The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro stand out as the first truly competitive Bluetooth earbuds designed specifically for Android devices. This doesn’t diminish the quality of the original Galaxy Buds and Galaxy Buds Live, which are still top-notch wireless headphones. However, with the latest Pro model, Samsung introduces a comprehensive range of features, making these earbuds a suitable choice for those seeking the convenience of AirPods Pro, while still owning a Galaxy device. Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro Review
These features include active noise cancellation (ANC), high-quality speakers, and an array of additional controls tailored for Samsung devices. As an iPhone user, my primary device is a Samsung Galaxy Tab S7, so I decided to try the earbuds with both a Galaxy-specific interface and Bluetooth only to see how they performed. Here’s what I found.
Appearance: Sleek and Samsung-like
The design of the Galaxy Buds Pro is as modern and stylish as the original Galaxy Buds, with the “Plus” version maintaining a minimalist yet elegant look. However, the Galaxy Buds Live, known for their distinctive bean shape, caught many by surprise with its introduction. The response was mixed, with some loving the unique design and others disliking it.
The standout feature of the Buds Pro’s design is the use of highly reflective, metallic plastic on the exterior. This design choice, common among Samsung’s flagship phones, is reflected in the Galaxy Buds Pro’s glossy and colorful options. Although the bean shape has been replaced, the earbuds are unmistakably eye-catching when worn.
I appreciate the earbuds’ profile and shape, which cleverly conceal a soft, rubber insert for stability and a comfortable fit in the ear. The case is also robust, measuring just a few inches in both directions. Therefore, for those who prefer a black version, the design is generally sleek and contemporary. However, for those looking for a more matte finish, the Buds Pro do not offer that option.
Comfort: Good, but a bit snug
The Galaxy Buds Pro, while not the most comfortable, still manage to fit well thanks to their subtle ear fins. These fins, which were present in the original Galaxy Buds, provided a sporty and snug fit that suited my ears nicely. However, upon receiving the Buds Pro, I was let down to find that Samsung had removed the ear fins. Yet, upon closer inspection, you’ll notice a slight bulge and a rubber exterior that mimic the function of an ear fin, offering a secure hold in your ears as long as you twist them correctly.
On the flip side, the snug fit can be a bit of a downside. Samsung has opted for a tighter design, which means the earbuds press more deeply into your ears. This can be a problem for those who prefer looser fits, but Samsung has solved this by incorporating a metal grill that acts as an air vent.
Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro
This results in the earbuds being somewhat breathable, despite their tightness. This also affects the sound quality, which I’ll discuss in more detail later. Overall, these earbuds, weighing less than half an ounce each and taking up minimal space, are comfortable enough for their premium price, though they’re not my top choice.
Durability and Build Quality: Designed to stand the test of time
A key reason to choose earbuds from Apple or Samsung is their use of high-quality materials from their smartphone and tablet production. The case of the Galaxy Buds Pro is stylish, small, and provides a satisfying click when closed. Opening it can be a bit tricky, though, as the magnet is a bit too strong, making it hard to open without pressing your fingers at the right angle. Despite this, the case feels solid.
The Buds themselves are also well-constructed. A majority of their structure is made from a thick, soft, rubbery material. Even the highly reflective plastic on the outside appears to be quite sturdy, despite looking somewhat dull to my personal preference. This reflective quality seems to make them susceptible to scuffs and scratches, so it’s important to be cautious when placing the earbuds on a surface.
Samsung has incorporated IPX7 water resistance into the earbuds, which means they can be immersed in water for up to 30 minutes in up to 3 feet of depth without any issues. However, this feature has only been tested in a lab with clean water, so it’s not recommended to intentionally submerge them. Nonetheless, you should be safe using them in the rain.
Sound Quality and Noise Cancelling: Outstanding
The standout feature of these earbuds, especially in the “Pro” category, is undoubtedly their sound quality. Samsung has chosen a double-driver design for these headphones. There’s a main driver measuring 11 millimeters that can cover most of the audio spectrum, along with a 6.5-millimeter tweeter optimized for the high frequencies. These speakers have been carefully calibrated using best practices from AKG.
