Apple AirPods Pro vs. Samsung Galaxy Buds Live: Which earbuds are best?
Apple AirPods Pro vs. Samsung Galaxy Buds Live: Which earbuds are best?
Since it was released, the AirPods Pro take remained some of the best wireless earbuds on the market. The combination of improved audio and ergonomics, along with impressive active dissonance-cancelling and unbeatable iOS integration, has earned Apple'due south danglers a perfect score from Tom'south Guide.
It was but a matter of time before Samsung stepped up to challenge its mobile rival, and the company has done just that with the Galaxy Buds Live. These buds cram long battery life, spacious sound, and several cool features into what can be best described every bit a polarizing pattern. Met with mostly positive reviews and intrigued stares (the jellybean shape is certainly eye-catching), Samsung's flagship buds offering a lot at a relatively affordable price.
- Check out our Apple AirPods Pro review
- ...and our Samsung Galaxy Buds Alive review
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If yous want practically perfect ANC earbuds that operate smoothly with your iPhone, iPad or MacBook Pro, then the AirPods Pro is ideal, while Android fans tin savor intelligible and instantaneous functionality from the Galaxy Buds Live. Whichever way you slice information technology, both models are standouts for anyone seeking premium wireless earbuds, though there tin can just be one victor in this battle.
AirPods Pro vs. Samsung Galaxy Buds Live: Specs compared
| AirPods Pro | Samsung Milky way Buds Alive | |
|---|---|---|
| Toll | $249.00 | $169.00 |
| Colors | White | Black, Bronze, White |
| Bombardment life (rated) | 4.v hours, 24 hours (with charging example) | six hours (ANC on), half-dozen.5 hours (ANC off), viii hours (ANC and Bixby off), 21 hours (with charging case) and 29 (with charging instance and all features off) |
| Size and weight | ane.22 ten 0.86 x 0.94 inches, 0.xix ounces | 0.58 x 0.96 ten 0.52 inches, 0.19 ounces |
| Immovability | IPX4 (water and sweat resistance) | IPX2 (water and sweat resistance) |
| Special features | Active noise cancellation, transparency mode, adaptive EQ, customizable fit, audio sharing, appear letters with Siri, "Hey Siri" phonation-activated aid, wireless charging, spatial audio, automatic switching | Active racket cancellation, EQ, Bixby vocalization wake-up, Spotify integration, Samsung Scalable codec, Music Share, Game Mode, wireless charging |
AirPods Pro vs. Samsung Galaxy Buds Live: Toll and value
It's no hush-hush that the AirPods Pro doesn't come cheap, selling for $249 and only available in one color: White. Meanwhile, Samsung launched the Galaxy Buds Live at a more competitive $169, and in multiple colors, including Mystic Bronze, Mystic White, and Mystic Black.
Each model offers plenty of functionality to warrant your greenbacks. However, the Galaxy Buds Live offers more blindside for the cadet, backed by a powerful spec sheet and stellar sound that enhances the listening experience in multiple means, from gaming to wireless music streaming.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy Buds Live
AirPods Pro vs. Samsung Galaxy Buds Live: Blueprint
When it comes to design, the AirPods Pro and Galaxy Buds Live are… unique. They come in peculiar shapes (when compared to the traditional mold of earbuds), are decently built, and have an caused gustation when information technology comes to fashion.
Apple fabricated a few noticeable changes (including black microphone vents and shorter stems) to differentiate the AirPods Pro from its predecessors. This version comes with IPX4 certification for sweat and water resistance, then you can apply them to do. It's likewise great to come across Apple take a greener manufacturing approach by using eco-friendly materials to create the buds. I'm all the same not sold on the unflattering stem design, but many Apple fans seem to find it innovative.
Samsung gets a lot of credit for thinking outside of the box and giving the Milky way Buds Live a jewelry-similar aesthetic, even if the complete blueprint looks empty-headed. The exterior has a dainty smoothen cistron that makes the buds bling when exposed to sunlight. Detailing is minimal with a motion sensor, chrome metallic connectors, and two vents for the tiny mics (ane on each side). The buds come with an IPX2 rating, which is a weaker form of h2o and sweat resistance.
