Samsung's AirPods competitor are the $149 iOS-compatible Galaxy Buds+

Samsung has announced an update to its iOS-compatible AirPods competitor during Tuesday's Samsung Unpacked event, and calls it the Galaxy Buds+.

Samsung's new Galaxy Buds+

The new update includes new colors, better battery life, and improved audio. An added iOS app to control the earpieces was also announced, which will include features like an equalizer for the earbuds, something that was exclusive to android phones last generation.

The design appears identical to the previous version, with blue and red colors replacing yellow and silver. The changeable ear tips make a welcome return, since the AirPods at this price point are still one-size-fits-all.

A two speaker system with woofer and tweeter will improve overall audio quality, and since they are in ear buds, there should be sufficient audio isolation when listening.

Galaxy Buds vs Apple AirPods
	Galaxy Buds	Galaxy Buds+	AirPods	AirPods Pro
PrIce	$129	$149	$159	$249
Battery Life	6 hours	11 hours	5 hours	4.5 hours (ANC on)
Charge time	15 min=100 min playback	3 min= 1 hr playback	15 min= 3 hr playback	5 min= 1 hr playback
Speaker	1 way dynamic	2 way dynamic	Single driver	Single driver
Connectivity	Bluetooth 5 single device	Bluetooth 5 multi-device	H1 (iCloud sync, Audio Sharing) Bluetooth 5	H1 (iCloud sync, Audio Sharing) Bluetooth 5
Microphones	1 outer/ 1 inner	2 outer/ 1 inner	2 outer beamforming	2 outer beamforming 1 inner
Noise Isolation	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
Ambient aware	Yes	Yes	No	Yes (transparency mode)
On earpiece control	Play, pause, skip, volume	Play, pause, skip, volume, spotify	Play, pause, skip, or siri (Double tap preset)	Play, pause. Skip, siri (Multi gesture control)
Water resistance	IPX2	IPX2	Not rated	IPX4
Color	Black, white, yellow, silver	Black, white, blue, red	White	White

For iOS users, the decision is complicated by AirPods, and the ecosystem perks they bring. From AppleInsider's review we liked the audio quality and charging experience better on the Galaxy Buds. But now that AirPods have their own wireless charging case, its a tougher compare.

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If you do not care about iCloud synced pairing or Apple's proprietary Audio Sharing, then the Galaxy Buds+ look to be a good alternative. Although if you want true ANC in an earbud, you'll have to spring for the much more expensive AirPods Pro.

The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ will launch on March 6 for $149.

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7 Comments

caccamucca 12 Years · 30 comments

About 4 years ago

Your title reads Samsung’s AirPods Competitor.

Maybe you meant, Apple’s AirPods Competitor.

spheric 9 Years · 2705 comments

caccamucca said:

Your title reads Samsung’s AirPods Competitor.

Maybe you meant, Apple’s AirPods Competitor.

No, because this AirPods competitor is Samsung‘s, not Apple‘s.

Apple’s own AirPods competitors are sold under the Beats brand.

Dead_Pool 8 Years · 129 comments

Please don’t humiliate your child by making him wear
these embarrassing knockoffs

spheric said:

caccamucca said:

Your title reads Samsung’s AirPods Competitor.

Maybe you meant, Apple’s AirPods Competitor.

No, because this AirPods competitor is Samsung‘s, not Apple‘s.
Apple’s own AirPods competitors are sold under the Beats brand.

Yeah, after a long day’s work, just read funny.

avon b7 20 Years · 8046 comments

caccamucca said:

spheric said:

caccamucca said:

Your title reads Samsung’s AirPods Competitor.

Maybe you meant, Apple’s AirPods Competitor.

No, because this AirPods competitor is Samsung‘s, not Apple‘s.
Apple’s own AirPods competitors are sold under the Beats brand.

Yeah, after a long day’s work, just read funny.

You know, I think both options are fine depending on how you interpret them.