Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro  Headphones Review

Review updated Oct 18, 2021 at 12:46pm
Retest Mar 06, 2023 at 03:45pm
Tested using Methodology v1.5 
Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro
7.1
Neutral Sound 
7.7
Commute/Travel 
8.1
Sports/Fitness 
7.0
Office 
5.6
Wireless Gaming 
5.5
Wired Gaming 
6.4
Phone Calls 
 2
Notice: These headphones were replaced by Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro

The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro Truly Wireless are in-ear headphones with a good active noise cancelling (ANC) feature. They can isolate more noise than the Samsung Galaxy Buds Live Truly Wireless, although they still struggle to cut down bass-range noise like engine rumbles. They're also similarly well-built to other Samsung truly wireless headphones, and they have a higher IPX7 certification for protection against water immersion. Unfortunately, their 4.3-hour continuous battery life falls short of that of the Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Truly Wireless.

Our Verdict

7.1
Neutral Sound 

The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro are satisfactory for neutral sound. They have an excited, V-shaped sound profile, which delivers extra thump and boom while brightening vocals and lead instruments. If you prefer a more neutral sound, their companion app offers a few EQ presets to help customize them to your liking. They also have consistent bass and treble delivery and a comfortable fit.

Pros
  • Comfortable and well-built design.
  • EQ presets available.
Cons
  • Sub-par battery performance.
  • Bad passive soundstage.
7.7
Commute/Travel 

The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro are good for commute and travel. They're well-built and don't leak too much audio, so you can enjoy your audio at high volumes without disturbing others around you. They also have a comfortable fit, and they're easily portable. However, their ANC struggles to cut down bass-range noise like bus or plane engine rumbles. They also have a fairly short continuous battery life and may need to be recharged during longer trips.

Pros
  • Comfortable and well-built design.
  • Stable and very breathable fit.
Cons
  • Sub-par battery performance.
8.1
Sports/Fitness 

The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro are great for sports and fitness. Even though they lack stability fins, they have a stable fit that's suitable for moderate exercise. They're also lightweight, comfortable, easily portable, and have a very breathable design, so you shouldn't sweat more than normal while wearing them. They're certified IPX7 for protection against water immersion too. However, they lack volume controls by default and offer a limited control scheme.

Pros
  • Comfortable and well-built design.
  • Stable and very breathable fit.
Cons
  • Sub-par battery performance.
7.0
Office 

The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro are decent for office use. They're comfortable and have low leakage, so you can enjoy your audio at a high volume without disturbing others around you. They also have a good ANC, which can help cut down some ambient chatter. Unfortunately, their 4.3-hour continuous battery life won't make it through a full day at work without a recharge.

Pros
  • Can isolate ambient chatter.
  • Comfortable and well-built design.
Cons
  • Sub-par battery performance.
  • No multi-device or NFC pairing.
5.6
Wireless Gaming 

The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro aren't recommended for wireless gaming. While you can connect them to a Bluetooth-enabled PC, the latency is likely to be too high for gaming. They also aren't compatible with Xbox and PlayStation consoles. That said, they offer a low latency 'Gaming Mode' if you want to play games on your mobile device.

5.5
Wired Gaming 

The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro are Bluetooth-only headphones that you can't use on a wired connection.

6.4
Phone Calls 

The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro are passable for phone calls. Their integrated mic can capture your voice clearly, although it sounds a little muffled and distorted. However, it struggles to separate your voice from background noise, which could be a problem if you're talking in a loud environment. They can reduce some unwanted sounds around you thanks to their ANC feature, meaning you can focus on your call.

Pros
  • Can isolate ambient chatter.
  • Comfortable and well-built design.
Cons
  • Mic has poor noise handling.
  • Sub-par battery performance.
  • 7.1
    Neutral Sound
  • 7.7
    Commute/Travel
  • 8.1
    Sports/Fitness
  • 7.0
    Office
  • 5.6
    Wireless Gaming
  • 5.5
    Wired Gaming
  • 6.4
    Phone Calls
  • Changelog

    1.  Updated Mar 06, 2023: These headphones can connect to the Galaxy Buds app on Windows. As a result, we've raised the scoring of App Support from '7.0' to '7.5'.
    2.  Updated Oct 18, 2022: We've added a comparison between these headphones and the Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro True Wireless in Passive Soundstage.
    3.  Updated Oct 14, 2022: We've added a comparison between these headphones and the Sony LinkBuds S Truly Wireless in Noise Isolation.
    4.  Updated Oct 18, 2021: Updated review for accuracy and clarity.