The charging cases for these two models are similar in that they're both constructed from a block of plastic that also happens to scratch and scuff easily. While Apple's case comes in a slim, rectangular shape, Samsung's instance stays on theme, resembling a tiny foursquare jewelry box. The i great thing is that they both are lightweight and provide excellent portability; the AirPods Pro case is 1.61 ounces and the Galaxy Buds Live is 1.48 ounces. Removing and storing either set of buds from their case is simple as well, though the Galaxy Buds Alive case does a meliorate job with presentation, equally Samsung'south buds are handsomely displayed on the docking arrangement.
Aesthetics and manner are integral to design, but the true deciding factor in this category lies in fit. And as much as I loathe the AirPods Pro's silhouette, these porcelain buds provide far better comfort than their curved counterpart. Apple'due south Ear Tip Fit Exam and the inclusion of ear tips are a winning combination, giving users a comfortable and secure fit when moving around. Y'all tin can also sport the buds for longer than ii hours and not worry nigh fatigue.
It's normal to question how well the Galaxy Buds Alive fit since they accept no ear tips or a traditional sound port. Well, the buds are low-cal and comfy at only 0.2 ounces and can be worn for about 2 hours before experiencing some discomfort. Those with smaller ears may feel the buds piercing the tragus area similar my married woman did. There are ovular caps that go over the speaker to provide a more than secure fit, but they weren't equally reliable as Apple tree's ear tips, as I felt some looseness on walks.
Winner: AirPods Pro
AirPods Pro vs. Samsung Galaxy Buds Live: Controls
Programming touch controls on a pair of wireless earbuds is tough, hence why Apple went the opposite route and introduced a new compression gesture organization located at the bottom of each stem. It registers multiple presses to initiate playback and call management. To the surprise of many, information technology works remarkably well and is very accurate; the click sound you hear when pressing the force sensors offers balls to confirm intended commands. On-ear detection works well as well, meaning you can automatically intermission music when removing the buds or resume play when placing them dorsum on. If only the AirPods Pro allowed for more control customization.
Samsung does a noteworthy job of programming numerous bear upon controls into its tiny earbuds. Y'all tin can set each bud to accept multiple tap gestures (one to 3 taps), along with long-press gestures to enable ANC, phonation command or volume. Personally, I constitute that performing slide gestures worked more than effectively, though this doesn't take away from the buds' tap accuracy. It's also awesome that Samsung included Spotify integration, allowing you to pull upwards a playlist direct on the buds. On-ear detection is available too, though it suffers from latency and simply pauses music when taking off the buds; you lot'll have to tap the sensor to resume playback.
Both models take digital assistant back up, just the AirPods Pro is more dependable for hands-free help. If you haven't used "Hey Siri" yet, please do because the characteristic is amazing and highly responsive to commands. Spoken language recognition is also outstanding, every bit Apple's in-ear monitors pick upwards every syllable and vowel yous speak. The only upshot I take is that Apple does not make it easy to employ the AirPods Pro on Android devices, and y'all have to utilise third-political party apps like Banana Trigger to access Google Banana.
Samsung continues to push its Bixby voice assistant, which comes programmed on the Galaxy Buds Live and acts equally Samsung's reply to "Hey Siri." It's OK and responds to phrases rapidly, but the AI bot feels like a work in progress. In that location were times I had to repeat the "Hi Bixby" phrase for it to turn on. In addition, Google Assistant and Siri were a little buggy. When working, the mics offered decent spoken language recognition to execute commands, though at times, Google's bot would misinterpret certain words. Also, I noticed Siri would occasionally cutting out earlier asking a question.
Winner: AirPods Pro
AirPods Pro vs. Samsung Galaxy Buds Alive: Sound quality
The AirPods Pro and Milky way Buds Live sound keen compared to almost cheap wireless earbuds and hold upwards well against popular models like the Jabra Elite Active 75t, particularly the Galaxy Buds Live.
Samsung crammed 12mm drivers into its shiny IEMs, while adding Harman Kardon'southward curve sound signature into the mix for lively bass-frontward functioning. Records like Jay-Z's "The Takeover" knocked hard with caput-rattling reverbs that intensified my mind. More than hit was the well-balanced depression stop, as the monstrous bassline dominated the soundscape without distorting the rapper'south roughshod diss rhymes or the iconic Jim Morrison sample. That same energy was defective on the AirPods Pro, every bit the bassline was taken down a notch; you need to mind at max book to get some oomph out of the drums. On the plus side, I liked the clarity Apple'due south buds produced over the thumping production.
