The new generation of wireless headphones (TWS, True Wireless) from Samsung has gained a “professional” touch. On Galaxy Buds Pro, the manufacturer added standout features like active noise cancellation (ANC) and two sound drivers on each side. For R$1,399, the headphones come to compete with models like Apple’s AirPods Pro .
In the set, which replaces the standard case for a model similar to the Galaxy Buds Live, the new colors Phantom Black (black), Phantom Silver (silver) and Phantom Violet (violet) were launched, which combine with the new Galaxy S21 line of cell phones.
But not only that, Samsung promises up to 5h of playback with noise canceling turned on, or up to 8h with the function turned off. It is also highlighted as part of the Galaxy ecosystem, which the brand has been exploring with increasing clarity.
Galaxy Buds Pro close up
The idea behind TWS headphones is, in short, practicality. The Galaxy Buds Pro is discreet and, in the color we tested, it features a silver-tone mirror finish in the touch-sensitive area, while the body of each earpiece is violet. This matches the overall structure, such as the tips (rubbers) that come in the headphones and the case.
As in past generations , the new headphones bring extra tips so that the user has a better fit in the ear – since the format is in-ear. The structure of the headphones has also undergone changes, and they now fit better in the ear compared to previous generation Buds+.
Each side of the Buds Pro weighs 6.3 grams, while the case weighs 44.9 g, which is hardly any different (in terms of specs) compared to the Buds+. On the other hand, the new generation brings IPX7 protection – in the latest model, Samsung adopted IPX2 protection. In practice, this ensures that it is more resistant to liquids.
The case itself is very similar to the model launched by Samsung on Galaxy Buds Live. It is square (with rounded corners), has an external and an internal LED that indicate the battery status of the headphones and the accessory itself, as well as a USB-C port on the rear for charging. As with the previous model, the case is also compatible with induction charging (Qi). And, of course, it’s very portable, which is a plus.
sound quality
In fully wireless headphones, there is often uncertainty about the sound quality. Both for the size of each phone, and for the cuts that need to be made to introduce a product to the market with quality. On Galaxy Buds Pro, there is a woofer (11mm) and a tweeter (6.5mm) in each unit.
This engineering work gave the headphones one of the best performances for those looking for models of the type. There is a balance between bass, mids and treble, making the most varied musical styles sound pleasant. Even at low or high frequencies, the experience is clean and crisp highs. Sound is also not distorted at very high volumes.
The bass is clearly stronger than in Buds+, representing more expressiveness. All of this can be managed in the Galaxy Wearable app’s equalizer. Among the six available configuration options, dynamic mode tends to balance frequencies and proved more pleasant with games because of the bass; the sharp, in turn, gives more clarity to the voices and instruments, although it reduces the bass.
Each earpiece has three microphones, which is a nice addition to the lineup. In calls, or using the surround sound mode, they bring more clarity and smoothness to voices. The performance indoors is very good, which can be beneficial for those who prefer to use cordless phones for longer calls, for example.
Galaxy Buds Pro Features
There are some important features that enhance the Buds Pro user experience. Noise canceling, perhaps, deserves the most attention. Divided into two levels (high and low), the novelty ensures that much of the noise around is muted.
Inside the house, for example, the function “blocks” the noise of cars passing in the street, children crying at neighbors or even music being played outside, for example. But it’s still possible to hear almost anything, albeit at a very low volume, especially if the sound source is closer. It’s a good performance, but not something considered extremely quiet.
The idea is that noises are blocked, but without taking the user’s attention completely away. With the music volume at 50% indoors, we can barely hear outside noises. In outdoor environments, only more specific sounds, such as cars, are perceived at a higher intensity.
Another important function is voice detection. When the user speaks, the headphones activate the ambient sound function and start to pick up external noise and reproduce it in the ear canal. This is done automatically, according to Samsung, as an accelerometer sensor detects jaw movement.
This feature is as cool as the ANC. When the user speaks, the headphones pause music playback and make the voices (or external noise, in this case) clearer. After a few seconds of silence, they play the music again and automatically mute the ambient sound.
But voice detection also presented some problems. In some moments, the function was not turned off automatically. It can also be activated when the user sings or simply speaks something to himself, although it is possible to disable voice detection in the settings in the app. Samsung points out that the ambient sound feature can also be better exploited by users with hearing impairments .
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On the other hand, we couldn’t test automatic switching between devices, a function available for Samsung gadgets. However, pairing (and manual switching) between other devices – smartphones, tablets, notebooks – is quite fast.
Battery does not exceed expectations
In technical terms, the battery of each of the Galaxy Buds Pro has 61 mAh of capacity. The case, on the other hand, has 472 mAh, which guarantees almost three recharges in total for each unit of the handset. According to Samsung, each Buds Pro lasts for 8h of playback without the ANC, or 5h with the feature enabled.
With active noise cancellation and music volume at 50%, we achieved an average of 4h52 of continuous playback, a little below the 5h promised by the company. With the feature turned off, we were able to play songs for almost 9:00 (8:43 am).
In short, the average autonomy of Samsung’s new wireless headphones is just acceptable and doesn’t stand out compared to the AirPods Pro, which guarantee up to 4:30h of playback with the ANC. The new model also loses autonomy to Buds+ (which promises 11 hours of playback), but gains in sound quality and other features.
In terms of charging, Buds Pro can be good allies for those who prefer faster charges. In just ten minutes in the case, the battery charged up to 29% of each of the headphones; in 15 minutes, she went to 42% each.
Worth it?
Wireless headphones have become a must-have accessory for many people. In this new generation, Samsung made important additions and launched in the market the best version (so far) of the Galaxy Buds line. It is, in fact, a great option for AirPods Pro – which cost R$3,000, against R$1,400 for Buds Pro.
They aren’t great at everything they do, but they represent a good balance between the type of headphones the brand has launched. The design is comfortable and doesn’t protrude too far out of the ear, and the sound quality is a nice highlight. But the battery life is average and of course there are still problems with accidental touches when trying to adjust each earpiece.
For Android users looking for a good experience with a TWS model of headphones, Galaxy Buds Pro is a nice option. But, as part of the initiative to expand its Galaxy ecosystem, Samsung has not made available, until the closing of this review, compatibility of the new model with the iPhone.
At a retail price of around R$1,000, we can easily say that the new Buds Pro can be great everyday accessories – whether for work, training or just listening to music, podcasts, playing games.