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Airpods (2nd generation)
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Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
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What we think

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The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·

The Apple AirPods (2nd generation) offer a lower cost alternative with a strong performance in everyday tasks and are especially optimized for Apple devices. They're very portable, with a compact carrying case, and they provide a decent sound quality for music and calls. The battery life is excellent and they support wireless charging. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, while slightly more expensive, offer superior sound quality, particularly for immersive experiences like gaming and watching TV, with high quality noise isolation and an optimal fit. They also include an equalizer and app control customization, have better build quality, and feature active noise cancelling, making them ideal for noisy environments and air travel. They too support wireless charging, but with a shorter battery life compared to the AirPods. The decision largely depends on your priorities. If cost and integration with Apple products are more important, go with the AirPods. However, if you value sound quality, extra features like active noise cancellation and customization, and often use earbuds in noisy environments, the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro might be the better choice. Give Feedback

this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple Airpods (2nd generation)
  • The Apple Airpods (2nd generation) has no clear advantages over the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro.
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
  • Very good for music
  • Good for phone calls
  • Very good for gaming
  • Good for TV and video
  • Good for exercise
  • Very good for air travel

Key differences

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Music

5.8
Airpods (2nd generation)
Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
8.0
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro is very good for music, while the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) is poor.

Gaming

4.8
Airpods (2nd generation)
Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
8.3
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro is very good for gaming, while the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) is poor.

TV and Video

5.4
Airpods (2nd generation)
Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
7.7
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro is good for TV and video, while the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) is poor.

Noise Reduction

2.5
Airpods (2nd generation)
Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
9.1
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro is excellent for noise reduction, while the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) is poor.

Battery

4.0 Hours
Airpods (2nd generation)
Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
4.8 Hours
The Apple Airpods (2nd generation) has 4 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro has 4.8 hours of battery life.

Cost

$89
Airpods (2nd generation)
Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
$188
Product image
Product image

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The Apple Airpods (2nd generation) has a price of $89 and the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro costs $188.

Build Quality

7.6
Airpods (2nd generation)
Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
9.0
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro has excellent build quality, while the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) has good build quality.
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Key similarities

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Phone Calls

6.9
Airpods (2nd generation)
Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
7.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro to be good for phone calls, while the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) is only fair.

Podcasts and Audiobooks

8.1
Airpods (2nd generation)
Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
8.4
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro and Apple Airpods (2nd generation) are both very good for podcasts and audiobooks.

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How the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) and the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro compare to other earbuds and headphones

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Spec Comparison

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Apple Airpods (2nd generation)Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
Apple Airpods (2nd generation)Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro

GENERAL

Price
$89
$188
Brand
AppleSamsung
Release Date
March 1, 2019August 1, 2022
Form Factor
EarbudsEarbuds
Connectivity
WirelessWireless

SOUND

Music Score
5.9/108.1/10
Phone Calls Score
7/107.1/10
Gaming Score
4.9/108.4/10
TV and Video Score
5.5/107.8/10
Exercise Score
5.8/107.7/10

PERFORMANCE

Battery life
4 Hours4.8 Hours
Wireless charging
YesYes
Charging time
0.5 Hours1.1 Hours
Bluetooth version
55.2
Case Battery Life
2412

FEATURES

Active Noise Cancelling
NoYes
Noise Reduction Score
2.5/109.1/10
Virtual Surround
NoYes
Android App
NoYes
iOS App
NoNo
Mic Quality
6.5/106.5/10

BUILD AND DESIGN

Build Quality
7.6/109/10
Comfort score
7.6/107.8/10
Size
SmallMedium
Weight (headset or single earbud)
4 Grams5.5 Grams
Microphone style
IntegratedIntegrated

Shopping

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Apple Airpods (2nd generation)

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Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro

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Sound Guys

Jasper Lastoria | April 2023
"Consider the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro as your next pair of buds for its excellent active noise canceling (ANC) of low frequencies and comfortable fit. For Samsung users, the integration with your devices is handy and good for productivity."

Get a great deal on the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) or the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro

About Apple

Apple Inc. is an American technology company, founded in 1976, known for its wide range of premium products, including smartphones, computers, and audio solutions. Apple offers the very popular personal audio line AirPods, highly regarded for their wireless, smart capabilities and their seamless integration with the iPhone, iPad and Mac devices. They provide a high-quality sound, comfort and lifestyle features perfect for all users invested in their ecosystem.

About Samsung

Samsung is a multinational conglomerate with over 85 years of history. They are mostly known to consumers for their high-end smartphones and TVs, however they are invested in many other markets like semiconductors and automotive. Samsung owns Harman International which itself owns other audio specialized companies like Harman Kardon, JBL and AKG who help engineer most, if not all, of Samsung audio products of their Galaxy line.

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Why trust us

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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.

By the numbers

108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
122,600
Recommendations made
18,390
Consumer hours saved

About the Earbuds or Headphones team

Joe Golden, Ph.D

CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.

Jason Lew

Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.

Chandradeep Chowdhury

Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.

Luis Torres

Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.

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