How does the Galaxy Buds2 Pro compare to its predecessor?
A softer design
One major feature that differentiates the new Galaxy Buds2 Pro from its predecessors, the Galaxy Buds Pro and the Galaxy Buds2 is its design, which this reviewer loves. Looks-wise, the Galaxy Buds2 Pro is more smooth than it is slick. Where the other two bud models are glossy, the Galaxy Buds2 Pro has a texture that is matt and softer to the touch, courtesy of a rubberised surface on both buds and casing. The texture makes it look and feel more premium. As for colours, the Galaxy Buds2 Pro comes in white, graphite black, or Samsung’s signature Bora Purple.
Smaller and lighter than the Buds Pro, the Buds2 Pro feels less obtrusive when worn. It feels light and super comfy, perfect for longer wear, say when travelling or bingeing on the latest season of The White Lotus.
Additionally, to help with securing the perfect fit, the Buds2 Pro comes with ear tips in 3 different sizes. By utilising Samsung’s Galaxy Wearable app, you can run its Earbud Fit Test to identify the best size for your ears. Though that isn’t necessarily a sure thing: I ran the Earbud Fit Test using two different sizes of ear tips, and both registered as “you’ve got a good fit.” So in the end, it boils down to how you personally feel when you have the Buds2 Pro in. (Or just move your head around to see which size secures the buds from falling out of your ears).
Sound quality
A key strength of the Buds2 Pro is its end-to-end 24-bit hi-fi sound. Listening to 24-bit audio files on the Buds2 Pro feels like listening to my favourite songs for the first time. I hear details within a song that I previously missed out on from lesser earphones. The depth and layers of an audio file come out clear and immersive (yay to intelligent 360 audio), to the point that I escape completely into the soundscape.
That escape is made all the more possible by the improved intelligent Active Noise Cancelling (ANC). The Buds2 Pro is said to filter out outside noise by 40 per cent more than the previous Buds Pro. It just silences the world around me, engulfing me in my own aural bubble.
But when I need to answer a call or hold a conversation, the Voice Detect feature picks up my voice and automatically pushes the music I’m listening to to the background, lowering its volume to switch to Ambient mode. The music turns up again once I’ve stopped talking. So I don’t need to turn off or take off the buds when I need to talk to someone. (One tip though: if you’re the type to sing along to the music, best to turn off Voice Detect).
Touch Control
Functions are activated via touch. One tap to play or pause, two taps to skip to the next track, and so on. However, much like the Buds Pro before it, the Buds2 Pro is a tad sensitive to touch. Merely adjusting the buds can trigger a function. But it’s an issue that one can overcome by using the phone instead to activate functions, or by specifying which touch controls you want to turn off via the Wearable app.
As for battery life, these new buds provide up to 5 hours of playtime with ANC on, while the case provides up to 18 hours of battery life when the case and earbuds are charged to 100 per cent. The buds are also water resistant with an IPX7 rating and offer Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity.
But here’s the catch: the Galaxy Buds2 Pro naturally functions at its best on Samsung Galaxy devices. It might not perform at its best on non-Samsung devices. The price is rather steep too, at RM899. But improvements are a-plenty. Smoother design, comfortable fit, and greater ANC, with but some minor issues that don’t really take away from an aural experience that puts you into an immersive soundscape…and better still, if the price tag seems hefty, Samsung offers an interest-free instalment plan to help with planning one’s purchase.
