Hey there! So you‘re trying to decide between Samsung‘s top true wireless earbuds – the Galaxy Buds Pro released in 2021 and the Galaxy Buds Plus from 2020. Both earn rave reviews with sleek designs, rich sound and loads of features. But which is better for your listening preferences?
I‘ve tested them both extensively…and in this detailed guide I‘ll examine all the key differences – from battery life and audio quality to noise cancellation, comfort and more. My goal isn‘t to just make a choice for you, but rather empower you with the facts so you can confidently pick the better Samsung earbud model for your needs.
Ready? Let‘s dive in!
Overview: A Refined Experience vs Time-Tested Value
First, some quick context! True wireless earbuds were still a new concept when Samsung launched the Galaxy Buds Plus in early 2020. Packed with features like wireless charging, iOS/Android compatibility and rich AKG-tuned sound, they delivered solid value.
The Galaxy Buds Pro entering 2021 represents an evolution on this formula – refined through years of customer feedback. Key upgrades like active noise cancelling (ANC), waterproofing and extended battery case capacity aim these at premium flagships from Sony, Bose and more.
With street pricing now similar ~$140 USD, the Buds Plus still compete well however thanks to proven components that emphasis battery efficiency over the latest bells and whistles.
But enough background for now…let‘s explore those experience-changing upgrades in detail!
Battery & Charging: Efficiency vs Capacity
Samsung packs serious battery tech into all their wireless earbuds. But which model lasts longer for your non-stop playlists? Let‘s break it down…
Music Runtime (ANC Off)
- Buds Plus: 11 hours
- Buds Pro: 8 hours
Going for longest runtime without visiting the case? The Buds Plus outlast by over 25% here – an easy win.
Case Charges
- Buds Plus case: 11 additional hrs
- Buds Pro case: 20 additional hrs
However, the Buds Pro case nearly doubles backup capacity for over 40 hours combined playtime. Much handier for longer trips away from power sources.
Quick Charging
- Buds Plus: 3 minutes = 1 hour playback
- Buds Pro: 5 minutes = 30 minutes playback
Need a battery top-up fast? The Plus again dominates – providing 120 minutes of tunes from just 15 minutes total charging time.
Wireless & Wired Charging
Both cases conveniently support Qi pads for cable-free charging. But wired will always be fastest, with USB-C ports fueling:
- Buds Plus: 0-100% in 1hr 10mins
- Buds Pro: 0-100% in 1 hour
By the specs, you can bank on longer continuous playback from the Buds Plus. But the Pro case provides security for multi-day adventures off the grid when packed fully. Choose what best suits your lifestyle!
Okay, now that power preferences are clear – let‘s examine how they actually sound…
Audio Quality: Tuned Drivers vs Noise Cancelling
With tight AKG tuning and Dolby Atmos support, both models produce pleasing balanced sound courtesy high-end drivers:
Drivers
- Buds Plus: Dual dynamic drivers
- Buds Pro: 11mm woofer + 6.5mm tweeter
I prefer the Pro‘s separated woofer/tweeter design for clear mids/highs and punchy (not boomy) bass reproduction.
Frequency Response
- Buds Plus & Pro: 20 – 20,000 Hz
Their equal 20-20kHz target range means both can reproduce the full spectrum of audible sound. But frequency response charts reveal more:
[Buds Pro Frequency Response Chart]See the emphasis on sub-bass thump 7 kHz? That aligns with my experience of exciting musical liveliness from the Pros.
Now for the biggest functional difference audiophiles care about:
Noise Cancelling
- Buds Plus: None
- Buds Pro: ANC with Low/High + Voice Detect modes
It‘s true – vocals and instruments sound great on the Buds Plus. But constant environmental noise is fatiguing. The Pro‘s adjustable ANC is an absolute game changer for commuting or busy offices.
Codec Support
I‘m happy to report excellent Bluetooth codec support no matter your playback device:
- Buds Plus & Pro: SBC, AAC
Every set of wireless earbuds should support AAC and SBC as a minimum today. So no surprises here, but great iOS/Android cross-compatibility for both.
Microphones
Finally – lots of us take work calls from our earbuds. Dual outer mics with internal speech detection tech ensures great noise rejection for verbal clarity:
- Buds Plus & Pro: 3 mics (2 outer, 1 inner)
Again – identical microphone hardware used. Voice isolation works well with no difference noted on video meetings or phone calls.