Additionally, the air vent Samsung has introduced allows for the soundstage to “breathe,” enhancing the overall sound presence. This combination results in a well-balanced audio experience, particularly due to the double-driver design. By focusing two different speakers on distinct parts of the spectrum, the pressure on each speaker to support the entire spectrum is reduced, allowing for a more detailed sound. This was evident in my experience.
However, the active noise cancellation feature falls short of expectations. This could be attributed, in part, to the lack of physical isolation provided by the air vent. To clarify, the earbuds do effectively block out a significant amount of background noise, but they do not match the noise reduction capabilities of Apple AirPods Pro or Bose QuietComfort Earbuds. The transparency mode, however, performs adequately, making these earbuds suitable for activities like walking.
Final Point: The 360-degree audio feature, activated via the Samsung Wearables app, positions your device in a specific location, and the audio system tracks this position as you move your head. It’s an interesting feature, but not particularly practical.
Battery Life: Not outstanding
With headphones like the Galaxy Buds Pro, you’d anticipate top-notch performance across all areas, but the lack of long battery life is a significant drawback. The earbuds last about 5 hours on a single charge, with an additional 18 hours when using the charging case. While these figures aren’t the worst I’ve seen, they’re nowhere near the best.
Features such as active noise cancellation, proximity sensing, and 360-degree audio tend to heavily drain the battery.
However, there’s a silver lining. Samsung’s quick charging technology enables the earbuds to gain an hour of playtime with just a 5-minute charge. This feature is most noticeable with a direct USB-C connection, but the case supports Qi wireless charging, allowing you to simply place the case on a charging pad overnight for a quick recharge. These additional features are nice, but I can’t help feeling that the earbuds would be more appealing with a few extra hours of battery life.
Connectivity and Codecs: A satisfactory experience overall
One of the main reasons to choose Galaxy Buds over other brands is the ease of connecting them to Samsung Galaxy devices. Similar to what Apple offers with AirPods, opening the case of the Galaxy Buds will trigger a prompt on your Galaxy device, making it easy to connect them without the hassle of a Bluetooth menu.
This feature is exclusive to Galaxy devices, though, meaning other Android phones can’t benefit from it. Once the earbuds are connected, the signal strength remains strong, and I’ve encountered fewer issues than with other true wireless, Bluetooth earbuds.
Software, Controls, and Add-ons: More than you might need Despite the issues with battery life, it’s evident that Samsung is opting for more features to enhance the product. When combined with the Galaxy Wearables app, these earbuds offer a lot for the price. I’ve covered the adjustable ANC and transparency settings, as well as the 360-degree sound feature.
A notable feature of the transparency setting is the “speech recognition” option. When activated, the earbuds will detect when you’re speaking and pause your music for a set time, then automatically switch to transparency mode. The idea is that you’ll only speak when you want to have a conversation, at which point, the earbuds will stop interfering. This feature can be hit or miss and might be frustrating if you just want to quickly say something to a friend (rather than a full conversation), but it’s a nice option to have.
There are also a number of small additional features. You can activate a “Block Touches” mode to avoid the annoying accidental touches on the earbuds. You can adjust the EQ to suit your preferences, choose your Bixby/voice assistant settings, and even find your lost earbuds.
The app includes a section called “Samsung Labs” that is expected to feature new experimental features in the future. Currently, the only feature I’ve found interesting is the “Gaming Mode” which claims to improve audio sync during mobile game play. Overall, the package is quite good, but it does come at the cost of battery life.
Price: Expensive but worth it
Apple AirPods Pro are priced over $200, and it’s great to see that Samsung has launched the Galaxy Buds Pro at $199. However, at the moment, you can get the earbuds from the Samsung website for $169.
This is typical for Samsung, so if you’re looking to buy, it might be a good idea to wait for a sale. The price for the features is definitely reasonable. There are some downsides, like the design and the battery life, but the price is not too high. Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro Review
Specs
- Product NameGalaxy Buds Pro
- Product BrandSamsung
- MPNSM-R190NZKAXAR
- Price$199.99
- Release DateJanuary 2021
- Weight0.2 oz.
- Product Dimensions0.81 x 0.77 x 0.82 in.
- ColorPhantom Black, Phantom Silver, or Phantom Violet
- Battery Life5 hours (earbuds only), 23 hours (with battery case)
- Wired/WirelessWireless
- Wireless Range30 feet
- Warranty1 year
- Audio CodecsSBC, AAC, Samsung Scalable