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Bluetooth LE Audio and the LC3 Codec: A Technical Deep Dive

AirPods Guides, Bluetooth headphones, Headphone 101, Samsung Galaxy Buds, Sony 1000X, sports headphones, wireless earbuds

Bluetooth LE Audio and the LC3 Codec: A Technical Deep Dive

For over two decades, the wireless audio industry has been wrestling with a protocol that was never originally designed for high-fidelity music. When you listen to a podcast on standard Bluetooth earbuds and headphones, you are utilizing an architecture—Classic Bluetooth (BR/EDR)—that traces its roots back to 1999. It is power-hungry, prone to latency, and mathematically inefficient.

The introduction of Bluetooth 5.2 fundamentally changed this trajectory. By taking the Low Energy (LE) radio state—which was previously restricted to simple, intermittent IoT data like smartwatch heart rates—and re-engineering its MAC (Media Access Control) layer to support continuous audio, the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) executed the largest architectural rewrite in the protocol's history.

If you want Bluetooth LE Audio explained beyond the marketing bullet points, you must look at the protocol stack. In this technical deep-dive, we will dissect the failure points of Classic Bluetooth, the implementation of Isochronous Channels, the mathematical superiority of the LC3 codec, and how the new Bluetooth LE Audio architecture finally solves the master-slave problem that has plagued True Wireless Stereo (TWS) earbuds for years.

1. The Breaking Point: LE Audio vs Classic Bluetooth

To understand why LE Audio was necessary, we must understand the fundamental flaws of the Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) running over Classic Bluetooth (Basic Rate / Enhanced Data Rate, or BR/EDR).

Classic Bluetooth operates on a connection-oriented “Piconet” topology. It relies on an asynchronous, polling-based data transfer method. When your phone sends an audio packet to your earbuds, it must wait for an Acknowledgment (ACK) packet to confirm receipt. If the 2.4 GHz spectrum is crowded (by Wi-Fi routers or microwaves) and the packet drops, the phone must re-transmit it.

To prevent the audio from stuttering during these re-transmissions, A2DP requires a massive audio buffer at the receiver (the earbud or headphone). This buffer is the primary source of Bluetooth latency, frequently introducing a delay () of 150 ms to 250 ms, making it virtually useless for competitive gaming or real-time video editing.

Furthermore, Classic Bluetooth is incredibly power inefficient. Maintaining the BR/EDR radio link requires a constant, high-current draw, which is why early wireless earbuds struggled to surpass three hours of battery life.

The LE Audio vs Classic Bluetooth debate is not an iterative comparison; it is a complete structural replacement. LE Audio discards the BR/EDR radio completely, shifting continuous, high-bandwidth audio streams onto the ultra-low-power LE radio state.

… Read the rest

The Physics and Engineering of Super Wide Band (SWB) Voice

Bluetooth headphones, Headphone 101, noise cancelling headphones, Samsung Galaxy Buds, wireless earbuds

The Physics and Engineering of Super Wide Band (SWB) Voice

If you have ever purchased a pair of $300 flagship wireless earbuds, paired them with a $1,200 smartphone, and made a phone call, you have likely experienced a jarring cognitive dissonance. Your music is rendered in pristine 24-bit/96kHz lossless fidelity, yet the voice of the person you are speaking to sounds compressed, robotic, and trapped inside a tin can.

For decades, voice telephony has been the acoustic bottleneck of consumer electronics. However, a quiet paradigm shift has been occurring beneath the surface of spec sheets. Technologies marketed obliquely by companies like Samsung (in the Galaxy Buds 3 and Buds 4 series) as “Super Wideband Call Quality” or by Qualcomm as “aptX Voice” represent a fundamental teardown of legacy telecommunications standards.

This is Super Wide Band (SWB) audio. In this definitive guide explaining Super Wide Band call quality and technology, we dissect the physical limits of human speech, the mathematics of digital sampling, and the legacy telecommunications infrastructure that has been choking our audio for over a century.

The Acoustic Physics of Human Speech

To understand why telecommunications networks historically compressed voice, and why Super Wide Band (SWB) is necessary to fix it, we must analyze the frequency spectrum of human phonation.

Human speech is not a monolithic sound; it is a complex combination of fundamental frequencies and harmonics generated by the vocal cords (voicing) and turbulent noise generated by the oral cavity (frication).

The fundamental frequency () of an adult human voice typically ranges from 85 Hz to 255 Hz. However, intelligibility—the cognitive ability to parse words—does not reside in the fundamental frequency. It resides in the formants and the high-frequency consonants.