The Milky way Buds Live besides performed better with orchestral songs. Jazz classics similar Ahmad Jamal'southward "Dolphin Dance" sounded serene, demonstrating some phenomenal dynamic range to hear the loudest and quietest passages in the recording. While the AirPods Pro doesn't match the sonic depth of the Milky way Buds Live, it is still capable of some slap-up reproduction. On the aforementioned tape, I loved the crispness of the opening piano keys and the steady hi-hat presence Apple's buds maintained throughout the track, though some of the bass elements sounded muddy.
Great isolation is not something y'all can wait from either model. It's practically nonexistent on the Galaxy Buds Alive, and Samsung'southward buds also leak sound at a high level. The AirPods Pro grants a better fit and tighter seal when adapted properly, but environmental fracas still finds its fashion onto the soundstage. I could hear my wife'southward phone calls when jamming out to music in the office, no matter what device I used.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy Buds Live
AirPods Pro vs. Samsung Galaxy Buds Live: Active noise cancellation
This is what you really came for. So, which pair of earbuds is considered the meliorate dissonance-cancelling solution? The AirPods Pro. Hands down.
Apple tree'due south algorithms and two-mic dissonance-cancelling system do a remarkable task of keeping external sounds to a minimum. It's not a stiff as the ANC on the Sony WF-1000xM3, just is capable of hushing about 80 percent of unwanted noises. You'll be able to drown out overly loud co-workers, door buzzers, and whisking taxis. Higher frequency noises like ambulance sirens or crying babies require something more powerful.
I could cut Samsung some slack since this is the visitor'south beginning attempt at noise counterfoil in the truly wireless space, but that'southward not happening. The Galaxy Buds Live were engineered to block out small background noises, and, sadly, the technology struggles with that. It's proficient enough to silence white noises (due east.g. hissing Air conditioning, whirring fan), just seems completely absent-minded when dealing with louder ambient sounds. If yous're watching TV, book must exist set to a depression level for ANC to be considered constructive. And if you're outside, it's impossible to ignore common distractions like a bickering couple on the contrary park demote or a dump truck.
Apple and Samsung take their ain ambience listening modes, which work fine for those who desire to be more aware of their surroundings without stopping music. I found the AirPod Pro's Transparency style slightly better since it immune for clearer communication when chatting with others and made noises more audible when exercising outside; information technology'due south a must for runners. Ambient listening is decent on the Galaxy Buds Live. Although, the feature is more pronounced on the Galaxy Buds Plus.
Winner: AirPods Pro
AirPods Pro vs. Samsung Milky way Buds Live: Apps and special features
Since the iOS 14 launch, the AirPods Pro has been blessed with more than extras to expand functionality. Spatial audio, the latest manner introduced which creates three-dimensional audio for listeners, does a solid job of delivering a theater-like listening experience. Automated switching is the other new characteristic and makes swapping sound sources a breeze as long equally those iDevices are paired to the aforementioned iCloud account.
Having the H1 chip at the forefront of functioning is arguably the AirPods Pro's greatest trait because it optimizes use in such artistic ways. If it isn't access to the hands-costless "Hey Siri" feature, then it's seamless connectivity with all Apple products or the ability to share sound from ane iOS device to 2 pairs of AirPods or Beats headphones. Even if Apple doesn't offer an adjustable EQ like most other competitors, you can nonetheless modify sound on the AirPods Pro by going through your iPhone settings (Settings -> Music -> EQ) and selecting from over 20 presets or by doing the aforementioned through Spotify. In that location are also a agglomeration of subconscious AirPods Pro tricks worth checking out.
The Milky way Buds series has ever been heavy on features, thanks to the Samsung Galaxy Wear app. It gives you half dozen EQ settings (Normal, Bass Boost, Soft, Dynamic, Articulate, and Treble Boost) to fine-melody sound, along with Spotify integration (Android only), as previously mentioned. Each setting works well with the right content (i.e. Bass Boost for hip hop or Clear for podcasts), though you'll likely desire to stick with the default setting to enjoy the best overall sound.
Returning is the Labs section, which gives access to experimental features for users to play with. Information technology seems like each Galaxy Buds model has its own ready of features, but the Galaxy Buds Alive has the more promising batch. There is a setting to relieve compression with ambient audio, likewise as a Game Style that lowers latency when playing video games on your mobile device.
Other notable features include Music Share to hear music on two Galaxy Buds Alive devices from one compatible smartphone, Swift Pair to quickly connect the buds to Android devices and PCs running Windows 10, and two different options for locating lost earbuds: Detect My Earbuds and SmartThings Find back up. I can't forget PowerShare either to recharge the buds by placing the example on the back of a uniform Samsung device.
