In today’s true wireless earbuds market, Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 and Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 2 Pro are undoubtedly among the best. Both of these highly regarded earbuds offer strong performance and unique features. So, which one is truly worth buying?
1. AirPods Pro 2 Overview
Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 is the second generation of the AirPods Pro series, offering significant improvements in sound quality, comfort, noise cancellation, battery life, and smart features compared to the previous generation. Designed primarily for iPhone and other Apple product users, the AirPods Pro 2 not only inherits Apple’s signature excellent design but also integrates several innovative technologies to further enhance the user experience.
1.1. Sound Quality
AirPods Pro 2 makes significant improvements in sound quality. Apple has optimized the earbuds’ drivers, delivering clearer mid and high frequencies, as well as deeper bass. Whether listening to music or watching videos, the sound quality is more detailed and layered. To further enhance the sound experience, Apple has also incorporated adaptive equalization, which automatically adjusts the sound output based on the shape of the user’s ear, ensuring the best audio experience.
1.2. Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency Mode
One of the key features of the AirPods Pro 2 is its powerful Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) technology. With the addition of the Apple H2 chip, the noise cancellation ability has been significantly improved compared to the previous generation, effectively blocking external noise and providing an immersive listening experience. Furthermore, the AirPods Pro 2 also features Transparency Mode, allowing users to hear their surroundings while wearing the earbuds, ensuring they remain aware of their environment when needed.
1.3. Comfort and Fit
AirPods Pro 2 has made substantial improvements in comfort. The new earbud design is more ergonomic, offering three different sizes of ear tips that provide a better fit for different users, ensuring a snugger seal and improving both noise cancellation and sound quality. The lightweight design and comfortable materials ensure that users can wear them for long periods without discomfort.
1.4. Battery Life and Charging
In terms of battery life, AirPods Pro 2 performs admirably. Compared to the previous generation, its battery life has been extended, with the charging case providing up to 24 hours of total use. Additionally, AirPods Pro 2 supports wireless charging and MagSafe charging, offering multiple ways to recharge the earbuds conveniently.
1.5. Smart Features and Connectivity
Another major advantage of the AirPods Pro 2 is its seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem. Thanks to the Apple H2 chip and iOS system, AirPods Pro 2 excels in connection stability and speed. Users can simply bring the earbuds near their devices for automatic pairing, and the transition between Apple devices is smooth. Furthermore, AirPods Pro 2 supports Siri voice assistant, enabling users to control playback, adjust volume, and more through voice commands.
2. Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro Overview
Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 2 Pro is a high-end true wireless earbud offering competitive performance in sound quality, noise cancellation, comfort, and smart features, similar to the AirPods Pro 2. For Android users, especially those with Samsung phones, the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro is an appealing choice.
2.1. Sound Quality
The sound quality of the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro is equally impressive. It uses AKG tuning, offering clear and balanced sound, with an excellent performance in the mid and high frequencies. The bass is also powerful, providing an immersive low-end experience. Like the AirPods Pro 2, the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro also supports adaptive audio adjustment, automatically tailoring the sound output based on the shape of the wearer’s ears and the surrounding noise, ensuring the best listening experience.
2.2. Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency Mode
The Galaxy Buds 2 Pro is also equipped with Active Noise Cancellation, offering excellent noise reduction. With its precise noise cancellation technology, it effectively blocks external sounds, providing a cleaner audio experience. Additionally, the Transparency Mode allows users to hear ambient sounds, making it safer for outdoor use.
2.3. Comfort and Fit
The Galaxy Buds 2 Pro has also been designed with comfort in mind. The earbuds come with multiple sizes of ear tips, allowing users to choose the best fit. The earbuds are compact and comfortable to wear, even for long sessions. Furthermore, the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro has an IPX7 water resistance rating, making it resistant to sweat and rain, making it ideal for sports and outdoor use.
2.4. Battery Life and Charging
In terms of battery life, the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro performs quite well. With a single charge, the earbuds last up to 8 hours, and the charging case provides an additional 20 hours of use. The Galaxy Buds 2 Pro also supports wireless charging and fast charging, with just 5 minutes of charging offering approximately 1 hour of use.
2.5. Smart Features and Connectivity
The Galaxy Buds 2 Pro supports seamless connection with Samsung devices, especially on Galaxy smartphones, providing a faster and more stable pairing process. It also supports touch controls, allowing users to adjust the volume, play music, or answer calls with simple taps or swipes. For Android users, the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro offers a more convenient experience.
3. AirPods Pro 2 vs. Galaxy Buds 2 Pro: Head-to-Head Comparison
3.1. Sound Quality
Both earbuds offer excellent sound quality. AirPods Pro 2 provides a clearer, more detailed sound, with an emphasis on fine details. The Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, on the other hand, delivers more powerful bass, offering a more immersive low-end experience. Overall, both earbuds are top-tier in terms of sound quality, and the choice depends on your personal sound preference.
3.2. Noise Cancellation
Both earbuds feature strong Active Noise Cancellation, effectively blocking out external noise. However, AirPods Pro 2’s noise cancellation technology is often regarded as slightly more advanced in various reviews. That said, the noise cancellation in the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro is still excellent and should meet most users’ needs.
3.3. Comfort and Fit
In terms of comfort, the AirPods Pro 2 offers a more comfortable fit, thanks to its ergonomic design, making it ideal for long listening sessions. The Galaxy Buds 2 Pro is also comfortable, particularly for sports use, and it has the added benefit of an IPX7 water resistance rating, making it more suitable for outdoor activities.
3.4. Battery Life
AirPods Pro 2 has a slight edge over the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro in terms of battery life, especially with the charging case providing longer overall use. However, the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro offers similar single-earbud usage time and also provides a longer single-earbud battery life.
3.5. Smart Features and Connectivity
AirPods Pro 2 excels in seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem, which is a significant advantage for iPhone users. For Android users, especially Samsung Galaxy phone users, the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro offers a more streamlined experience, with additional customization features and faster pairing.
AirPods Pro 2 and Galaxy Buds 2 Pro have their unique advantages. For Apple users, the AirPods Pro 2 is undoubtedly the better choice, especially in terms of sound quality, noise cancellation, and seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem. On the other hand, for Android users, particularly those with Samsung smartphones, the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro offers a more comprehensive set of features and an excellent overall experience.
If you are an iPhone user and prioritize superior sound quality, noise cancellation, and tight integration with the Apple ecosystem, AirPods Pro 2 will be your best bet. On the other hand, if you are an Android user, particularly someone who enjoys wearing earbuds during sports or outdoor activities, Galaxy Buds 2 Pro is likely a better fit.