Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 review exploring comfort, noise cancellation, and long-lasting wireless audio quality

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Your Ears Never Had It So Good: Testing the Samsung Galaxy Buds2

I recently got my hands on the Samsung Galaxy Buds2 True Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds (model SM-R177NZKAXAR) and decided to put them to the test. As someone who loves music, podcasts, and the occasional gaming session, I was curious to see how they stacked up against the competition. Spoiler alert: they’re impressive, but not without quirks.

Design and Comfort: Feels Good, Looks Good

The Galaxy Buds2 are sleek, compact, and lightweight, which makes them incredibly comfortable. I’ve tried earbuds that felt like I had small rocks in my ears, but these? I could wear them for hours and almost forget they were there. Samsung claims they’re 10% smaller and lighter than the Galaxy Buds Plus, and honestly, I believe it. They fit snugly, and with three sizes of silicone ear tips included (small, medium, and large), you’ll likely find the perfect fit. However, if you’re someone with uniquely shaped ears, you might still face the occasional adjustment issue.

The charging case? A tiny powerhouse. It’s pocket-friendly and has a satisfying magnetic closure that keeps the buds secure. While the case has a premium feel, the glossy finish does attract fingerprints, which might be a minor annoyance for some.

Sound Quality: Booming Audio for Music Lovers

The audio quality on these earbuds genuinely surprised me. The booming bass is rich and immersive, making upbeat tracks and action-packed podcasts feel alive. Highs and mids are well-balanced, and I never felt like the sound was distorted even at higher volumes. Listening to my favorite band felt like attending a live concert. That said, the sound profile leans slightly towards bass-heavy. If you’re someone who prefers flat or neutral sound, you might need to tweak the settings using the Galaxy Wearable app.

For calls, the three built-in microphones and noise reduction technology are solid. Voices come through crisply, and I didn’t have to repeat myself during work meetings. However, in very windy conditions, the person on the other end of the call mentioned slight disruptions.

Active Noise Cancellation and Ambient Sound: Tune Out or Tune In

The Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) feature is one of the highlights here. It’s not on the same level as high-end over-ear headphones, but for in-ear buds, it’s impressive. On a noisy bus ride, I barely noticed the hum of the engine or the chatter around me, which is saying something. The Ambient Sound mode, on the other hand, is a lifesaver for outdoor activities. Whether I was jogging or grabbing coffee, it allowed me to stay aware of my surroundings without compromising the music.

One catch: these features work best when paired with a Samsung Galaxy device. I tested the buds with a non-Samsung phone, and while they still performed well, the fine-tuned control over ambient noise levels wasn’t available. This limitation might frustrate those who don’t own a Galaxy device.

Touch Controls: Convenient but Sensitive

The touch controls on these earbuds are a mixed bag. Double-tapping to pause, skip tracks, or answer calls is incredibly convenient, but the sensitivity can be a bit of a headache. I accidentally paused my music more times than I care to admit while adjusting the earbuds. Fortunately, you can customize or even disable these controls via the Galaxy Wearable app if it becomes too much.

Battery Life: Power for Long Sessions

Battery life is always a concern with wireless earbuds, and here, the Galaxy Buds2 deliver decent performance. On a single charge, the earbuds last around 7.5 hours without ANC, and the case provides additional charge cycles. With ANC enabled, the battery life does take a hit, but it’s not a dealbreaker. The fast charging feature is helpful in a pinch, giving you an hour of playtime with just a short charge.

Key Benefits

• Comfortable fit: Lightweight and ergonomic design.
• Great sound quality: Booming bass with clear highs and mids.
• Effective ANC: Blocks out most background noise.
• Versatile ambient mode: Keeps you aware of your surroundings.

Shortcomings

• Touch sensitivity: Easy to accidentally activate controls.
• Limited features for non-Samsung devices: Best functionality is tied to Galaxy phones.
• Fingerprint-prone case: Glossy finish attracts smudges.

Product Competitors

Comparing these earbuds to others in the market, the Apple AirPods Pro and Sony WF-1000XM4 come to mind. The AirPods Pro offer excellent ANC and seamless integration with Apple devices, but they lack the same bass-heavy sound profile that many Galaxy Buds2 users will enjoy. On the other hand, the Sony WF-1000XM4 provides top-notch audio quality and industry-leading ANC, but they’re bulkier and significantly pricier.

Where the Galaxy Buds2 shine is their lightweight comfort and affordability. They might not dethrone the Sony or Apple options in terms of premium features, but they’re a fantastic middle ground for the price.

Price Performance

From a cost-effectiveness standpoint, the Galaxy Buds2 are hard to beat. They offer many high-end features like ANC, touch controls, and solid sound quality without the steep price tag of flagship models. While they aren’t the cheapest on the market, the balance of performance and features makes them a smart choice for most users. If you’re on a budget but still want a premium experience, these earbuds deliver great bang for your buck.

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