Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro: What’s the Deal with These Earbuds?

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro hit the market in August 2022, stepping up as the next in line after the Galaxy Buds Pro. They’re small, packed with tech like active noise cancellation (ANC) and 360 Audio, and aimed at folks who want a reliable pair of earbuds for daily use. Available in Graphite, White, and Bora Purple, they’ve got a sleek look and a case to match. This review breaks down what it’s like to use them, based on real testing and everyday scenarios. Here’s how they stack up in the wild.

Design and Build: How They Feel in Hand and Ear

The Galaxy Buds 2 Pro are tiny, weighing just 5.5 grams each, and come with a compact case that’s easy to toss in a pocket. They’re 15% smaller than the original Buds Pro, which makes a difference when you’re wearing them for hours. The buds have a matte, rubbery finish on the outside and smooth plastic inside, while the case mirrors that vibe with a grippy texture. It’s a practical design, though the case picks up scratches faster than you’d hope.

Fit and Comfort

Getting these buds to sit right takes a minute. They come with three silicone tip sizes (small, medium, large), and finding the right one matters for sound and stability. Once settled, they’re light and don’t dig into the ear, even after a long podcast session. Some folks might notice a slight plunger effect when inserting them, but it fades quick. They’re not built with hooks or wings, so they rely on the tips to stay put. For casual walks, they’re fine, but they can shift during a jog.

Durability Details

These earbuds carry an IPX7 rating, meaning they can handle being submerged in a meter of water for 30 minutes. Rain or a sweaty workout won’t faze them, though the case itself isn’t water-resistant. The tips are sturdy but tricky to swap out without feeling like they might tear. Overall, the build feels solid for something so small, just don’t expect the case to stay pristine.

Sound Quality: What You Hear

The Galaxy Buds 2 Pro use a two-way speaker setup with a woofer for bass and a tweeter for treble, tuned by AKG (a Samsung-owned brand). They support 24-bit audio, but that’s only if you’ve got a newer Samsung device running One UI 4.0 or higher. Otherwise, you’re stuck with standard AAC or SBC codecs on non-Samsung phones.

How They Sound Day-to-Day

Out of the box, the sound leans bass-heavy with a boost in the low end that gives kick drums and basslines some punch. Mids are mostly clear, though vocals can get a bit lost in busy tracks. The treble has a slight lift around 10kHz, adding detail to cymbals but sometimes making them sharp. Listening to something like The Pastels’ “Nothing To Be Done,” the hi-hats stand out more than the guitars, and the bass can overshadow quieter vocals. It’s a consumer-friendly sound, not flat or neutral, which suits pop or EDM better than intricate acoustic stuff.

EQ Options

The Galaxy Wearable app (Android-only) offers five presets: Normal, Bass Boost, Soft, Dynamic, and Treble Boost. They tweak the balance but don’t let you fine-tune specific frequencies. Bass Boost pumps up the low end by about 5dB, while Treble Boost highlights highs. There’s no custom EQ, which feels like a miss for earbuds at this level. With ANC on, the sound gets a touch brighter compared to when it’s off.

360 Audio Experience

The 360 Audio feature, paired with Dolby Atmos and head tracking, aims to make sound feel like it’s all around you. It works best with compatible media on Samsung devices (One UI 3.1 or later). Watching a movie with Atmos support, the effect is noticeable, sounds shift as you turn your head, but it’s subtle in music unless the track’s mixed for it. It’s a cool trick, though not a game-changer for everyone.

Noise Cancellation and Isolation: Blocking the World Out

The Buds 2 Pro step up the ANC game with three high signal-to-noise ratio mics per bud. They’re designed to tackle everything from low rumbles to higher-pitched chatter.

ANC Performance

These earbuds do a solid job with low-frequency noise, cutting out around 30dB at 35Hz, like the hum of a train or plane engine. Testing them on a busy street, the rumble of traffic fades nicely, though voices and sudden high-pitched sounds (like a car horn) still sneak through. Compared to the older Buds Pro, the ANC here is a clear upgrade, especially in the lows. Wind can mess with it, though, creating an annoying whoosh if you’re outside on a breezy day.

Passive Isolation

The seal from the ear tips handles mids and highs decently, blocking about 20-23dB of office chatter or AC hum. It’s not perfect, nearby conversations are muffled but audible, so the ANC does the heavy lifting. Fit matters here; a loose seal lets more sound in.

Ambient Mode and Voice Detect

Ambient mode lets outside noise in when you need it, like for a quick chat. It’s adjustable in the app and sounds natural enough, though loud environments can get overwhelming. Voice Detect kicks in when you start talking, switching off ANC and turning on Ambient mode automatically. It’s handy for short exchanges but can trigger accidentally if you cough or hum along to a song.

Connectivity: Staying Linked Up

The Buds 2 Pro run on Bluetooth 5.3, with Samsung’s Seamless Codec for hi-res audio on compatible devices. They pair fast and switch smoothly between Samsung gadgets, but there’s no multipoint for connecting to two devices at once.

Pairing Process

Open the case near a Samsung phone, and a pop-up prompts you to connect. For other devices, hold the touch panels until the case light blinks red, blue, and green, then pick them from your Bluetooth list. Range is decent, about 30-60 meters line-of-sight, though walls cut that down quick. Latency’s low on Samsung phones (around 189ms with a TV), but it jumps to 361ms on a PC with SBC, so video might lag a bit.

Samsung Exclusives

The Seamless Codec and 24-bit audio are locked to Samsung devices like the Galaxy S24 or Z Flip 4. Non-Samsung Android users get AAC or SBC, while iPhone folks are stuck with AAC and no app access. Auto-switching between Samsung phone, tablet, and TV works if you’re logged into the same account, but it’s a no-go otherwise.

