Samsung Gear IconX Truly Wireless vs Galaxy Buds: Which Headphones Are Better? - RTINGS.com

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Samsung Gear IconX Truly Wireless

Samsung Galaxy Buds

Tested using Methodology v1.4

Updated Jun 16, 2025 01:00 PM

Tested using Methodology v1.4

Updated Jul 29, 2025 06:39 PM

Samsung Gear IconX Truly Wireless Picture

Samsung Galaxy Buds Picture

TypeIn-ear

EnclosureClosed-Back

Noise CancellingNo

WirelessTruly Wireless

TransducerDynamic

MicYes

TypeIn-ear

EnclosureClosed-Back

Noise CancellingNo

WirelessTruly Wireless

TransducerDynamic

MicYes

Our Verdict

Samsung Gear IconX Truly Wireless

Samsung Galaxy Buds

The Samsung Galaxy Buds and the Samsung Gear IconX Truly Wireless are very similar headphones. They perform almost the same way and have practically the same audio reproduction. The Gear IconX have 4GB internal storage, which is very useful to load music on them and work out without your phone. On the other hand, the newer Galaxy Buds now support wireless Qi charging and have a noticeably better microphone. They also have a longer battery life, but latency is worse on the Galaxy Buds than the Gear IconX.

Variants

Gear IconX (Black)
Gear IconX (Grey)

Galaxy Buds (Black)
Galaxy Buds (White)

Review

See Samsung Gear IconX Truly Wireless Review

See Samsung Galaxy Buds Review

Check Price

Black

Gear IconX

Black

Galaxy Buds

Grey

Gear IconX

White

Galaxy Buds

Pink

Gear IconX

Yellow

Galaxy Buds

Main Differences for

Mixed Usage

Threshold

0.10

Mixed Usage

0.0

0.0

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Full Comparison

Mixed Usage

0.0

0.0

Neutral Sound

0.0

0.0

Commute/Travel

0.0

0.0

Sports/Fitness

0.0

0.0

Office

0.0

0.0

Wireless Gaming

0.0

0.0

Wired Gaming

0.0

0.0

Phone Calls

0.0

0.0

Design

Style

Design Picture 2

Samsung Gear IconX Truly Wireless Design Picture 2 Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung Galaxy Buds Design Picture 2 Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Type

Locked

Locked

Enclosure

Locked

Locked

Wireless

Locked

Locked

Transducer

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Comfort

N/A

N/A

Comfort Picture

Samsung Gear IconX Truly Wireless Comfort Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung Galaxy Buds Comfort Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Weight

Lock lbs

Lock lbs

Clamping Force

Lock lbs

Lock lbs

Show Text

Controls

N/A

N/A

Controls Picture

Samsung Gear IconX Truly Wireless Controls Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung Galaxy Buds Controls Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

OS Compatibility

Locked

Locked

Ease Of Use

Locked

Locked

Feedback

Locked

Locked

Call/Music Control

Locked

Locked

Volume Control

Locked

Locked

Microphone Control

Locked

Locked

Channel Mixing

Locked

Locked

Noise Cancelling Control

Locked

Locked

Talk-Through

Locked

Locked

Additional Controls

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Breathability

N/A

N/A

Breathability After Picture

Samsung Gear IconX Truly Wireless Breathability After Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung Galaxy Buds Breathability After Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Avg.Temp.Difference

Lock °C

Lock °C

Show Text

Portability

N/A

N/A

Portability Picture

Samsung Gear IconX Truly Wireless Portability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung Galaxy Buds Portability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

L

Lock"

Lock"

W

Lock"

Lock"

H

Lock"

Lock"

Volume

Lock in³

Lock in³

Transmitter Required

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Case

N/A

N/A

Case Picture

Samsung Gear IconX Truly Wireless Case Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung Galaxy Buds Case Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Type

Locked

Locked

L

Lock"

Lock"

W

Lock"

Lock"

H

Lock"

Lock"

Volume

Lock in³

Lock in³

Show Text

Build Quality

N/A

N/A

Build Quality Picture

Samsung Gear IconX Truly Wireless Build Quality Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung Galaxy Buds Build Quality Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Show Text

Stability

N/A

N/A

Stability Picture

Samsung Gear IconX Truly Wireless Stability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung Galaxy Buds Stability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Show Text

Headshots 1

Angled Picture

Samsung Gear IconX Truly Wireless Angled Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung Galaxy Buds Angled Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Side Picture