  • Vowels and Formants (300 Hz to 3 kHz): The shape of the vocal tract creates acoustic resonances called formants (). These carry the power and tonal identity of the voice.
  • Fricatives and Sibilants (4 kHz to 14 kHz: Sounds like /s/, /f/, /th/, and /sh/ are produced by forcing air through narrow channels in the mouth. These sounds possess very little acoustic energy but stretch high into the frequency spectrum. The /s/ sound, for instance, has significant acoustic energy peaking between 6 kHz and 10 kHz.

If you aggressively filter out frequencies above 3.4 kHz, the human brain can no longer reliably distinguish between an /f/ and a /th/, or an /s/ and an /f/. … Read the rest

The Complete Technical Guide to the Galaxy Buds 4 & Buds 4 Pro

Bluetooth headphones, Headphone 101, noise cancelling headphones, Samsung Galaxy Buds, wireless earbuds

The Complete Technical Guide to the Galaxy Buds 4 & Buds 4 Pro

With the rollout of the Galaxy S26 ecosystem, Samsung has executed a fundamental overhaul of its true wireless stereo (TWS) architecture. Moving away from iterative software updates, the 2026 audio lineup introduces entirely new acoustic hardware, next-generation Bluetooth protocols, and a deeper, arguably more restrictive, integration into the Galaxy AI processing pipeline.

Whether you are an audiophile meticulously comparing codec bitrates, a commuter analyzing phase-inversion ANC algorithms, or a power user looking to optimize neural processing features, this guide serves as your master directory.

In this guide, you will find a high-level technical briefing of the new hardware, followed by our comprehensive, 5-part deep-dive series dissecting every aspect of the Galaxy Buds 4 series.

The Executive Briefing: Hardware & Architecture (TL;DR)

For the spec-hunters and impatient readers, here is the raw, unfiltered breakdown of what you need to know before making a purchasing decision on Galaxy Buds 4 and Galaxy Buds 4 Pro.

The Diverging Form Factors

Samsung has officially split its lineup by acoustic seal. The $179 Galaxy Buds 4 utilizes an open-fit (unsealed) design, relying on a single 11mm dynamic driver. It is engineered primarily for all-day comfort and spatial awareness, though it suffers from the inevitable sub-bass roll-off inherent to unsealed ear canals.

The $249 Galaxy Buds 4 Pro utilizes a canal-fit (silicone tip) design, providing the 15dB+ of passive isolation required for critical listening.

Acoustic Overhaul: The Dual-Driver Setup

The defining upgrade of the Pro model is its 2-way speaker system. It pairs an 11mm dynamic woofer (with a 20% larger vibration area than the previous generation) with a … Read the rest

The Right Fit of Galaxy Buds 4 — User Personas & Recommendations

Bluetooth headphones, Headphone 101, Samsung Galaxy Buds, wireless earbuds

The Right Fit of Galaxy Buds 4 — User Personas & Recommendations

Galaxy Buds 4 represents a fundamental rebuild of Samsung’s wireless earbuds series. It is comparable to the other flagship wireless earbuds with Galaxy AI integrations. But technical specifications only tell half the story. User persona matters. The ultimate question remains: which earbuds belong in your pockets?

Audio is deeply subjective, and the hardware you choose must align with the physical realities of your daily life.

Whether you are searching for the best wireless earbuds for Samsung users overall, or you have a highly specific use case, this Galaxy Buds 4 guide breaks down the Galaxy Buds 4 series by user persona to help you make an informed purchasing decision.

User Persona 1: The Commuter & Frequent Flyer

If your day involves crowded trains, bustling streets, or the constant drone of an airplane cabin, isolation is your primary metric.

When evaluating the Galaxy Buds 4 vs Galaxy Buds 4 Pro for commuting, the decision is heavily skewed toward the $249 Pro model. The canal-fit design with silicone tips provides the necessary passive isolation to block out high-frequency chatter. More importantly, the Adaptive ANC 2.0 algorithm specifically targets the low-frequency rumble (50Hz to 200Hz) of jet engines and bus tires. The ANC on Galaxy Buds 4 Pro is close to, if not even comparable to, that of competitors, including AirPods Pro 3, Sony WF-1000XM6, and Bose QC Ultra Earbuds II.

The standard $179 Galaxy Buds 4, due to their open-fit nature, simply cannot physically seal the ear canal. While their ANC 1.0 can take the edge off a loud environment, you will inevitably have to crank the volume to unsafe levels to hear your podcasts over a subway screech. For the commuter, the Pro's $70 premium is a necessary investment in hearing protection and sanity.