    Check Price

    Phantom Black
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    Phantom Silver
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    Phantom Violet
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    Differences Between Sizes And Variants

    The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro come in four color variants: 'Phantom Black', 'Phantom Silver', 'Phantom Violet', and 'Phantom White'. We tested the Phantom Black variant, and you can see their label here. However, we expect all color variants to perform similarly to our model.

    If you come across another variant, please let us know in the discussions, and we'll update our review.

    Popular Headphones Comparisons

    The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro are truly wireless headphones with an active noise cancelling (ANC) feature. This feature performs better than the Samsung Galaxy Buds Live Truly Wireless and can cut down a good amount of noise around you. They also support 360 Audio with compatible smartphones, which can help create a more immersive audio experience. However, their battery performance is sub-par and only lasts around 4.3 hours compared to the over 13 hours offered by the Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Truly Wireless.

    Check out our recommendations for the best noise cancelling earbuds and in-ear headphones, the best wireless earbuds for Android, and the best true wireless earbuds.

    Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro

    The Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro are slightly better in-ear headphones than the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro, but the differences are minor. While both buds are comfortable and well-built, the Buds2 Pro have a significantly better noise isolation performance, and their companion app offers more features.

    Samsung Galaxy Buds2

    The Samsung Galaxy Buds2 are slightly better in-ears than the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro. The Buds2 have a more neutral sound profile, which some users may prefer, their noise isolation performance is better, and their mic has a better recording quality.

    Samsung Galaxy Buds Live

    The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro are significantly better headphones than the Samsung Galaxy Buds Live. The Pro are more comfortable and have a better-balanced sound profile right out of the box. Their ANC can reduce more ambient noise around you, and their integrated mic offers better overall performance. However, the Live have a longer-lasting continuous battery life.

    Sony WF-1000XM4 Truly Wireless

    The Sony WF-1000XM4 Truly Wireless are slightly better headphones for most uses than the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro. The Sony are better-built, have a somewhat better noise isolation performance, and a longer continuous battery life. Their companion app also offers a graphic EQ to help adjust their sound to your liking. However, the Samsung have a more bass-heavy sound profile and are more comfortable.

    Samsung Galaxy Buds FE

    The Samsung Galaxy Buds FE offer better overall performance than the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro. The FE model are more comfortable, and their ANC can block out more ambient noise. They also have a longer continuous battery life and support Samsung's Scalable Codec, allowing you to stream higher-quality audio.

    Samsung Galaxy Buds

    The Samsung Galaxy Buds are slightly better headphones than the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro. While both are well-built and comfortable, the original Buds are more stable and have a more neutral default sound profile, which some users may prefer, and their battery performance is better. However, the Pro can block out more background noise, thanks to their ANC system.

    Apple AirPods (3rd generation)

    The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro are better than the Apple AirPods (3rd generation) for most purposes. The Samsung have a more comfortable, stable fit and a higher IPX7 rating for water resistance. They also have ANC and block out much more ambient sound. On the other hand, the Apple's open design allows you to hear your surroundings, and they offer a better overall battery performance. Also, both headphones have some OS-specific features, so you may prefer either depending on what device you use. The Samsung's virtual surround sound feature only works on Android, while the Apple's only works on iOS.

    Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Truly Wireless

    The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Truly Wireless are better for most purposes than the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro. The Bose have much better build quality, a longer continuous battery life, and a significantly better noise isolation performance. They have a more neutral sound profile, which some listeners may prefer, and their touch-sensitive controls are easier to use. However, the Samsung are more comfortable.

    Beats Studio Buds True Wireless

    The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro are slightly better headphones than the Beats Studio Buds True Wireless. While both headphones are comfortable and well-built, the Samsung have a more stable in-ear fit, significantly better noise isolation, and their companion app offers EQ presets. However, the Beats have a somewhat better battery performance.

    Apple AirPods Pro

    The Apple AirPods Pro are better headphones than the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro. The Apple feel better built and have a more neutral sound profile, and their ANC feature can reduce even more ambient noise around you. They also have a longer total battery life. However, the Samsung have EQ presets and two ANC levels via their companion app.

