True Wireless
Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro
72Good
$250
Full review dataSamsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro vs Sony WF-1000XM5: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Sony WF-1000XM5 comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 88. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Sony WF-1000XM5 - Outstanding overall at around $249.
True Wireless
Sony WF-1000XM5
88Outstanding
$249
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro
Sound7.5
Noise cancelling8.0
Battery6.5
Calls7.0
Value7.0
Sony WF-1000XM5
Sound9.0
Noise cancelling9.0
Battery8.0
Calls8.0
Value7.0
Specifications
| Spec | Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro | Sony WF-1000XM5 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | True Wireless | True Wireless |
| Price (USD) | $250 | $249 |
| HearWiki score | 72 / 100 · Good | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2024 | 2023 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | 2-way speaker | 0.33" |
| Driver size | 10.5 mm | 8.4 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 20 Hz - 20,000 Hz | 20 Hz - 40,000 Hz |
| Impedance | 32 Ω | 32 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 92 dB/mW | 102 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.4 | 5.3 |
| Bluetooth version | 5.4 | 5.3 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, SSC, SSC-UHQ | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 |
| Multipoint pairing | Yes | Yes |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 7 h | 12 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | 6 h | 8 h |
| Battery incl. case | 30 h | 24 h |
| Full charge time | - | 90 min |
| Quick charge | 5 min = 1 h | 5 min = 1 h |
| Wireless charging | Yes | Yes |
| Features | ||
| ANC type | adaptive | hybrid |
| Transparency mode | Yes | Yes |
| Companion app | Yes | Yes |
| Custom EQ | Yes | Yes |
| Wear detection | Yes | Yes |
| Controls | touch | touch |
| Voice assistant | Bixby | Yes |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 10.8 g | 11.8 g |
| Case weight | 46.5 g | 39 g |
| Water resistance | IP57 | IPX4 |
| USB-C | Yes | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 6 | 6 |
| Call noise reduction | yes | - |
What reviewers said
Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro
These premium wireless earbuds from Samsung deliver strong adaptive noise cancellation and a comfortable fit, backed by IP57 water resistance and a solid 7-hour battery per charge. They support Bluetooth 5.4 with AAC and LDAC codecs, plus multipoint connectivity for seamless device switching. With a two-way driver setup and touch controls, they aim for a balanced, feature-rich listening experience in a compact design. Their 30-hour total battery with the case and wireless charging add convenience for daily use. However, their sensitivity is somewhat low, which may require higher volume levels to drive efficiently. They also lack a dedicated low-latency gaming mode and a wear-detection sensor, which could be missed by some users.
- Pro:Effective adaptive noise cancellation
- Pro:IP57 water and dust resistance
- Pro:Multipoint Bluetooth 5.4 with LDAC support
- Con:Battery life is average at 7 hours
- Con:Low sensitivity may need high volume
- Con:No wear-detection sensor
Sony WF-1000XM5
These are high-end true wireless earbuds that focus on adaptive noise cancellation and detailed audio, supporting LDAC for high-resolution streaming. They offer a solid battery life of up to 12 hours without ANC, plus a comfortable fit and IPX4 sweat resistance for daily use. The touch controls and companion app add convenience, though the price reflects their premium status.
- Pro:Excellent adaptive noise cancellation
- Pro:Long battery life (12 hours without ANC)
- Pro:Supports LDAC and AAC codecs
- Con:Premium price point
- Con:No higher water resistance rating than IPX4
- Con:Touch controls may take time to master
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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