… Read the rest

Galaxy Buds 4 as an AI Earbud — Tips, Tricks, and Galaxy AI

Bluetooth headphones, Headphone 101, Samsung Galaxy Buds, wireless earbuds

Galaxy Buds 4 as an AI Earbud — Tips, Tricks, and Galaxy AI

When Samsung unveiled the Galaxy S26 series, “Galaxy AI” was the inescapable buzzword. While AI features are often relegated to photo editing or text generation on the smartphone display, the new Galaxy Buds 4 series acts as the crucial acoustic bridge to these systems.

If you want to know how to use Galaxy AI on Buds 4, the first thing to understand is the hardware pipeline. True wireless earbuds lack the thermal overhead and battery capacity to run native neural processing units (NPUs) for complex AI tasks. Instead, the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro rely on an ultra-low-latency Bluetooth 6.1 link to offload the computational heavy lifting to the S26's Snapdragon or Exynos processor.

In this deep dive, we explore the software ecosystem, providing essential Galaxy Buds 4 Pro tips and tricks to transform your earbuds from passive speakers into active digital assistants with Galaxy AI.

Please note that in this guide, we used Galaxy S26 as a demo. Most of the features also work with Galaxy devices with One UI 8(e.g.,Galaxy S25, Galaxy S24, and Galaxy S23). Besides, all features are available on both Galaxy Buds 4 or Buds 4 Pro.

The Real-Time Interpreter with Galaxy AI

Perhaps the most heavily marketed feature is the live translation capability. For frequent travelers, a comprehensive Galaxy Buds 4 real-time interpreter guide is essential, as the UI can be slightly unintuitive on the first attempt.

The Interpreter feature operates in two distinct modes: Face-to-Face and Phone Call.

In Face-to-Face mode, you hand your unlocked S26 to the person you are speaking with. They speak into the phone's bottom microphone in their native language (e.g., Japanese). The phone's NPU transcribes, translates, and synthesizes the audio, piping the English translation directly into your Galaxy Buds 4 Pro in roughly 0.8 to 1.5 seconds. When you reply, the onboard 16kHz microphones on the Galaxy Buds pick up your English, and the phone's speaker broadcasts the Japanese translation.

In Phone Call mode, the translation is handled entirely in-ear to keep the process private. When the person on the other end of the line speaks (e.g., in Japanese), the S26's processor intercepts the audio from the phone line, translates it, and pipes the English translation directly into your Galaxy Buds 4. When you speak your reply into the Galaxy Buds' microphones, the S26 translates your English … Read the rest

The Flagship Face-off: Galaxy Buds 4 Pro vs. AirPods Pro 3, Sony WF-1000XM6, and Bose QC Ultra Earbuds II

Bluetooth headphones, Headphone 101, noise cancelling headphones, Samsung Galaxy Buds, wireless earbuds

The Flagship Face-off: Galaxy Buds 4 Pro vs. AirPods Pro 3, Sony WF-1000XM6, and Bose QC Ultra Earbuds II

Samsung does not exist in a vacuum. While the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro represents the pinnacle of Samsung's internal acoustic engineering, the true test of a $249 audio device is how it performs against the established titans of the industry (Galaxy Buds 4 Pro vs. AirPods Pro 3, Sony WF-1000XM6, and Bose QC Ultra Earbuds II).

In the search for the best noise canceling earbuds 2026 has to offer, consumers are primarily weighing three major alternatives: Apple's AirPods Pro 3, the Sony WF-1000XM6, and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds II.

In this flagship face-off, we benchmark the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro against its fiercest competitors to see if it truly is the best earbuds for Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra users, or if looking outside the ecosystem yields better results.

The Audio Fidelity Battle: Samsung Seamless Codec vs LDAC

When evaluating raw audio fidelity, the limiting factor in wireless audio is rarely the driver; it is the Bluetooth codec.

In a direct Galaxy Buds 4 Pro vs. Sony WF-1000XM6 comparison, the conversation immediately turns to data transfer. Sony’s WF-1000XM6 utilizes the universally adopted LDAC codec, capable of pushing bitrates up to 990 kbps on almost any modern Android device. This allows for near-lossless transmission of FLAC or ALAC files.

Samsung’s response is the proprietary Samsung Seamless Codec (SSC), which dynamically scales up to 24-bit/96kHz depending on connection strength. When paired with an S26/S25/S24/S23 series phone, the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro arguably matches Sony in detail retrieval. The combination of SSC's high bitrate and the Buds' planar tweeter results in a shimmering, airy high-end that Sony’s warmer, bass-leaning dynamic drivers occasionally mask.

However, the Samsung Seamless Codec vs LDAC debate ends in Sony's favor regarding versatility. If you switch to a Google Pixel, the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro drops to a meager AAC connection (~256 kbps), severely bottlenecking the hardware. Sony’s LDAC plays nice with everyone.

