Table of Contents
Intro
Samsung, Apple’s biggest smartphone rival, has a lot going on to compete in areas like personal audio. The Galaxy Buds 2 from Samsung are the company’s top pair of noise-canceling earphones. This time around, the business combines premium technologies like active noise canceling (ANC) with Bluetooth 5.2 at a reasonable price point. ‘The Galaxy Buds 2 earbuds have a lot going for them, but they may get lost in the shuffle between the Galaxy Buds Pro and the Galaxy Buds Plus.
Breaking down the Samsung Galaxy Buds series evaluates how the Galaxy Buds 2 compares to the others. Are these the ideal set of earbuds? Let’s find out in this in-depth review.
Galaxy Buds 2 are best suited for the following users:
- The Buds 2 features appeal to Samsung smartphone customers.
- The Buds 2’s ANC is superior to the Beats Studio Buds and the more expensive Apple AirPods Pro for those looking for high-quality ANC.
- The auto-pause feature, direct Spotify access (Android only), and sound quality will be appreciated by anybody looking for a pair of earbuds for around $200.
Design Features
Samsung’s entry-level true wireless earbuds, the Galaxy Buds 2, are technically the third generation. The Galaxy Buds 2 are a change from the original Galaxy Buds and the improved Galaxy Buds Plus, which had a similar visual aesthetic, and were unveiled with Samsung’s new foldable Galaxy phones and smartwatches in August.
With a sleek glossy curved shape similar to the new Galaxy Buds Pro and Live, the Buds 2 are more eye-catching. Despite being smaller and lighter than the Buds Plus, the Buds 2 may be a more appealing option than the somewhat more expensive Buds Pro due to its aesthetics and fit. A white charging case is included with the Buds 2, which are available for purchase in various colors.
The Buds 2 include active noise cancellation, much as the Buds Pro. All of the newest Galaxy Buds models, including the Buds Live, which lack ear tips and have an open design, now contain active noise cancellation. As much as they resemble the Buds Pro in size, I felt the Buds 2 to be more similar to the Buds Live in their ability to disappear completely into your ears since their curved form enables them to take up less wind noise as they sit closer to your ears.
Read also the Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus
I found the bean-shaped Buds Live to be an excellent fit for my ears. This might be true of the Buds Pro as well. I couldn’t obtain a good seal when I tested them without using my extra-large ear tips. As Samsung claims, the smaller Buds 2 are built for “all-day comfort”; I found them comfortable. Using the biggest of the three provided ear tips, my ears felt tight and comfortable.
To make them more comfortable to wear all day, Samsung claims that the new Galaxy Buds 2 are 15% smaller and about 20% lighter than the original Galaxy Buds. Because they’re tiny, they’re more difficult to hold and can fall out of your ears and their case more readily than larger models. Even though it is unlikely that the Buds would slip out of their case due to their magnetic connection to the metal charging pins, we recommend exercising caution while removing or re-inserting the headphones.
The Galaxy Buds 2 are only water-resistant to IPX2 standards, which means they’re best suited for exercises that don’t include a lot of sweat. It might be the end of their lives if you take them outdoors while it’s raining, snowing, or even to the beach.
A smartphone or its in-built touch controls can be used to operate the Galaxy Buds. A recent software update enhanced the earbuds, providing the ability to double-tap the edge of the earphones to change the volume up or down. It’s quite intuitive to use.
There are two silicone ear tips and a USB-C charging cord in the package. These aren’t as pleasant as foam ear tips, but they give a satisfactory seal that can be tested using Android’s Galaxy Wearable app, which is inexpensive to replace if you lose them.
Galaxy Buds 2 employ the same two drivers as the Galaxy Buds Pro. The earbuds have three microphones built into and outside of them, which are used to cancel noise and improve call quality.
Read also the Razer Kraken V3, 1MORE ComfoBuds 2 or our review of AiAiAi TMA-2 MFG4
Controlling the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2
There are some preset equalizer options in Samsung’s Wearable app for Android users, but I largely used the default setting. Although the Buds 2 are compatible with iOS smartphones and Bluetooth audio devices, they aren’t compatible with the Galaxy Buds iOS app, which means that you can’t update the firmware unless you have an Android phone. There is no longer an app for the Galaxy Buds app for iOS devices, which is a shame since it was great software.
Adding volume controls to the app’s touch controls is also a possibility. It’s easy to accidentally stop your music while fiddling with your Galaxy Buds Pro or Buds Live’s touch controls since they’re responsive and effective. You have the option in the app to disable the touch controls if you so want.
