Rumors about Samsung Galaxy Buds Live stirred excitement. The promise of active noise cancellation (ANC) suggested Samsung was filling a gap in its lineup. However, the earbuds featured an “open type” design that didn’t fully seal the ear canal. As a result, the ANC was less effective.
Then came the Galaxy Buds Pro, priced at $200. These are Samsung’s most comprehensive earbuds to date. They include ANC, 360 Audio, and a range of useful features. They present a strong challenge to Apple’s AirPods Pro.
While the Galaxy Buds Pro aren’t as affordable as other Galaxy Buds, they offer significant value. Samsung has packed a lot into these earbuds.
Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro Review: Design
Galaxy Buds Live stands out with its unique design. They sit snugly in your ear’s curves but don’t enter the ear canal. Samsung’s Galaxy Buds Pro blends the Live’s subtle curves with the compact size of the original Galaxy Buds. The outcome? Small, comfortable earbuds with a tip that seals the ear canal.
The Galaxy Buds Pro are Samsung’s most comprehensive and priciest true wireless earbuds to date. They offer superior sound quality compared to previous Galaxy Buds models. Effective ANC, hands-free Bixby, automatic ambient sound switch, and wireless charging make them attractive.
The Buds Pro’s glossy exterior is another design element borrowed from the Galaxy Buds Live. Each earbud has a shiny touchpad for music and call control. The underside has a matching matte coating. Samsung chose the same case shape as the Galaxy Buds Live, unlike the elongated, pill-shaped case of the Buds and Buds+.
The Galaxy Buds Pro are Samsung’s most comprehensive and priciest true wireless earbuds to date. They offer superior sound quality compared to previous Galaxy Buds models. Effective ANC, hands-free Bixby, automatic ambient sound switch, and wireless charging make them attractive.
Two microphones are visible on the outside. The one nearest to your face is covered with Samsung’s Wind Shield technology. The earbuds’ design ensures a better fit in your ear, reducing wind interference for the external mics. The mesh-covered Wind Shield chamber further minimizes weather-related issues. These components, along with an internal mic, work together for ANC.
The Galaxy Buds Pro is a great workout companion. They’re IPX7-rated for water resistance, meaning they can be submerged in water (up to 1 meter) for up to 30 minutes. While the charging case isn’t water-resistant, these earbuds offer the highest water resistance of any Galaxy Buds model. I haven’t tested this, as I needed a working unit for this review.
Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro Review: Galaxy Wearable App
Samsung’s Galaxy Buds Pro are the most comprehensive and costly true wireless earbuds yet. They offer superior sound quality, effective ANC, hands-free Bixby, automatic ambient sound switch, and wireless charging.
The Galaxy Wearable app is your go-to for configuring the Galaxy Buds Pro settings. It displays battery life upfront and houses the Noise Control section. Here, you can toggle between ANC, and ambient sound, or turn both off. Samsung offers two noise cancellation levels and four environmental noise levels. You can also disable voice detection here.
The app lets you disable the earbuds’ touch pads if needed. It’s also where you can reconfigure the touch-and-hold gesture. Options include swapping the default noise control for a dedicated voice assistant button, volume controls, or one-touch Spotify access.
Samsung provides extra features in the app’s Labs section. Here, you’ll find the low-latency Gaming Mode. In the Advanced section, you can toggle hands-free Bixby, automatic device switching, and adjust audio balance.
With the Galaxy Buds Pro, Samsung offers earbud location via SmartThings Find. This feature works even if the buds are disconnected from Bluetooth or offline. SmartThings Find provides a map, detailed directions, and a ringing sound to help locate the buds.
Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro Review: Call Quality
Samsung’s Galaxy Buds Pro are the most advanced and costly true wireless earbuds yet. They deliver top-notch sound quality, effective ANC, hands-free Bixby, automatic ambient sound switch, and wireless charging.
Samsung touts the call quality of its latest earbuds. The Galaxy Buds Pro uses three microphones and an accelerometer, or Voice Pickup Unit (VPU), to filter out unwanted noise. One outer mic has a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) to prioritize your voice over background noise.
In my tests, the person on the other end said I sounded on speakerphone, a common critique for earbud calls. They could hear background noise, but it didn’t overpower my voice. They noted that I sounded “fine,” not particularly crisp or clear.
Samsung has also added Wind Shield tech to the Galaxy Buds Pro to improve outdoor call quality. I haven’t been able to test this due to a lack of wind. However, any improvement in reducing wind noise would be beneficial for call quality.
Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro Review: Battery Life
Samsung’s battery life estimates for the Galaxy Buds Pro are accurate. With ANC and hands-free Bixby on, you can listen for up to five hours. My tests confirmed this, with results varying by about five minutes. Including the charging case, you get up to 18 hours of total listening time.
Turning off ANC and Bixby voice cues extends the earbuds’ battery life to 8 hours, or 28 hours with the case. Samsung’s quick-charge feature gives you an hour of listening time in five minutes. The Galaxy Buds Pro case is also compatible with wireless charging, whether on a pad, mat, or a Galaxy device with Power Share.
Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro Review: Comparison
Samsung’s Galaxy Buds Pro are the most comprehensive and costly true wireless earbuds yet. They deliver superior sound quality, effective ANC, hands-free Bixby, automatic ambient sound switch, and wireless charging.
Samsung is targeting the AirPods Pro with this model. The price, features, and sound quality align with Apple’s premium earbuds. The AirPods Pro, with their added ear tips, are more comfortable than the base model. They also offer hands-free Siri, quick pairing, wireless charging, automatic device switching, and spatial audio. If you’re an iPhone user seeking immersive sound, they’re worth a look.
Sony’s WH-1000XM3 earbuds remain my top choice overall. Since their 2019 launch, few competitors have matched their blend of audio quality, noise cancellation, customization, and features. For those prioritizing sound quality, Sennheiser’s Momentum True Wireless 2 are the best option. They’re pricier, but their clarity, detail, and tuning are unmatched for in-ear devices.
Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro Review: Conclusion
Samsung’s Galaxy Buds Pro are the most comprehensive and costly true wireless earbuds yet. They deliver superior sound quality, effective ANC, hands-free Bixby, automatic ambient sound switch, and wireless charging. The upcoming 360 Audio feature will help them compete with the AirPods Pro. With these features, Samsung Galaxy series fans finally have a premium audio accessory to complement their tech-filled phones.