New Samsung Galaxy Buds model could launch to rival rumored AirPods 3

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Could we have an Apple / Samsung battle on our hands?

galaxy buds plus
(Image credit: Samsung)

Two of the biggest tech giants on the planet may be on the verge of an auditory battle, as Samsung and Apple are both rumored to be working on new true wireless earbuds.

Murmurings of new AirPods models – in the form of the AirPods Pro Lite, the AirPods X, and the AirPods 3 – have been circling for a while, and now we've had our first indication that Samsung is following suit. 

According to Dutch website Galaxy Club, the South Korean company has registered the brand name 'Samsung BudsX' in the UK and Europe, which suggests a new version of the wireless earbuds could be on the way. 

Whether they will take after the Galaxy Buds or the more recent Galaxy Buds Plus is unknown – as is any information on prospective release dates, price, specs, or design. 

Exciting times for true wireless earbuds

It's very early days, but it's no surprise that Samsung is looking to expand its true wireless portfolio after the success of its previous model – especially as its biggest rival is rumored to be doing the same. 

It was initially rumored that the so-called Apple AirPods 3 would come to market before 2020 is out, but recent comments from industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggest we may be waiting a while longer – speculating that the next-gen AirPods would start mass production in early 2021, with a new AirPods Pro model arriving in 2022 too (via AppleInsider). 

Before that though, we’re expecting the release of the so-called AirPods Pro Lite, an entry-level version of the noise-cancelling AirPods Pro – somewhere in the mix too, are the AirPods X, which are said to be the first Apple over-ear headphones. 

Whatever the new earbuds are called, the next 12 months should prove an exciting time for audio – who will win the battle of the third-gen true wireless earbuds remains to be seen.

In the meantime, check out the best deals we've found on true wireless earbuds from Apple and Samsung:

See more Earbuds and Airpods News
Olivia Tambini
Olivia Tambini

Olivia was previously TechRadar's Senior Editor - Home Entertainment, covering everything from headphones to TVs. Based in London, she's a popular music graduate who worked in the music industry before finding her calling in journalism. She's previously been interviewed on BBC Radio 5 Live on the subject of multi-room audio, chaired panel discussions on diversity in music festival lineups, and her bylines include T3, Stereoboard, What to Watch, Top Ten Reviews, Creative Bloq, and Croco Magazine. Olivia now has a career in PR.