Apple AirPods Pro 2 vs. Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro: Which earbuds are better?

The Galaxy Buds 2 Pro and AirPods Pro 2 are some of the best true wireless earbuds you can get. They’re at the top of Samsung and Apple’s earbud lineups, and they share a lot of similarities like excellent sound quality, noise cancellation and lots of special features. And while neither of these buds come cheap, they’re both frequently on sale these days, meaning you can get a true premium experience for less than $200 if you catch them at the right time.

It’s easy to point out that the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro are best for Android users, while the AirPods Pro 2 are ideal for iPhone owners. But as each respective company’s flagship earbuds, they each offer a set of features that could convince you to pick either of them up regardless of what kind of phone you have.

Let’s dive in and see what makes these earbuds different.

AirPods Pro 2 vs. Galaxy Buds 2 Pro at a glance

Quick comparison

AirPods Pro give you that iconic look, but the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro are comfier

The second-generation AirPods Pro carry an identical design to the original model, which is instantly recognizable to anyone who’s ever seen a pair of AirPods. They still have stems, they’re still glossy and white and they still come with silicon tips. While it would be nice if Apple had shaken up their design a bit, it’s not like they’re ugly or in dire need of a refresh. On the contrary, they’re comfortable enough for most people’s ears, they’re rated IPX4 for sweat resistance and they have that iconic look that lets people know you’re rocking AirPods.

But as is the case with any product category with stiff competition, there are plenty of alternative designs that offer better water resistance, colors and comfort. Samsung is a prime example of that, thanks to the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, which offer a lower profile than the AirPods and four different colors to pick from. They’re IPX7 rated, which offers a bit of extra water protection for workouts, and the buds have a matte finish opposed to glossy, instantly making them far better for everyday wear and tear.

The big reason I prefer the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro over the AirPods Pro is because of how much more comfortable they are. I didn’t notice this until I used my AirPods exclusively for a couple of weeks, then switched back to the Buds 2 Pro. It was a bit mind-blowing how much better the Galaxy Buds fit in my ears and stayed in during long writing sessions. They also feel lighter and less intrusive, and they’re really easy to forget about when wearing them.

Even the case is better. I haven’t had the second-gen AirPods Pro for very long, but I’ve somehow been able to scratch up the entire back of the case, thanks to its glossy nature. The Galaxy Buds 2 Pro don’t have that issue at all. The matte finish helps mitigate both scuffs and fingerprints, and the case somehow blocks debris like dirt and pocket lint from getting in the lid better than the AirPods’ case.

If the AirPods have any edge over the Galaxy Buds in terms of design, it’s that the case is notably smarter. It has built-in speakers that chime when you lose it or begin charging it, or the battery gets low. There’s also a lanyard slot for those of you who like dangling your earbuds from the zipper on your backpack. The Buds 2 Pro don’t have any of that. You’re pretty much stuck with an LED that shows you when they’re charging and that’s it.

TL;DR: The new AirPods Pro look a lot like the old ones. That’s not really a bad thing since they’re still comfy to wear, but the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro simply hit it out of the park when it comes to fit and finish (plus, they’re matte).

Sound quality is a toss-up, but the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro have a slight edge

There’s no question that both the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro and second-generation AirPods Pro sound amazing. They both offer great sound quality with punchy bass, clear highs and full mids. Any genre of music — whether it’s boom-bap hip-hop, classic jazz, rock ‘n’ roll or Top 40 pop hits — will sound fantastic on these buds.

Deciding which is better is a bit of a challenge, though, especially since their feature sets are stronger in different areas. For example, Apple has much better spatial audio than Samsung, with advanced head-tracking techniques, dedicated Dolby Atmos masters of your favorite songs in Apple Music and a much more enjoyable 360-degree soundscape. Meanwhile, the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro offer 24-bit hi-fi audio, thanks to a special codec from Samsung. It may require that you own a Samsung phone to work, but it gives music an extra oomph so tracks sound a little cleaner than they would on AirPods.

If I had to pick a winner here, I’d go with the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro. The extra resolution in sound quality helps music sound clearer and more enjoyable, and the overall soundstage feels brighter and more encompassing than what the AirPods Pro can pull off. If you’re a big fan of spatial audio and want the best experience, then the AirPods will be the right choice, but anyone searching for better sound quality overall will love the Galaxy Buds.

