Galaxy Buds 2 Pro And airpods pro 2 some of these are best wireless earbuds you can get. They’re at the top of Samsung and Apple’s earbud lineups, and they share a lot of similarities like excellent sound quality, noise cancellation, and lots of special features—and there’s only a $20 price difference between the two.
It’s easy to tell that the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro are best for Android users, while the AirPods Pro 2 are ideal for iPhone owners. But as flagship earbuds from each respective company, they each offer a set of features that might convince you to choose one of them, regardless of what type of phone you have.
Let’s dive in and see what makes these earbuds different.
 |
 |
|
|---|---|---|
| weight per earbud |
0.19 oz |
0.22 oz |
| water resistance |
IPX4 (earbuds and case) |
ipx7 |
| active noise cancellation |
Yes |
Yes |
| ambient noise |
Yes (Transparency Mode) |
Yes |
| colour’s |
White |
White, Graphite, Bora Purple |
| software support |
iOS |
Android (Galaxy phones required for most features) |
| special features |
Personalized spatial audio, lanyard loop case with Find My, volume touch controls |
Find 24-bit Hi-Fi Audio, Intelligent Conversation Mode, 360 Audio, SmartThings Support |
| Battery Life (Rated) |
up to 30 hours with case |
up to 29 hours with case |
| worth |
$249 |
$230 |
The second-generation AirPods Pro have a similar design to the original model, which is instantly recognizable to anyone who’s ever seen a pair of AirPods. They still have stems, they are still shiny and white and they still come with silicone tips. While it would be nice if Apple tweaked their designs a bit, it’s not like they’re ugly or in desperate need of a refresh. On the contrary, they’re comfortable enough for most people’s ears, are IPX4 rated for sweat resistance and have that iconic look that lets people know you’re rocking AirPods.
But as is the case with any fiercely competitive product category, there are many alternative designs that offer better water resistance, color and comfort. A prime example of this is for the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, which offer a lower profile than the AirPods and four different colors to choose from. They’re IPX7 rated, which provides a little extra water protection for exerciseAnd the buds have a matte finish as opposed to glossy, which makes them instantly better suited for everyday wear and tear.
The big reason I like the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro over the AirPods Pro is how much more comfortable they are. I didn’t notice this until I used my AirPods exclusively for a couple of weeks, then switched back to the Buds 2 Pro. It was a bit surprising how well the Galaxy Buds fit my ears and hold up during long writing sessions. They also feel lighter and less intrusive, and it’s really easy to forget when wearing them.
The case is even better. I haven’t had a second-gen AirPods Pro in a very long time, but I have somehow been able to scratch the entire back of the case, thanks to its glossy nature. The Galaxy Buds 2 Pro doesn’t have that problem at all. The matte finish helps reduce both scuffs and fingerprints, and the case somehow prevents debris like dirt and pocket lint from getting into the lid better than an AirPods case.
If the AirPods have an edge over the Galaxy Buds in terms of design, then this case is smart enough. It has built-in speakers that chime when you’re lost or charged, or when the battery is low. There’s also a lanyard slot for those of you who like to hang their earbuds with a zip on their backpack. There is nothing like this in the Buds 2 Pro. You’re pretty much stuck with an LED that shows you when they’re charging and that’s it.
tl; Doctor: The new AirPods Pro looks a lot like the old one. That’s actually not a bad thing as they’re still comfortable to wear, but the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro just knocks it out of the park when it comes to fit and finish (plus they’re matte).
There is no doubt that both the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro and the second generation AirPods Pro look amazing. They both deliver great sound quality with punchy bass, clear highs and full mids. Any genre of music—whether it’s boom-bap hip-hop, classic jazz, rock ‘n’ roll, or top 40 pop hits—will sound great on these buds.
Deciding which one is better is a challenge, however, especially since their feature sets are strong in different areas. For example, Apple has better spatial audio than Samsung, with advanced head-tracking technologies, dedicated Dolby Atmos masters of your favorite songs. Apple Music And a much more enjoyable 360-degree soundscape. Meanwhile, the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro offers 24-bit Hi-Fi audio thanks to a special codec from Samsung. It may require that you have a Samsung phone to work with, but it gives music an extra oomph, so tracks are a bit cleaner than on AirPods.
