Samsung Galaxy Buds 2: Small two-way ANC in-ears start for 149 euros

In addition to smartphones, Samsung also presented the Galaxy Buds 2 at the unpacked event. The dynamic two-way speakers are designed to offer clear highs and deep bass at an affordable price. Samsung understands this to cost 149 euros for the new Galaxy Buds 2 – the cheapest Galaxy Buds from Samsung to date.

The smallest and lightest Galaxy Buds

Samsung's range of in-ear headphones has grown rapidly recently. After the Galaxy Buds, Galaxy Buds + (test), Galaxy Buds Live (test) and Galaxy Buds Pro (test), the Buds 2 will follow, which will be available alongside the Buds Live and Buds Pro. The Galaxy Buds 2 are the smallest and lightest headphones from Samsung to date. You rely on the classic earbud shape, in which no stem protrudes from the ear, but small buttons barely protrude from the ear. Due to the low weight and the curved shape, the Galaxy Buds 2 can easily be worn in the ear for hours, according to Samsung. In the Galaxy Wearable app, users can also perform an “Earbud Fit Test” to check the fit.

ANC and variable transparency mode

The Galaxy Buds 2 offer active noise cancellation and a variable transparency mode that allows users to perceive ambient noise while wearing the earphones. The transparency mode is variable insofar as users can set it in three intensity levels in order to adapt the volume of the surroundings to the respective occasion and personal preferences. Two outside and one inside microphones are used for the ANC.

Samsung is also promising improvements in telephony, because a new solution based on machine learning is supposed to reduce a large number of annoying background noises in order to improve the quality of the voice.

BT 5.2 with AAC and SSC and IPX2

Bluetooth 5.2 is used for the wireless connection, while Samsung uses SBC, AAC and its own audio codec SSC for the codecs. The Galaxy Buds 2 are only protected against moisture according to IPX2, which is only protection against falling dripping water. Especially compared to the Galaxy Buds Pro, which are certified according to IPX7, this is a clear step backwards.

Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro Samsung Galaxy Buds Live Samsung Galaxy Buds + Bluetooth standard: 5.2 5.0 Audio codecs: SBC, AAC, SSC Operation: Touch Battery life of the earphones: 7.5/5.0 (ANC) h 8, 0/5.0 (ANC) h 8.0/6.0 (ANC) h 11.0 h Battery life with charging case: 29.0 h 28.0 h 21.0 h 22.0 h Wireless charging: Yes ANC : Yes – Single use: Yes IP certification: IPX2 IPX7 IPX2 Weight per earphone/only charging case: 5.0/41.5 g 6.3/45.0 g 5.6/43.0 g 6.3/39, 6 g USB charging connection: USB-C Dimensions charging case: 50.0 × 50.2 × 27.8 mm 50.1 × 50.1 × 27.6 mm 70.0 × 38.8 × 26.5 mm Price: 149 € from 135 € from 70 € from 69 €

Control by touch and sensor

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 have a proximity sensor in each earbud that automatically pauses and resumes playback when an earbud is removed and reinserted. Using the touch control, playback can be started and paused, skipped through tracks, calls accepted and rejected and the volume regulated.

7.5 h without, 5 h with ANC

Samsung specifies the battery life of the earphones with up to 7.5 hours without ANC. In conjunction with the charging case, it is up to 29 hours. If ANC is used, the battery life of the earphones is reduced to 5 hours. A quick charge function provides enough charge for another hour of music playback after 5 minutes. The battery in each earphone has a capacity of 61 mAh, in the charging case it is 472 mAh.

The charging case measures 50 × 50.2 × 27.8 × mm and is charged either via USB-C or wireless charging according to the Qi standard. It weighs 41.5 g and is white on the outside in all color variants, with a small stripe indicating the color on the inside and the earphones. Each earbud weighs 5 grams.