Compare Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro Earbuds vs Sennheiser CX 80U Wired Earbuds

ANC was broadly useful but not universally class-leading; some reviewers called it excellent or effective, while others found it merely decent or underwhelming.

AI translation was mixed: reviewers found it cool or decent, but several questioned whether the earbuds added much beyond the phone feature.

Android compatibility was generally favorable, especially for Samsung and broader Android users, though the best experience was still Samsung-centered.

Android-style USB-C use was strong in Tom’s Guide testing, where the earbuds worked seamlessly with a Google Pixel phone.

The companion app was important and generally useful for EQ, controls, fit tests, and settings, though some reviewers called it barebones or less intuitive.

Tom’s Guide noted there is no companion app, but judged that absence as not a major drawback for these wired earbuds.

Gaming latency was praised in one review after Game Mode delivered phone gaming without noticeable delay.

Auracast support was viewed positively as a forward-looking or standout Bluetooth feature.

Bass was generally viewed as strong, punchy, and satisfying, though a few reviewers found it loud, thumpy, or overcooked depending on volume and preset.

Bass was generally described as clean, responsive, punchy, and powerful, though both transcripts noted the deepest sub-bass lacked some weight.

Battery life was one of the most divided areas: some reviewers called it decent or accurate, while others found it short or disappointing versus rivals.

Bluetooth reliability was praised for stable connections, long range, and a lack of dropouts in several tests.

Build quality was mixed, with some praise for premium materials and great build, but several complaints about plasticky or cheap-feeling finishes.

TechRadar explicitly praised the earbuds’ build quality as impressive for the budget category.

Built-in DAC and hi-res playback drew positive comments for impressive hi-res capability and studio-like detail, while still depending on Samsung support.

Tom’s Guide treated the built-in DAC and hi-res playback support as a major selling point for budget wired earbuds.

Physical control usability was mixed-to-positive: many liked the pinch and swipe system, while others found the angular stems awkward or tricky.

Control usability was mixed: TechRadar disliked the missing volume buttons, while Tom’s Guide praised the button feel and responsiveness.

Cable quality drew criticism from Tom’s Guide because the wires lack anti-tangle design and bunch up in a pocket.

Carry case quality was mixed: some liked the solid feel, transparency, and click, while others found it cheap-looking, clunky, slippery, or awkward.

Charging was mostly positive due to USB-C and wireless charging, but the lack of quick charging hurt one reviewer's score.

Codec support was a recurring compromise: Samsung's codec was appreciated, but reviewers criticized the ecosystem lock-in and lack of wider high-res codec options.

Comfort was a consistent highlight, with reviewers describing the earbuds as light, easy to wear for long sessions, and more comfortable than earlier Galaxy Buds.

Comfort was excellent across both reviews, including multi-hour listening with no irritation and full marks for long-period wear.

Design opinions were split between stylish, distinctive, and functional versus derivative, generic, or gimmicky.

Design reactions were split: TechRadar loved the classy look, while Tom’s Guide found the lowkey all-black design unflashy.

Eartip fit was inconsistent: some reviewers got a good seal and comfort, while others criticized difficult removal, fragile tips, or easy dislodging.

Fit was a major positive, with the right seal improving comfort and Tom’s Guide’s chosen tips staying put securely.

Ear tip size options were a limitation, with reviewers wanting more than the included sizes for a better seal.

Both reviews valued the supplied eartip options because they helped users find a better fit and seal.

Equalizer customization was a standout strength, with reviewers repeatedly praising the 9-band EQ and the ability to tune sound globally.

Equalizer customization is limited, but Tom’s Guide did not feel a need to tailor the sound profile during use.

Find My was helpful but imperfect: reviewers liked flashing lights and improved recovery, but disliked imprecision or odd notifications.

Frequency response evidence was positive, with one reviewer finding a close Harman-curve match and another saying lab results tracked the target closely except for bass.

The tonal balance was broadly praised as full-range and accurate, but Tom’s Guide still noted the lowest frequencies were less refined.

Instrument separation was consistently praised, with reviewers hearing layered cues, separated instruments, and fine detail across orchestral, rock, and pop tracks.

Instrument and vocal separation were praised, with layers avoiding muddiness and words not bleeding together.

The integrated microphone design was praised in one review for helping deliver top-notch voice-calling performance.

The integrated mic was usable but not impressive, with decent voice clarity offset by static and limited call quality.

LDAC support was viewed negatively because reviewers explicitly wished Samsung had included LDAC or noted its absence as disappointing.