    Sony WF-C500 Truly Wireless

    The Sony WF-C500 Truly Wireless and the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro have different strengths, and you may prefer either, depending on your needs. The Sony have a longer continuous battery life and a more neutral sound profile, which some may prefer. Their mic also has much better noise handling. On the other hand, the Samsung have a much more comfortable and stable fit. They have lower latency and a mic with significantly better recording quality. The Sony’s mic has much better noise handling, so they’re more suitable for calls outside quiet places.

    OnePlus Buds Pro

    The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro and the OnePlus Buds Pro have different strengths, and you may prefer either one. The Samsung have a significantly better noise isolation performance, and their app has EQ presets to help you customize their sound. However, the OnePlus have more additional charges in their carrying case.

    Google Pixel Buds A-Series Truly Wireless

    The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro are slightly better in-ears than the Google Pixel Buds A-Series Truly Wireless. The Samsung have ANC and can block out a decent amount of ambient noise around you, have a companion app with EQ presets so that you can adjust their sound, and leak less audio. You can also use one bud while the other charges. 

    Samsung Galaxy Buds+

    The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ are better headphones than the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro. The Buds+ have a more stable in-ear fit, a better-balanced sound profile, and longer-lasting continuous battery life with a standby mode to help conserve battery life when not in use. However, some users may prefer the Pro's ANC feature, which can help cut down some ambient noise around you.

    Beats Fit Pro True Wireless

    The Beats Fit Pro True Wireless are slightly better in-ears than the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro. The Beats have a more stable in-ear fit, their default sound profile is more neutral, which some users may prefer, and they support Spatial Audio on iOS devices for a more immersive sound. They also have a better battery performance and have an H1 chip for seamless pairing with your Apple devices. However, the Samsung headphones are more comfortable, and their companion app offers EQ presets to help you customize their sound.

    Sony LinkBuds S Truly Wireless

    The Sony LinkBuds S Truly Wireless are slightly better in-ears than the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro. While both earbuds are comfortable and well-built, the Sony headphones have a significantly better noise isolation performance, a longer-lasting continuous battery life, and more robust sound customization features via their companion app. However, the Samsung headphones have a more neutral sound profile, which some users may prefer.

    Amazon Echo Buds (2nd generation)

    The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro are better for most purposes than the Amazon Echo Buds (2nd generation). The Samsung have a much more neutral default sound profile, which some listeners may prefer, and their ANC feature does a much better job of blocking out bass-range noises like bus and plane engines. Their case is also more compact and feels sturdier. On the other hand, the Amazon's integrated mic has a much better recording quality. They also come with stability fins and have a much more stable fit, so they may be better suited for use during workouts.

    Jabra Elite 4 Active True Wireless

    The Jabra Elite 4 Active True Wireless are a bit better than the Samsung Galaxy Βuds Pro. The Jabra have a more neutral default sound profile and more robust sound customization features in their app. Their continuous battery life is longer, and they're rated IP57 for dust and water resistance. Ηowever, the Samsung have a more comfortable fit and an ANC feature with a better noise isolation performance.

    Anker Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro Truly Wireless

    The Anker Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro Truly Wireless are slightly better in-ears than the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro. While both headphones are comfortable and well-built, the Anker have a more stable fit, and their ANC can block out more ambient sound. They also have a better battery performance, support multi-device pairing, and you can customize their sound to your liking using their companion app's graphic EQ and presets. The Samsung have a more neutral default sound profile, which some users may prefer.

    Jabra Elite 7 Pro True Wireless

    The Jabra Elite 7 Pro True Wireless are better for most purposes than the Samsung Galaxy Βuds Pro. The Jabra have a longer continuous battery life, a better overall mic performance, and a more comprehensive control scheme. Their default sound profile is more neutral, which some may prefer, and their app has more sound customization features. They’re also rated IP57 for dust and water resistance, while the Samsung are rated IPX7 for water resistance only. However, the Samsung come with a better case.

    Jabra Elite 85t Truly Wireless

    The Jabra Elite 85t Truly Wireless are somewhat better headphones than the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro. The Jabra are better built, have a more neutral sound profile out of the box, and offer a better overall battery performance. They also have a companion app with a graphic EQ and presets so that you can tweak its sound to your liking, and support multi-device pairing. However, the Samsung's ANC does a better job of cutting down noise around you.

