Samsung has revitalized many of its mobile products at Unpacked 2024 through redesigns. The latest Galaxy Buds 3 and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro wireless earbuds look completely different than any previous earbuds from Samsung, and even the carrying/charging case has a new shape and look. Speaking of the latter, I'm a fan.
Irrespective of whether or not Samsung copied Apple, the vertical design of the Galaxy Buds 3 charging case is objectively better. Or at least, I think so.
I say this based on poor user experiences I had with the Galaxy Buds Pro charging case. I don't know how many other Buds users have had a similar issue, but over the past couple of years, I dropped my earbuds several times when I tried to place them inside the charging case or remove them while I was on the move.
Whether I accidentally bumped my elbow into something as I was pulling out an earbud, and it went flying, or I dropped a sweaty earbud when I tried fitting it back inside the case after or during a jog — these things happened more than once.
The stemless Buds are harder to grip, to begin with, but the ring case design isn't practical either. In some situations, trying to keep the Buds secure can be an exercise in patience. It can get annoying, and potentially, it can lead to irreparable damage to your earbuds if you drop them.
This probably isn't something many Buds users thought about initially before they bought their earbuds. I haven't, either. It's something I experienced and realized was a problem after months and years of using the Galaxy Buds Pro. It's sort of a design deficit I've become aware of gradually over time.
I welcome the Galaxy Buds 3 vertical case
I don't think it's a problem if Samsung copied a good idea from Apple. I'm glad it did if it means I don't have to worry as much about dropping my earbuds or treating my Buds charging case like an egg. The new case seems much easier to hold a grip on, so I welcome the vertical case design of the Galaxy Buds 3 and Buds 3 Pro, even if it may not be as original.
The story continues after our hands-on video…
I am aware that the vertical case design may seem like a small thing, and at the end of the day, it kind of is, given that there are many other things the new Galaxy Buds 3 earbuds do better. Nevertheless, from what I've seen so far, I am a fan of this change because I have had bad experiences with the older design. And I hope the new one is as practical as it looks.
The only potential issue I see with this new case is that the earbud holsters might be harder to clean, and the task probably requires a cotton swab or something along those lines. But that's a small price to pay.
