Look, people spend way too much money on these tiny gadgets. You just dropped cash on a Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6, so save some coin on the audio. Skip the overpriced flagships. Buy the OnePlus Buds 3 instead. They cost around $100, which is half the price of the Sony and Samsung units. They fit easily in small pockets and the battery lasts up to 7 hours with active noise cancellation on. Listen, I fix heavy machinery all day, and I know value when I see it. Paying over $200 for earbuds that you will eventually drop in a puddle or lose in the shop is a waste of capital. Grab the OnePlus ones and put the remaining cash toward your phone bill.

Get the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro. I've been through three generations of these ecosystem setups and sticking with Samsung on the Z Flip 6 avoids the codec mismatch issues you get with third-party buds. Sony's foam tips wear out fast in tight pockets anyway. Here is what you actually need to know about these two options:

• Ecosystem integration: Samsung's Seamless Codec handles 24-bit audio properly on the Flip 6. Sony forces you to choose between high bitrate LDAC and a stable connection, and LDAC drains battery faster.
• Pocket bulk: The Buds3 Pro case is taller and narrower than the XM5 case. It slips into small jeans pockets much better without creating a weird square bulge.
• Battery reality: Samsung rates them at about 6 hours with ANC on. I tried older Galaxy Buds years ago and the battery degraded quickly, but the cell chemistry in these newer units holds up better through daily charging cycles.
• Fit and stability: The stem design on the Samsung buds makes them easier to grab and pull out of the case with small fingers compared to the stubby design of the Sony WF-1000XM5. Skip the Sony option if you want seamless device switching between your phone and a Samsung tablet or laptop.