Is the Galaxy Wearable app worth downloading?
We recommend the Samsung Galaxy Wearable app for Android users, whereas for iPhone users, there is no official support for the Galaxy Buds 2. Isn’t it true that more and more corporations follow Apple’s lead and construct their walled gardens, which is bad for consumers?
While linked to the Galaxy Wearable app on a Samsung Galaxy S10e, the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 true wireless earphones were in the charging case.
The Wearable app gives you complete control over the earphones.
Ambient sound mode, which broadcasts background sounds via the earphones, is available to those who have access to the software capabilities of the Buds 2. Samsung deserves kudos for producing an excellent sounding environmental passthrough. Even yet, if you’re not a fan of how this function sounds, you can lower the volume in the app.
An ear tip fit test is included in Samsung’s app, as with the Sony WF-1000XM4 and other true wireless earbuds. This makes the headphones more comfortable to use, but it also enhances the music quality by reducing ambient noise. The test offers you fast feedback on whether or not your earbuds are a good match for you.
See the Quality Design of the JBL Club Pro Plus
If you search throughout the app, you’ll discover more features, including an EQ preset library that covers the majority of listeners’ preferences. Nevertheless, Samsung refuses to give up control: ultimately, a bespoke EQ is impossible. A tiny group of Galaxy Buds 2 users will be happy to learn that they can now access Bixby using just their voice. A Google or Siri-like assistant may be activated via a bespoke control for the rest of us.
You can also enable quick switching between earbuds (seamless earbud connection) in the app. This works on all OS systems. Selecting “Galaxy Buds 2” from the Bluetooth peripherals list lets me swap between an iPhone and Samsung phone without disconnecting from the present telephone.
The “game mode” on the Galaxy Labs page lowers audio and visual latency. Anyone who often watches movies from their phone will like gaming mode, even if they aren’t mobile gamers.
Samsung 360 Audio is restricted to the Buds Pro, not the Galaxy Buds 2.
Because Samsung makes regular and reliable upgrades for its headphones, you get more use from your investment. Be careful to read the terms and conditions before downloading Wearable, even if you don’t care for any of the features listed above.
How effective are the Galaxy Buds 2’s noise-canceling capabilities?
While the Galaxy Buds Pro has a more comfortable fit, the Galaxy Buds 2 have a more effective noise-canceling and passive isolation system. Samsung’s ANC reduces low-frequency noises to a fourth of their original volume while the earbuds are not used. As long as you can get the silicone ear tips to fit correctly, you’ll notice a difference when switching between noise-canceling modes.
There are three ear tips to choose from, but not everyone will discover one that works for them. Wingtips would be helpful here, too, to hold the earphones in place. Because I can’t get the earphones to remain in position, my ANC isn’t as excellent as it seems. To get the best ANC performance, you need a perfect physical seal between your ear tips and ear canal. There is no one-size-fits-all solution for ear piercings, and you may have more significant results than I do.
What are Bluetooth codecs supported by the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2?
SBC, AAC, and the Samsung Scalable Codec are all Bluetooth codecs supported by the Galaxy Buds 2. To keep connectivity and sound quality in check and dynamically alter the bit rate from 88-512kbps, the proprietary codec operates similarly to aptX. As a result, the Galaxy Buds 2 are an ideal option for Samsung smartphone users, whereas AAC is uneven across Android systems, leaving non-Samsung consumers to suffer. On the other hand, iPhone users may use AAC support.
LE Audio and the LC3 codec might be supported by the earphones’ usage of Bluetooth 5.2. It doesn’t matter whether you’re using an iPhone or a Samsung smartphone to make the connection; it’ll stay stable.
How long does the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2’s battery last on average?
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 has a battery life of five hours when using noise-canceling, and the charging case extends that to fifteen hours. The earbuds feature 60 minutes of battery life after a 5-minute rapid charge, so forgetful gym-goers will never be without music again.
Several charging options are available for the bulky case, but Wireless Powershare is the most eye-catching.
Sound feature of the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2
Investing in the Galaxy Buds 2 means you’ll get a wide range of music genres reproduced accurately. There are noticeable sub-bass sounds, and you will like how they don’t mask mids as much unless the song has a lot of bassy instruments in it. Strings, tiny woodwind instruments, and increased voice intelligibility will appeal to most listeners.
