I’ve used Apple’s earbuds for as long as I can remember, but I also use an Android phone. Unfortunately, it’s no secret that Apple prioritizes the iPhone, which means using AirPods on Android isn’t an ideal experience. I sought a decent alternative and I found it in Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 3.
Using AirPods on Android Isn’t Ideal
As someone who has gone through many pairs of Apple’s wired EarPods (which makes me wonder about their build quality, or my rough handling), I think they’re great. I would recommend them to anyone as a comfortable pair of headphones. So when I was hunting for a wireless alternative for my S25 phone, the AirPods seemed an obvious choice.
Except, Apple notoriously loves its walled garden. If you buy an Apple product or service, the company wants you to buy other ones too—it’s how you’ll get the best experience. There are many examples of this, but the fact it took over five years for its streaming service Apple TV+ to come to Android phones says a lot. And even then, it’s still missing features available on other platforms.
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There’s room for improvement, though I’m grateful the app exists in the first place.
The same applies to the AirPods. These are great buds on paper; they look cool and sound good, and we reviewed the AirPods Pro 2 favorably. But unless you’re going to use them primarily on an Apple device like an iPhone, you miss out on loads of features.
While AirPods work as standard Bluetooth headphones on Android, you lose abilities such as automatic switching between devices, activating a voice assistant, customizable gestures, and in-ear detection. Some of this can be restored with third-party apps, but it’s not perfect.
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They’ll do the job, but buying AirPods for use specifically with Android? That’s a fool’s errand.
So, as someone who uses an Android phone and wants to use features like these, I had to dismiss the AirPods and look elsewhere. That’s when I discovered the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3.
Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 3 Are Stylish and Sound Great
At first glance, it’s clear that the Galaxy Buds 3 were inspired by the design that Apple popularized. The buds rest in your ear, with a short stem hanging down. They come in two colors, white and silver, with the former looking very much like an AirPod. I went for the silver, in part because they look less conspicuous when worn.
Alongside the color, you also need to choose whether to buy the standard Buds or the Pro. The Pro has a few extra features, like a two-way speaker compared to a one-way, and the design is slightly different due to the silicone tips. Personally, I don’t find tips comfortable, which is one of the main reasons I favored Apple’s EarPods, and it’s why I opted for the standard Galaxy Buds.
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Samsung Galaxy Buds 3
$104 $110 Save
$6The Galaxy Buds 3 are Samsung’s everyday earbuds, offering high-end features without the premium price tag of the Buds 3 Pro. They include 11mm dynamic drivers, active noise cancellation, and impressive battery life.
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Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro
Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are the company’s newest flagship earbuds, featuring AI smarts like interpreter mode and voice detection. Expect top-notch audio quality with 10.5mm dynamic drivers paired with 6.1mm planar drivers.
It’s subjective, but I think the Buds look sleek. The stems—or “blades” as Samsung calls them—aren’t obnoxiously long, and they’re color-coded on the bottom so you quickly know your left from right. They also magnetically snap into the case, which has a transparent top so you can instantly see whether you’ve put the Buds back.
Importantly, the Buds 3 sound great across a range of media like music and podcasts. I used the unusually bean-shaped Galaxy Buds Live for a period when they launched in 2020, but I eventually reverted to Apple’s EarPods because the Buds Live sounded noticeably worse. Thankfully, Samsung has made big improvements in that department with the Buds 3.
The Buds 3 Work Wonders With Android
This is all well and good, but what makes the Buds 3 even better is how perfectly they work with Android. You don’t necessarily need to use a Samsung phone either; the Galaxy Wearable app is your gateway to lots of handy features.
When the Buds 3 are paired with my Galaxy S25 phone, some things I can do include:
- Adjust the equalizer to set the sound to my preferences, and enable features like dialogue boosting and loudness normalization.
- Change what happens when I pinch the earbuds, like toggling active noise canceling on the left bud and activating Gemini on the right. You can also swipe the earbuds to adjust volume.
- Have my notifications read aloud to save me pulling out my phone, and toggle these per app.
- Pause media when an earbud is removed and resume it when it’s inserted.
- Receive neck stretch reminders if I’m hunching over, to help improve my posture.
Should You Buy the Buds 3?
I’ve been able to customize the Buds 3 exactly to my liking, which makes them a breeze to use—something I wouldn’t have been able to achieve if I was using the AirPods on Android—and I’m very happy with my purchase.
That said, there are plenty of great wireless earbuds on sale, so you’re not stuck for alternatives. Plus, if you’re already deep in the Apple ecosystem, you’re better off with the AirPods.
