Samsung Galaxy Buds3 (SM-R530) / Sony ULT WEAR (WH-ULT900N)

Samsung Galaxy Buds3 (SM-R530): Galaxy Buds3 (SM-R530), silver or white. The tipped Galaxy Buds3 Pro (SM-R630) with light blades and the 2025 Buds3 FE are separate models.

Sony ULT WEAR (WH-ULT900N): WH-ULT900N (printed code YY2981) closed over-ear wireless headphones; Black, Off-White, Forest Gray. ULT FIELD speakers and the WH-1000X series are separate products.

SpecificationSamsung Galaxy Buds3 (SM-R530)Sony ULT WEAR (WH-ULT900N)
Release year20242024
DesignOpen-type stem earbuds without silicone tips; silver and white

The open design does not seal the ear canal, so it avoids a pressure feeling over long use but isolates less than tipped models. Fit varies with ear shape.

Samsung		—
Driver and microphones11 mm dynamic driver (one-way); 3 mics + voice pickup unit (VPU) per earbud

The VPU picks up the wearer’s voice through bone vibration to help separate speech in noisy calls.

Samsung		—
Noise cancellingActive noise cancelling (ANC) and ambient sound mode

ANC measures outside sound with microphones and produces an opposite wave to reduce steady hum; in an open design the effect is more limited than in sealed earbuds.

Samsung		Digital active noise cancelling with Integrated Processor V1 and Dual Noise Sensor; Ambient Sound mode

Two mics on each cup sample outside noise and the processor generates an inverse signal; Ambient Sound mode lets you hear announcements and speech without removing the headphones.

Sony
Sound qualityUHQ 24-bit/96 kHz, 24-bit Hi-Fi, 360 Audio with Direct Multi-Channel

UHQ (24-bit/96 kHz) only works on certain Galaxy phones and tablets with One UI 6.1.1 or later (S24, S23, Z Fold6/Flip6, Z Fold5/Flip5, Tab S9 series); 24-bit Hi-Fi needs One UI 4.0 or later. Other devices use AAC or SBC.

Samsung		—
Connectivity and codecsBluetooth 5.4, Auto Switch; SSC HiFi, SSC UHQ, AAC, SBC

Samsung Seamless Codec (SSC) is Samsung’s own codec for higher-resolution wireless audio with Samsung devices. Auto Switch moves the connection between signed-in Galaxy devices automatically.

Samsung		—
Controls and sensorsPinch and swipe (Force & Touch) controls; VPU, SWIR, accelerometer, Hall sensor

The SWIR infrared sensor detects whether an earbud is worn; the Hall sensor detects the case opening and closing.

Samsung		—
Battery lifeMusic: 5 hours ANC on (24 total with case), 6 hours ANC off (30 total); talk: 3.5 hours ANC on (18 total), 4 hours off (20 total)

These are Samsung’s internal tests with default settings paired to a Galaxy phone. Capacity is 48 mAh per earbud and 515 mAh in the case (typical).

Samsung		—
Water resistanceIP57 (earbuds only)

IP57 means dust-protected and resistant to brief immersion; the charging case is not covered.

Samsung		—
CompatibilityAndroid 10 or later with more than 1.5 GB of memory

Some features are not available on non-Samsung devices.

Samsung		—
Size and weightEarbud 18.1 × 20.4 × 31.9 mm, 4.7 g; case 58.9 × 48.7 × 24.4 mm, 46.5 g Samsung—
Driver and ULT button—40 mm dome-type closed dynamic driver with neodymium magnet; ULT button for bass-heavy sound mode

The ULT button switches to a strong bass setting with one press; the app equaliser can tune the sound further.

Sony
Frequency response—5–20,000 Hz (JEITA, wired); 20–20,000 Hz over Bluetooth (44.1 kHz sampling) Sony
Bluetooth and codecs—Bluetooth 5.2; A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP; SBC, AAC, LDAC; about 10 m range

LDAC carries audio at a higher bitrate from Android devices; iPhones do not support LDAC and use AAC.

Sony
Multipoint and sensor—Two Bluetooth devices at once; wear sensor (pauses music when removed)

You can switch between a phone and a computer without re-pairing.

Sony
Battery—Music up to 30 hours ANC on, 50 hours off; calls up to 30 hours ANC on, 40 hours off; about 3.5 hours to charge over USB Sony
Wired use—Detachable single-sided cable of about 1.2 m, gold-plated L-shaped 3.5 mm plug; passive operation supported

When the battery is flat you can keep listening over the cable; audio over USB-C is not listed.

Sony
Microphone and processing—Electret condenser, omnidirectional microphone; DSEE

DSEE tries to restore high frequencies lost in compressed music.

Sony
Impedance and sensitivity—314 Ω on, 32 Ω off (1 kHz); 110 dB/mW on, 100 dB/mW off (wired) Sony
Weight and colours—About 255 g; Black, Off-White, Forest Gray Sony
In the box—Connection cable, USB cable, reference guide, warranty card Sony
Service program—Free repair until 31 January 2027 for cracks in the rotating shaft between headband and housing on specific serial numbers

The serial number is printed inside the left hanger; Sony provides affected ranges and a checker per colour. The crack can cause the housing to detach. Ranges listed in Canada: Black 1000001–1164062, Off-White 2000001–2040144, Forest Gray 3000001–3026514.

Sony