Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Review: A Solid Mid-Range Option With Great Noise Cancellation
Samsung’s Galaxy Buds series has been steadily gaining traction in the true wireless earphone market, and the latest addition, the Galaxy Buds 2, aims to solidify the company’s position in the competitive mid-range segment. While not the most expensive or feature-packed in the Galaxy Buds lineup, the Buds 2 boasts several intriguing features, including active noise cancellation (ANC) and support for Samsung’s Scalable Bluetooth codec. At a price of Rs. 11,999, the Buds 2 promises to be a compelling value-for-money option, but does it deliver on its potential?
A Comfortable and Secure Fit: Samsung has employed a thoughtful design with the Buds 2, improving upon previous models. The earphones feature a secure in-canal fit, with a shape that ensures a snug and comfortable feel in the ear. While providing decent passive noise isolation, they don’t apply excessive pressure on the outer ear. This redesigned fit addresses previous concerns with the Galaxy Buds Pro, enhancing long-term comfort. Each earpiece tips the scale at a lightweight 5g, with the charging case weighing in at a modest 41g. Six microphones (three on each earpiece) enable the impressive ANC and clear voice communication. Notably, the Buds 2 are rated IPX2 for water resistance, which might fall short for some users.
Looks Familiar, Features Packed: The design of the Buds 2 echoes the aesthetic of the Galaxy Buds Pro, featuring a glossy exterior and a charging case that closely resembles its pricier sibling. Touch-sensitive controls on the outer sides of the earpieces allow for customizable control, managed through the Galaxy Wearable app on Android smartphones.
While the absence of an iOS app is disappointing, Samsung users benefit from features like Auto Switch and Bixby support. The Buds 2 boast a comprehensive feature set, including ANC, customizable app settings, Qi wireless charging, USB Type-C fast charging, and Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity, supporting the SBC, AAC, and Scalable Bluetooth codecs. Each earpiece houses dual dynamic drivers, a tweeter and woofer, promising a quality audio experience.
Customization Through the Galaxy Wearable App: The Galaxy Wearable app serves as the control center for the Buds 2, enabling users to toggle ANC and Ambient Sound modes, customize touch controls, adjust equaliser settings, and even adjust features like reading notifications aloud. An earbud fit test confirms the proper placement for optimal performance.
Customizable Controls, But Limited Options: While the touch controls offer some customization, the level of customization is relatively limited. Single taps play or pause music, double taps skip to the next track, and triple taps skip to the previous track. These functions can only be enabled or disabled; there’s no option to change the function itself. The default touch-and-hold gesture switches between noise control modes, but can be modified to activate the voice assistant or control the volume. An experimental setting allows for volume adjustment by tapping on the edges of the earpieces, freeing up the touch-and-hold gesture. Despite these limitations, the control scheme proves intuitive and easy to use.
Battery Life: A Mixed Bag: The Buds 2 offer decent battery life, but it doesn’t quite match the performance of the Buds Pro. I achieved approximately four hours of continuous listening with ANC activated. The charging case provides an additional three full charges, resulting in a total battery life of roughly 16 hours per charge cycle. While not exceptional, the battery performance is still commendable compared to similarly priced competitors.
Good Noise Cancellation and Clean Sound: At a price point of Rs. 11,999, the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 finds itself competing in the mid-range earphone market. However, it delivers remarkable value with impressive active noise cancellation, Scalable Bluetooth codec support, and well-tuned sound.
The Scalable Codec Advantage: While I primarily tested the Buds 2 with my iPhone 12 mini and OnePlus 7T Pro McLaren Edition, using the AAC codec, I also experienced the benefits of the Scalable codec when paired with a Samsung smartphone. Though the AAC codec didn’t hinder the listening experience, the Scalable codec offered a noticeably richer and more detailed auditory experience, particularly in terms of soundstage.
A Balanced and Engaging Sonic Signature: Listening to "I Don’t Trust Myself" by John Mayer on Apple Music, the Buds 2 exhibited a clean, relaxed sound signature, harmoniously blending different frequencies. The subtle rumble of the bass guitar and drums, coupled with John Mayer’s distinctive vocal style, delivered a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Even at moderate volume levels (around 60 percent), the Buds 2 provided an engaging and immersive listening experience.
Handling Bass-Heavy Tracks: Switching to faster, bass-centric music like Ferry Corsten’s "Fire", the Buds 2 showcased a more refined approach to bass reproduction. While the bass wasn’t as tight and defined as on the OnePlus Buds Pro, I appreciated the smoother, more natural low-end response. It gracefully accommodated the vocals and highs, creating a balanced audio presentation.
Refinement and Clarity: The Buds 2, though perhaps not as forward or enthusiastic as certain earphones from OnePlus and Oppo, compensate with a refined soundstage and pristine audio clarity. I discovered an unexpected level of refinement at this price point, surpassing even some of Samsung’s previous offerings in this category.
Even Without Scalable Codec, Still Excellent: Even when utilizing the AAC Bluetooth codec, the Buds 2 deliver high-quality audio, making them a solid option even for users without a Samsung smartphone. While app support is limited to Android devices, iOS users still enjoy a decent core listening experience.
Noise Cancellation: Impressively Effective: The active noise cancellation on the Buds 2 is a standout feature, performing almost as effectively as pricier options like the Galaxy Buds Pro and Jabra Elite 85t. Coupled with the excellent fit and passive noise isolation, the ANC effectively reduces distractions in both home and outdoor environments.
Quietening Noise, Elevating Audio: The ANC effectively muffles ambient noise, enabling a peaceful listening experience even in noisy surroundings. It noticeably enhances the listening experience, even at low volume levels. While there’s only a single intensity setting for ANC, users can toggle between ANC off and hear-through modes.
Realistic Hear-Through Mode: The Ambient Sound Mode, while not as natural-sounding as the AirPods Pro, provides a reasonably accurate hear-through experience. It allows for ambient noise awareness without sounding overly sharp or artificial.
Call Quality: Solid, With Hear-Through Support: Call quality on the Buds 2 is satisfactory in indoor and somewhat quiet outdoor environments. The hear-through mode can be activated during calls, allowing for better voice clarity by enabling users to hear their own voice.
Reliable Connectivity: Connection stability proved to be a non-issue with the Buds 2. I experienced no connectivity drops or interruptions, even at distances of up to around 3.5 meters.
Final Verdict: A Strong Contender in the Mid-Range: Despite not being the top-of-the-line offering from Samsung, the Galaxy Buds 2 stands out as my preferred choice even when compared to the pricier Galaxy Buds Pro. At Rs. 11,999, the Buds 2 represent a fantastic value proposition, boasting a comfortable design, quality sound, and remarkably effective active noise cancellation. It provides a straightforward and hassle-free wireless listening experience.
Competitive Comparisons: While the Buds 2 is slightly more expensive than exceptional alternatives like the OnePlus Buds Pro and Oppo Enco X, it’s worth considering for its relaxed yet engaging sound signature. It’s particularly appealing for Samsung smartphone users, as it unlocks the full potential of the Scalable Bluetooth codec, further enhancing sound quality.
Overall, the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 offers a compelling blend of comfort, features, sound quality, and noise cancellation at a competitive price. It’s a worthy addition to the true wireless earphone market and a strong contender in the mid-range segment, particularly for users seeking a well-rounded and enjoyable listening experience.