    Sony LinkBuds Truly Wireless

    The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro are better for most purposes than the Sony LinkBuds Truly Wireless. The Samsung are much more comfortable, stable, and have a more neutral sound profile. They're also equipped with an ANC feature and isolate you from more noise. On the other hand, the Sony headphones have a longer continuous battery life and more sound customization features in their app. Their open design is meant to let you hear ambient sound as well.

    Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 2

    The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro are better headphones than the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 2. The Samsung are more comfortable and have a more neutral default sound profile, which some may prefer. Their ANC also isolates you from more noise. However, the Sennheiser are better built, and their companion app has a graphic EQ.

    Google Pixel Buds Pro

    The Google Pixel Buds Pro are slightly better in-ears than the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro. The Google headphones have a better noise isolation performance thanks to their ANC system, they have a superior battery life, and they support multi-device pairing. However, the Samsung headphones have a more comfortable fit.

    Anker Soundcore Liberty 2 Pro Truly Wireless

    The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro are better headphones than the Anker Soundcore Liberty 2 Pro Truly Wireless. The Samsung are more comfortable and have a better-balanced sound profile. They also have an ANC feature that can reduce some background noise around you and a better performing integrated mic. However, the Anker have longer-lasting continuous battery life and their companion app offers a graphic EQ.

    Jabra Elite 3 True Wireless

    The Jabra Elite 3 True Wireless are somewhat better in-ears than the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro. While both headphones are comfortable and well-built, the Jabra have a more neutral default sound profile, which some users may prefer, and significantly better battery performance. However, the Samsung have ANC, although it only offers somewhat better performance than the Jabra's passive noise isolation abilities.

    EarFun Air Pro 2 True Wireless 2021

    The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro are slightly better in-ears than the EarFun Air Pro 2 True Wireless 2021. The Samsung have a more comfortable and stable in-ear fit, and they're able to block out more ambient noise around you. They also have a companion app that offers EQ presets so that you can customize the buds' sound. However, the EarFun have a more neutral sound profile, which some users may prefer, and they have a better battery performance.

    Raycon The Fitness Earbuds (2021 Edition) True Wireless

    The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro are better headphones for most uses than the Raycon The Fitness Earbuds (2021 Edition) True Wireless. While both headphones are comfortable and well-built, the Samsung have a more neutral sound profile, which some users may prefer, their companion app offers EQ presets to help you customize their sound, and they have an ANC system that helps them block out significantly more ambient noise. However, the Raycon have a more stable in-ear fit and better battery performance.

    Sennheiser CX True Wireless

    The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro are slightly better than the Sennheiser CX True Wireless. The Samsung are more comfortable, have a better-balanced sound profile, and block out more ambient noise thanks to their ANC feature. They also have superior mic recording quality, though the Sennheiser's integrated mic does a better job of isolating speech from background noise. The Sennheiser also have a longer battery life, a more feature-packed companion app, superior build quality, and lower levels of audio leakage.

    JBL Tour Pro+ TWS True Wireless

    The JBL Tour Pro+ TWS True Wireless are slightly better headphones than the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro. While both headphones are comfortable, the JBL are better-built, have a more neutral default sound profile, which some users may prefer, and their ANC can block out a bit more background noise. They also have a better battery performance, and you can customize their sound profile using their companion app's parametric EQ and presets. However, the Samsung's integrated mic has a better recording quality.

    Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro Truly Wireless

    The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro are better than the Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro Truly Wireless for most uses. The Samsung have a longer continuous battery life, better controls, and a more neutral default sound profile, which some listeners may prefer. On the other hand, the Anker's ANC system is much better at blocking out bass-range noise like the rumble of bus and plane engines. They also come with a bigger selection of differently-sized ear tips.

    Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 True Wireless

    The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro are better in-ears than the Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 True Wireless. The Samsung are more comfortable, have a more neutral default sound profile, and their continuous battery life is longer. Their companion app also offers EQ presets. The Bowers & Wilkins are better built, and their ANC does a better job of blocking out background sound.

    Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless

    The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless and the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro are similarly performing headphones, and depending on your usage, you may prefer one over the other. The Sony are more neutral out-of-the-box, and their companion app offers a graphic EQ plus presets if you like to tweak their sound. They also have a longer-lasting, continuous battery life. However, the Samsung are more comfortable and stable. Their ANC can also cut down more ambient noise around you.

