Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro vs. Galaxy Buds Pro: Which Samsung earbuds should you buy?
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro vs. Galaxy Buds Pro comparison sets the brand's best noise-canceling earbuds against one another allowing you to choose which pair best meets your demands and budget.
Samsung revealed several new “Pro” earbuds during the unveiling of its late-2022 product lineup. The Galaxy Buds 2 Pro is meant to be a replacement for the original Galaxy Buds Pro, which was released in 2021 alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3. Moreover, during its most recent Unpacked event, Samsung made a number of claims concerning enhancements. Let's compare the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro and the Galaxy Buds Pro to see how they perform and whether you should consider upgrading.
NEW
 |
HOT
 | |
|---|---|---|
| The Galaxy Buds 2 Pro is the perfect addition to Samsung's renowned array of Galaxy Buds. While the battery life stays unchanged, there are improvements in connectivity, audio quality, and design adjustments that provide for a more comfortable fit. | The Galaxy Buds Pro lived up to the expectations and were the first wireless earphones from Samsung to bear the “Pro” label. Regardless of the fact that they will be phased out, these earphones already have many of the same characteristics as their successor. |
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro vs. Galaxy Buds Pro: Similarities
Automatic Device Switching is one feature that is available on all devices, albeit with certain limitations. You can use this to automatically switch from your Galaxy Tab S8 Plus to your Galaxy Z Fold 4 when a call comes in while you are watching something on your Galaxy Tab S8 Plus. However, unlike other of the best wireless earbuds, this does not provide genuine multipoint connectivity because it requires the use of Samsung Galaxy devices. Alternatively, you'll have to manually pair your Buds Pro or Buds 2 Pro with a different device.
The fact that the Buds 2 Pro and Buds Pro are both water-resistant to IPX7 levels will be appreciated by those looking for the best workout earbuds. According to Samsung, your earbuds can withstand being submerged in three feet of “freshwater” for up to 30 minutes.
Wireless charging is another essential and much-anticipated feature that returns with the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro. You can put them on almost any of the best wireless chargers or use wireless reverse charging on your supported smartphone.
What's different between Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro vs. Galaxy Buds Pro?
For starters, the casing design has been slightly modified to fit the 15% lower dimensions of the earbuds themselves. According to Samsung, this was done to give a more reliable and pleasant fit than the original Galaxy Buds Pro.
When you first pull the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro out of the package, you'll notice two distinct design changes. The first is that all three color variants have a matte finish rather than their predecessors' glossy and fingerprint-attracting finish. The ear “fin” has been drastically slimmed down with Samsung's latest earbuds, which is even more noticeable when you remove them from the charging case.
Samsung made a small change regarding charging, even though the battery's actual size and rated life remain identical. The Buds 2 Pro still supports quick charging, but a five-minute charge now provides an hour of audio listening. This is twice as long as the original Galaxy Buds, offering 30 minutes of playback with the same five-minute charge.
With Bluetooth 5.3, Samsung's Seamless Codec HiFi is now supported as well, which is marketed as having the ability to deliver “full 24-bit audio for clear, rich audio.” In an effort to enhance audio quality and attract more “audiophiles” to the Bluetooth market, Samsung is clearly striving to push the boundaries of what is currently feasible with truly wireless earbuds.
Even though the Buds 2 Pro essentially employs the same two-way driver configuration, Samsung says that its most recent Buds provide 40% greater noise cancellation. This is due, at least in part, to the improved tuning that has been done, the superior fit that you will enjoy, and general improvements to Samsung's “Intelligent ANC.”
Then there's the price, which is a tough pill to swallow at $230, especially with all of the “unique” features packed into these small earbuds. The first Galaxy Buds Pro cost $150, but we expect that price to fall soon after the Buds 2 Pro hits shops.
Conclusion
It's tricky to propose that you upgrade from the Galaxy Buds Pro to the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro. While the design tweaks do make for a more comfortable fit, and the ANC has been marginally enhanced, there is simply not enough on paper to justify spending that much money. The original Galaxy Buds Pro is still perfectly adequate for most people, with the sole drawback being that they will most certainly be phased out totally.
Despite the lower-than-expected battery life, the Buds 2 Pro offers more capabilities and higher audio quality overall, while preserving the core of Samsung's Galaxy Buds series.
The Galaxy Buds 2 Pro's matte coating not only prevents unsightly fingerprints but also just looks nicer. In addition, Samsung streamlined the design and included features for better audio quality to make these more comfortable to wear for extended periods of time.
There isn't much of a reason to upgrade if you're looking, as the Galaxy Buds Pro is actually quite good. However, if you're choosing between them and Samsung's new Buds 2 Pro, the new earbuds are worth the extra money.