If I had to pick a winner here, I’d go with the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro. The added resolution in sound quality helps make music sound clearer and more enjoyable, and the overall sound stage sounds brighter and more inclusive than that of the AirPods Pro. If you’re a big fan of spatial audio and want the best experience, the AirPods will be the right choice, but anyone searching for better sound quality overall will love the Galaxy Buds.
tl; DrThe AirPods Pro and Galaxy Buds 2 Pro both sound great, but Samsung’s earbuds take the crown because of their ability to stream 24-bit Hi-Fi audio.
AirPods Pro 2 are the kings of ANC and transparency
Whatever Voodoo is powering active noise-canceling (ANC) and transparency modes on the AirPods Pro has managed to put them ahead of other earbuds on the market, including the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro.
Apple says the ANC is twice as good as the previous generation, and it’s a bit shocking how well it works. The loudest, steepest street corners and most chaotic houses of the boardwalk are no match for the noise suppression of these buds—except you and your music or podcasts to yourself, you can’t hear anything next to it.
The Galaxy Buds 2 Pro aren’t bad by comparison, but it’s clear that they aren’t that good. Intelligent active noise cancellation helps silence louder noises for a more balanced sound here, and Samsung has made solid progress improving ANC performance on its earbuds. But side-by-side, Samsung’s earbuds can’t quite hold up. If you wear them on the road, you get extra air in your ears, and the sounds that need to be suppressed tend to be a little louder than with the AirPods.
Samsung’s Ambient Mode is also behind Apple’s Transparency Mode. Voices sound wetter than on the AirPods, and you can’t hear your surroundings clearly. The AirPods Pro can also suppress loud noises using Transparency Mode to keep everything at an even volume, something the Galaxy Buds aren’t capable of.
tl; Dr: Undoubtedly, Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 are better at canceling out unwanted background noise. They are even better than the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro in terms of transparency.
Apple quotes up to six hours of use on the second-generation AirPods Pro with a full charge, while Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 2 Pro is rated for five. We were impressed with the battery life from both sets of earbuds in our reviews, but in my use, I’ve found the AirPods Pro to have the edge. With the AirPods Pro in my pocket for over a week, I found that I only needed to charge them once or twice, while the Galaxy Buds required two or three periods on my wireless charger. For reference, I used both sets with ANC on the whole time and the transparency mode flickered occasionally.
AirPods Pro and Galaxy Buds 2 Pro both work qi wireless chargerWhile AirPods are also compatible magsafe and Apple Watch charger. There’s no fancy magnetic charging on the Galaxy Buds, so you’ll need to make sure you line them up perfectly on your wireless charger. Samsung earbuds a. ship with usb-c cable While AirPods continue to ship with Lightning.
tl; DrAs for battery life, the AirPods Pro 2 manages to last a bit longer than the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, but it’s not a huge difference.
You need a Samsung phone for the Galaxy Buds and an iPhone for the AirPods
This is the most obvious point for any comparison between the AirPods and a set of earbuds developed by the Android phone maker. If you own an iPhone, the second generation AirPods Pro will serve you better because they are designed to work with each other. In the same way, the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro will work best with Android phones, especially Samsung Galaxy devices as they ship with the Galaxy Wearable app out of the box.
Pairing each set of buds with their respective smartphone counterparts can also enable special features. The AirPods Pro offer Siri integration, spatial audio, multi-device support, and customizable touch controls when paired with an iPhone, something that can’t be said if you pair them with an Android device. Meanwhile, the Galaxy Buds have 24-bit Hi-Fi audio, multi-device support, and fast pairing, as long as you connect them to a Galaxy phone.
If you have a Galaxy or any other Android phone, you’ll have a better experience with the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro because these are the devices the earbuds are designed to work with. For iPhone owners, the AirPods Pro are a natural fit. It’s a bit awkward, but what can you do?
tl; Dr: Samsung’s earbuds work best with Galaxy phones, Apple’s earbuds work best with iPhones. astonished?
The Galaxy Buds 2 Pro and the second-generation AirPods Pro fought a good fight in the same ring. At $230 and $249 respectively, they are some of the best earbuds you can get for the money.
As an overall winner, we have to choose Galaxy Buds 2 Pro Thanks to their more comfortable design, wider soundstage, and Hi-Fi audio support. But, he airpods pro There’s definitely no bending, and any set will suit you well.
You know, assuming you connect them to the right phone.
