The Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro represents a significant evolution in Samsung’s true wireless earbuds lineup, bringing improved sound quality, enhanced noise cancellation, and a more refined design to the table. After extensive testing, here’s my comprehensive review of these premium earbuds.
Pros/Cons Summary
Pros:
- Exceptional sound quality with 24-bit hi-fi audio support
- Effective active noise cancellation
- Comfortable, secure fit for extended wear
- Seamless integration with Samsung devices
- Impressive spatial audio with head tracking
- IPX7 water resistance rating
- Solid battery life
Cons:
- Premium features limited to Samsung ecosystem
- Higher price point than many competitors
- Touch controls can be overly sensitive
- No aptX or LDAC codec support
- Case lacks wireless charging
Technical Specifications
- Drivers: 10mm woofer + 5.3mm tweeter (dual dynamic)
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3
- Codecs: Samsung Seamless Codec (SSC), AAC, SBC
- Battery Life: Up to 5 hours (ANC on), 8 hours (ANC off); 18-29 hours total with case
- Charging: USB-C, Wireless charging (Qi compatible)
- Water Resistance: IPX7 (submersible up to 1m for 30 minutes)
- Noise Cancellation: Advanced ANC with three high SNR microphones
- Weight: 5.5g per earbud, 43.4g charging case
- Colors: Graphite, White, Bora Purple
- Special Features: 360° Audio with head tracking, Voice Detect, Auto Switch
Sound Quality Assessment
The Galaxy Buds2 Pro delivers an impressive audio experience, especially when paired with Samsung devices that support the 24-bit hi-fi audio capability. The dual-driver system creates a well-balanced soundstage with crisp highs, detailed mids, and punchy bass that never becomes overwhelming.
In testing across multiple music genres, the Buds2 Pro handled complex orchestral pieces with remarkable clarity, while also delivering sufficient bass impact for hip-hop and electronic tracks. The sound profile is slightly warm but balanced enough to satisfy most listeners.
Samsung’s 360° Audio feature with head tracking creates an immersive spatial audio experience that adds dimension to movies and specially mixed music content. While not quite reaching the precision of Apple’s spatial audio implementation, it’s a compelling feature that enhances the listening experience.
The active noise cancellation is significantly improved over previous generations, effectively blocking out most ambient noise. While it doesn’t quite match the noise-cancelling prowess of Sony’s WF-1000XM4 or Bose QuietComfort Earbuds, it comes impressively close while maintaining better sound quality than many competitors.
Comfort and Fit
Samsung has refined the design of the Buds2 Pro to be 15% smaller than the original Buds Pro, resulting in a more comfortable fit for extended listening sessions. The matte finish not only looks premium but provides better grip within the ear.
The earbuds include three sizes of silicone ear tips, making it easy to find the right fit for most ear shapes. Once properly fitted, they stay securely in place even during moderate physical activity. The reduced size and weight (5.5g per bud) significantly improves comfort during long listening sessions.
The companion app includes a fit test to ensure you’ve selected the optimal ear tips for both comfort and noise isolation. This attention to fit directly enhances both sound quality and ANC effectiveness.
Battery Life (Wireless)
Battery performance is solid if not exceptional. With ANC activated, the earbuds provide approximately 5 hours of continuous playback, extending to around 8 hours with ANC disabled. The charging case delivers an additional 18 hours (ANC on) to 29 hours (ANC off) of battery life.
A quick 5-minute charge provides about an hour of playback time, which is convenient for emergency situations. The case charges via USB-C and also supports wireless charging with any Qi-compatible charging pad or from the back of compatible Samsung phones.
Real-world testing aligned closely with Samsung’s claims, though intensive use at high volumes with ANC enabled did occasionally result in slightly shorter battery life than advertised.
Additional Features
The Galaxy Buds2 Pro is packed with useful features that enhance the overall experience:
- Voice Detect automatically lowers your music and activates ambient mode when you speak, making conversations easier without removing the earbuds.
- Auto Switch allows seamless transitions between Samsung devices without manually disconnecting and reconnecting.
- IPX7 water resistance provides protection against sweat and rain, making these suitable for workouts or outdoor use in various conditions.
- SmartThings Find integration helps locate misplaced earbuds.
- Customizable touch controls allow you to personalize your experience, though the touch-sensitive surface can sometimes register accidental touches.
- Ambient sound mode effectively lets in environmental noise when needed for awareness.
Samsung’s Galaxy Wearable app offers a clean interface for adjusting settings, with a selection of EQ presets to customize the sound profile to your preferences. However, the lack of a fully customizable equalizer is a slight disappointment.
Price/Value Analysis
At a retail price of $229.99, the Galaxy Buds2 Pro sits firmly in the premium segment of the wireless earbuds market. While this pricing is competitive with flagship offerings from Apple, Sony, and Bose, it’s important to note that many of the Buds2 Pro’s standout features are only fully accessible within the Samsung ecosystem.
For Samsung device users, particularly those with recent Galaxy smartphones, the seamless integration and exclusive features like 24-bit audio and 360° spatial sound provide excellent value. However, users of other Android phones or iPhones will miss out on several premium features, potentially reducing the value proposition.
Occasional sales can bring the price down to around $180-200, at which point they become a more compelling option even for non-Samsung users purely based on their sound quality and ANC performance.
Comparison to Alternatives
vs. Apple AirPods Pro 2: The AirPods Pro 2 offers similar integration benefits for iPhone users that the Buds2 Pro provides for Samsung users. The AirPods have slightly better noise cancellation and a more polished ecosystem experience for Apple users, while the Buds2 Pro edges out in raw sound quality.
vs. Sony WF-1000XM4: Sony’s flagship earbuds offer superior noise cancellation, better codec support (LDAC), and a more customizable sound profile. However, the Buds2 Pro provides a more comfortable fit for many users and better integration with Samsung devices.
vs. Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3: Sennheiser delivers more refined audiophile-oriented sound, but the Buds2 Pro offers better ANC, water resistance, and a more secure fit for active use.
vs. Galaxy Buds Pro (original): The Buds2 Pro improves on its predecessor with better ANC, more refined sound, improved fit, and new features like 24-bit audio support. For Samsung users looking to upgrade, the improvements are meaningful if not revolutionary.
Who Should Buy This
The Galaxy Buds2 Pro is ideal for:
- Samsung smartphone users who want the best possible integration and exclusive features
- Audio enthusiasts who appreciate balanced, detailed sound with good spatial audio
- Active users who need a secure fit and water resistance
- Commuters and office workers who rely on effective noise cancellation
- Those who frequently switch between multiple Samsung devices
However, they may not be the best choice for:
- iPhone users (limited functionality and no app support)
- Budget-conscious shoppers
- Those who prioritize absolute best-in-class noise cancellation
- Audiophiles who require aptX or LDAC codec support
Takeaways
The Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro represents a refined evolution of Samsung’s wireless earbuds lineup. They excel in providing a balanced combination of excellent sound quality, effective noise cancellation, comfort, and seamless integration with the Samsung ecosystem.
While they don’t revolutionize the wireless earbuds market, they do nearly everything well and without major flaws. The premium price is justified for Samsung users who will benefit from the full feature set, though the value proposition diminishes somewhat for users of other devices.
For those firmly in the Samsung ecosystem, the Galaxy Buds2 Pro stands as one of the best true wireless options available, combining sophisticated technology with practical design in a compact, comfortable package. They represent Samsung’s most mature and complete wireless audio offering to date, and a worthy competitor to other premium earbuds on the market.