The Galaxy Buds 3 stem design differs from Apple's AirPods in its more angular appearance and a metallic silver color. The Buds 3 stems are also slightly thicker and feature a distinct shape, making them visually distinct from Apple's earbuds. Additionally, the charging case for the Galaxy Buds 3 has a vertical orientation and a transparent lid, unlike the AirPods case6.
The Galaxy Buds 3 are confirmed to have a new stem design, as shown in leaked images from a case maker. This marks a significant departure from Samsung's previous design language, as the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro and Galaxy Buds FE were much rounder and didn't have stems6. The new design is reminiscent of Apple's AirPods, but the Galaxy Buds 3 have a more angular stem and a silver/gray color to differentiate them.