Overhead headphones are no longer the only audio accessories featuring Active Noise Cancellation. While they remain popular, truly wireless earphones with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) are rapidly rising in popularity. The key benefit of these wireless earphones is their small size and portability. Famous examples include the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro and the Sony WF-1000XM3. While the Galaxy Buds Pro is Samsung’s most recent offering, the WF-1000XM3 earphones have been on the market for quite some time.
And this brings us to an important question: Is the Sony WF-1000XM3 still better than the Galaxy Buds Pro, even though they are nearly the same price? Or are the Samsung buds equipped with newer and better technology?
That is what we will answer in this post today as we compare the Sony WF-1000XM3 to the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro to determine which wireless earphones are better suited for you.
This is going to be a lengthy post. But first and foremost,
These are the best aptX earbuds and earphones available.
JBL Flip 5 vs. Bose Soundlink Color 2: Which is better? Which Bluetooth portable speaker should you choose?
Also, Read Freecharge UPI Offers | Free Cashback Loot.
DESIGN AND COMFORT
The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro is a welcome departure from the bean-shaped Galaxy Buds Live, and it’s a blessing for some of us. The one-size-fits-all design is no longer in use. Instead, you have a slim and stylish pair of earphones that are both lightweight and fashionable. This time, Samsung has chosen silicon tips, which, like most conventional true wireless earphones, fit inside the ear canal to provide a snug fit.
Because these buds do not have wingtips, the fit is pleasant, and the lightweight design is a plus. The Galaxy Buds Pro earphones have retained parts of Buds Live’s flashy metallic aesthetics, and the good news is that they stand out in the crowd.
The Galaxy Buds Pro, like its predecessor, has touch-based controls. These touchpads allow you to accomplish a lot, from adjusting the volume to turning off ANC. And, yes, they can be customized using the Samsung Wearable app.
While the touchpads are quite simple to operate, they are sometimes unstable. Because of an inadvertent brush or when you adjust the buds, they may stop playing a song or skip a few. This happens when you adjust the buds for a better fit, and it can become rather annoying over time, especially if you use them for running and walking.
At the same time, the IPX7 classification indicates that the Buds Pro headphones are waterproof, and you can take them to the gym without fear of sweat and water damage.
When it comes to the Sony WF-1000XM3, it is reasonable to state that they are not among the most discrete-looking earphones available. They are slightly larger than the Galaxy Buds Pro, and the body of the earpieces protrudes slightly. But, happily, they are elegant and appealing, lending a modern appearance. Yes, the ear tips extend like a nozzle into the ear canal.
The WF-1000XM3 comes with a total of eight sets of ear tips for a better fit, and the foam-based ear tips are extremely comfortable to use. If you look around, you won’t find many earphones with such a diverse collection. For the record, the Galaxy Buds Pro comes with three sets of silicone ear tips.
Sony earphones have touch-sensitive controls and are reasonably comfortable to wear. The main advantage is that the touch area is limited, and this design ensures that you do not accidentally touch them, especially when fixing your earphones or brushing your hair.
Surprisingly, the WF-1000XM3 earphones do not resist water. While they can be used for light workouts, they should not be used if your ears sweat a lot while working out or in extremely humid environments. Another limitation is that the carry case is on the large side, making it difficult to transport.
BATTERY LIFE
When it comes to battery life, truly wireless earphones with Active Noise Cancellation, or ANC, play a different game. So, with ANC enabled, the Galaxy Buds Pro can last for about 5 hours of continuous playback time. Fortunately, the charging case will come to your aid and provide an additional 13 hours of charge.
On the battery scale, the WF-1000XM3 performs similarly. A single charge will provide you with approximately 5-6 hours of continuous playback time. The large charging case is an advantage, bringing three additional charge cycles to the table. Isn’t it cool?
During our testing, these earphones lasted an hour and a half on average. We can confidently claim that it lasts about a week before needing to be recharged. They also feature quick charging, with a 10-minute charge providing around 90 minutes of playback.
CONNECTIVITY
Unfortunately, the WF-1000XM3 only supports a few Bluetooth codecs. They support Bluetooth audio codecs SBC and AAC but not Sony’s proprietary LDAC or Qualcomm’s aptX and aptX HD.
On the plus side, the Sony WF-1000XM3 has NFC for quick pairing but lacks Bluetooth Multipoint, which means it can only connect to one device at a time.
In contrast to the above, the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro lacks Bluetooth Multipoint. Instead, they include Easy Switch. This Samsung function allows you to switch between two Bluetooth-enabled devices. However, there is a small catch. When logged in with the same Samsung account, it works on Samsung devices.
When it comes to Bluetooth codecs, the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro earphones sing the same song as the Sony earphones and include both SBC and AAC codecs.
AUDIO QUALITY AND NOISE CANCELLATION
Let us now address the elephant in the room: how do the Galaxy Buds Pro and the WF-1000XM3 sound? Let’s begin with the Galaxy Buds Pro.
Samsung did an excellent job with the Galaxy Buds Pro this year. The new buds have a more balanced sound and a larger soundstage. The vocals are clear and crisp, and the bass isn’t thumping, but it’s safe to say it’s just about right.
When it comes to noise cancellation, Samsung’s buds perform admirably. With ANC turned on, you won’t hear AC fan noises or hums in elevators or buses. However, they still let in a lot of noise, and if someone in the same room were talking loudly or playing loud music, a faint sound would creep in. For the record, the Samsung Galaxy Buds allow you to adjust the level of ANC.
Let’s get right to the point: how do the Galaxy Buds Pro and the WF-1000XM3 sound? To begin, consider the Galaxy Buds Pro.
This year, Samsung did an excellent job with the Galaxy Buds Pro. The new buds have a more balanced and expansive soundstage. The voices are clear and sharp, and the bass isn’t thunderous, but it’s safe to say it’s about right.
When it comes to noise cancellation, Samsung’s buds excel. When ANC is enabled, you will not hear AC fan noises or hums in elevators or buses. They did, however, allow a lot of noise in, and if someone in the same room were talking loudly or playing loud music, a faint sound would creep in. For the record, you can adjust the level of ANC on the Samsung Galaxy Buds.
Also, Read Best Review – Asus ZenBook Pro 14 Duo OLED.
CONCLUSION –
So, what earphones should you buy? The Sony WF-100XM3 takes the crown if you want an overall good sound stage with deep and powerful bass. The detailed audio delivery and the class of the Active Noise Cancellation will appeal to the audiophile in you. Furthermore, the accompanying app provides fascinating and smart features that enhance the experience.
Of course, it is not without its drawbacks. It lacks wireless charging, for example, and the charging cover is not very small.
If you already own a Samsung phone, though, the Galaxy Buds Pro is a better option. The connection is solid, and the Samsung Wearable app has a slew of tricks up its sleeve. For example, the Voice Identify feature allows you to simply switch between ANC and ambient noise when the external microphones detect someone speaking to you.
And, thanks to wireless charging capability, charging the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro is a breeze.
They have a fairly balanced soundstage and are a terrific choice for casual listening.
Frequently Asked Questions
Well, both brands are good but when it comes to choosing between these two – Then Sony is the winner here.
The Sony WF-100XM3 is the best wireless speaker if you care most about a wide, detailed soundstage and deep, powerful bass.
With Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) turned on, the Galaxy Buds Pro has a continuous playback time of about 5 hours. Fortunately, the charging case will save the day by providing an extra 13 hours of juice which makes this a good choice when compared with the Sony WF-1000XM3.