Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro review
Our Verdict
Despite its flaws, the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro are solid wireless earbuds with dynamic sound, improved ANC, and cool exclusive features.
For
- Stylish, waterproof design
- Exceptional sound performance
- Ameliorate noise cancellation than its predecessor
- Lots of personalized features via companion app
- Relatively affordable
Against
- Some features are exclusive to Galaxy devices
- Similar battery life to the AirPods Pro
Tom's Guide Verdict
Despite its flaws, the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro are solid wireless earbuds with dynamic sound, improved ANC, and absurd exclusive features.
Pros
- +
Stylish, waterproof design
- +
Exceptional audio operation
- +
Meliorate noise cancellation than its predecessor
- +
Lots of personalized features via companion app
- +
Relatively affordable
Cons
- -
Some features are exclusive to Galaxy devices
- -
Similar battery life to the AirPods Pro
The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro managed to steal the show when it launched at the turn of 2021, despite Samsung opting to reveal its newest pair of wireless earbuds amidst the chaos of an all-digital CES 2021.
The reveal was also unusual for it coming then soon subsequently the Samsung Galaxy Buds Alive. Sporting active noise counterfoil (ANC) but too a polarizing design, this model failed to deliver the premium experience that Samsung promised. Fortunately, as Galaxy Buds Pro takes operation up a notch with enhanced noise neutralization and audio, along with several new features and a more conventional pattern.
- AirPods Pro vs. Samsung Milky way Buds Pro: Which should you buy?
- Read our full Apple tree AirPods Pro review...
- ...and our Samsung Galaxy Buds two review
Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro specs
Colors: Phantom Violet, Phantom Black, Phantom Silver
Battery life (rated): 5 hours with ANC on (eighteen hours with charging instance), eight hours with ANC off (28 hours with charging case)
Size: 0.8 x 0.seven x 0.8 inches (per bud); i.96 x i.97 10 1.09 inches (charging case)
Weight: 0.22 ounces (per bud); 1.58 ounces (charging instance)
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0
Processor: Broadcom BCM43015
How do the Galaxy Buds Pro stack upwards against the competition? Fairly well. In fact, Samsung's newest release is worthy of inclusion with the best racket-cancelling earbuds and even the best wireless earbuds overall. At the same time, there are some drawbacks that forestall information technology from being a bang-up multi-platform solution, such as Galaxy-exclusive features and express battery life with ANC on. Let's dive into this Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro review to observe out the full score.
The Samsung Milky way Buds Pro has too claimed a couple of wins in the Tom'due south Guide Awards 2021 Audio categories, winning the Most innovative headphones laurels outright and taking domicile a Highly Recommended award for Best sports headphones. Be sure to check out the main Tom's Guide Awards 2021 hub for all of this year'southward all-time tech.
Samsung Milky way Buds Pro review: Toll and availability
The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro is available for $199.99 at major online retailers, including Amazon and Best Purchase or directly from Samsung. Right now, Samsung is offer the buds for $149.99 with eligible trade-in.
Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro review: Pattern and condolement
Samsung does deserve props for attempting something new with the Galaxy Buds Alive's bad-mannered design, simply it wasn't as attractive or practical every bit the ads made information technology out to be. Adopting a circular shape was necessary to go the nigh performance out of the Galaxy Buds Pro, as the blueprint accommodates functionality and wearability, from the larger panels for accurate impact input to the elongated sound port for seamless insertion.
These buds are more detached and elegant than Samsung's previous release, as well as the AirPods Pro. They don't stick out. The shiny gloss finish, while a fingerprint magnet, produces a nice smooth that gives a premium look. So there are the three sleek colorways, with Phantom Violet beingness the most heart-catching of the options.
The Galaxy Buds Pro is composed of hard plastic that meets IPX7 standards for resilient water resistance. Build quality is undecayed, so you shouldn't experience worried virtually breaking the buds if they take a difficult spill to the ground. You'll likewise appreciate some of the small design changes Samsung implemented, such equally the outer mics on the top and bottom of each bud, and the air vent on the top inner function of the buds.
