Samsung's AirPods competitor are the $149 iOS-compatible Galaxy Buds+

AppleInsiderAppleInsider
Posted:
in General Discussion edited February 2020
Samsung has announced an update to its iOS-compatible AirPods competitor during Tuesday's Samsung Unpacked event, and calls it the Galaxy Buds+.

Samsung's new Galaxy Buds+
Samsung's new Galaxy Buds+


The new update includes new colors, better battery life, and improved audio. An added iOS app to control the earpieces was also announced, which will include features like an equalizer for the earbuds, something that was exclusive to android phones last generation.

The design appears identical to the previous version, with blue and red colors replacing yellow and silver. The changeable ear tips make a welcome return, since the AirPods at this price point are still one-size-fits-all.

A two speaker system with woofer and tweeter will improve overall audio quality, and since they are in ear buds, there should be sufficient audio isolation when listening. 5 hours
Galaxy Buds vs Apple AirPods
Galaxy BudsGalaxy Buds+AirPodsAirPods Pro
PrIce$129$149$159$249
Battery Life6 hours11 hours4.5 hours (ANC on)
Charge time15 min=100 min playback3 min= 1 hr playback15 min= 3 hr playback5 min= 1 hr playback
Speaker1 way dynamic2 way dynamicSingle driverSingle driver
ConnectivityBluetooth 5 single deviceBluetooth 5 multi-deviceH1 (iCloud sync,
Audio Sharing)
Bluetooth 5		H1 (iCloud sync,
Audio Sharing)
Bluetooth 5
Microphones1 outer/ 1 inner2 outer/ 1 inner2 outer beamforming2 outer beamforming
1 inner
Noise IsolationYesYesNoYes
Ambient awareYesYesNoYes (transparency mode)
On earpiece controlPlay, pause, skip, volumePlay, pause, skip, volume, spotifyPlay, pause, skip, or siri
(Double tap preset)		Play, pause. Skip, siri
(Multi gesture control)
Water resistanceIPX2IPX2Not ratedIPX4
ColorBlack, white, yellow, silverBlack, white, blue, redWhiteWhite
For iOS users, the decision is complicated by AirPods, and the ecosystem perks they bring. From AppleInsider's review we liked the audio quality and charging experience better on the Galaxy Buds. But now that AirPods have their own wireless charging case, its a tougher compare.






If you do not care about iCloud synced pairing or Apple's proprietary Audio Sharing, then the Galaxy Buds+ look to be a good alternative. Although if you want true ANC in an earbud, you'll have to spring for the much more expensive AirPods Pro.

The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ will launch on March 6 for $149.

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 7
    caccamuccacaccamucca Posts: 30member
    Your title reads Samsung’s AirPods Competitor.

    Maybe you meant, Apple’s AirPods Competitor.
  • Reply 2 of 7
    sphericspheric Posts: 2,560member
    caccamucca said:
    Your title reads Samsung’s AirPods Competitor.

    Maybe you meant, Apple’s AirPods Competitor.
    No, because this AirPods competitor is Samsung‘s, not Apple‘s. 

    Apple’s own AirPods competitors are sold under the Beats brand. 
    Soli
  • Reply 3 of 7
    Dead_PoolDead_Pool Posts: 121member
    Please don’t humiliate your child by making him wear
    these embarrassing knockoffs
    Beatswatto_cobra
  • Reply 4 of 7
    caccamuccacaccamucca Posts: 30member
    spheric said:
    caccamucca said:
    Your title reads Samsung’s AirPods Competitor.

    Maybe you meant, Apple’s AirPods Competitor.
    No, because this AirPods competitor is Samsung‘s, not Apple‘s. 

    Apple’s own AirPods competitors are sold under the Beats brand. 
    Yeah, after a long day’s work, just read funny.
  • Reply 5 of 7
    avon b7avon b7 Posts: 7,668member
    caccamucca said:
    spheric said:
    caccamucca said:
    Your title reads Samsung’s AirPods Competitor.

    Maybe you meant, Apple’s AirPods Competitor.
    No, because this AirPods competitor is Samsung‘s, not Apple‘s. 

    Apple’s own AirPods competitors are sold under the Beats brand. 
    Yeah, after a long day’s work, just read funny.
    You know, I think both options are fine depending on how you interpret them.
  • Reply 6 of 7
    BeatsBeats Posts: 3,073member
    Nah I want REAL AirPods.
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 7 of 7
    gatorguygatorguy Posts: 24,213member
    Dead_Pool said:
    Please don’t humiliate your child by making him wear
    these embarrassing knockoffs
    By knock-off you must mean they're wireless since that's the essential thing they have in common. If you see them they look nothing at all like AirPods, no stem hanging below the ear, fits the ear by different means and the sound of Samsung's Galaxy Buds is quite different as well. Reviews of the current Galaxy Buds have been excellent by the way. These are supposedly a worthy upgrade to those. 
    https://www.bestbuy.com/site/reviews/samsung-galaxy-buds-true-wireless-earbud-headphones-black/6347460
    edited February 2020 avon b7
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