Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro a set of true wireless earbuds priced at $197, surpassing even the $179 Google Pixel Buds in cost. These buds boast features such as ENC assistant integration, 24-bit audio compatibility, and Bluetooth 5.3 support.
Over the last few days, I’ve using it extensively as my primary true wireless earphones, exploring their capabilities thoroughly. Additionally, I’ll provide a brief side-by-side comparison with the Google Pixel Buds Pro to assist in your decision-making process.
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Design and Comfort
The Galaxy Buds 2 Pro now come in a limited color palette, offering the classic choices of white or black. There’s also the striking Bora purple option, and honestly, they look fantastic. Wearing them feels akin to having soft, smooth, colorful stones nestled in your ears. I appreciate their clean matte finish, devoid of any internal shine, preventing any greasiness when handled a definite plus. Despite the price tag exceeding $200, they exude a premium feel.
The only design flaw I’d point out is the noticeable seam dividing the front and back parts, but it’s practically invisible when the buds are in your ears. The earbuds feature a protruding, winged piece that, upon insertion and a simple twist, snugly embeds itself beneath your ear flap, ensuring a secure fit. Even during intense workouts or brisk runs, they stay firmly in place. I conducted a stress test, and wearing it for a few hours proved quite comfortable no pressure build-up, just the usual ear fatigue after about three to four hours. Taking a break at that point is a good idea.
In terms of water resistance, these earbuds emerge as clear winners, while Pixel Buds are only IPX4 splash-resistant, the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro boast full IPX7 water resistance. Both are suitable for use in the rain or during gym sessions, but they can be submerged in water and continue functioning. Given their slightly more compact design and enhanced water resistance, if I were to choose between Pixel and Samsung based solely on design, I’d lean towards the latter. Apart from that, there aren’t many distinctions between the two.
Bluetooth and Connectivity
The Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 2 Pro boast the latest Bluetooth 5.3 support, ensuring seamless connectivity to your phone. The range is remarkable, surpassing what I experienced with the Pixel Buds Pro by a small margin. I could move around freely leaving my smartphone in the yard and going inside the house or up a flight of stairs without any disruptions or cut-offs in the connection.
If you’re a Samsung fan, these Buds effortlessly pair with most of the company’s products, especially the latest ones like some of the 2022 televisions. For Samsung Galaxy Watch owners, you have the convenience of toggling touch controls and ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) mode. Additionally, the battery life can be accurately monitored, Samsung device owners can also enjoy enhanced audio quality with these earbuds.
Wearable App and Touch Controls
In the Bluetooth menu on your Samsung smartphone, you gain control over your Galaxy Buds 2 Pro. Here, along with the option to toggle touch controls and ANC (Active Noise Cancellation), you’ll find additional choices. For those without a Samsung smartphone or seeking more customization, the Galaxy Wearable app is essential. All other features, such as Voice Detect, 360-degree audio, and the ability to adjust touch controls, are accessible through wearable app.
By default, the touch and hold function, as well as the single tap function, are inactive. However, within the app, you can activate double-tap and triple-tap actions. These can be utilized to skip music, and when held for an extended period, you can specify the exact function for each earbud. Whether it’s turning on ANC, activating Bixby, adjusting volume, or opening Spotify, the touch controls proved remarkably reliable, often responding accurately on the first attempt. Moreover, there’s tonal feedback, providing confirmation when a command is executed, even double- and triple-taps proved effective within the Wearable app.
Voice Control
The Voice Detect feature, thankfully disabled by default, can be activated if desired, When activated, this function effectively engages the Noise Awareness mode, promptly lowering the volume of your audio when the buds detect that you’re speaking. This allows you to stay attuned to your surroundings, making it convenient for responding to someone while still wearing the buds.
After a brief period of silence, the buds recognize that you’ve stopped talking and restore the volume before returning to the previous mode, whether it was ANC or another setting. However, if you tend to mumble throughout the day, voice detect feature might not be as helpful, as it frequently triggers the Noise Awareness mode and lowers the music volume less than ideal.
In contrast to the Pixel Buds, the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro pack in numerous additional features, including Find My Buds, a handy tool for locating them if misplaced, perhaps down the back of the couch. There are several other delightful small features and tools to explore. Touch controls and other capabilities showed little difference between the Pixel and the Galaxy Buds. However, the latter offers more utility if you own a Samsung smartphone, Gear like the Samsung Galaxy Watch, and a Samsung phone.