Samsung Gear IconX Truly Wireless Side Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung Galaxy Buds Side Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Headshots 2

Front Picture

Samsung Gear IconX Truly Wireless Front Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung Galaxy Buds Front Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Rear Picture

Samsung Gear IconX Truly Wireless Rear Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung Galaxy Buds Rear Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Top

Top Picture

Samsung Gear IconX Truly Wireless Top Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung Galaxy Buds Top Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

In The Box

In The Box Picture

Samsung Gear IconX Truly Wireless In The Box Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung Galaxy Buds In The Box Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Show Text

Sound

Sound Profile

Frequency Response

Samsung Gear IconX Truly Wireless Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung Galaxy Buds Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bass Amount

Lock dB

Lock dB

Treble Amount

Lock dB

Lock dB

Frequency Response Consistency

N/A

N/A

Consistency L

Samsung Gear IconX Truly Wireless Consistency L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung Galaxy Buds Consistency L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Consistency R

Samsung Gear IconX Truly Wireless Consistency R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung Galaxy Buds Consistency R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Avg. Std. Deviation

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Raw Frequency Response

Raw FR L

Samsung Gear IconX Truly Wireless Raw FR L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung Galaxy Buds Raw FR L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Raw FR R

Samsung Gear IconX Truly Wireless Raw FR R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung Galaxy Buds Raw FR R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bass Accuracy

N/A

N/A

Bass

Samsung Gear IconX Truly Wireless Bass Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung Galaxy Buds Bass Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Std. Err.

Lock dB

Lock dB

Low-Frequency Extension

Lock Hz

Lock Hz

Low-Bass

Lock dB

Lock dB

Mid-Bass

Lock dB

Lock dB

High-Bass

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Mid Accuracy

N/A

N/A

Mid

Samsung Gear IconX Truly Wireless Mid Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung Galaxy Buds Mid Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Std. Err.

Lock dB

Lock dB

Low-Mid

Lock dB

Lock dB

Mid-Mid

Lock dB

Lock dB

High-Mid

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Treble Accuracy

N/A

N/A

Treble

Samsung Gear IconX Truly Wireless Treble Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung Galaxy Buds Treble Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Std. Err.

Lock dB

Lock dB

Low-Treble

Lock dB

Lock dB

Mid-Treble

Lock dB

Lock dB

High-Treble

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Peaks/Dips

N/A

N/A

Peaks/Dips Graph

Samsung Gear IconX Truly Wireless Peaks/Dips Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung Galaxy Buds Peaks/Dips Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Peaks

Lock dB

Lock dB

Dips

Lock dB

Lock dB

Imaging

N/A

N/A

Group Delay

Samsung Gear IconX Truly Wireless Group Delay Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung Galaxy Buds Group Delay Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Phase Response

Samsung Gear IconX Truly Wireless Phase Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung Galaxy Buds Phase Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Weighted Group Delay

Lock

Lock

Weighted Amplitude Mismatch

Lock

Lock

Weighted Frequency Mismatch

Lock

Lock

Weighted Phase Mismatch

Lock

Lock

Show Text

Passive Soundstage

N/A

N/A

PRTF

Samsung Gear IconX Truly Wireless PRTF Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung Galaxy Buds PRTF Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

PRTF Accuracy (Std. Dev.)

N/A

N/A

PRTF Size (Avg.)

N/A

N/A

PRTF Distance

N/A

N/A

Openness

0.0

0.0

Acoustic Space Excitation

0.0

0.0

Show Text

Virtual Soundstage

N/A

N/A

Virtual Soundstage

Samsung Gear IconX Truly Wireless Virtual Soundstage Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung Galaxy Buds Virtual Soundstage Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Head Modeling

Locked

Locked

Speaker Modeling

Locked

Locked

Room Ambience

Locked

Locked

Head Tracking

Locked

Locked

Virtual Surround

Locked

Locked

Weighted Harmonic Distortion

N/A

N/A

Weighted Harmonic Distortion

Samsung Gear IconX Truly Wireless Weighted Harmonic Distortion Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung Galaxy Buds Weighted Harmonic Distortion Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

WHD @ 90

Lock

Lock

WHD @ 100

Lock

Lock

Test Settings

Firmware

Locked

Locked

Power

Locked

Locked

Connection

Locked

Locked

Codec

Locked

Locked

EQ

Locked

Locked

ANC

Locked

Locked

Tip/Pad

Locked

Locked

Microphone

Locked

Locked

Isolation

Noise Isolation

N/A

N/A

Noise Isolation

Samsung Gear IconX Truly Wireless Noise Isolation Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung Galaxy Buds Noise Isolation Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Isolation Audio

