Samsung Galaxy AI's Interpreter has one significant shortcoming with the Galaxy Buds3 Pro

Samsung’s latest Galaxy AI suite introduces a whole new array of features, one of which is Interpreter. This on-device, real-time translation tool promises to break down language barriers while traveling abroad. However, after testing the feature with the new Flip6 and Galaxy Buds3 Pro, I’ve discovered a notable limitation that may impact its usefulness in certain scenarios.

The feature currently supports over a dozen languages, including Chinese, French, English, German, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, and Thai, with more likely to be added in the future. There are also two modes you can use: Listening and Conversation. Listening gives one-way translation, such as when you might be listening to a tour guide abroad. Conversation is designed to give two-way translation, facilitating face-to-face conversations between people who speak different languages.

However, Interpreter has one significant shortcoming when used with the Galaxy Buds3 Pro: in conversation mode, only one person can use the earbuds to hear translated audio. In fact, Samsung tells you this explicitly when using the Galaxy Buds3 Pro in Conversation mode for the first time.

In other words, it’s not possible to share the earbuds to split audio between two people, allowing each to hear their respective translations. This means that one person must listen to the audio output through the phone’s speakers, which can be problematic in noisy, busy environments.

Now, I understand that you might not want to hand over one of your earbuds to a stranger in a foreign country. But what about scenarios like language learning with a close friend or in a classroom setting? It’s not uncommon to share earbuds to watch a video or listen to a song on my phone with a friend or family member, so why can’t I share a translated conversation with them in the same way? It feels uncomfortably privileged that only I can use the Buds3 Pro to hear translated audio and unfair that my conversation partner should have to buy their own pair to do the same.

Of course, It’s possible that this current limitation could be overcome with a future software update. Enabling the earbuds to split audio output between two users would significantly enhance the feature’s versatility. Or, better yet, perhaps the other person could connect with their own earbuds to listen, that is if Samsung were willing to lend out its ecosystem-exclusive features.

The accuracy of the translated languages themselves was mostly positive, with some caveats. I tested it with a couple of colleagues who speak different languages. The feature performed admirably with Japanese and French, providing accurate translations. However, our tests with Hindi yielded mixed results, indicating that Galaxy AI has room for improvement with certain languages.

As Interpreter currently functions, it excels in certain scenarios while falling short in others. It’s perfectly suitable for single travelers who want to hear the chef’s specials from a server or attend conferences in foreign languages using the listening mode. However, the conversation mode’s effectiveness abroad is limited unless you’re in a quiet space where the other person can comfortably hear the phone’s speakers or is content with reading translations via text.

Conversation mode’s current implementation creates an awkward imbalance in shared experiences. When using it with a close friend or language exchange partner, it creates an uneven experience where only the Galaxy Buds3 Pro owner gets the full audio benefit. This limitation not only hinders the feature’s potential for fostering genuine bilingual conversations but also creates a barrier to its adoption for collaborative language learning or cultural exchange scenarios.