 x 0.84 inches, 1.34 ounces
You should buy the Galaxy Buds 2 if ...
You have an android phone
Just like the AirPods are great for iPhone owners, the Galaxy Buds 2 have more to offer for people with Android phones.
Most of the special features of the Buds 2 live in the Android-only Galaxy Wearable app, where you can toggle through noise modes, customize your sound with various equalizer settings, locate your headphones, and even run a fit test to find the right one. correct ear tip size.
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The Galaxy Buds 2 worked fine on the iPhone 12 Pro, but there is no app support to customize them.
As such, iPhone owners will strictly limit themselves to toggling active noise cancellation and ambient noise using the in-ear controls on the headphones.
You want active noise cancellation
The Galaxy Buds 2 have active noise cancellation (ANC), as well as an ambient noise feature to amplify the outside world, which are two features you won't find on the more expensive AirPods 3.
The Buds 2's active noise cancellation feature is pretty subtle compared to what you'll get in more premium headphones like the AirPods Pro (
USD $ 197 /
MX $ 4,199) or Galaxy Buds Pro (
USD $ 129 /
MX $ 3,172), but it still does a good job of silencing the daily racket of city life.
But these headphones really shine when it comes to ambient noise, which made it a breeze to keep up with nearby cars and pedestrians, even while listening to music.
Keep in mind that you can use these two functions on both Android devices and iPhones, you will only have to toggle them using the controls on board the headphones if you are on the latter.
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You want a more secure fit
Samsung hearing aids are by far the most comfortable option.
The Buds 2 have silicone tips and an extremely lightweight, ergonomic design, which sits in our ears for a fit that feels softer and more secure than what the latest AirPods offer.
We also appreciate that the Buds 2 come with three interchangeable sets of ear tips, giving you more flexibility than the AirPods 3's one-size-fits-all design.
You want multiple color options
If you're tired of plain white headphones, the Galaxy Buds 2 are for you.
Samsung's earphones come in a particularly attractive selection of graphite, olive, white, and purple, giving you plenty of options to match your phone (or your favorite outfit).
In comparison, the AirPods 3 are only offered in Apple's usual white.
Key specs:
Price:
USD $ 115 /
MX $ 2,644
Colors:
Graphite, white, purple, olive
Special Features:
Active Noise Cancellation, Ambient Noise
Water resistance:
IPX2
Wireless charging:
Yes
Size and Weight (box):
1.96 x 1.98 x 1 inches, 1.45 ounces
In terms of what you get for the money, the Galaxy Buds 2 are the winners here by far.
They're more comfortable than the AirPods 3, have a lot of useful features (including active noise cancellation), and even sound a bit better.
But just because the Galaxy Buds 2 are better on paper doesn't mean they're better for everyone.
AirPods 3 are still preferable to people in the Apple ecosystem, thanks to their seamless pairing and iPhone-exclusive features like spatial audio and hands-free Siri control.
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