… Read the rest

Head-to-Head — Galaxy Buds 4 vs. Buds 4 Pro

Bluetooth headphones, noise cancelling headphones, Samsung Galaxy Buds, wireless earbuds

Head-to-Head — Galaxy Buds 4 vs. Buds 4 Pro

With the launch of the Galaxy S26 ecosystem, Samsung has presented consumers with a stark divergence in its audio lineup. While previous generations often blurred the lines between the base and “Pro” models, 2026 brings a definitive split (Galaxy Buds 4 vs. Buds 4 Pro) in both physical design and acoustic philosophy.

If you find yourself debating between the $179 and $249 tiers, the decision is no longer just about paying more for slightly better sound. The core Galaxy Buds 4 Pro vs Buds 4 differences lie in fundamental architectural choices.

In this comprehensive breakdown, we analyze the engineering beneath the hood to answer the ultimate question: is Galaxy Buds 4 Pro worth it (vs. Galaxy Buds 4), or does the standard model offer everything the modern listener needs?

Ergonomics: Canal-Fit vs Open-Fit Earbuds

The most immediate physical distinction between the two models (Galaxy Buds 4 vs. Buds 4 Pro) is how they interact with your ear canal. This isn't just an aesthetic choice; it fundamentally dictates the acoustic seal and bass response.

The standard Galaxy Buds 4 utilizes an open-fit (unsealed) design, reminiscent of standard AirPods. They rest in the concha of the ear without penetrating the ear canal. For users who suffer from ear fatigue or a feeling of “cabin pressure” from silicone tips, the debate between canal-fit vs open-fit earbuds heavily favors the open design. However, from an acoustic physics standpoint, an unsealed fit leads to immediate sub-bass roll-off. Without a pressurized chamber, low-frequency sound waves leak out before vibrating the eardrum.

Conversely, the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro features a canal-fit design (like AirPods Pro) utilizing medical-grade silicone tips. This creates a physical barrier that provides roughly 15dB to 20dB of passive noise isolation before any software even activates. This seal is absolutely critical for the Pro’s planar tweeter to accurately reflect high-frequency micro-details without environmental masking.

Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro (2026) AI True Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds + $30 Gift Card, Hi-Res Audio, 2-Way Speaker, ANC 2.0, Optimized Comfort, IP57, Live Translation, Black [US Version, 2 Yr Warranty]
Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro (2026) AI True Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds + $30 Gift Card, Hi-Res Audio, 2-Way Speaker, ANC 2.0, Optimized Comfort, IP57, Live Translation, Black [US Version, 2 Yr Warranty]
  • BUNDLE: Prime members get an Amazon Gift Card when you order Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro. Select the gift card bundle variation for redemption. Gift card may ship separately.
  • EXCEPTIONAL AUDIO: Catch details like never before. Designed with a High-Res Audio¹ 24-bit hi-fi codec, the latest Galaxy earbuds maintain the integrity of your favorite audio
… Read the rest

The Evolution — What’s New in Galaxy Buds 4 and Galaxy Buds 4 Pro?

Bluetooth headphones, noise cancelling headphones, Samsung Galaxy Buds

What’s New in Galaxy Buds 4 and Galaxy Buds 4 Pro?

The true wireless stereo (TWS) earbuds market has arguably been stagnating for the past two product cycles. Iterative driver tweaks and software-gated features have largely replaced genuine hardware innovation. However, with the Galaxy Unpacked event in February 2026, Samsung signaled a definitive shift. Launched alongside the new flagship smartphones, Galaxy Buds 4 and Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are positioned not just as peripherals but as the premier Galaxy S26 ecosystem accessories.

With the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 release date officially slated for March 11, 2026, audiophiles and tech enthusiasts finally have their hands on the spec sheets. The new lineup—consisting of the $179 open-fit Galaxy Buds 4 and the $249 canal-fit Galaxy Buds 4 Pro—represents a fundamental teardown and rebuild of Samsung’s acoustic and physical architecture.

In this deep-dive series on Galaxy Buds 4 and Galaxy Buds 4 Pro, we strip away the marketing gloss to examine the raw hardware changes, the acoustic engineering, and the highly debated ecosystem lock-ins that define this new generation.

Ergonomics and the Galaxy Buds 4 Blade Design

Samsung’s design language has historically been somewhat erratic, bouncing from the bean-shaped Galaxy Buds Live to the stemless Galaxy Buds Pro and Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, and recently to the angular, cyberpunk-esque triangular stems of the Galaxy Buds 3 and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro. For 2026, Samsung has pivoted again, but this time driven by empirical data rather than pure aesthetics.

