The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro are not the best true wireless earbuds out there, but they’re one of the best for Samsung smartphone owners who want perfect synchronicity with their Galaxy gear. They're compatible with both iOS and Android. In the UAE, are selling with in price range of AED 231:00 to 349:00.
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2: Design
The Galaxy Buds 2 come in a plastic case that fits easily in your pocket. When you open the case, you'll see the Buds in Lavender, Olive, White, or Graphite colors. But the case is always white on the outside.
These new Buds are 15% smaller and 20% lighter than the Galaxy Buds Plus, making them more comfortable for long wear. But be careful because they're a bit smaller, and they might slip out of the case or your ears more easily.
The Buds are magnetized to the case, which helps prevent them from falling out often. However, it's still a good idea to handle them with care when taking them out or putting them back in the case.
A downside is that the Galaxy Buds 2 are only a little resistant to water (IPX2). This means they're okay for workouts without much sweat, but you can't use them in the rain or at the beach.
You can control the Galaxy Buds 2 using touch controls on the earbuds or your smartphone. The controls are easy to figure out, like tapping once to play or pause, tapping twice to skip forward, and tapping three times to rewind. There's also a recent update that lets you adjust the volume by double-tapping the edge of the earbuds.
In the box, you get two extra silicone ear tips and a USB-C charging cable for the Buds. The silicone tips are okay, and you can check if they fit well using the Galaxy Wearable app on Android. If you lose them, they're not expensive to replace.
The Galaxy Buds 2 have a dual-driver design with a mid-range driver and a separate tweeter for better sound. There are also microphones inside and outside the earbuds (three in total) to cancel noise and improve call quality.
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2: Features
Noise Cancellation:
One cool feature of the new Galaxy Buds 2 is the noise cancellation. You can turn on noise cancellation by holding the touchpad on either earbud. If you want, you can change this function using the Galaxy Wearable app, but we suggest keeping at least one earbud set for noise cancellation.
Voice Assistants:
It's a bit disappointing that the Galaxy Buds 2 don't have an always-listening assistant. This means you have to tap a button to use your voice assistant.
Ambient Mode:
If you press the noise cancellation button again, you'll switch to ambient mode. This lets outside sounds come into your earbuds. It might seem odd, but it's handy for talking without removing your earbuds or listening for announcements at the airport. You can use ambient mode during calls.
The Galaxy Wearable App:
The app lets you do more than just control settings. You can change the sound settings, check the battery life of the case and earbuds, and even test how well the earbuds fit. There's also a Find My Buds option, but you need to sign in with a Samsung account.
The only downside is that these features are mainly for the Android version of the app. If you're using an iPhone, you might have to wait for an update.
Audio Formats:
The Galaxy Buds 2 support different audio formats like SBC and AAC. If you're using a Samsung device, there's also a special Scalable Codec that gives better sound quality. This makes the Buds a great choice for people with Galaxy phones.
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2: Sound Quality
Samsung and AKG are doing a great job with each new version of the Galaxy Buds, getting closer to the perfect sound. The Galaxy Buds 2 are no exception.
What we really like about their sound is that it has a great balance, boosting the bass, mids, and highs. The only things it misses a bit are the very low bass and the super high notes, which might sound a bit sharp at high volumes. But most of the time, you get clear audio with a nice kick in the bass for EDM and rap, and a crisp mid-range for rock and R&B. The stereo separation is good, letting you hear cool effects in songs.
Despite these tiny issues, these Samsung earbuds sound great. However, there's still room for improvement in their active noise cancellation. It's good that they have it in the entry-level Galaxy Buds now, but it's not as good as the top ones, like Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2.
When you have music playing and ANC on, you won't hear someone talking in the same room, but loud noises from outside might still get through. They're okay for regular office work, but we wouldn't suggest them for long flights or really noisy places.
Even though the noise cancellation can get better, Samsung did well in improving the call quality. The Galaxy Buds 2 use smart technology to cut out background noise during calls. People we talked to said we sounded much clearer compared to using a regular phone.
We did have a tiny issue with crackling sound on our end, but overall, they performed better than other earbuds we've tried before. So, if you make a lot of phone calls, these could be good buddies for your office.
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2: Battery
If you use the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 continuously, they should last about five hours with active noise cancellation on. If you turn it off, they'll last a bit longer. The case can charge them about three more times, giving you a total of 20 hours with noise cancellation on or 29 hours without it.
But remember, how long the battery lasts depends on how you use the earbuds. If you're using them for calls, you'll get about 3.5 hours with noise cancellation on or 13 hours with the case. With noise cancellation off, it's about 3.5 hours and 14 hours with the case.
To save battery, the Galaxy buds have a sensor that pauses the music when you take them out of your ears. This helps you charge them less often.
This new version also supports wireless charging with a compatible charger. It's handy if your phone can charge wirelessly and you already have a charging pad. But if not, you can still use the regular USB-C port on the case.
The only thing missing is fast charging, but they still charge reasonably quickly. Though Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 are not as fast as some other earbuds, but it's not bad either.