Samsung announced its flagship earbuds, the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, at its Galaxy Unpacked event, and soon after, Google showed off its latest Pixel Buds Pro 2 at Made by Google. Both are priced the same: Galaxy 3 Buds Pro at $250 and Pixel Buds Pro 2 at $230. We loved Samsung’s earbuds when we first got our hands on them, but the Pixel beats them in almost every department. The Buds Pro 2 has all the features of the Buds 3 Pro, but even more, despite being a little cheaper.
Pixel Buds Pro 2 and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro: Design and fit
Winner: Google Pixel Buds Pro 2
Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 3 Pro and Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 feature completely polarizing designs. The former features a slim, sleek appearance with an elongated stem or “blade.” The sharp blade looks triangular from a distance, but if you look closely you will see that it is a unique pentagonal shape. Pro models of Samsung earbuds also include a blade light that lights up whenever the earbuds are docked or docked in the charging case. Samsung’s marketing for the Blade Lite struck me as very lackluster as one of the reasons to pay the extra $70 for the Pro until I actually touched the buds. There’s no denying not only how unusual this feature is, but also the aesthetic change the light brings.
The Pixel Buds Pro 2, on the other hand, resemble a small button in the ear, much like the previous Galaxy Buds before Samsung decided to switch to an AirPods-like design. However, Google’s flagship Buds are much smaller, thanks to a significant reduction in size and weight compared to the first-generation Buds Pro. Available in four gorgeous colors: Peony, Wintergreen, Porcelain, and Hazel. From an aesthetic standpoint, Google’s devices are chic and Samsung’s are flashy. Where the Pixel Buds Pro 2 offers an understated and delicate look, the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro exudes a futuristic and modern feel. The “right option” is the one that suits your taste. Not to sound biased, but some interesting colorways of the Pixel might be more exciting to try than the same old silver or gray from Samsung.
In terms of fit, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 are much more snug. Google is touting a new fit-adjusting stabilizer that locks securely into your ear canal with a single twist. The ear-hugging fit is also aided by small rubber wings that skipped the previous model and grew back in this generation. The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro have no protrusions to enhance the fit. Google also won me over by including an XS eartip size in the package. It’s always a good idea to accommodate extreme sizes.
Pixel Buds’ discreet form factor also contributes to an effortless fit. Although it nested quietly inside my ear pinna and never interfered with the outside world, the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro frequently clashed with my reading glasses, hair, and earrings.
Pixel Buds Pro 2 and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro: Navigation
Winner: Google Pixel Buds Pro 2
Contrary to my speculations, the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro’s edgy design has the advantage of giving it a snug fit on your fingers. I’ve found that V-shaped stems are easier to grip than circular stems because when you bring your thumb and index finger together, you create a V-shaped stem. Nevertheless, the controls on the Pixel Buds Pro 2 are the undisputed winner for me.
To adjust the volume on your Google earbuds, swipe them horizontally. Swipe from left to right to increase the volume and vice versa. Samsung’s earbuds use a swipe up or down for volume gestures, which isn’t ideal for small peripherals that risk flying out of your ears if you pull them down.
Another big difference is the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro’s pressure-sensitive buttons (like the AirPods Pro’s force sensor) and the Pixel Buds Pro 2’s touch-capacitive interface. It’s amazing to see yourself warranting touch gestures over physical gestures. But Google makes a compelling case for its buds. The buds have no protruding stems, making them easy to tap and swipe without compromising the fit. With the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, fiddling with the stem often creates a slight weight imbalance that shifts the earbuds’ position in your ear. It also doesn’t help that the physical buttons require more force than the Pixel Buds Pro 2’s sensitive touch sensor.
Pixel Buds Pro 2 and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro: Sound and ANC
Winner: Google Pixel Buds Pro 2
With two-way speakers, dual amplifiers, planar tweeters, and a dedicated woofer, Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro delivers sound as comfortable as the Tensor A1 chip, 11mm driver, and Pixel Buds Pro’s new high-frequency (treble) chamber2. The buds also offer good audio overall, but the Galaxy buds suffer from a slightly thicker bass range. This was also an issue with the first generation Pixel Buds Pro, but has been fixed in the flagship model. Samsung’s highs and mids sound fine, but muddy bass becomes apparent when you turn the volume higher than 50%.
One of the first things I noticed about the Pixel Buds Pro 2 was the deep, punchy, and perfectly tuned bass. It sits on a separate layer from the rest of the orchestra and is arguably the most distinct part of the orchestra. The overall sound is very crisp, and you can clearly hear the nuances of each song. There’s plenty of space in the midrange, giving it a very airy sound. The highs are OK, but are overshadowed by the impact of the lows.
Again, both buds do decent noise canceling, but the Pixel buds win by a small margin. Their ANC is very strong. I was surprised at how well it withstood some of the most difficult sounds to cancel, such as the roar of walking over subway vents and fire engine sirens. I was on the phone when a fire truck passed by, but the sirens blared and I couldn’t hear the person on the other end. Switching to ANC immediately reduced that noise significantly. The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro were a little less efficient in this regard.
Pixel Buds Pro 2 and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro: Battery life
Winner: Google Pixel Buds Pro 2
Google’s sprouts are the clear winner here. Lasts for 48 hours with ANC off and 30 hours with ANC on. Samsung offers 30 hours with ANC off and 26 hours with ANC on. I could easily get through several weeks with the Pixel Buds Pro 2. Both earbuds can be charged wirelessly.
Pixel Buds Pro 2 and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro: Other features
Compatibility is a big aspect that earbud brands should consider when manufacturing their phones. Pixel phone users with Buds Pro 2 will have access to exclusive benefits like spatial audio and speech detection. Gemini AI integration is one of the best-selling features on these buds, but we weren’t the biggest fans of it as it was much more hands-on than promised. However, Gemini’s integration isn’t limited to the Pixel lineup. Android and iOS users can install and access the Gemini app.
Samsung has built high walls around some features. Galaxy-specific features on Samsung earphones give it a better basis to stay within the ecosystem. Galaxy Buds 3 Pro users can enjoy spatial audio, EQ settings, live translation in up to eight languages, and improved sound and microphone quality on their Samsung Galaxy devices.
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 has an IP54 rating for dust and water resistance, while the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro has an IP57 rating. However, the Pixel also has IPX4 resistance on its charging case, which is unusual for wireless earbuds.
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 vs Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro: Verdict
It’s clear who the winner is. We initially reviewed the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro positively, except for the onboard volume control and muddy bass. Pixel Buds Pro 2 outperformed Galaxy Buds 3 Pro in every category while maintaining a similar price range. In fact, it’s cheaper at $230 compared to the $250 Buds 3 Pro. My only complaint with the Pixel Buds was that the Gemini integration was underwhelming, but there’s no obligation to use it. If you’re on a budget and the only competition is the similarly priced Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 is a better choice.