The new Galaxy Buds 4 blade design is the result of computational modeling utilizing over 100 million global ear data points. The most notable physical change is the transition from a sharp, triangular stem to a flatter, metallic-finished “blade.”

From a purely functional standpoint, this is a massive ergonomic upgrade. The flat surface provides a significantly wider and more tactile area for the integrated force sensors (similar to that on AirPods) . If you found the pinch-and-swipe gestures on previous iterations to be finicky or prone to misfires when walking or running, the blade design mitigates this by offering a defined, engraved pinch-control area.

Weight distribution has also been meticulously tuned. The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro weighs in at exactly 5.1g per bud, while the standard Buds 4 sits at 4.6g. By slightly angling the nozzle and redistributing the battery mass higher into the concha, Samsung has reduced the pendulum effect that often plagues stemmed earbuds during high-impact movement.

However, it … Read the rest

Galaxy Buds 3 vs Galaxy Buds 3 Pro: What are the differences?

Samsung Galaxy Buds, wireless earbuds

Galaxy Buds 3 vs Galaxy Buds 3 Pro: What are the differences?

The exciting new features of Galaxy Buds 3 and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro and the totally new design make this generation of Galaxy Buds one of the top choices of wireless earbuds in 2024 for Android users. However, many people are confused about the differences between Galaxy Buds 3 vs Galaxy Buds 3 Pro.

This Galaxy Buds guide explains the 5 major differences between Galaxy Buds 3 and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, including design, adaptive ANC, sound quality, battery, and price, to help you make informed decisions when buying your new wireless earbuds.

The common features of Galaxy Buds 3 and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are discussed in this post. This post focuses on the differences of Galaxy Buds 3 vs Galaxy Buds 3 Pro.

Galaxy Buds 3 vs Galaxy Buds 3 Pro: Different design

Samsung revamped the design for both Galaxy Buds 3 and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro. Although they look similar, the difference in design is obvious.

Galaxy Buds 3 adopted the open-ear design without ear tips to seal the fit. Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, on the contrary, adopted the traditional in-ear design for noise-canceling earbuds.

In a nutshell, Galaxy Buds 3 is the successor of the bean-shaped Galaxy Buds Live. It is designed for users who are uncomfortable with the “stuffed” feeling in their ears. Of course, due to the open-ear design, active noise canceling (ANC) is less effective on Galaxy Buds 3 vs Galaxy Buds 3 Pro.

The Galaxy Bud 3 Pro is designed for users who prefer “strong” noise canceling, blocking ambient sound as much as possible. The contour of Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, together with the silicon tips, can effectively create an isolated audio environment in your ears.

Like it or not, Galaxy Buds 3 is similar to AirPods 3, while Galaxy Buds 3 Pro is close to AirPods Pro 2.

Blade light is another design difference when you compare Galaxy Buds 3 vs Galaxy Buds 3 Pro. Both buds have a stem. However, the built-in LED light, which Samsung called Blade Light, is only available on the stem of Galaxy Buds 3 Pro.

Adaptive ANC

ANC is one of the essential features in the top-tier wireless earbuds in 2024. Both Galaxy Buds 3 and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro have this feature.

However, in addition to overall better noise canceling, Galaxy Buds 3 Pro has a few advanced features … Read the rest

History of Galaxy Buds

Bluetooth headphones, Headphone 101, Samsung Galaxy Buds

history of Galaxy Buds

Samsung's Galaxy Buds have made a remarkable impact in the thriving wireless earbud market. These wireless earbuds stand out with their advanced and comfortable design, offering a seamless integration with Samsung devices. This feature-packed and user-friendly audio solution appeals to a wide range of customers, although the history of Galaxy Buds is not long.

From their sleek debut in 2019 to their ever-evolving features, Galaxy Buds have consistently aimed to deliver a seamless and immersive audio experience. Let's take a trip down memory lane and explore the key milestones in the history of Galaxy Buds.

1. 2019: A Year of Buds (Galaxy Buds)

In February 2019, Samsung unveiled the first iteration of Galaxy Buds. These compact, glossy earbuds prioritized portability and convenience. Featuring a comfortable fit with wingtips for active use and sound clarity tuned by AKG acoustics, they offered a solid foundation for future generations.

2. 2020: Extended Playtime (Galaxy Buds+)

Building on the success of the originals, the Galaxy Buds+ arrived in early 2020. While retaining a similar design, they doubled the battery life, making them a perfect companion for extended listening sessions. This focus on extended playtime cemented the Galaxy Buds as a reliable option for on-the-go users.