More enticing than the buds themselves is the super-meaty charging case that is noticeably smaller than the Galaxy Buds Live and AirPods Pro cases. Information technology feels firm in hand and beautifully displays the buds when docked. In that location's a tiny LED on the front end that indicates the charging status. The airbrushed Samsung logo at the top is a nice touch too. My only complaint is that the lid is flimsy, due to a weak magnet.
Fit-wise, the Galaxy Buds Pro compared to the Galaxy Buds Live is nighttime and solar day. The latter's 1-size-fits-all approach was poorly executed and provided very little on-ear stability. The Milky way Buds Pro sits securely on the ears when properly adjusted and creates a decent seal to enjoy audio fully once locked in, though your concha volition experience some soreness after almost an hour of clothing. Personally, I still find the AirPods Pro to be the more comfy and ameliorate-fitting pair.
Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro review: Impact controls and digital assistant
The Milky way Buds Pro comes loaded with several smart controls that consist of tap and concur gestures, plus on-ear detection.
Overall, the controls are responsive, and Samsung has made them even better with mail service-release firmware updates. For instance, y'all tin now raise or lower the volume past double-tapping the earbuds' edges; previously you had to bind volume controls to the tap-and-hold gesture, significant if you wanted instant book adjustment you had to surrender other inputs like switching betwixt audio modes. Happily, you now take a scrap more flexibility.
If you're worried almost the buds being sensitive to touch, the companion app has an option to lock the impact panels, that way y'all don't end a call or plow on the wrong feature by mistake.
Removing one bud will automatically pause music and enable Ambient Sound mode on the opposite bud. What's the existent advantage to this? I'grand not entirely certain, specially when removing both buds lets yous hear your surroundings more clearly. Placing them dorsum on your ears doesn't resume playback either.
Another innovative control option is Vocalism Observe, a feature that decreases the sound of what you're listening to and increases audio passthrough volume to let you antipodal with others without taking off the buds. It's OK for the most part, but does endure from lag, taking about 2 to 3 seconds to fully register the user's vocals and enable the mode.
Hands-free digital aid is available via Bixby, but the buds also piece of work with Google Assistant and Siri. Samsung'south three-mic array demonstrates swell speech recognition, making information technology uncomplicated to burn down up Bixby with its activation phrase ("Hullo Bixby") and vocalism commands, with all 3 AI bots responding to inquiries quickly.
Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro review: Agile noise cancellation
ANC on these buds is much better than what its predecessor delivered, simply does it reduce "99%" of background racket like Samsung claims? Gosh no. Not even the best wireless earbuds for noise cancellation, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds, tin can reach this, nor do the AirPods Pro. Not to mention those two models are much more than powerful audio silencers.
The Milky way Buds Pro has two ANC levels: Low and Loftier. Each is specifically engineered for unlike environments, with Depression meant for small spaces like an office, while Loftier tin supposedly handle louder ambience traffic. I found High to be the more than effective pick, especially indoors. Information technology felt swell blocking out common distractions like door buzzers, loud TVs, and occasional hollering from across the living room. The buds weren't capable of muting my newborn'south cries or other high-frequency sounds similar whistles. Luckily, it wasn't noticeable enough to pull me abroad from whatever tunes I had playing in the background.
ANC wasn't very effective exterior. Samsung developed what it calls Wind Shield applied science to minimize drafty interference, but fifty-fifty the summery breezes in West Palm Beach had a strong presence when I listened to music on the front porch. The whisking effect of cars speeding past was noticeable likewise. I may not currently have the luxury of testing these buds in flight, but based on what I've experienced so far, I don't see the applied science belongings up well on airplanes.