In the end, both models are equally feature-laden in their own manner.
Winner: Describe
AirPods Pro vs. Samsung Milky way Buds Alive: Call quality
If there's 1 thing Apple tree has done well, information technology'south call quality. The AirPods Pro remains one of the meridian calling headsets out in that location, employing its noise-cancelling mics to minimize background noise for clear-sounding calls. Having used these buds for nearly a year, I've always enjoyed the clarity and wind resistance they've delivered when answering calls outdoors. Simply don't be foolish in thinking you'll get complete silence when walking by a construction site; high-frequency sounds are audible.
Samsung's triple-microphone assortment was designed for clear calls, just that's not the case with the Galaxy Buds Live. I had a few people say that my vocalisation sounded low during video chats, while my wife heard many background noises when I took her phone calls in the front yard. The i positive was that I could hear everyone on the opposite terminate loudly and clearly.
Winner: AirPods Pro
AirPods Pro vs. Samsung Milky way Buds Alive: Battery Life and charging case
Whatever pair of wireless earbuds that tin can get y'all at to the lowest degree 6 hours of ANC use is great in my book. Well, only ane of these two models does it: the Milky way Buds Live. Samsung rates battery life at different levels (revisit the specs listing at the top), the shortest playtime listed at 6 hours with ANC on and the longest at 8 hours with ANC and Bixby off. No matter which selection you settle for, you lot're getting a sufficient corporeality of playtime. At their worst, the buds gave me about 5.5 hours with racket cancellation, heavy Spotify streaming, and loud book factoring into the equation.
That may seem short compared to many other competitors, but it's however more than what the AirPods Pro gives yous. You're stuck with iv.5 hours, which is disappointingly shorter than the AirPods 2 (5 hours). Playtime was accurate based on my testing. Despite Apple tweaking its algorithms to optimize battery usage, the truth is you'll still demand to rely on the charging case for actress juice.
Quick-charging is more powerful as well on the Milky way Buds Live, generating 35 minutes on a 3-minute accuse and i.5 hours on a 10-minute accuse. The AirPods Pro doesn't promote this feature, though you can become about one hour on a 5-minute accuse. Why Apple tree hasn't adopted Beats' Fast Fuel applied science, which is used on the Powerbeats Pro to go 4.5 hours of use on a xv-minute charge, is all the same bewildering.
Samsung's charging instance tin can hold up to 29 hours, but that's with all features turned off. When everything is on, y'all're looking at 21 hours, which falls short of Apple tree's charging case (24 hours). The number of extra charges (max of vi) you get will depend on how y'all use the Galaxy Buds Alive. Both cases practise support wireless charging should you desire to power up the buds cable-complimentary via Qi-enabled wireless charger.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy Buds Live
AirPods Pro vs. Samsung Galaxy Buds Live: Verdict
Coming out on tiptop in most categories, the AirPods Pro is the clear-cut winner. Information technology has better ANC, controls, and call quality, along with improved features and sound, making this version of the AirPods the all-time in the series. Then there's the seamless iOS integration that keeps the AirPods Pro operating smoothly no matter the Apple tree device. Simply put, Apple's dissonance-cancellers ensure form-A performance, even if it ways having to spend actress for it.
| AirPods Pro | Samsung Milky way Buds Live | |
|---|---|---|
| Price and value (5) | 3 | 4 |
| Design (fifteen) | 12 | 11 |
| Controls (x) | 8 | 7 |
| Audio quality (20) | sixteen | 18 |
| Active noise cancelation (20) | xviii | 15 |
| Special features and apps (15) | 13 | 13 |
| Call quality (5) | 5 | 3 |
| Battery life and charging example (ten) | half dozen | eight |
| Total score (100) | 81 | 79 |
Samsung'due south truly wireless noise-cancelling debut is far from a bosom, however. The Galaxy Buds Alive has a lot going for information technology with bully customization, lengthy battery life, and superb sound. Some may find its odd blueprint cool looking as well. And there are a lot of features that add to its value. At the aforementioned time, it fails to evangelize meaningful ANC for listener. I would advise waiting until the model is discounted, so y'all can score some great-sounding buds for less.
Source: https://www.tomsguide.com/news/apple-airpods-pro-vs-samsung-galaxy-buds-live
Posted by: mcgaughtheyeary.blogspot.com
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