Assistant and ANC
Regrettably, the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro exclusively support Bixby, unlike the Pixel Buds, where the Google Assistant operates entirely through voice commands but allows a press-and-hold option for activation, the limit interactions to instructing Bixby to read new texts and upcoming calendar events from your smartphone. However, unlike the Pixel Buds Pro, which reliably allowed the Google Assistant to read out notifications from third-party apps like WhatsApp, it lack compatibility with such applications. I must admit a preference for the Google Pixel Buds, mainly because I already favor Google Assistant over Bixby.
These new Samsung earbuds incorporate a triple microphone system for active noise reduction, while not as advanced as ANC in products like Bose or Sony earphones, it effectively isolates you from external sounds like traffic. Although it may not be the absolute best, you can comfortably enjoy an audiobook or podcast while strolling down a bustling High Street without maxing out the volume and risking your hearing.
Expecting complete suppression of all background noises is unrealistic, but the experience is pleasant overall. Similar to the Pixel Buds, it exhibit no wind feedback or related issues, resulting in a tie between the two in terms of noise cancelling.
Audio Quality
Once again, AKG has elevated the audio quality of the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, delivering an impressive experience. The inclusion of Samsung’s seamless codec ensures a guaranteed 24-bit audio, eliminating down sampling to the standard 16-bit. This is particularly great news for enthusiasts of high-resolution audio, though there’s a significant caveat: to fully appreciate the premium 24-bit audio, you’ll need a Samsung smartphone running the latest One UI 4.
The default settings of galaxy earbuds impressed me, offering excellent sound quality across various musical genres, from hip-hop and rock to metal. Despite their unassuming size, they delivered ample bass without overpowering the higher frequencies. Particularly noteworthy is their suitability for podcast and audiobook enthusiasts, as vocals come through crisply. Furthermore, it fully support Dolby Atmos, providing a spectacular surround sound experience when streaming content on Netflix or watching films on YouTube.
In the grand scheme, the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro emerge as winners, especially for Samsung smartphone owners, even though I also appreciated the audio quality of the Google Pixel Buds. Unlike the Pixel Buds, it support LDAC, aptX HD, and other premium codecs expected from a high-end pair of true wireless earbuds.
Utilizing the built-in microphones, I conducted an audio recording. Despite being in a noisy environment outside my tranquil studio, these microphones performed admirably. I recorded the audio sample next to a speaker playing loud traffic noises to emphasize the point. Even with the ambient noise microphone effectively captured my voice with clarity.
Battery life
Even with Environmental Noise Cancellation (ENC) active, I observed a consistent battery decline of just under 20% per hour of use with the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, with noise reduction enabled, I managed to use the earbuds for slightly over five hours before needing a recharge.
When the battery runs out, simply place them back in their charming and vibrantly colored compact case, matching the buds themselves. A full charge of the case and buds provides a battery life of just under 20 hours, with the case capable of fully recharging the buds over two times.
Regrettably, the battery life falls short compared to some competitors, as certain models offer 25 to 30 hours of usage. In this regard, the Pixel Buds have an advantage, providing approximately six to seven hours of use with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) activated.
However, like the Pixel Buds Pro, the it impressively small, sleek, and curved, making them easy to stow away in any pocket or purse. If your smartphone supports reverse wireless charging, you can conveniently wirelessly charge the cases. Otherwise, a simple connection to the USB Type-C connector allows for charging using a cable.
My Final Thought
Priced at $197, the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro offer an impressive true wireless earbud experience with advanced features like 24-bit audio and Dolby Atmos. While their seamless integration with Samsung devices is notable, the limited compatibility with Bixby might be a drawback.
Despite a slightly shorter battery life, their compact design and water resistance make them a solid choice. At $179, the Pixel Buds provide a competitive alternative, with a slightly longer battery life and seamless integration with the Google Assistant, catering to those in the Google ecosystem.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro and Pixel Buds offer wireless devices with advanced features, compact design, and water resistance, while also offering limited compatibility with Bixby and Google Assistant.
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Design10
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Connectivity8.5
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Apps and Touch Controls8
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Voice Control8
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Audio Quality10
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Battery Life9
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Mic8
