The Galaxy Buds 2 Pro and AirPods Pro 2 is a number best wireless headphones you can do it. They’re at the top of Samsung and Apple’s lineup of earbuds, and they’ve got a lot in common like great sound quality, noise cancellation, and plenty of special features – and only the price difference. only $20 between the two.
It’s easy to point out that the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro are best for Android users, while the AirPods Pro 2 are ideal for iPhone owners. But as the flagship headphones of each respective company, each offers a set of features that should convince you to choose either of these headphones no matter what type of phone you have.
Let’s dive in and see what sets these headphones apart.
 |
 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Weight per earphone |
0.19 ounces |
0.22 ounces |
| Water proof |
IPX4 (headphone and case) |
IPX7 |
| Active noise cancellation |
Right |
Right |
| Ambient noise |
Yes (transparency mode) |
Right |
| Color |
White |
White, graphite, purple Bora |
| Software support |
iOS |
Android (Galaxy phone required for most features) |
| Special Features |
Personalized spatial sound, tethered loop case with Find My, volume touch control |
24-bit Hi-Fi Audio, Smart Conversation Mode, 360 Audio, Smart Search Support |
| Battery life (rated) |
Up to 30 hours with carrying case |
Up to 29 hours with carrying case |
| Price |
$249 |
$230 |
The second-generation AirPods Pro have an identical design to the original model, instantly recognizable to anyone who has ever seen a pair of AirPods. They still have stems, they’re still glossy and white, and they still come with silicone tips. While it would be nice if Apple improved their designs a bit, it’s not like they’re ugly or need a refresh. On the contrary, they’re comfortable enough for most people’s ears, are IPX4-rated for sweat resistance, and have an iconic look that lets people know you’re using AirPods.
But as is the case with any product category with stiff competition, there are plenty of alternative designs that offer better water resistance, color and comfort. Samsung is a prime example of that thanks to the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, which offers a lower profile than AirPods and four different colors to choose from. They are IPX7 rated, providing a little extra water protection for practiceand the buds have a matte finish as opposed to glossy, instantly making them much better for everyday wear and tear.
The main reason I prefer the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro over the AirPods Pro is that they are much more comfortable. I didn’t notice this until I used my proprietary AirPods for a couple of weeks, then switched back to the Buds 2 Pro. It was a bit of a surprise that the Galaxy Buds fit better in my ears and stayed put during long writing sessions. They also feel lighter and less intrusive, and they’re really easy to forget when wearing them.
Even better case. I haven’t had the second-generation AirPods Pro for a long time, but somehow I was 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 minimizes both scratches and fingerprints, and the case somehow blocks debris like dirt and lint from getting into the lid better than the AirPods case.
If the AirPods have any advantage over the Galaxy Buds in terms of design, it’s a significantly smarter case. It has a built-in speaker that sounds when you lose or start charging or the battery is low. There’s also a lanyard slot for those of you who like to dangle your headphones from the zipper on your backpack. Buds 2 Pro doesn’t have any of that. You’re pretty much stuck with LEDs showing you when they’re charging and that’s it.
TL; DR: The new AirPods Pro look a lot like the old ones. That’s really not a bad thing as they’re still comfortable to wear, but the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro simply knock it out of the park when it’s snug and finished (plus they’re matte).
There’s no doubt that both the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro and the second-generation AirPods Pro sound great. Both deliver excellent sound quality with powerful bass, clear highs and full mids. Any genre of music – whether it’s explosive hip-hop, classical jazz, rock ‘n’ roll or Top 40 hit pop hits – will sound great on these tunes.
However, deciding which is better is a bit of a challenge, especially since their feature sets are stronger in different areas. For example, Apple has much better spatial sound than Samsung, with advanced first tracking techniques, dedicated Dolby Atmos masters for your favorite songs in Apple Music and 360 degree sound scene much more interesting. Meanwhile, the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro offers 24-bit hi-fi audio thanks to Samsung’s special codec. You might have to own a Samsung phone for it to work, but it gives the music an extra tone so tracks sound a little clearer than on AirPods.
