In the ever-evolving world of wireless earbuds, two titans stand out: Apple AirPods Pro and Samsung Galaxy Buds. Both offer cutting-edge features, exceptional sound quality, and convenience for men on the go. But when it comes down to choosing the right pair, the decision often boils down to personal preference, brand loyalty, and specific needs like sound quality, fit, comfort, and additional features.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll compare the Apple AirPods Pro and Samsung Galaxy Buds, evaluating their strengths and weaknesses in various aspects. By the end, you’ll be able to make an informed decision about which wireless earbud is best suited for your lifestyle and preferences.
1. Design and Comfort
Apple AirPods Pro
The design of the Apple AirPods Pro is sleek, modern, and compact, making them instantly recognizable. The Pro version features a short stem that extends down from the earpiece, with a silicone ear tip for a more secure and comfortable fit compared to the original AirPods. These silicone tips are available in three sizes, offering a customizable fit that works for most ear shapes.
The AirPods Pro is designed with a premium feel in mind, boasting a glossy white finish and a clean, minimalistic look. The earbuds are lightweight, which makes them comfortable for extended listening periods. Additionally, the AirPods Pro are rated IPX4 for sweat and water resistance, making them suitable for workouts and outdoor activities.
Samsung Galaxy Buds
Samsung’s Galaxy Buds are also built with comfort and functionality in mind. They are small and lightweight, designed to fit snugly in your ears without feeling bulky. The Galaxy Buds come with a set of silicone ear tips in multiple sizes, ensuring a comfortable and secure fit for most users. The ergonomic design fits naturally into your ears, and their shape prevents them from falling out during physical activity.
One of the highlights of the Samsung Galaxy Buds is their elegant and smooth design. Available in a variety of colours, including black, white, and silver, the Buds have a matte finish that looks modern and refined. The Galaxy Buds are rated IPX2 for water resistance, which means they can withstand some sweat and light splashes but aren’t as durable for heavy exercise as the AirPods Pro.
Verdict:
Both models offer excellent comfort, with Apple’s AirPods Pro taking a slight edge in fit due to the more customizable ear tips and higher IP rating. The Samsung Galaxy Buds are also comfortable but may not provide as secure a fit for intense workouts.
2. Sound Quality
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Apple AirPods Pro
When it comes to sound quality, the AirPods Pro are top-notch, offering clear and balanced audio across different genres. Equipped with Apple’s custom H1 chip, the AirPods Pro delivers excellent sound processing that ensures consistent audio performance. The sound is rich with deep bass, crisp mids, and clear highs, making them a good option for most users.
The AirPods Pro also features Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), which actively blocks out surrounding noises, allowing you to focus on your music or calls without distractions. The Transparency mode allows external sounds to come through when needed, providing a more natural listening experience while still enjoying the benefits of ANC.
Samsung Galaxy Buds
Samsung Galaxy Buds offers impressive sound quality as well, especially with the higher-end Galaxy Buds Pro and Galaxy Buds Live models. They provide a well-balanced audio profile with great bass and clear treble, though the mids can sometimes feel a bit recessed compared to the AirPods Pro. The sound quality is good for casual listening, podcasts, and phone calls, but for audiophiles, Apple’s earbuds may offer a more refined audio experience.
The Galaxy Buds feature Active Noise Cancellation on select models like the Galaxy Buds Pro, though it may not be as powerful as the AirPods Pro. However, the Ambient Mode on the Galaxy Buds allows users to hear their surroundings, which is helpful when walking in busy environments or having a conversation.
Verdict:
While both the AirPods Pro and Samsung Galaxy Buds deliver excellent sound, the AirPods Pro slightly outperform Samsung’s offering in terms of audio clarity, bass response, and overall sound balance. The addition of superior ANC gives AirPods Pro a noticeable edge for those who value immersive sound.
3. Battery Life
Apple AirPods Pro
Battery life in the AirPods Pro is impressive for a pair of true wireless earbuds. On a single charge, the AirPods Pro can last up to 4.5 hours of continuous listening with ANC or Transparency mode turned on. If you turn off these features, you can get up to 5 hours of playback. The charging case provides an additional 24 hours of battery life, so you’ll rarely find yourself without power throughout the day.
The charging case supports both Lightning cable and wireless charging, providing flexibility for users who prefer either method.
Samsung Galaxy Buds
The Samsung Galaxy Buds are also efficient when it comes to battery life. The Galaxy Buds+ model offers up to 11 hours of playback on a single charge, with the charging case providing an additional 11 hours. This means you’ll get up to 22 hours of total battery life, which is more than the AirPods Pro.