Overall Attenuation

Lock dB

Lock dB

Noise Cancelling

Locked

Locked

Bass

Lock dB

Lock dB

Mid

Lock dB

Lock dB

Treble

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Leakage

N/A

N/A

Leakage

Samsung Gear IconX Truly Wireless Leakage Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung Galaxy Buds Leakage Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Leakage Audio

Overall Leakage @ 1ft

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Microphone

Microphone Style

Integrated

Locked

Locked

In-Line

Locked

Locked

Boom

Locked

Locked

Detachable Boom

Locked

Locked

Mic

Locked

Locked

Recording Quality

N/A

N/A

Microphone Frequency Response

Samsung Gear IconX Truly Wireless Microphone Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung Galaxy Buds Microphone Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Recorded Speech

LFE

Lock Hz

Lock Hz

FR Std. Dev.

Lock dB

Lock dB

HFE

Lock Hz

Lock Hz

Weighted THD

Lock

Lock

Gain

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Noise Handling

N/A

N/A

SpNR

Samsung Gear IconX Truly Wireless SpNR Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung Galaxy Buds SpNR Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Speech + Pink Noise

Speech + Subway Noise

SpNR

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Active Features

Battery

N/A

N/A

Battery Type

Locked

Locked

Continuous Battery Life

Lock hrs

Lock hrs

Additional Charges

Lock

Lock

Total Battery Life

Lock hrs

Lock hrs

Charge Time

Lock hrs

Lock hrs

Power-Saving Feature

Locked

Locked

Audio While Charging

Locked

Locked

Passive Playback

Locked

Locked

Charging Port

Locked

Locked

Show Text

App Support

N/A

N/A

App Picture

Samsung Gear IconX Truly Wireless App Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung Galaxy Buds App Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

App Name

Locked

Locked

iOS

Locked

Locked

Android

Locked

Locked

macOS

Locked

Locked

Windows

Locked

Locked

Equalizer

Locked

Locked

ANC Control

Locked

Locked

Mic Control

Locked

Locked

Room Effects

Locked

Locked

Playback Control

Locked

Locked

Button Mapping

Locked

Locked

Surround Support

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Connectivity

Bluetooth

N/A

N/A

Bluetooth Version

Locked

Locked

Multi-Device Pairing

Locked

Locked

NFC Pairing

Locked

Locked

Line Of Sight Range

Lock ft

Lock ft

PC Latency (SBC)

Lock ms

Lock ms

PC Latency (aptX)

N/A

N/A

PC Latency (aptX HD)

N/A

N/A

PC Latency (aptX-LL)

N/A

N/A

iOS Latency

Lock ms

Lock ms

Android Latency

Lock ms

Lock ms

Show Text

Non-Bluetooth Wireless

N/A

N/A

Non-BT Line Of Sight Range

N/A

N/A

Non-BT Latency

N/A

N/A

Wired

N/A

N/A

Cable Picture

Samsung Gear IconX Truly Wireless Cable Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung Galaxy Buds Cable Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Analog Audio

Locked

Locked

USB Audio

Locked

Locked

Detachable

Locked

Locked

Length

N/A

N/A

Connection

Locked

Locked

Analog/USB Audio Latency

N/A

N/A

Show Text

PC / PS4 Compatibility

PC/PS4 Analog

Locked

Locked

PC/PS4 Wired USB

Locked

Locked

PC/PS4 Non-BT Wireless

Locked

Locked

Xbox One Compatibility

Xbox One Analog

Locked

Locked

Xbox One Wired USB

Locked

Locked

Xbox One Non-BT Wireless

Locked

Locked

Base/Dock

N/A

N/A

Type

Locked

Locked

USB Input

Locked

Locked

Line In

Locked

Locked

Line Out

Locked

Locked

Optical Input

Locked

Locked

RCA Input

Locked

Locked

Dock Charging

Locked

Locked

Power Supply

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Check Price

Black

Gear IconX

Black

Galaxy Buds

Grey

Gear IconX

White

Galaxy Buds

Pink

Gear IconX

Yellow

Galaxy Buds

Samsung Gear IconX Truly Wireless

Samsung Galaxy Buds

Comments

Comparison

• Posted 2 years ago

Samsung Gear IconX Truly Wireless vs Samsung Galaxy Buds: Main Discussion

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