Lossless or hi-res audio support was valued but limited by Samsung-device requirements and only subtle perceived improvements in some tests.

Tom’s Guide praised the earbuds for lossless, low-latency playback support up to 24-bit/96KHz.

Maximum-volume clarity was mixed because one reviewer said higher volumes could make bass aggressive and boomy.

At peak volume, the TechRadar review found the treble stayed controlled instead of becoming harsh or tinny.

Microphone noise reduction was split: some reviewers heard strong voice isolation, while others found background clutter or app-based recordings less impressive.

The mic picked up noticeable background static, suggesting weak noise handling during recording or calls.

Call microphone quality was one of the strongest attributes overall, with many reviewers praising clear, natural calls, though a few measured softer or average results.

Call mic performance was a weakness in TechRadar’s testing, with acceptable voice clarity but below-best call quality.

Midrange clarity was a recurring strength: reviewers heard natural vocals, realistic timbre, defined instruments, and meaningful improvements over earlier Samsung buds.

Mids and vocals came through clearly, with one review praising robust balance and the other emphasizing intelligible, separated vocals.

Multi-platform compatibility was a major weakness because iPhone users lack app support and many advanced features remain Samsung-exclusive.

Multi-platform compatibility was strong, with Tom’s Guide reporting seamless use across a Pixel phone, MacBooks, and an iPad.

Multipoint and switching worked well inside Samsung's ecosystem, but reviewers disliked that seamless switching was limited outside Samsung devices.

Passive isolation was mixed: a good seal blocked some sound, but reviewers said the design did not isolate as well as deeper in-ear or foam-tip alternatives.

Passive noise isolation was repeatedly praised, with the seal and eartips blocking office chatter and reducing external sounds well.

Portability was praised because reviewers found the case small, pocketable, and easy to carry.

Pocket portability is undercut by the cable tangling and bunching, which Tom’s Guide found annoying to manage.

Preset EQ quality was praised in one review, especially the Clear preset and Samsung's unusually useful preset choices.

Sensors and automatic detection features were useful in concept but inconsistent, with some reviewers calling voice detect helpful and others finding adaptive behavior gimmicky or wonky.

Setup and software basics were praised where tested, with reviewers calling setup easy and gestures simple once learned.

Setup simplicity was excellent because the USB-C plug-and-play interface worked without friction.

Reviewers strongly praised the Buds3 Pro's overall sound, often calling it excellent, lively, detailed, or among the best in its class, with only a few tuning caveats.

Reviewers strongly praised the CX 80U’s sound for detail and refinement, while one review framed it as mostly superb because the lowest bass was weaker.

The soundstage was described as open, broad, and improved, giving music more separation and breadth than expected from true wireless earbuds.

Both reviewers found a convincing sense of space, including defined treble placement and a notably wide soundstage.

Spatial audio was mixed: some reviewers found it immersive or useful, while others called it hit-or-miss, compressed, or only occasionally worthwhile.

Stability ranged from excellent during workouts to weaker in active use, depending on reviewer fit and facial movement.

Stability was excellent in Tom’s Guide testing, with the earbuds staying in place while stationary and walking.

Touch and swipe responsiveness was strong where tested, especially for volume controls that reviewers called responsive, quick, and useful.

Transparency and ambient modes were a major strength, often described as natural, clear, convincing, and among the best some reviewers had heard.

Treble drew mostly positive comments for clarity, detail, and quick transients, but some reviewers heard fatigue, sharpness, or a darker default tuning that needed EQ.

Treble was a strength in both reviews, staying vivid and bright without turning harsh, tinny, or shrill.

USB-C was positively tied to charging convenience in one review that praised USB-C plus Qi wireless charging.

USB-C was a major advantage in both reviews, improving fit with modern devices and making the earbuds more versatile.

Value was mixed: reviewers saw a premium, capable product, but many warned against full price or called the cost high.

Value was a standout strength in both reviews, with strong praise for the sub-$40 sound and overall bang for the buck.

Voice assistant and voice-control evidence was mixed: reviewers liked no-wake-word commands, but Bixby and prankable or awkward voice behavior remained concerns.

Volume output was considered strong enough for normal and loud listening, though one test noted boominess at higher levels.

Water and sweat resistance drew positive comments, especially for workouts and durability, with reviewers treating the IP57 rating as above average or reassuring.

Water resistance was a limitation because TechRadar wanted at least IPX4-style splash protection and found no waterproofing claim.

Weight comfort was positive, with reviewers saying the light stems helped the buds stay in place and reduced ear pressure.

Tom’s Guide tied comfort and stability partly to the very light individual earbud weight.