More positively, Samsung wasn't kidding nearly its Transparency Mode being "better than information technology has ever been." Cycling through the four different levels (Low, Medium, High, Extra High) amplified the external sounds effectually me, increasing my awareness in decorated environments. It was fun to eavesdrop on my wife's churr with her sisters on Low, while also keeping tabs on front-door visitors from several rooms down on High.
Unless you want to hear what's happening from a mile abroad, do non enable Extra Loftier because amplification is frustratingly loud. It's a testament to Samsung's commitment for advancing the listening mode, just besides a hurting you do not desire to endure. There was some echoing that occurred when trying to speak to my newborn, and keyboard clatter became unbearable when typing on my MacBook Pro.
Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro review: Audio quality
Samsung's large two-way speakers pump out deep bass and clear mids. And though audio is scaled up on Milky way smartphones, thanks to the brand'south proprietary Scalable Codec, yous can yet bask lively music on non-Samsung devices despite the minimal loss in quality.
The thumping depression end on A Tribe Called Quest's "Bonita Applebaum" was turned up to 11 when listening on my Galaxy Annotation twenty Ultra 5G, which was shocking at showtime, then stimulated rhythmic caput-nods equally the record played out. Information technology was impressive to hear how well balanced the bass was, along with Q-Tip's soft-spoken vocals sounding more pronounced. Those aforementioned sentiments were shared when vibing out to Bob Marley & The Wailer's "Could You lot Exist Loved"; chills went down my spine once hearing that infectious bassline at the superlative.
To get a experience for the Milky way Buds Pro'due south frequency range, I indulged in some Jazz classics and the results were serene. From the impactful double bass to the steady hi-hats, every instrument played on Ahmad Jamal'south "The Awakening" had a distinctiveness to it and composite beautifully over the melodic composition. Clarity was slightly diminished on my Google Pixel iii 40, merely I believe that hardcore audiophiles would be the only ones to detect any differences when switching to non-Samsung devices.
Samsung did have a page out of Apple tree'south playbook by developing its own spatial sound alternative called 360 Audio, using Dolby Caput Tracking to create "multi-dimensional sound" and achieve greater audio depth when watching video content. I would love to share feedback on the feature, but, unfortunately, information technology is currently exclusive to the new Galaxy S21 phones, and Samsung did not ship one with our Galaxy Buds Pro unit. It has also been confirmed that 360 Audio will only exist available on Galaxy smartphones running OneUI three.ane (or higher). The Tom's Guide team will be certain to update this review with a detailed analysis on 360 Audio at a afterward time.
What I tin say is that the audio quality on video and podcasts is just as astonishing. Watching now-President Joe Biden's Inauguration ceremony was fun, with every political speaker and musical performance sounding transparent.
Samsung Milky way Buds Pro review: App and special features
The Galaxy Wareable app has a variety of features to personalize the buds. This is where you'll customize the controls, tweak sound, cycle through the different levels of each listening mode, and access several other goodies, depending on your device.
You'll likely want to experiment with the EQ first, where vi different presets are programmed for apply and complement dissimilar music genres. Normal is the default and works fine as is, but if yous desire more oomph from the depression end, Bass Boost does the trick. Other presets include Soft, Dynamic, Treble Heave, and Clear; the latter is ideal for podcasts and other dialogue-heavy content, though I didn't detect much difference between either.
Aside from the aforementioned 360 Audio, there are more notable features, some available across the unabridged Android platform and others exclusive to Galaxy devices. You get two ways to locate lost earbuds in the Find My Earbuds choice and SmartThings Find, a service bachelor through the SmartThings app that shows the GPS location of any lost or stolen earbuds. There is a special Gaming manner in the Labs setting that decreases audio lag when gaming on Galaxy devices. So we have Auto Switch to instantly switch between Milky way devices (more on that below) and PowerShare to wirelessly charge the buds past placing the charging case on the back of a uniform Milky way smartphone.