    Jabra Elite Active 75t Truly Wireless

    The Jabra Elite Active 75t Truly Wireless are better than the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro for most uses. The Jabra feel sturdier and have much better touch-sensitive controls. They have longer continuous battery life and come with a case that holds a greater number of charges. They also support multi-device pairing, and their companion app has more sound customization features. On the other hand, the Samsung can block out more background noise, and their mic has a better recording quality.

    Beats Solo Pro

    The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro are better headphones than the Beats Solo Pro. The Samsung are more comfortable, stable, and portable. They also work with a companion app that gives you access to an EQ and presets. However, the Beats feel better built and have a more neutral sound profile. Their ANC is also able to block more noise. 

    Jabra Elite 75t Truly Wireless

    The Jabra Elite 75t Truly Wireless are better for most purposes than the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro. They have significantly better build quality, a longer continuous battery life, and offer multi-device pairing. They have a very bass-rich sound profile, which some listeners may like, and also work with a companion app with a graphic EQ and presets, so you can customize it if you prefer a different sound. 

    Overhauling Our Audio Measurements And A New Multi-Curve Graphing Tool

    We've upgraded our Headphones Test Bench to 2.0! This update brings several key changes to our tests and usages, making it easier than ever to interpret our sound results based on your personal preferences. You'll also find a brand-new interactive graph tool featuring multiple targets (including our own!) for you to explore and compare.

    For a full breakdown, check out our changelog, which includes detailed commentary from our test designer explaining the rationale behind our update.

    We'd also love to hear your thoughts: your feedback helps us keep improving, so join us in the comments!

    Test Results

    perceptual testing image
    Sort:
    RATINGS
    Category:
    All
    Design
    Style
    TypeIn-ear
    EnclosureClosed-Back
    WirelessTruly Wireless
    TransducerDynamic

    The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro look somewhat similar in design to the Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Truly Wireless and the Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Truly Wireless. They have a sleek, rounded earbud design with a glossy finish. They're also small and don't protrude too much out of your ears. If you prefer a different look, they come in four color variants that can better match your style.

    7.5
    Comfort
    Weight0.03 lbs
    Clamping Force
    0 lbs

    The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro are comfortable headphones. They're lightweight and have a similar fit to the Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Truly Wireless but go a little deeper into your ear. However, like the Samsung Galaxy Buds Live Truly Wireless, there's a little bump on the top of the earbuds that puts some pressure on your ear, which could be fatiguing after some time.

    6.2
    Controls
    OS Compatibility
    Not OS specific
    Ease Of UseDecent
    FeedbackGood
    Call/Music ControlYes
    Volume ControlNo
    Microphone ControlNo
    Channel Mixing
    No
    Noise Cancelling ControlOn/Off
    Talk-Through
    On/Off
    Additional ControlsVoice Assistant

    The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro have passable controls. There's a touch-sensitive surface on both earbuds, and they're easy to use. However, some users may find the surface overly sensitive, and you may accidentally register a command if you're adjusting the buds' fit. The control scheme also lacks volume controls by default, and although you can remap controls via their companion apps, you can lose out on other controls instead. There are different beeps to let you know when you've registered a command, but there are no voice prompts.

    On either bud:

    • One tap: Plays and pauses audio.
    • Double-tap: Skips a track forward. Also, answers or ends calls.
    • Triple-tap: Skips a track backward.
    • Touch and hold for two seconds: Cycles through ANC on and talk through mode, which allows you to better hear your surroundings without taking out the earbuds. This command also declines calls. You can remap this control if you want volume control, voice commands, or if you want the buds to launch Spotify on command so that you can listen to your favorite tracks.
    9.2
    Breathability
    Avg.Temp.Difference0.8 °C

    The Samsung Buds Pro have outstanding breathability. Like the OnePlus Buds Pro Truly Wireless, their in-ear fit shouldn't trap in too much heat or make you sweat more than normal while you're wearing them.

    9.5
    Portability
    L1.4" (3.6 cm)
    W1.0" (2.5 cm)
    H1.0" (2.5 cm)
    Volume1.40 in³ (22.94 cm³)
    Transmitter RequiredNo

    These headphones are very portable. They can easily be tossed into most pockets when you're on the go. Their carrying case is also fairly small, so you shouldn't have a problem taking them with you.

