Headline: Samsung Galaxy Buds 2: Affordable Audiophile Delight with Impressive Features

Samsung has added a new model to its expanding lineup of true wireless earphones, and while it isn’t the priciest or most sophisticated offering, it is noteworthy. The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2, as indicated by its name, is a continuation of the legacy started by the original Galaxy Buds and Galaxy Buds+, falling short of being a flagship. At a price of ₹11,999, the Buds 2 come packed with appealing features, including active noise cancellation and compatibility with Samsung’s Scalable advanced Bluetooth codec.

Though the Galaxy Buds Pro still holds the top position in Samsung’s true wireless earbud hierarchy, the Galaxy Buds 2 aims to fill the gap for an affordable yet feature-rich option in their lineup. With impressive specifications, the question remains: can it meet expectations? Read on for a detailed review.

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 offers excellent comfort with effective passive noise isolation aiding the ANC feature.

Enhanced Comfort and Fit of the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2

Samsung’s last three true wireless models showcased markedly different designs, but the Galaxy Buds 2 stands out with the best fit. These earbuds offer a secure in-canal placement, effectively isolating ambient noise without excessive pressure on the ears.

This revamped design and lighter weight tackle the long-standing comfort challenges I faced with the Galaxy Buds Pro. Each earpiece weighs just 5g, with the charging case at approximately 41g. They incorporate six microphones (three per earpiece) that allow for active noise cancellation and clear voice calls. However, the IPX2 water resistance rating could be better.

Despite being a successor to the Galaxy Buds and Buds+, the Galaxy Buds 2’s design closely resembles that of the Galaxy Buds Pro, featuring a glossy exterior and a charging case that looks almost identical. The outer surfaces of the earbuds are touch-sensitive for controls that can be customized via the Galaxy Wearable app on Android devices.

Unfortunately, there isn’t an iOS app available at present, which is disappointing, and Dolby Atmos support is absent as well. Still, features like Auto Switch and Bixby support enhance the experience for Samsung smartphone users.

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 is fine-tuned by AKG, a subsidiary known for audio excellence.

Feature-wise, the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 closely mirrors the Galaxy Buds Pro, offering active noise cancellation, app customization, and both Qi wireless charging and USB Type-C fast charging. The earbuds employ Bluetooth 5.2 and are compatible with SBC, AAC, and Scalable Bluetooth codecs. Each earpiece is equipped with dual dynamic drivers comprising a woofer and tweeter.

The Galaxy Wearable app available for Android devices allows users to control the ANC and Ambient Sound modes, customize touch controls, adjust equalizer settings, and manage additional features like reading notifications aloud. Users can also take an earbud fit test and decide whether to activate Ambient Sound mode during calls.

While the controls are adjustable, options for customization are somewhat limited on the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2. A single tap plays or pauses music, double-tapping skips to the next track, and a triple tap goes back to the previous one — functions can only be enabled or disabled, not reassigned. The default touch-and-hold gesture cycles through noise control modes but can also be set to summon the voice assistant or adjust volume.

An experimental feature allows you to control volume by tapping the edges of the earpieces, freeing the touch-and-hold gesture for a different function altogether. I found these control limitations tolerable, and navigating them was a breeze during my time with the Galaxy Buds 2.

Battery longevity on the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 is not as remarkable as that of the Buds Pro when it comes to the actual earpieces, but the charging case can recharge them multiple times. With active noise cancellation enabled, I enjoyed about four hours of listening time, and the charging case added another three top-ups, totaling around 16 hours per charging cycle. While not outstanding, this battery life is competitive within a similar price range.

With a dual-driver design featuring a tweeter and woofer, the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 delivers great audio quality.

Strong Active Noise Cancellation and Crisp Audio from the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2, priced at ₹11,999 in India, finds its place in the mid-range category. Nevertheless, there are numerous appealing aspects to these earphones given the price, including effective active noise cancellation, support for the Scalable Bluetooth codec, and well-rounded audio tuning.

For this review, I primarily used the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 with my iPhone 12 mini and OnePlus 7T Pro McLaren Edition, but I also tested it with a Samsung device to assess the performance with the Scalable codec. The latter option provided a noticeably enhanced listening experience, although the AAC codec on the other devices didn’t significantly detract from the earbuds’ capabilities.

Listening to «I Don’t Trust Myself» by John Mayer on Apple Music, the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 offered a clean and relaxed sound profile, seamlessly blending various frequency components. From the subtle rumble of bass instruments to Mayer’s soulful vocals, the track proved enjoyable in every aspect. Even at just 60% volume, the Galaxy Buds 2 delivered an immersive listening experience.

Switching gears to more upbeat, bass-driven tracks like «Fire» by Ferry Corsten, I noticed that while the bass wasn’t as tight or precise as that on the OnePlus Buds Pro, I appreciated the smooth low-end that felt more natural and complemented the vocals and high frequencies nicely.

While the audio performance of these Samsung earphones may not be as dynamic or exuberant as competitors from OnePlus and Oppo, they excel in soundstage and clarity. I experienced a level of refinement that is somewhat rare in products under ₹15,000, surpassing what Samsung has previously offered in this price bracket.

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 offers both USB Type-C fast charging and Qi wireless charging capabilities.

Even when utilizing the AAC Bluetooth codec, the earphones performed admirably, making the Galaxy Buds 2 a solid choice, even for non-Samsung device users. The lack of app support for iOS limits the feature set for those users, but the essential experience remains satisfactory regardless of the device you use.

If you possess a compatible Samsung device, the Scalable Bluetooth codec enhances sound detail and expands soundstage due to its superior data transfer capabilities. Therefore, the Galaxy Buds 2 becomes even more attractive if you own a modern Samsung smartphone or tablet.

A significant portion of the positive experience offered by the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 can be attributed to its impressive active noise cancellation. The ANC performance rivals that of pricier models like the Galaxy Buds Pro and Jabra Elite 85t, supported by the snug fit and solid passive noise isolation. The earbuds effectively dampened background noise in tranquil indoor settings and during outdoor walks.

The noise cancellation was sufficiently effective even without music playing, facilitating a more enjoyable listening experience, even at lower volumes and in bustling environments. The ANC features a single intensity level, with the options to either deactivate it or switch to hear-through mode. Although not as natural-sounding as on the AirPods Pro, the Ambient Sound mode provides an adequately accurate hear-through capability without being harsh.

Call clarity on the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 was satisfactory in both quiet indoor and somewhat tranquil outdoor settings, with the ability to set the hear-through mode during calls for clearer personal voice reception. Connection stability was never an issue; I used the earbuds without any difficulty up to a distance of approximately 3.5 meters.

Conclusion

While the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 may not be the most luxurious or feature-rich offering in Samsung’s true wireless earbud lineup, they are my preferred choice even compared to the pricier Galaxy Buds Pro. Offering great value at ₹11,999, these earbuds provide a comfortable fit, solid sound quality, and excellent active noise cancellation. They present a straightforward and enjoyable approach to wireless listening.

Though slightly more expensive than some impressive alternatives like the OnePlus Buds Pro and Oppo Enco X, they are worth considering for their laid-back yet engaging audio quality. They are particularly compelling if you own a Samsung smartphone, as this will unlock the advantages of the Scalable Bluetooth codec for enhanced sound performance.