Galaxy Buds+ is also the first wireless earbuds with a 2-way speaker in the history of Galaxy Buds.

3. 2020: Breaking the Mold (Galaxy Buds Live)

Later in 2020, Samsung took a bold step with the Galaxy Buds Live. These unique earbuds, often referred to as “bean-shaped,” departed from the traditional ear canal design. This innovative approach aimed for a comfortable fit that rested outside the ear canal while still incorporating Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) – a first for the Galaxy Buds line.

Galaxy Buds Live is the first wireless Buds with an open-ear design in the history of Galaxy Buds. Galaxy Buds 3 is its successor.

4. 2021: Diversification and Innovation (Galaxy Buds Pro & Galaxy Buds2)

The year 2021 saw a significant leap in Galaxy Buds technology and strategic diversification within the lineup.

Galaxy Buds Pro

Launched in early 2021, the Galaxy Buds Pro marked a significant step forward.

They were the first Galaxy Buds with intelligent ANC, allowing users to truly immerse themselves in their audio. Additionally, the Galaxy Buds Pro boasted an improved design with a more secure fit, head-tracking technology, and premium sound quality.

Galaxy Buds Pro is also … Read the rest

Top 10 new features of Galaxy Buds 3 and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro

Bluetooth headphones, Headphone 101, noise cancelling headphones, Samsung Galaxy Buds, wireless earbuds

Top 10 new features of Galaxy Buds 3 and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro

Samsung finally revealed the latest Galaxy Buds, Galaxy Buds 3 and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, on July 10, 2024. The new radical design and the new features of Galaxy Buds 3 and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro have gained mixed receptions.

This Galaxy Buds guide explains the top 10 new features of Galaxy Buds 3 and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro: the new radical design, stem control, Interpreter, Super Wide Band call, 24-bit/96kHz Samsung Seamless Codec, voice command, LE audio (Auracast)support, adaptive ANC, adaptive EQ, and the IP 57 rating.

These features are available on both Galaxy Buds 3 and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro. The unique features of Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, and the differences between Galaxy Buds 3 and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro will be discussed in a separate post are discussed in this page.

Radically new (not necessarily better) design

Samsung has departed from the traditional pure in-ear design found in previous generations of Galaxy Buds (e.g., Galaxy Buds, Galaxy Buds+, Galaxy Buds Pro, Galaxy Buds Live, Galaxy Buds 2, and Galaxy Buds 2 Pro. The Galaxy Buds 3 and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro now feature a new stemmed design, resembling the design of Apple's AirPods and AirPods Pro.

Moreover, Galaxy Buds 3 matches the open-ear design of Airpods without the ear tips. Galaxy Buds 3 Pro looks like a clone of AirPods Pro, especially for the white model.

Both in-ear and stemmed designs have advantages and disadvantages. So, some will welcome this new design, and some will surely not.

Stem control: one of the most useful new features of Galaxy Buds 3 and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro

One drawback of in-ear wireless earbuds is the touch control. Due to the small sensor area, it is hard for many users to control the earbuds easily. Often, frustrated owners have to pull out their smartphones to control or adjust the earbuds, e.g., with the widget.

The design with the stem provides convenient controls for the earbuds. Apple, like it or not, has demonstrated the ease of controlling wireless earbuds using the force sensor on the stem.

Samsung copied and tweaked these stem controls in Galaxy Buds 3 and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro. You can control the buds with the swipe and the pinch gestures.

For Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, Samsung also added a cool (and maybe disturbing) feature: you can … Read the rest

How to use widgets to check battery levels and control Galaxy Buds 2, Galaxy Buds Pro, Galaxy Buds Live, Galaxy Buds+, and Galaxy Buds?

Bluetooth headphones, Samsung Galaxy Buds, wireless earbuds

use widgets to check battery levels and control Galaxy Buds 2, Galaxy Buds Pro, Galaxy Buds Live, Galaxy Buds+, and Galaxy Buds

You can use widgets on Android devices to check battery levels and control Galaxy Buds devices, including Galaxy Buds 3, Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, Galaxy Buds 2, Galaxy Buds Pro, Galaxy Buds Live, Galaxy Buds+, and Galaxy Buds.

So, you may save some time by skipping the Galaxy Wearable app to check battery levels and quickly control Galaxy Buds devices directly from the home screen of your Android phone.

This Galaxy Buds guide explains how to add the widget to the Home screen of your Android devices, how to customize it, and how to use the widget to check battery levels and control your Galaxy Buds.