    8.0
    Case
    TypeHard case
    L2.0" (5.1 cm)
    W2.0" (5.1 cm)
    H1.1" (2.8 cm)
    Volume4.40 in³ (72.10 cm³)

    The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro have a great charging case that supports Qi-enabled wireless charging and is very similar in design to that of the Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Truly Wireless. It feels solid, lightweight, and has a sleek satin finish to match the color scheme of your headphones. There's a light inside the case to indicate the battery life of the buds. There's also another light on the outside of the case to indicate the case's charge. It turns orange when the earbuds are charging and becomes green when fully charged.

    7.5
    Build Quality

    The Samsung Buds Pro have a good build quality. They're made of dense matte plastic with a glossy finish on their exterior side and silicone-like ear tips. They feel sturdy enough to survive a couple of accidental drops without too much of a problem. Unlike the Samsung Galaxy Buds Live Truly Wireless or the Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Truly Wireless, they're also certified IPX7 for protection against water immersion.

    7.5
    Stability

    The Samsung Buds Pro have a stable fit. Unlike the Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Truly Wireless, they lack stability fins. However, they still have a stable fit, and they come with three differently sized pairs of ear tips to help create a good seal. They should stay in place during moderate physical activity.

    Headshots 1
    Headshots 2
    Top
    In The Box

    • Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro earbuds
    • Charging case
    • 3x ear tips
    • USB-C to USB-A charging cable
    Sound
    Sound Profile
    See details on graph tool
    Bass Amount
    1.36 dB
    Treble Amount
    -0.51 dB

    The Samsung Buds Pro have an excited, V-shaped sound profile. They deliver a thumpy, boomy bass while vocals are bright and sparkly. However, some users may find their mixes sound a bit muddy. If you prefer a different sound, there are EQ presets available via their companion apps.

    9.4
    Frequency Response Consistency
    See details on graph tool
    See details on graph tool
    Avg. Std. Deviation
    0.12 dB

    Like most in-ear headphones, the frequency response consistency is outstanding. Once you achieve a proper fit using the included tips, you should experience consistent bass and treble responses every time you use them.

    Raw Frequency Response
    See details on graph tool
    See details on graph tool
    7.6
    Bass Accuracy
    See details on graph tool
    Std. Err.
    3.53 dB
    Low-Frequency Extension
    10 Hz
    Low-Bass
    2.81 dB
    Mid-Bass
    2.67 dB
    High-Bass
    5.45 dB

    The Samsung Buds Pro have good bass accuracy. It's overemphasized across the entire range, which adds extra thump, punch, and boom to your tracks. However, some users may find their mixes sound muddy.

    8.1
    Mid Accuracy
    See details on graph tool
    Std. Err.
    2.58 dB
    Low-Mid
    3.95 dB
    Mid-Mid
    -0.46 dB
    High-Mid
    0.01 dB

    These headphones have great mid accuracy. There's some overemphasis coming from the bass range, which makes the low-mid sound muddy and cluttered. However, the rest of the range is very balanced and neutral, resulting in accurate and detailed vocals and lead instruments.

    8.2
    Treble Accuracy
    See details on graph tool
    Std. Err.
    2.77 dB
    Low-Treble
    0.96 dB
    Mid-Treble
    3.19 dB
    High-Treble
    0.85 dB

    The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro have great treble accuracy. The low-treble is very flat and neutral, so vocals and lead instruments are present and detailed. However, overemphasis in the mid-treble makes sibilants like S and T sounds piercing.

    7.7
    Peaks/Dips
    See details on graph tool
    Peaks
    1.48 dB
    Dips
    1.02 dB

    The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro's peaks and dips performance is good. There's a large peak between the high-bass and low-mid that makes mixes sound muddy and cluttered, while a dip in the mid-mid nudges vocals and lead instruments to the back of the mix. Another peak in the mid-treble makes sibilants like cymbals piercing.

    9.1
    Imaging
    See details on graph tool
    See details on graph tool
    Weighted Group Delay
    0.11
    Weighted Phase Mismatch
    1.35
    Weighted Amplitude Mismatch
    0.89
    Weighted Frequency Mismatch
    0.76

    The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro have outstanding imaging. The entire group delay response is well within the audibility threshold, resulting in tight bass and transparent treble reproduction. Our unit's L/R drivers are also extremely well-matched in amplitude, frequency, and phase response, creating a stereo image with accurate placement and localization of objects (like voices, instruments, and video game effects). However, these results are only valid for our unit, and yours may perform differently.