The low-pitched electric guitar strikes in the chorus of Zac Greer’s song Melatonin cause some masking of the background guitar strums. A little of Greer’s roughness is also lost in the chorus. Despite this, you’ll only notice it if you’re listening with an open mind and looking for flaws in the answer.
Is it possible to make phone calls using the Galaxy Buds 2?
The Galaxy Buds 2 may be used for phone conversations, but don’t expect it to be as good as an external boom mic. As remarkable as Samsung’s triple-microphone technology sounds, the demonstrations below show that it falls short of expectations. If you’re concerned about the sound quality, don’t worry. Shure’s AONIC headset just received a firmware upgrade that improved the audio quality dramatically.
Are the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 worth the investment?
The Galaxy Buds 2 is an excellent option for anyone looking for a pair of affordable earbuds with fantastic sound quality and rapid charging. Even though an IPX3 certification would be ideal, the Galaxy Buds Plus have shown themselves time and time again to be durable. I strongly hope that Samsung adjusts the sensitivity of its earbuds’ touch displays, but switching to another pair of Galaxy Buds won’t alleviate the problem.” Overall, the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 aren’t ground-breaking, but they do a good job and provide decent noise cancellation for the price.
With that said, the Galaxy Buds Plus is a good option if you don’t care about noise cancellation since it has an excellent battery life, a secure fit, and a nearly identical feature set to the Pixel Bud A-Serie. You may also save $20 and purchase the Buds Pro instead, a more appealing earphone design with additional software capabilities and a better microphone.
Check out the Features and Quality of the OnePlus Bud Z2
If you’re a fan of Samsung, you’ll want to know which model is best for your needs.
Make sure you’re making the proper choice when you buy the Galaxy Buds 2 by looking at the Galaxy Buds series from Samsung first. To begin with, all versions include touch controls, an IP rating (ranging from IPX2 to IPX7), compatibility for the SBC, AAC, and Samsung Scalable codecs, and a USB-C casing with wireless charging and Wireless PowerShare capabilities.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus
According to user evaluations, Samsung’s Galaxy Buds Plus are the comfiest earphones you’ll ever wear. Because it has the same IPX2 certification as Buds 2 and a battery life of over 12 hours, these earphones are an excellent bargain.
Samsung Galaxy Buds live
If you’d rather not deal with the mess of beans in your ears, try the Samsung Galaxy Buds Live. The ergonomic bean shape and tiny ear pegs let these earbuds remain in place even when they don’t seal to the ear. Samsung’s one and, presumably, final pair of open-type earbuds. It’s a bold move by Samsung to include noise-cancellation in open earphones. When it does function, it’s best to get one of these other headsets.
If you have an Android phone and want to be aware of your surroundings at all times, Galaxy Buds Live is an attractive option for you. This model debuted the jewelry box-inspired casing and has a better fit in my ears than the AirPods, although that’s not saying much.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro
The Galaxy Buds Live’s flaws have been learned, and Samsung’s flagship headset reveals that the firm has reverted to a sealed design. Aside from the basic design, the Galaxy Buds Pro earphones do an excellent job of isolating your music from outside noises. The earphones are IPX7-rated and the first and only ones that offer 360 Audio (compatible with Netflix, Hulu, Disney Plus, and Apple TV Plus.). 4 hours, 48 minutes of battery life, and no app support for iPhone users are the only drawbacks of this headset.
What are the alternatives to the Galaxy Buds 2?
There are several options for Samsung’s wireless headphones, depending on your requirements. Check out the Amazon Echo Buds, which have superior noise-cancellation capabilities (2nd Gen). Instead of using Bixby, Amazon’s earbuds have an IPX4 grade and direct speech access to Alexa. The ear tip fittest is also included, and it works the same way on Android and iOS.
The $$$ JBL Reflect Flow Pro and the $$ Nothing Ear 1 are OS-independent possibilities. JBL’s earbuds have an IP68 certification, making them an excellent choice for anyone who works out often. On the other hand, Nothing’s buds have a typical IPX4 classification and faster-charging rates. The Ear 1 also offers autoplay/resume for automated ear identification, much as the Echo Buds do.
For iPhone owners, the AirPods Pro is all you need. At least you get to use software features like spatial audio and automated device switching among iOS devices with AirPod Pro noise cancellation (under the same iCloud account). In addition, the iOS Settings app offers an ear tip fittest, and the earbuds are IPX4-rated. Although the AirPods Pro retails for $$$, it often sells at a lower price.