Please note, this feature is only available on Android devices (not just on Samsung Galaxy phones). And it is available for all Galaxy Buds released so far. However, Samsung hasn't released this feature to iOS users.

What Galaxy Buds devices are supported by the widget?

Currently, all Galaxy Buds, including Galaxy Buds, Galaxy Buds+, Galaxy Buds Live, Galaxy Buds Pro, Galaxy Buds 2, Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, Galaxy Buds 3, and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are supported.

But each model has its own plugin in the Galaxy Wearable app. And therefore, each model of these buds needs separate widgets.

For example, if you have both Galaxy Buds Live and Galaxy Buds 2, you will have to add the widgets for these two earbuds separately.

Again, although iOS 14 and later versions support widgets, Samsung hasn't added widget support in iOS. So you cannot use the widget to control any Galaxy Buds on iOS.

Please note that on iOS, only Galaxy Buds+ and Galaxy Buds Live are supported. Other Galaxy Buds can only be used as a normal Bluetooth headset (without any additional controls).

Steps to add Galaxy Buds widget to the Home screen

To add the Galaxy Buds Live widgets, for example, on Galaxy S21, you can tap and hold (or pinch) any blank area on the Home screen to enter the Home screen edit mode.

This method works on all Samsung Galaxy phones and the majority of other Android devices.

Once in the home screen edit mode, you can tap the Widgets button, as shown below.

Home screen edit mode on Samsung Galaxy phones (S21 as an example).
widget screen on Samsung Galaxy S21

Now, on the widgets screen, you can find all available widgets that could be added to the Home screen. Widgets are organized by the parents' apps, which … Read the rest

Galaxy Buds Pro vs Galaxy Buds Live: what’s new in Galaxy Buds Pro?

Bluetooth headphones, noise cancelling headphones, Samsung Galaxy Buds, sports headphones, wireless earbuds

Galaxy Buds Pro vs Galaxy Buds Live: what's new in Galaxy Buds Pro?

With Galaxy S21, Samsung released the new wireless earbuds: Galaxy Buds Pro in January 2020 as an upgrade for Galaxy Buds+. This causes some confusions on Galaxy Buds' lineup because Galaxy Buds Live (released with Galaxy Note 20 in August 2020) is also an upgrade for Galaxy Buds+. So,  how about Galaxy Buds Pro vs Galaxy Buds Live?

This earbuds guide explains the new features of Galaxy Buds Pro (vs Galaxy Buds Live): traditional fit/shape, IPX7 rating, Voice Detect, ambient sound, 360 Audio, Auto Switch. Based on the comparison of Galaxy Buds Pro vs Galaxy Buds Live, you may also understand which earbuds are the right one to meet your needs.

The differences among Galaxy Buds Live, Galaxy Buds+, and Galaxy Buds were explained in detail here (Galaxy Buds Live vs Galaxy Buds+) and here (Galaxy Buds+ vs Galaxy Buds). The layout of Galaxy Buds Live can be found here.

Galaxy Buds Pro and Galaxy Buds Live share similar active noise cancelling (ANC), similar battery life, similar audio quality, and similar microphone quality. This guide tries to highlight the new features of Galaxy Buds Pro vs Galaxy Buds Live.

For all Galaxy Buds models and their key features, please check the Galaxy Buds History page.

Traditional fit/shape

Galaxy Buds Pro looks more like Galaxy Buds+ than the bean-shaped Galaxy Buds Live.

The more traditional ear tip design offers a better seal for the earbuds' sound from ambient noise. You can choose an ear tip of different sizes to fit your ear. It also makes active noise cancellation more effective.

However, some users may feel it is less comfortable compared to Galaxy Buds Live. Galaxy Buds 3, with a stem and open-ear design, is the successor to Galaxy Buds Live

The bean-shaped Galaxy Buds Live is usually more comfortable for wearing for a long time. But it seems a few owners find the Galaxy Buds Live does not fit their ears well, and, therefore, it may cause pain. The wingtip on Galaxy Buds Live offers minor support, and many owners are not aware of the different sizes of wingtips in the box.

Anway, Galaxy Buds Pro returned to the traditional shape and improved the fit and comfort over Galaxy Buds+. If you re looking for an even lighter version of Galaxy Buds Pro, you may try Galaxy Buds 2, Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, Galaxy Buds … Read the rest

Samsung Galaxy Buds Live vs Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus vs Apple AirPods Pro

Bluetooth headphones, noise cancelling headphones, Samsung Galaxy Buds, wireless earbuds

Samsung Galaxy Buds Live vs Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus vs Apple AirPods Pro

It took Samsung only 6 months to update and upgrade the Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus (Galaxy Buds +) with the totally new Samsung Galaxy Buds Live.