    1.0
    Passive Soundstage
    PRTF Accuracy (Std. Dev.)
    N/A
    PRTF Size (Avg.)
    N/A
    PRTF Distance
    N/A
    Openness
    2.7
    Acoustic Space Excitation
    1.6

    The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro have a bad passive soundstage, which is very common for closed-back, in-ear headphones. Creating a large and out-of-head soundstage is heavily dependant on sound activating your outer ears. By design, they bypass the outer ear, resulting in a small soundstage that seems like it's coming from inside your head. Since they're also closed-back, they won't sound as spacious as open-back headphones.

    2.9
    Virtual Soundstage
    Head Modeling
    No
    Speaker Modeling
    On/Off
    Room Ambience
    No
    Head Tracking
    On/Off
    Virtual Surround
    360 Reality Audio

    These headphones only support 360 Audio technology when paired with a compatible Android system. This feature is advertised to deliver 360-degree audio through the earbuds, so objects like footsteps or voices sound like they're coming from precise areas rather than from all around you. It also has a head tracking feature, so even if you look away from your phone or tablet, they can detect your head's movement and play the audio as if you're watching your device.

    8.2
    Weighted Harmonic Distortion
    See details on graph tool
    WHD @ 90
    0.199
    WHD @ 100
    0.079

    The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro have a great weighted harmonic distortion performance. All frequencies fall within good levels, resulting in clear and pure audio reproduction.

    Test Settings
    Firmware
    R190XXU0AUA1
    Power
    On
    Connection
    Bluetooth 5.0
    Codec
    SBC, 16-bit, 48kHz
    EQ
    Default
    ANC
    High
    Tip/Pad
    Silicone (small)
    Microphone
    Integrated

    These are the settings used to test these headphones. Our results are only valid when using these settings.

    Isolation
    7.4
    Noise Isolation
    See details on graph tool
    Isolation Audio
    Overall Attenuation
    -21.1 dB
    Noise CancellingYes
    Bass
    -12.18 dB
    Mid
    -15.23 dB
    Treble
    -35.91 dB

    The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro have a decent noise isolation performance. With their ANC set to 'High', they cut down a sub-par amount of bass-range noise like bus or plane engines, which isn't great if you commute a lot. However, they do a better job of cutting down ambient chatter as well as a significant amount of high-pitched noise like the hum of an AC unit. If you're looking for buds with a better noise isolation performance, check out the Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro True Wireless or the Sony LinkBuds S Truly Wireless.

    We have also tested these headphones using firmware update R190XXU0AUA5. However, there wasn't a significant change in the ANC's overall performance. You can see the graph of our measurements with both the previous firmware and the new firmware here. Although our original results used small ear tips, there has been user discussion that noise isolation performance may differ depending on the size of ear tips used. We've run some passes using the medium ear tips, and you can see a comparison of both performances here. However, the small and medium ear tips deliver a similar noise isolation performance.

    8.6
    Leakage
    See details on graph tool
    Leakage Audio
    Overall Leakage @ 1ft
    29.86 dB

    The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro have an excellent leakage performance. Leakage is mostly concentrated in the treble range, and escaping audio sounds thin. However, even if you're listening to audio at high volumes in a moderately noisy environment like a busy office, you shouldn't bother others around you.

    Microphone
    Microphone Style
    Integrated
    Yes
    In-Line
    No
    Boom
    No
    Detachable Boom
    No
    MicYes
    7.3
    Recording Quality
    See details on graph tool
    Recorded Speech
    LFE
    20 Hz
    FR Std. Dev.
    5.18 dB
    HFE
    7,240.77 Hz
    Weighted THD
    1.876
    Gain
    6.29 dB

    The integrated mic has a decent recording quality. Your voice sounds clear but a little muffled and distorted. However, you shouldn't have too much of an issue being understood.

    4.7
    Noise Handling
    See details on graph tool
    SpNR
    9.01 dB
    Noise Gate
    No
    Speech + Pink Noise Handling
    4.5
    Speech + Pink Noise Audio Sample
    Speech + Subway Noise Handling
    5.0
    Speech + Subway Noise Audio Sample

    The noise handling of this microphone is poor. It struggles to separate your voice from ambient noise, even in moderately loud environments. If you're taking a call from a busy street, your voice may be drowned out by noise around you.