If I had to pick a winner here, I’d go with the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro. The extra resolution in sound quality makes music sound clearer and more enjoyable, and the overall soundstage feels brighter and more encompassing than AirPods Pro can deliver. If you’re a lover of spatial sound and want the best experience then AirPods will be the way to go, but anyone looking for better sound quality will generally love the Galaxy Buds.
TL; DRThe AirPods Pro and the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro both sound great, but Samsung’s earbuds take the throne thanks to their ability to stream 24-bit hi-fi audio.
AirPods Pro 2 is the king of ANC and transparency
Whatever voodoo is offering the active noise cancellation (ANC) and transparency mode on the AirPods Pro have managed to keep them ahead of other earbuds on the market, including Galaxy Buds 2 Pro.
Apple says ANC is more than twice as good as the previous generation and is a bit shocked at how it performs. The loudest of the boardwalks, the loudest of street corners, and the loudest of households can’t stop the noise of these buds – you can’t hear anything when it’s on , leaving you and your music or podcasts.
In comparison, the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro are not bad, but they are clearly not as good. Smart active noise cancellation is here to help make louder sounds quieter for a more balanced sound, and Samsung has made solid progress in improving the way ANC typically works on its headphones. me. But besides that, Samsung’s headphones just can’t hold. You’ll get more wind in your ears if you wear them while walking on the street, and the sounds that need to be suppressed will be a bit louder than the AirPods.
Samsung’s ambient mode is also behind Apple’s transparency mode. Voices sound wetter than on AirPods, and you can’t hear your surroundings clearly. AirPods Pro can also suppress louder sounds while using transparency mode so everything stays at a consistent volume level, something the Galaxy Buds can’t do.
TL; DR: Without a doubt, Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 are better at canceling unwanted background noise. They are also better than the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro in transparency.
Apple quotes up to six hours of use on the second-generation AirPods Pro on 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 headphones in our reviews, but in my usage I found the AirPods Pro to have the edge. Over a week with the AirPods Pro in my pocket, I found that I only had to charge them once or twice, while the Galaxy Buds required two or three intervals on my wireless charger. For context, I’ve used both sets with ANC all the time, and transparent mode turned on occasionally.
Both AirPods Pro and Galaxy Buds 2 Pro work with Qi . Wireless Chargerwhile AirPods are also compatible with MagSafe and the Apple Watch charger. There’s no fancy magnetic charging on the Galaxy Buds, so you’ll have to make sure you line them up perfectly on your wireless charger. Samsung earbuds ship with USB-C cable while AirPods continue to ship with Lightning.
TL; DR: As for battery life, the AirPods Pro 2 last a bit longer than the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, but that’s not a huge difference.
You’ll want a Samsung phone for the Galaxy Buds and an iPhone for the AirPods
This is the most obvious point for any comparison between AirPods and a set of headphones developed by an Android phone maker. If you own an iPhone, the second-generation AirPods Pro will serve you much better because they’re designed to work together. Likewise, the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro will work best with Android phones, especially Samsung Galaxy devices because they ship with the Galaxy Wearable app.
Pairing each set of buds with their respective smartphone counterparts can also enable special features. AirPods Pro have Siri built-in, 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, support for multiple devices, and Quick Pairing as long as you connect them to your Galaxy phone.
If you own a Galaxy or some other Android phone, you’ll have a much better experience with the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro because those are the devices the headphones are designed to work with. For iPhone owners, the AirPods Pro are a natural fit. It’s a bit of a bummer, but what can you do?
TL; DR: Samsung earbuds work best with Galaxy phones, Apple earbuds work best with iPhone. Surprised?
The Galaxy Buds 2 Pro and the second-generation AirPods Pro had a good fight at the same round. At $230 and $249 respectively, they are among the best earbuds you can get for your money.
As the overall winner, we have to choose Galaxy Buds 2 Pro thanks to a more comfortable design, a wider soundstage and hi-fi audio support. But AirPods Pro There’s certainly nothing fancy about it, and either set will work for you.
You know, assuming you pair them with the right phone.