The Galaxy Buds Pro, with ANC activated, offers around 5 hours of playback on a single charge, with an additional 13 hours in the case. When ANC is turned off, the battery life can extend to 8 hours.
Like the AirPods Pro, the Galaxy Buds offer wireless charging and a USB-C charging port, making it convenient to charge them in different ways.
Verdict:
For pure battery longevity, the Samsung Galaxy Buds have a clear advantage, especially when you opt for the Galaxy Buds+ model. However, for ANC-equipped earbuds, both the AirPods Pro and Galaxy Buds Pro offer similar battery performance.
4. Additional Features
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Apple AirPods Pro
The Apple AirPods Pro offers several premium features, including:
- Active Noise Cancellation (ANC): Blocks out external noise for a more immersive listening experience.
- Transparency Mode: Allows ambient sound to pass through, ideal for staying aware of your surroundings.
- Spatial Audio: Provides a surround-sound-like experience for supported content, improving audio immersion.
- Seamless Apple Ecosystem Integration: The AirPods Pro works seamlessly with Apple devices. Automatic switching between devices, spatial audio on supported Apple apps, and integration with Siri are all notable advantages for Apple users.
- Find My: If you misplace your AirPods, the Find My app can help you locate them.
Samsung Galaxy Buds
Samsung Galaxy Buds come with a variety of unique features, including:
- Active Noise Cancellation (ANC): Available on select models like the Galaxy Buds Pro.
- Ambient Mode: Lets in outside sound when necessary, ideal for listening to announcements or talking to someone while wearing the earbuds.
- Bixby Integration: Samsung’s virtual assistant, though not as robust as Siri, offers voice commands for music control, notifications, and more.
- Customizable Sound: The Galaxy Buds offer customizable sound profiles through the Galaxy Wearable app, allowing you to tweak the audio settings to your liking.
- Find My Earbuds: Similar to Apple’s Find My feature, Samsung offers a “Find My Earbuds” option for locating misplaced earbuds.
Verdict:
The AirPods Pro shine for those deeply embedded in the Apple ecosystem, offering seamless device integration and advanced features like spatial audio. On the other hand, Samsung’s Galaxy Buds come with more customization options and superior voice assistant integration for Android users, making them an appealing option for those who prefer Android over Apple.
5. Price
Price is often a significant factor in choosing between two high-end products. The Apple AirPods Pro comes at a premium price point, generally ranging around $249. Although they are on the expensive side, their build quality, sound performance, and features justify the cost for many users, especially those who are already invested in Apple’s ecosystem.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds range in price depending on the model. The Galaxy Buds+ typically cost around $149, while the more premium Galaxy Buds Pro are priced at about $199. While they are slightly less expensive than the AirPods Pro, they still deliver high-quality sound, ANC, and a comfortable fit, making them a great option for those looking to save a bit of money while still getting premium features.
Verdict:
If you’re looking for value for money, the Samsung Galaxy Buds (especially the Buds+) are a more affordable option without compromising on performance. However, the AirPods Pro are worth the investment if you prioritize seamless integration with Apple devices and top-tier sound quality.
6. Which Should Men Choose?
When deciding between the Apple AirPods Pro and Samsung Galaxy Buds, the choice ultimately depends on the following factors:
- Device Ecosystem: If you’re an Apple user, the AirPods Pro’s seamless integration with your iPhone, iPad, and Mac is hard to beat. The Galaxy Buds are also great for Android users, especially if you have a Samsung device.
- Sound and ANC: If sound quality and ANC are your primary concerns, the AirPods Pro stand out for their immersive sound and top-notch noise cancellation. However, if you’re looking for something with slightly better battery life, the Galaxy Buds Pro could be a better option.
- Budget: The Galaxy Buds+ offer great performance at a more budget-friendly price, while the AirPods Pro are premium priced but come with features that are especially beneficial for Apple users.
Final Verdict:
Both the Apple AirPods Pro and Samsung Galaxy Buds offer stellar sound, comfort, and features. However, the AirPods Pro excels.. in overall performance, ANC, and integration with Apple products. If you’re invested in the Apple ecosystem and are willing to pay a premium for those benefits, the AirPods Pro are the way to go.
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On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy Buds are an excellent option for Android users, offering a more affordable price point with nearly identical performance in terms of sound quality and comfort. Their customizability and excellent battery life make them a great alternative to the AirPods Pro.
In the end, it comes down to your specific needs, budget, and which ecosystem you are most aligned with. Both options are worthy contenders in the true wireless earbud space, but the right choice will depend on how much value you place on Apple integration or Android versatility.