    Active Features
    5.7
    Battery
    Battery Type
    Rechargable
    Continuous Battery Life
    4.3 hrs
    Additional Charges
    2.5
    Total Battery Life
    15.1 hrs
    Charge Time
    1.3 hrs
    Power-Saving Feature
    No
    Audio While Charging
    Yes
    Passive Playback
    No
    Charging PortUSB-C

    The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro have sub-par battery life. They're advertised to last five hours continuously with their ANC on, and we measured over four hours. This is still shorter than the continuous playback time offered by the Samsung Galaxy Buds Live Truly Wireless. On the upside, their carrying case holds roughly 2.5 extra charges, and you can even use one bud while the other one charges. They're also advertised to deliver one hour of playtime with only five minutes of charging. However, battery performance can vary depending on your usage, so your experience may vary. If you're looking for a pair of truly wireless headphones with a longer total battery life, try the TOZO NC2 Truly Wireless.

    7.5
    App Support
    App NameSamsung Wearable
    iOSNo
    AndroidYes
    macOSNo
    WindowsYes
    Equalizer
    Presets
    ANC Control
    On/Off
    Mic ControlNo
    Room Effects
    No
    Playback Control
    No
    Button MappingYes
    Surround Support
    Yes

    Like the Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Truly Wireless, these buds are compatible with the Samsung Wearables app. It's only available on Android, and it allows you to change EQ presets, remap controls, manage voice controls, and activate Bixby, Samsung's virtual assistant. You can also activate 'Gaming Mode', which the manufacturer advertises to help lower their latency while gaming, and adjust talk-through, so you can keep listening to audio while talking to others.

    If you're on a Windows PC, you can also connect these buds to the Galaxy Buds app, which offers many of the same features as the mobile app such as EQ presets and noise control. However, you won't be able to access the 'Gaming Mode' feature.

    Connectivity
    7.0
    Bluetooth
    Bluetooth Version
    5.0
    Multi-Device Pairing
    No
    NFC Pairing
    No
    Line Of Sight Range
    212.00 ft (64.62 m)
    PC Latency (SBC)
    337 ms
    PC Latency (aptX)
    N/A
    PC Latency (aptX HD)
    N/A
    PC Latency (aptX-LL)
    N/A
    iOS Latency
    52 ms
    Android Latency
    50 ms

    The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro have decent Bluetooth connectivity. Like other truly wireless Samsung headphones like the Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Truly Wireless, they support Scalable, Samsung's proprietary codec for high-quality audio. However, you can't pair them with more than one device at a time. They also don't support NFC pairing. While they have high latency on PCs, their latency on iOS and Android is lower, which is great if you like to stream video. They also have a 'Gaming Mode' via their mobile companion app that's advertised to lower their latency. We measured 69ms of latency on Android using this mode, which is low. However, the companion app is only available on Android devices. That said, some apps and devices compensate for latency differently, so your real-world experience may vary.

    0.0
    Non-Bluetooth Wireless
    Non-BT Line Of Sight Range
    N/A
    Non-BT Latency
    N/A
    0.0
    Wired
    Analog Audio
    No
    USB Audio
    No
    DetachableNo
    LengthN/A
    Connection
    No Wired Option
    Analog/USB Audio Latency
    N/A

    You can't use the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro wired. They come with a USB-C to USB-A charging cable to recharge their carrying case.

    PC Compatibility
    Analog
    No
    Wired USB
    No
    Non-BT Wireless
    No

    These wireless headphones are fully compatible with Bluetooth-enabled PCs. Unfortunately, you can't connect them to your PC in any other way.

    PlayStation Compatibility
    PS4 Analog
    No
    PS4 Wired USB
    No
    PS4 Non-BT Wireless
    No
    PS5 Analog
    No
    PS5 Wired USB
    No
    PS5 Non-BT Wireless
    No
    Xbox Compatibility
    Xbox One Analog
    No
    Xbox One Wired USB
    No
    Xbox One Non-BT Wireless
    No
    Xbox Series X|S Analog
    No
    Xbox Series X|S Wired USB
    No
    Xbox Series X|S Non-BT Wireless
    No
    2.2
    Base/Dock
    Type
    Charging Case
    USB Input
    No
    Line In
    No
    Line Out
    No
    Optical Input
    No
    RCA Input
    No
    Dock Charging
    Yes
    Power Supply
    USB-C

    The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro's carrying case provides around 2.5 additional charges. It can be recharged using its USB-C cable or wirelessly via a Qi-enabled charger. You can also place it on the back of a compatible Samsung Galaxy smartphone for wireless charging. It doesn't have any additional inputs, though.