Samsung Galaxy Buds - Better AND Cheaper?
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Buy the Fostex TR-XOO Ebony Headphones at dro.ps Use offer code LINUS to save 40% on Madrinas Coffee at madrinascoffee.com We take a look at the new Samsung Galaxy Buds to see how they stack up to Apple's AirPods... Buy Samsung Galaxy Buds: On Samsung: shop-links.co On Amazon: geni.us On Newegg: geni.us Discuss on the forum: linustechtips.com Our Affiliates, Referral Programs, and Sponsors: linustechtips.com Get Private Internet Access today at geni.us Displate metal posters: lmg.gg Linus Tech Tips merchandise at lttstore.com Linus Tech Tips posters at crowdmade.com Our Test Benches on Amazon: amazon.com Our production gear: geni.us Twitter - twitter.com Facebook - @LinusTech Instagram - @linustech Twitch - twitch.tv Intro Screen Music Credit: Title: Laszlo - Supernova Video Link: youtube.com iTunes Download Link: itunes.apple.com Artist Link: soundcloud.com Outro Screen Music Credit: Approaching Nirvana - Sugar High youtube.com
The video provides an in-depth look at the Samsung Galaxy Buds, highlighting both strengths and areas for improvement. It opens by contrasting the familiarity and reliability of traditional 3.5mm headphones with the newer breed of wireless earbuds, noting that the Galaxy Buds deliver strong audio quality, a secure fit, and near-zero latency when used with Samsung devices. The host explains that Samsung learned from the iconX and refined the Buds to appeal to a broader audience, including features like a wireless charging case, longer battery life, Bluetooth 5.0, and a lower introductory price compared to competitors. While the Buds perform well, the analysis also points out limitations, such as inconsistent performance across non-Samsung devices, call quality issues in busy environments, and UI customization that is less accessible on iOS. The review also covers practical aspects like the in-ear fit customization with multiple ear tips, ambient sound mode to stay aware of surroundings, and a companion app that enables firmware updates, battery checks, and locating lost buds, all of which contribute to a more polished user experience on supported devices. Moving into deeper evaluation, the host dives into design details, battery life metrics, and on-device interactions. The Buds offer about six hours of listening time and five hours of talk time, with a case that significantly extends overall use, though not as aggressively as Apple’s counterpart. The on-ear touch controls are customizable, including independent long-press actions and options to control voice assistants or ambient sound, though some gestures are fixed like single-tap pause/play on both buds. The video notes that the Galaxy Wearable app enhances the experience by enabling EQ tweaks, firmware updates, and a playful battery locator chirp. Ultimately, the reviewer concludes that while the Galaxy Buds are a compelling choice, especially for Samsung ecosystem users, they still fall short for some users on cross-platform performance, and the overall value depends on how much one values ecosystem integration and feature depth versus universal compatibility and call quality in noisier environments.
Topics · technology · audio · consumer_electronics · review
Questions answered
- What makes the Galaxy Buds stand out against competitors like AirPods?
- Key advantages include strong bass and overall audio balance, a customizable in-ear fit, ambient sound mode for situational awareness, a feature-rich companion app, and a lower price point relative to some competitors, especially when used within the Samsung ecosystem.
- Are there any drawbacks when using Galaxy Buds with non-Samsung devices?
- Yes, cross-platform use can show higher latency and more frequent audio glitches, call quality may suffer in busy environments, and some app-based customization features are unavailable on iOS.