
Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro vs Sony WF-1000XM6: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Sony WF-1000XM6 comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 88. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Score breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Specifications
| Spec | Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro | Sony WF-1000XM6 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | True Wireless | True Wireless |
| Price (USD) | $250 | $298 |
| HearWiki score | 72 / 100 · Good | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2024 | 2026 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | 2-way speaker | dynamic |
| Driver type | - | custom driver |
| Driver size | 10.5 mm | 8.4 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 20 Hz - 20,000 Hz | 20Hz-20kHz |
| Impedance | 32 Ω | - |
| Sensitivity | 92 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 |
| Wireless range | - | 10 m |
| 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 | 3 min = 1 h |
| Wireless charging | Yes | Yes |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | - | Yes |
| ANC type | adaptive | adaptive |
| Transparency mode | Yes | Yes |
| Companion app | Yes | Yes |
| Custom EQ | Yes | Yes |
| Wear detection | Yes | Yes |
| Controls | touch | touch |
| Voice assistant | Bixby | Google Assistant, Alexa, Siri |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 10.8 g | 6.4 g |
| Case weight | 46.5 g | 47 g |
| Water resistance | IP57 | IPX4 |
| USB-C | Yes | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 6 | 8 |
| Call noise reduction | yes | - |
| Microphone | - | 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-1000XM6
The Sony WF-1000XM6 true wireless earbuds deliver a top-tier audio experience with adaptive noise cancellation and robust sound quality, making them a strong all-around choice for daily use and workouts. They feature a long battery life, LDAC support, and multipoint connectivity, though their premium price and slightly bulky case are minor trade-offs. Overall, they excel in most areas, with call clarity and customization options further boosting their appeal.
- Pro:Excellent adaptive noise cancellation
- Pro:Rich, detailed sound with LDAC support
- Pro:Long battery life even with ANC on
- Con:Premium price point may deter budget buyers
- Con:Charging case is somewhat larger than rivals
- Con:Stock ear tips might not fit all ear shapes
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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