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Apple’s AirPods dominate the wireless earbud market, but there are numerous competitors on the market that give them a run for their money. If you’re a fan of Samsung’s Galaxy line of phones, you might have tried the Samsung Galaxy Buds. The follow-up device, the Galaxy Buds 2, is finally here. What are the critics saying about them?
Well, it’s mostly good news. The improved fit, increased sound quality, and premium finish make these some of the best wireless earbuds money can buy. Here’s what the experts have to say about the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2.
The new Galaxy Buds 2 feature an upgraded sound quality that makes them rival other premium options like the Apple AirPods Pro. That makes sense, given that these earbuds feature a $230 price tag, making them comparable to the AirPods Pro in more ways than just performance.
As you’d expect from a high-end pair of wireless earbuds, the Galaxy Buds also include active noise canceling. This works as well as you’d expect for small earbuds: it cancels most droning sounds and makes your music crisp and easy to hear over most noises.
It’s not all good news, though. That high price will give anyone pause – over $200 is a lot of money to spend on a pair of earbuds. That being said, it would be more understandable if these were universally useful. Sadly, many of the Galaxy Buds’ best features are locked and can only be used on Samsung devices.
That means that even Android users who prefer Google’s Pixel or other third-party manufacturers’ phones are spending a lot of money on something that they can’t even use. For instance, the 360 Audio virtual surround sound feature currently only works with Samsung devices.
That’s not to say the Galaxy Buds are a bad product. They’re dust resistant and rated IPX 7 water resistant, meaning they can get dunked in water and keep kicking. They’re also shaped to fit most ears, and many users noted it’s not easy to get them to fall out, even when running or exercising.
If you’re a Samsung fan and you already use a Galaxy device, you should consider grabbing the Galaxy Buds 2 to make your music sound great. If you’re an Apple fan, just get the AirPods Pro. If you use another Android device, you’re likely better off going with a more budget-friendly pair of earbuds instead of spending money for features you can’t even use.