The added active nosing canceling (ANC) makes Samsung Galaxy Buds Live a direct and serious competitor to Apple AirPods Pro and Sony WF-1000XM3.

This headphone guide explains the new features and improvements of Galaxy Buds Live (vs Galaxy Buds Plus), and how Galaxy Buds Live stands against Apple AirPods Pro to help you choose a pair of proper wireless earbuds.

Samsung now also offers $200 (MSRP) Galaxy Buds Pro with similar or improved features of Galaxy Buds Live. You may check this guide on the new features of Galaxy Buds Pro (vs Galaxy Buds Live). You may check the Galaxy Buds History page to compare Galaxy Buds Live with all other Galaxy Buds.

What is active noise canceling (ANC)? How active noise-cancelling headphones work?Please note Galaxy Buds 3 is the successor to Galaxy Buds Live if you want to get an open-ear design earbuds with active noise canceling (ANC). Galaxy Buds 3 Pro is the successor to Galaxy Buds 2 and Buds 2 Pro.

Galaxy Buds Live vs Galaxy Buds Plus: the new features of improvements

Galaxy Buds Live shares many similar features and controls with Galaxy Buds Plus (Galaxy Buds +).  For example, both buds share the 2-way dynamic speaker system tuned by AKG, 3-microphone array, touch panel control, Spotify integration, Qi wireless charging and wireless PowerShare charging.   The plugins for these two buds in Galaxy Wearables are very similar as well.

But Galaxy Buds Live comes with some improvements and new features that cannot be found in Galaxy Buds Plus.

In this post, we will focus on these differences.

ANC

The No.1 new feature of Galaxy Buds Live is the active noise cancelling (ANC).

Samsung claimed that Galaxy Buds Live received UL Verification for reducing background noise by up to 97% in low-frequency bands.

It is an overstatement, although ANC on the buds is comparable to other wireless earbuds.

In the real world, the top-tier consumer ANC over-ear headphones (e.g., Sony WH-1000XM4, Bose QuietComfort 35)  can reduce about 70-90% background low-frequency noise. Wireless earbuds with ANC normally can only reduce about 40-70% noise.

Galaxy Buds Live adopts the open-type design. The buds do not try to create a sealed environment … Read the rest

How to use Samsung Galaxy Buds and Galaxy Buds+?

Bluetooth headphones, Headphone 101, Samsung Galaxy Buds, wireless earbuds

use Samsung Galaxy Buds

Samsung Galaxy Buds is Samsung's first wireless earbuds for Android devices, although you can also use them on iOS, Linux, or Windows devices.

This wireless earbuds guide explains everything you need to know about Samsung Galaxy Buds  (and Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus):  box contents of the buds, the layout of the buds, how to use the buds, how to charge the buds, how to check the battery status, how to pair the buds with other devices, how to use touchpad commands to control the buds. A concise review of the Galaxy Buds was also included.

Of course, some questions you may have on Samsung Galaxy Buds and Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus were also answered. So, this guide covers both Samsung Galaxy Buds and Galaxy Buds Plus (Galaxy Buds+).

Please note, Samsung released Galaxy Buds Live with Galaxy Note 20. Because of the new active noise cancelling (ANC) feature and new design, you may check this page (coming soon) on how to use Galaxy Buds Live. Galaxy Buds Pro was released with Galaxy S21 in Jan 2021 with some new and improved features (compared to Galaxy Buds Live). The later generations of Galaxy Buds include Galaxy Buds 2, Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, Galaxy Buds FE, Galaxy Buds 3, and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro. Galaxy Buds history page lists all models of Galaxy Buds and the key features of each generation.

What is Samsung Galaxy Buds?

Samsung announced Galaxy Buds, a wireless earbud for Android phones, together with the Galaxy S10 in March 2019.

Prior to Galaxy Buds, Samsung already offered Gear IconX as a fitness (and wireless) earbud.

Galaxy Buds is smaller and lighter by removing the built-in storage and workout-tracking ability in IconX. If you need earbuds for a workout with a heart rate monitor, the best option is the Jabra Elite Sport.

So, you can think Galaxy Buds is the wireless in-ear earbuds for Android phones matching AirPods for iPhones.

In 2020, Samsung updated Galaxy Buds with Galaxy Buds+ (Galaxy Buds Plus) with longer battery life, better sound and audio quality as explained in this guide. The MSRP price is $149. In many regions, Samsung Galaxy Buds+ is bundled with Galaxy S20 as a free gift.

What devices are compatible with Galaxy Buds?

The official spec sheet of the Galaxy Buds requires Android 5.0 and Galaxy Wearable app.

But … Read the rest