Like other Samsung earbuds, the Galaxy Buds Pro does not back up the Galaxy Buds app on iPhone. In other words, iOS users can still apply the earbuds, just tin't change the settings or update them.
Note: The latest software update (R190XXU0AUA1) adds two performance enhancements, including improved Bixby voice wake-up response and left/right sound residual adjustment, which should exist benign for listeners with hearing impairments.
Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro review: Battery life and charging case
Samsung rates bombardment life at 5 hours with ANC on, which is really near 4 to four.5 hours when taking high book, streaming, and listening modes into account. This is basically on par with what the AirPods Pro offers (4.5 hours) and that's very disappointing. Even worse is that the Milky way Buds Pro sucks up juice faster than its porcelain antagonist. Afterwards receiving my unit of measurement fully charged, the bombardment levels dropped much more quickly than I anticipated, going every bit low as 25 percent after ii.5 hours of use. Throughout that time, I had ANC on, listened to Spotify, and participated in a two-hour Skype phone call. Apple's battery management is far superior, giving me nothing short of 4 to 4.v hours, no thing how I used the AirPods Pro.
That'southward not to say the Galaxy Buds Pro aren't capable of offering longer playtimes – it simply comes at the cost of turning off ANC and other features like Bixby. Disabling them stretches battery life to eight hours.
To run into Samsung's charging case rated lower than Apple tree'south case is a huge letdown as well; the Galaxy Buds Pro holds an additional 18 hours with ANC on, while the AirPods gets you 24 hours. Turning off the features increases this to 28 hours.
It's not all bad news though. The Milky way Buds Pro supports wireless charging, so y'all tin can place the charging instance on any Qi-enabled wireless charging pad and juice up without existence tethered to whatsoever cables. And every bit previously mentioned, you take PowerShare at your disposal.
Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro review: Call quality and connectivity
As far calling headsets, Samsung'south wireless earbuds take been a mixed bag. Very petty has changed with the Milky way Buds Pro. While I got some smashing service during Skype calls – voices sounded loud and crisp on both ends – telephone calls left much to be desired. My wife mentioned that I sounded choppy and slightly distorted, with my vocalism here and in that location during chats. In add-on, she noticed that groundwork noise was completely silent, until I started to talk, which made nearby chatter and brisk winds more than aural.
The exceptional connectivity these buds provide cancels out the subpar call quality. Pairing to devices was a breeze, with my MacBook Pro and Android devices recognizing the earbuds instantly, while maintaining steady wireless range (35 feet); rarely did any stuttering occur. Motorcar Switch is as intuitive equally Apple'south motorcar switch feature, and business users who ain at to the lowest degree two Milky way devices will find it useful when wanting to switch between models. I simply wish information technology worked with all Android and iOS devices. Another criticism I have is the lack of multipoint applied science, equally the Galaxy Buds Pro just let you pair to one audio source at a fourth dimension.
Samsung Milky way Buds Pro review: Verdict
Is the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro a major upgrade over the Galaxy Buds Live? Yes. Is it as cracking equally the AirPods Pro? Yes, but simply for Android users, and more chiefly, Galaxy smartphone users. Does it stand out every bit a category leader? No. And that is completely fine.
Audio and wireless capabilities are the model's greatest strengths, rewarding listeners with energetic sound that complements most music genres, and over a stable connexion. The Galaxy Wareable app extends functionality too, granted iOS users are left hanging with nada admission to customize settings.
Galaxy S21 owners do end up receiving the total monty, making the Galaxy Buds Pro the perfect companion for Samsung'south latest flagship smartphones. Withal, innovative features like 360 Sound remain sectional to the Milky way platform. Battery life isn't anything to swoon over either, falling in the same course as the AirPods Pro.
Still, when factoring functioning, along with their relatively affordable price tag, Samsung's flagship buds are a solid purchase for all Android users.
- More: These are the best noise-cancelling earbuds right now
Source: https://www.tomsguide.com/reviews/samsung-galaxy-buds-pro
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