Galaxy Buds 3: Five improvements we want to see

In the coming months, it is expected to launch the Galaxy Buds 3, the successor to 2021's Galaxy Buds 2, and there are some improvements that we want to see on the upcoming earbuds.

Longer battery life

The most significant improvement Samsung needs to bring to its standard wireless earbuds is battery life. Samsung claims the Galaxy Buds 2 can last 5 hours on a single charge with ANC turned on and 7.5 hours with ANC turned off.

Most rival brands with similarly priced earbuds offer much longer battery life: around 8 hours with ANC turned off and 10 hours with ANC activated. If Samsung can match those figures, it will be a quality-of-life upgrade for users, and they will not have to worry about battery life at all.

A better IP rating

Another quality-of-life upgrade that Galaxy Buds 3 needs is a better IP rating. The Galaxy Buds 2 has an IPX2-rated body for some water resistance, but that needs to be at least an IPX5 or IPX6 rating for better ruggedness for situations like light rain or water splashes on the beach.

Dial down on that bass or offer a real equalizer

From the original Galaxy Buds to the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, Samsung has almost nailed audio tuning. However, despite their dual-drive setup, the Galaxy Buds 2 doesn't sound as good as the other Galaxy Buds in the lineup. They sound slightly soft and dark, and Samsung needs to dial down the bass a bit and improve the highs for a more enjoyable audio experience.

If Samsung can't do that, it must offer a real equalizer in the Galaxy Wearable app. Currently, the app only offers preset equalizers, and you can't alter the individual bands.

A less glossy design

Although compact, the Galaxy Buds 2's fit isn't great. The earbuds' finish is too glossy, and even a little sweat can make them slippery. The case is glossy, too, so they can get scratched more easily compared to the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro and the Galaxy Buds FE.

For a better overall design and fit, Samsung should opt for the same matte finish as the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro for the Galaxy Buds 3.

Improved voice call quality

The Galaxy Buds 2 are average for phone calls, and Samsung needs to step up its game. Wireless earbuds from rival brands, including Apple, Bose, Jabra, OnePlus, and Sony, are objectively better at phone call quality. This is one of those things that a brand like Samsung needs to nail.