Battery Life: How Long They Last

Battery life is a mixed bag. Samsung says 5 hours with ANC on, and real tests clock in at 4 hours 50 minutes at 75dB. The case adds about 18 hours total with 3 extra charges.

Charging Options

The case uses USB-C (cable included) and supports wireless charging on a Qi pad or via Samsung’s Wireless PowerShare from a compatible phone. A full charge takes just over an hour. You can use one bud while the other charges, which stretches things out if you’re strategic.

Real-World Use

For a commute or workout, 5 hours is fine, but long flights or all-day listening need a recharge break. Turning ANC off bumps playtime to 8 hours, though most folks will keep it on for the noise-blocking perk.

Controls and App: Taking Charge

The buds use touch panels for controls, and the Galaxy Wearable app (Android and Windows) tweaks the experience. iOS users miss out entirely.

Touch Controls

Here’s the default setup:

1. One tap: Play/pause

2. Two taps: Next track or answer/end call

3. Three taps: Previous track or decline call

4. Touch and hold: Volume down (left), volume up (right), or cycle ANC modes

The panels are sensitive but not overly so, taps register with a beep for feedback. You can tweak the hold action in the app (e.g., launch Spotify or Bixby), but options are limited. After hours of use, they might stop responding, needing a reconnect to fix.

App Features

The app shows battery status, offers EQ presets, and runs a fit test. It also handles 360 Audio, Game Mode (low latency on Samsung phones), and notification readouts. Accessibility options include adjusting stereo balance or using ANC with one bud. It’s useful but asks for a lot of permissions (contacts, storage, etc.), which might bug privacy-minded folks.

Microphone: How You Sound

Each bud has three mics plus a bone sensor to pick up jaw movement, aiming to clarify calls.

Call Quality

In quiet spots, voices come through decently but sound a bit veiled or pitchy. On a noisy street, background sounds, like cars or chatter, bleed in, making it harder to hear the caller. Wind gets muffled better than expected, though. It’s fine for quick calls, but not crystal-clear.

360 Audio Recording

On Samsung devices with One UI 5.0+, the buds can record binaural audio via the Camera app’s Advanced Video settings. It’s a neat way to capture sound directionally, though limited to specific setups.

How They Compare

Vs. Galaxy Buds 2

The Buds 2 are cheaper with similar battery life but weaker ANC (20-25dB at 30Hz vs. 35dB). They’re splash-resistant (IPX2) compared to the Buds 2 Pro’s IPX7. Sound is close, though the Pro’s bass is punchier.

Vs. Galaxy Buds Pro

The original Buds Pro lag in ANC (barely cuts 35Hz) and have a glossier finish. Battery life matches, but the Buds 2 Pro add Bluetooth 5.3 and better noise blocking.

Vs. Alternatives

• Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen): Better battery (5+ hours), seamless iOS pairing, but less water resistance (IPX4).

• Sony WF-1000XM4: Longer battery (6-8 hours), LDAC codec, foam tips for isolation, though bulkier.

• Google Pixel Buds Pro: Similar ANC, multipoint support, 7-hour battery, less bass focus.

Vs. Sleep Focused Alternative

Ozlo Sleepbuds®

An amazingly restful and peaceful sleep every night, free from distractions and noise, is the greatest gift you can give!

What are Ozlo Sleepbuds?

Ozlo is a science-driven, one-stop-shop for the best sleep of your life. Unlike other headphones and earbuds, our tiny Sleepbuds® are engineered to be super comfy, even for side sleepers, while blocking out sleep-disrupting sounds.
Sleepbuds® play audio for up to ten hours, letting you enjoy our noise-masking tracks or stream anything you like, including audiobooks, podcasts, white noise, and YouTube.

The Ozlo Difference

At Ozlo, we're dedicated to helping you achieve the best sleep possible through innovative audio solutions. Our company, founded by three former Bose engineers, focuses on creating products that not only help you fall asleep, but stay asleep throughout the night.

Ozlo Sleepbuds® simply don’t feel like other earbuds. Sleepbuds stay in place even when you toss and turn. The tiny earbuds, with their comfortable silicone tips and anchor-in-place wings, are designed for all-night comfort, no matter your sleeping position. Sleep on your back, side, or whatever works for you, and Ozlo Sleepbuds® will remain in place throughout the night.

Key Highlights

• Founded by three former Bose engineers with extensive experience in audio tech
• Sleepbuds® actively mask unwanted sounds like snoring, traffic, and environmental noises with calming, science-backed audio.
• Ultra-soft silicone tips designed to support every sleeping position, ensuring a secure and comfortable fit.
• Up to 10 hours of continuous use with extra charges from the Smart Case.
• Built-in biometric and environmental sensors offering personalized sleep reports
• Personal alarm gently wakes you without disturbing your partner

Learn More

Conclusion

So, what’s the final word on the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro? They’re a solid choice for anyone who’s already plugged into the Samsung world or just wants earbuds that handle noise and deliver decent sound without a lot of fuss. They’re comfy for long stretches, block out low rumbles like a champ, and let users tweak the vibe with some handy app features, even if the battery life leaves folks wanting more for all-day use. They’re not going to blow everyone away with customization or work perfectly for every phone out there, but for the price (especially if snagged on sale), they get the job done for commutes, workouts, or chilling with a playlist.

For Samsung fans, the seamless switching and 24-bit audio perk make them a no-brainer. For everyone else, they’re still worth a look if strong noise cancellation and a snug fit are high on the list. Compared to something like the Ozlo Sleepbuds, which focus on all-night audio comfort, these buds are more about versatility in daily life. They’ve got their quirks, like a scratch-prone case and limited EQ options, but they hold their own in the crowded earbud scene.

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