TL;DR: Both the AirPods Pro and Galaxy Buds 2 Pro sound excellent, but Samsung’s earbuds take the crown, thanks to their ability to stream 24-bit hi-fi audio.

AirPods Pro 2 are the king of ANC and transparency

Whatever voodoo is powering the active noise cancellation (ANC) and transparency modes on the AirPods Pro has managed to keep them ahead of other earbuds on the market, including the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro.

Apple says the ANC is twice as good as the previous generation, and it’s a bit shocking how well it works. The windiest of boardwalks, the loudest of street corners and the most chaotic of households are no match for the noise suppression of these buds — you can hear next to nothing when it’s on, leaving you and your music or podcasts to yourselves.

The Galaxy Buds 2 Pro aren’t bad by comparison, but it’s clear that they aren’t as good. The Intelligent Active Noise Cancellation here helps louder sounds get quieter for a more balanced sound, and Samsung has made solid progress on improving how ANC generally performs on its earbuds. But side by side, Samsung’s earbuds can’t quite hold up. You get extra wind in your ears if you wear them walking down the street, and the sounds that should be suppressed are a tad louder than they are with AirPods.

Samsung’s ambient mode is also behind Apple’s transparency mode. Voices sound wetter than they do on AirPods, and you can’t hear your surroundings as clearly. The AirPods Pro can also suppress louder sounds while using transparency mode so that everything remains at a consistent volume, something the Galaxy Buds aren’t capable of. It’s worth noting that Samsung recently rolled out an update to the Buds 2 Pro’s ambient sound mode, adding two new levels of amplification aimed at those that are hard of hearing. That’s an admirable addition, but it terms of overall clarity, Apple’s buds have the edge in our testing.

TL;DR: Without a doubt, Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 are better at canceling out unwanted background noise. They’re also better than the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro at transparency.

The AirPods Pro last a bit longer than the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro

Apple quotes up to six hours of usage on the second-gen AirPods Pro with a full charge, while Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 2 Pro are rated for five. We were impressed with the battery life from both sets of earbuds in our reviews, but in my usage, I’ve found the AirPods Pro have the edge. Over a week with the AirPods Pro in my pocket, I find that I only have to charge them once or twice, while the Galaxy Buds require two or three periods on my wireless charger. For context, I used both sets with ANC on the entire time and transparency mode flicked on occasionally.

The AirPods Pro and Galaxy Buds 2 Pro both work with Qi wireless chargers, while the AirPods are also compatible with MagSafe and Apple Watch chargers. There’s no fancy magnetic charging on the Galaxy Buds’s charging case, so you’ll have to make sure you line them up perfectly on your wireless charger. Samsung’s earbuds ship with a USB-C cable, whereas AirPods continue to ship with Lightning.

TL;DR: For battery life, the AirPods Pro 2 manage to last a bit longer than the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, but it’s not a huge difference.

You’ll want a Samsung phone for Galaxy Buds and an iPhone for AirPods

This is the most obvious point for any comparison between AirPods and a set of earbuds developed by an Android phone manufacturer. If you own an iPhone, the second-generation AirPods Pro will serve you much better since they’re designed to work with each other. In the same vein, Galaxy Buds 2 Pro will work best with Android phones, particularly Samsung Galaxy devices, since they ship with the Galaxy Wearable app out of the box.

Pairing each set of buds with their respective smartphone counterparts can also enable special features. AirPods Pro get Siri integration, spatial audio, multi-device support and customizable touch controls when paired with an iPhone, something that can’t be said if you pair them with an Android device. Meanwhile, the Galaxy Buds have 24-bit hi-fi audio, multi-device support and Fast Pair as long as you connect them to a Galaxy phone.

If you own a Galaxy or some other Android phone, you’ll have a much better experience with the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro since those are the devices the earbuds are designed to work with. For iPhone owners, AirPods Pro are a natural fit. It’s a bit of a bummer, but what can you do?

TL;DR: Samsung’s earbuds work best with Galaxy phones; Apple’s earbuds work best with iPhones. Surprised?

Bottom line

The Galaxy Buds 2 Pro and second-generation AirPods Pro put up a good fight when in the same ring. At $230 and $249, respectively (and often on sale for way less), they’re some of the best earbuds you can get for the money.

As an overall winner, we’d have to pick the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, thanks to their more comfortable design, wider soundstage and hi-fi audio support. But the AirPods Pro are certainly no slouch, and either set will suit you well.

Y’know, assuming you pair them with the right phone.