[ad_1]
The recently-released second-generation Apple AirPods Pro are an enormous step up from the first-generation AirPods Pro, providing improved noise cancellation, higher sound high quality, battery, and a customized listening expertise, amongst different upgrades. But are these new options ok to offer different earbuds a run for his or her cash?
To discover out, we take a look at the largest variations between the AirPods Pro 2 and standard rival earbuds, the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro. They’re each equally priced and share a number of options, making them seem to be robust opponents. But are they? We’ll discover out.
While you’re right here, additionally try our breakdown of the Apple AirPods Pro vs. Sony WF-1000XM4.
Design, consolation, and match
If you’re keen on flaunting your earbuds, you’ll benefit from the colour choices you get with the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro. You can choose between three shades: Graphite (black), white, and Bora Purple. The purple ones positively stand out and look distinctive, contemplating most earbuds are available simply black and white. You don’t get any colour choices with the AirPods Pro 2, or with any AirPods, really — simply that iconic white. On the opposite hand, you do get to customise your AirPods Pro 2 case. You can enhance it with emoji, initials, or numbers, making it totally distinctive to you. This level is type of a wash, in our opinion.
As far as consolation and match go, The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro are glorious, and in our assessment of them, Phil Nickinson gave them the nod over the first-generation Apple AirPods Pro, calling them “smaller and less obtrusive” and providing a extra cosy match. The buds received’t slip or fall off throughout a sweaty exercise session, in order that they’re superb for lively customers. The AirPods Pro 2, however, are unchanged from the unique mannequin, aside from the addition of an extra-small ear tip. That stated, some folks aren’t into the stem design, and whereas nonetheless extremely snug, we’re going to offer this one to the Galaxy Guds 2 Pro by a nostril (or ear, because it have been).
Winner: Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
Controls
The greatest grievance with the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro comes from the contact controls. They generally is a bit too delicate and oddly positioned on a a lot smaller floor space, so each time you attempt to modify the earbuds, you run the danger of unintentionally urgent pause. This can get irritating in a short time.
This isn’t an issue with the AirPods Pro 2, which have launched new contact controls to regulate the amount just by sliding your thumb up or down the stem. This means that you can comfortably reposition your earbuds as many instances as you need with out worrying about unintended pauses. The easy-to-use, squeeze-to-click controls for play/pause, name/reply, and skip/again that have been much-loved from the first-gen AirPods Pro are right here in gen-two as properly, as is the customization, including credence to the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” mentality.
Winner: AirPods Pro 2
Sound high quality
At the $200-plus degree, you’re going to get a fairly great-sounding pair of earbuds regardless of which you select. According to our evaluations of each the AirPods Pro 2 and Galaxy Buds 2 Pros, they each provide the requisite ranges of fantastic bass and clear mids and highs that can make your music and podcasts sound nice.
With the AirPods Pro 2, Apple’s upgraded the earlier technology with new low-distortion drivers and high-dynamic-range amplifiers for a richer and clearer sound that our reviewer confirms. But Apple has the competitors beat in the event you’re all about that cool, immersive surround-sound function generally known as head-tracking spatial audio. Add to that Personalized Spatial Audio, a brand new iOS 16 function that customizes that 3D {surround} sound to your ear form, and we’re speaking next-level right here.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro additionally provide their model of spatial audio and head monitoring to offer you what the corporate calls Intelligent 360 Audio, however we weren’t as impressed with it in our assessment, with Phil Nickinson stating, “Everything sounds overly processed compared to the (first-generation) AirPods Pro.”
Winner: AirPods Pro 2
Noise cancellation and transparency
The AirPods Pro 2 include the extra highly effective H2 chip that Apple says affords “2x more active noise cancellation” to higher block the surface noises of on a regular basis life. As with the first-gen AirPods Pro, the AirPods Pro 2 additionally do that very, very properly — nearly nearly as good because the famend Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II. But the place they maybe shine essentially the most is with their transparency mode (the power to tailor how a lot exterior sound you need to hear) and a brand new function for the second-gen mannequin that Apple calls Adaptive Transparency, through which the earbuds continually monitor the surface world for actually loud, obtrusive sounds that they try and filter to safer, extra acceptable ranges. This function totally impressed us in our assessment, giving the AirPods Pro 2 a leg up over the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro’s noise cancellation, however, works fairly properly for most individuals and is an enchancment over their predecessor, the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro. In our assessment of the Buds 2 Pro, the ANC and transparency mode have been good, however nothing to jot down dwelling about. This one’s a no brainer.
Winner: AirPods Pro 2
Battery life
If you spend a very long time along with your earbuds, you in all probability need to buy ones with good battery life for lengthy flights, commutes, or binge-watching seasons on Netflix. Neither the first-gen AirPods Pro nor the Samsung Galaxy Buds have been the perfect at providing lengthy runtimes, however the AirPods Pro 2 fare higher than the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro. The AirPods Pro 2 provide six hours of listening time on a single cost and as much as 30 hours with the charging case. The Galaxy Buds 2 Pro fall brief, providing 5 hours of listening time on a single cost, with an extra 18 hours within the charging case, for a complete of 23 hours. Not unhealthy, however the AirPods Pro 2 nonetheless win this one.
Winner: AirPods Pro 2
Cases
Earbud circumstances can really feel unimportant, however they play an enormous position in enhancing your total person expertise. Take the AirPods Pro 2 case, for example. One of the perfect additions to the brand new AirPods Pro is the Find My function. Now you may observe your earbuds in the event that they get misplaced. The case has a speaker that performs out a loud beep while you’re looking for it, making it simpler to identify. The speaker additionally signifies when the battery is low and the case wants charging. You additionally get a lanyard loop (albeit with out the precise lanyard), however you should purchase a pack for lower than $10.
The Samsung buds don’t provide any of those fancy options, so while you evaluate the 2, Apple has an apparent benefit.
Winner: AirPods Pro 2
Water resistance
Both the AirPods Pro 2 and the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro are waterproof. The solely distinction? The Galaxy buds are IPX7-rated, whereas the AirPods are IPX4-rated. This means the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro are submersible, however the AirPods aren’t. Another distinction is that the AirPods Pro 2 case is IPX4 waterproof as properly, so there’s added security towards unintended splashes. But once more, they received’t maintain up towards being dropped in a swimming pool.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
Price
Both earbuds are equally priced, however the AirPods Pro 2 are barely pricier at $249, whereas the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro can be found for $230. The $19 distinction is negligible since you’re getting a lot better high quality and improved options with the AirPods. That stated, if worth is your greatest issue and also you’re prepared to attend, the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro may be discovered on sale fairly readily.
Winner: AirPods Pro 2
The backside line
The AirPods Pro 2 win in almost each class, making them an apparent alternative over the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro. The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro provide some glorious options, however the brand new AirPods Pro are higher, particularly with Apple’s new upgrades. They’re simply $20 extra and provide a lot better sound high quality and customization, supplying you with essentially the most bang to your buck.
The solely draw back is that they’re finest for folks already deep within the Apple ecosystem. You want an iPhone to make use of them successfully and energy them with Apple’s chargers. If you’ve at all times been utilizing Android and aren’t trying to change that within the close to future, you’re higher off going with the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro. Yet total, we extremely advocate the AirPods Pro 2 for the wonderful sound high quality, improved transparency mode, and superior noise cancellation.
Editors’ Recommendations
[ad_2]