Following the launch of the Galaxy Buds 2, Samsung is ready with the Pro version of the wireless earbuds. The Galaxy Buds 2 Pro were unveiled today along with the Galaxy Z Flip 4, Galaxy Z Fold 4, and Galaxy Watch 5. If you are looking to buy new wireless earbuds or already have the Galaxy Buds 2, this comparison might be useful for you. The Galaxy Buds 2 Pro are obviously Samsung’s flagship wireless earbuds for 2022. They feature a dual-driver configuration, similar to that of the Galaxy Buds+, Galaxy Buds Pro, and Galaxy Buds 2. However, they are equipped with improved ANC (sound control).
However, they are equipped with better ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) than the previous Galaxy Buds. The new earbuds feature a newer Bluetooth version, a higher quality Samsung Seamless Codec HiFi, and improved 360 audio with Direct Multi-Channel. The new earbuds also feature an IPX7 water resistance rating, much higher than the IPX2 rating of the Galaxy Buds 2. Other features, including AAC and SBC codecs, Bixby, Ambient Mode, Voice Pickup, SmartThings Find and Dolby Audio, remain similar to those of the Galaxy Buds 2.
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy Buds 2
Design
These two models are very similar in shape and design. Both are small, roughly oval-shaped earbuds with silicone inserts attached to one end. On the Buds 2 Pro there is a less pronounced stem to secure the earbuds and there is more bulk just above this area, while the Buds 2 have none. The Buds 2 are available in Graphite, Bora Purple, White, and Olive, while the Buds 2 Pro have the first three colors available, but not the last. Samsung says the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro are 15 percent smaller than the previous version and have better airflow. They also boast an IPX7 rating, so in addition to resisting sweat, they can survive a dip in water for up to 30 minutes.
The Buds 2, on the other hand, only have an IPX2 rating, meaning they can only cope with some light water splashes. As for battery life, Samsung claims five hours of playback with ANC enabled for the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro or up to eight hours without ANC. The Buds 2 also have a battery life of five hours with ANC activated. Both models’ earbuds have a battery life of about 61 mAh, but the Buds 2’s charging case is 472 mAh, while the Buds 2 Pro’s is 512 mAh, so longevity will be slightly different. Both earbud models allow you to use Qi wireless charging, Samsung PowerShare or USB-C to charge the case and earbuds.
Controls
Controlling the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro and Galaxy Buds 2 is done through a series of touches on the earbuds’ touch panels. Although the controls are the same between the two sets of earbuds, the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro is much easier to use: its panels have the right sensitivity. Both the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro and Galaxy Buds 2 support hands-free access to Bixby. You can say “Hey, Bixby” to receive new notifications, skip a song, and more. Automatic wear detection also works on both Galaxy Buds.
When you take out the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro or Galaxy Buds 2 earbuds, music pauses. Media playback does not automatically resume when the earbuds are reinserted, as it does with AirPods Pro (1st generation) and Nothing Ear 1. Instead, it is necessary to touch one of the two touch screens to see if the song has been heard. Instead, it is necessary to touch one of the two touch screens to resume playback.
Noise-cancelling
Active noise cancellation is another area of refinement in the new Galaxy Buds 2 Pro. Although not a revolution, the manufacturer claims that the Buds 2 Pro can offer 3dB more attenuation than the previous model and “intelligent noise cancellation.” We will have to verify these claims, as it is unclear whether the attenuation refers to all frequencies as an average value or to a particular range. For comparison, the previous Buds Pro have already outperformed the AirPods Pro in this area. The Buds 2 actually have better noise cancellation than the previous generation of Buds Pro, and they still perform well even by today’s standards.
Both earbuds should offer solid isolation, as long as you can get a good seal with the included silicone inserts. Again, the Buds 2 offer better isolation than the original Buds Pro, but the new Galaxy Buds 2 Pro claim to be smaller, lighter, and have a better fit while reducing rotation and pressure on the ear, which may help in this regard.
Connectivity
The new Galaxy Buds 2 Pro connect to the device via Bluetooth 5.3, while the older Galaxy Buds 2 model uses Bluetooth 5.2. Both Bluetooth versions mean that the respective headphones will support LE Audio and the LC3 codec, but for now they only support three codecs. On the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro you can choose between SBC, AAC and the Samsung Seamless Codec. The Galaxy Buds 2 supports SBC, AAC and the Samsung Scalable Codec.
With the latest Samsung Seamless Codec, the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro can receive 24-bit audio from a Samsung device with One UI 4.0 or later. If the device does not support this version of the UI, it will switch to 16-bit audio. When using the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro with a non-Samsung device, streaming is via a different codec. If you compare the Seamless Codec with the Samsung Scalable Codec, the latter acts as aptX Adaptive and constantly negotiates streaming quality (88-512kbps) and connection stability. After reading all this, you might be tempted to buy the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro for its better wireless audio quality, but have no fear.
Sound quality
We have not yet had the opportunity to thoroughly test the newly launched Buds 2 Pro, but if the previous version is any indication, they will produce a solid frequency response that most people will enjoy. The new version includes support for 360 Reality Audio and Dolby Atmos on Galaxy phones. The Buds 2 also support spatial audio, although head tracking has been improved in the new model.
Both earbuds only allow you to use EQ presets to adjust audio profiles. That said, our tests showed that the previous Galaxy Buds Pro had a consumer-friendly frequency response curve, as did the Buds 2, so we do not expect the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro to deviate drastically from these. The new generation also supports 24-bit audio playback with Galaxy devices, while the Buds 2 do not.
Battery life
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro and Galaxy Buds 2 share the same official battery life of 5 hours with ANC enabled. In our test of the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, the battery lasted 4 hours and 50 minutes. The Galaxy Buds 2 lasted slightly longer than the Buds 2 Pro, with 5 hours and 3 minutes.
The Galaxy Buds 2 Pro case provides 13 hours of extra battery life, while the Galaxy Buds 2 case provides 15 hours of extra charge. Both cases support Qi and Wireless PowerShare wireless charging. With PowerShare, you can charge the case on a compatible Samsung device. This seems like a gimmick until you have to use it in flight.
Microphone
Neither Galaxy Buds is the best headset for conference calls, but Samsung has improved the microphone performance of the Buds 2 Pro over that of the Buds 2. The two headsets sound very similar in microphone demonstrations under “ideal conditions,” but the Buds 2 Pro’s microphone array is ahead in the “windy conditions” sample. Voices sound more natural with the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro under less than ideal conditions, while they can sound a bit “robotic” with the Galaxy Buds 2.
Final Words
The Galaxy Buds 2 Pro offer some welcome improvements to Samsung’s line of earbuds and overall are a good choice for most people. With improved ANC, support for more spatial audio formats, and a more durable surface, they may not revolutionize things, but they evolve in the right direction. However, the Galaxy Buds 2 are much cheaper today. So if cost is your main concern, they still have a number of useful features and solid ANC. Of course, it will be Galaxy phone owners who will get the most out of both earbuds.
