Samsung’s mid-tier Galaxy Buds are due for a refresh. Here’s everything we’d like to see and what to expect from the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3.
Update, June 27, 2023 (04:58 PM ET): We have updated this Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 rumor hub with the possibility that they will not launch at the summer 2023 version of Galaxy Unpacked.
Original article: Samsung’s line of true wireless earbuds makes for an eclectic and impressive-sounding catalog. The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 stand proudly as an affordable alternative to the flagship Buds Pro series. They share much of the same DNA, including industry-leading noise canceling and sound quality. They are also great value for money, costing little more than $100 at the time of writing.
With that in mind, it’s no surprise that people are tingling with excitement for a next-gen Galaxy Buds 3 upgrade. There’s no official announcement yet, but read on for everything we know and our take on the features we would like to see included in the Galaxy Buds 3.Will there be a Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 series?
Samsung has been updating its range of earbuds pretty regularly since it debuted the Galaxy Buds in 2019. Its latest release, the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, is the brand’s biggest accomplishment to date. Announced alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Z Flip 4 smartphones in August 2022, it has some of the best ANC capabilities on the market. This is in addition to several bespoke features for Samsung smartphone owners. Given that Samsung only recently released earbuds from the flagship Pro series, it’s safe to assume there’s no imminent release for the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro. However, that does leave space for an update to the original Galaxy Buds line.
It’s also worth noting that earbud manufacturers are currently falling over themselves to bundle high-end features into affordable buds. For example, HUAWEI released the FreeBuds 5i in January 2023. These earbuds offer superior ANC capability and sound quality without breaking the bank. Not only that, but OnePlus and Sony have made recent releases, too, in the form of the Nord Buds 2 and the WF-C700N, respectively. All three of these earbuds come in at a price point between $60 — $120. With that in mind, Samsung will more than likely be showcasing its own affordable and feature-packed earbuds sometime in 2023.What is the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 release date?
Samsung Galaxy Buds series — March 9, 2019
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 series — August 11, 2021
Samsung’s Galaxy Buds portfolio is relatively small in comparison to other manufacturers, such as Sony. For that reason, it can sometimes be a little tricky to gauge the release pattern of upcoming earbuds. That said, the previous two models in the Galaxy Buds series were released roughly two years apart. Last generation’s Galaxy Buds 2, Buds Live, and Buds 2 Pro all came out between the 21-28 August. That gives us a pretty good indication of Samsung’s preferred release schedule.
For that reason, it would seem likely that the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 will launch sometime in August 2023. One would then assume that the confirmed summer 2023 Galaxy Unpacked event would be the time to see the Galaxy Buds 3. However, frequent leaker SnoopyTech says this is unlikely to happen. It’s possible SnoopyTech is wrong, but it’s also possible Galaxy Unpacked will be too busy for the launch of some new earbuds. We’ll need to wait and see how this pans out.What features and specs will the Galaxy Buds 3 have?
Without any official announcements to pinch details from, here’s what we can gather from the rumors and our expectations so far.
The Galaxy Buds 2 made some nice improvements to the original Galaxy Buds model. They were smaller and lighter than their predecessor, weighing in at only 5g per bud. They also had a very pleasing and compact form factor without sacrificing some of their top-of-the-range features. The rounded wing tip-free design was undoubtedly comfortable too, even if athletes had to miss out on securing a reliable fit. The build quality of the Galaxy Buds 2 felt sturdy without being too bulky to sit nicely in its charging case. While we don’t imagine the Galaxy Buds 3 will stray too far from the design of the Galaxy Buds 2, there are a few improvements we’d like to see.
For example, the glossy finish of the Galaxy Buds 2 feels a little outdated. We’d hope for a matte finish on the next-gen model, especially given how great Samsung’s more sophisticated flagship Buds 2 Pro are to handle and wear. It would also be welcome if Samsung adopted a slightly more ergonomic design for the Galaxy Buds 3. Even though the shape of the Galaxy Buds series helps to form a better seal in the ear, the bulky size means they often feel as though they might fall out. Slimmer designs, such as those of Apple’s AirPods Pro, Nothing Ear 1, and HUAWEI FreeBuds 5i, are increasingly popular. We’re not looking for Samsung to ditch its trademark shape completely, but a slightly smaller build could increase comfort further.
One feature Samsung’s future buds will no doubt excel at is active noise canceling. It’s a mainstay that keeps listeners coming back, and it’s pretty safe to assume the Galaxy Buds 3 will carry the torch here too. A mixture of good isolation provided by the shape of the buds, as well as the fit of the ear tips, is second to none with Samsung earbuds.