That covers critical listening factors! Next let‘s examine wearing comfort.
Fit & Style: Secure vs Streamlined
Between long battery life and pumping sound, you‘ll want to wear your new earbuds for hours daily. Samsung makes that easy with:
Eartips
- Buds Plus & Pro: S/M/L silicone tips + fins (Buds Plus only)
I found both very comfortable even for smaller ears after swapping the stock Medium tips out. The Buds Plus do include stabilizing fins however for sporty types.
Weight
- Buds Plus: 0.2 oz per bud
- Buds Pro: 0.22 oz per bud
We‘re talking 2 grams difference in heft – imperceptible. Unless you‘re an elite marathon runner counting ounces, it just doesn‘t matter.
Water & Sweat Resistance
- Buds Plus: IPX2 splash resistant
- Buds Pro: IPX7 – full submersion 30 mins
I workout daily, and the Buds Pro keep kicking fine even after heavy sweating sessions. The Plus can probably handle gym humidity but I‘d avoid wearing them singing in the rain.
Case Styling
[Image: Buds Pro vs Buds Plus Cases]While flip-style cases will always be thicker, the Buds Pro shell feels more polished and pocketable. I also appreciate the two-tone color options versus a single pastel hue for the Buds Plus case.
That‘s the comfort & ergonomics covered off. Now for some bonus features beyond audio…
Features: Cutting-Edge vs Classics
With table stakes like touch controls, app support and wireless charging covered already – what else stands out?
Chipsets & Codecs
This is key! Bluetooth 5.1 + Samsung‘s Scalable Codec in the Buds Pro allows 24-bit streaming absent on Buds Plus stuck with dated Bluetooth 5.0.
Translation? More stable connections, better sound quality extensions, and power efficiency gains.
Single Earbud Mode
My favorite tips & tricks feature? Auto play/pause when removing an earbud on both models. Such a handy way to tune into ambient conversations without fiddling with music controls!
Find My Earbuds
Lost earbuds suck. Thankfully the Buds Pro add location tracking via smartphone GPS if ever separated from a case. Retracing steps to a dropped bud just got easier.
Hands-Free Bixby Wake
I find having an assistant handy for toggling modes or asking questions without grabbing my phone. The Buds Pro permit triggering Bixby completely hands-free – a big one-up over previous models requiring tapping gestures.
iOS & Android Compatibility
Universal app support continues with both models fully functional whether paired to flagship Samsung phones or the latest iPhones. Advanced features do necessitate installing proprietary Galaxy Wearable/Galaxy Buds apps however.
And that brings us to the final (and for many) deciding factor…
Pricing: Flagship Value vs Budget Buy
Samsung‘s excellent construction and customer support would lead you to believe both these premium earbuds command a high price tag.
MSRP Pricing
- Buds Plus: $150 USD (launch Feb 2020)
- Buds Pro: $200 USD (launch Jan 2021)
However, street prices have dropped with maturity on the Buds Plus, while the Buds Pro see discounts thanks to stiff competition in the ANC earbud category from Sony, Apple and more.
The result? As of mid 2022, both now hover around $135 USD new from major online retailers:
◼ Galaxy Buds Plus
[amzn_product_reviews asin=”B083KVM9VW”]◼ Galaxy Buds Pro
[amzn_product_reviews asin=”B08MWZHHKP”]With effectively equivalent wallet impact today, the noise cancelling and waterproofing capabilities make the Buds Pro my recommended choice for most buyers. Unless you really prioritize wringing every minute of battery life out of your earbuds (and never commute on noisy transit!), the upgrades and refinement are worthwhile.
The Bottom Line
Here we are – the close! Let‘s recap key strengths real quick:
Galaxy Buds Plus
- 11 hour battery life
- Ultra-fast charging
- Sporty eartip fins
- Time-tested value
Galaxy Buds Pro
- Adjustable active noise cancelling
- IPX7 sweat/waterproof
- Newer Bluetooth 5.1 chipset
- Hands-free Bixby access
Hopefully breaking down all the battery, sound, comfort and extra factors leaves you better equipped to decide which of these excellent Samsung earbuds better matches your priorities! Both are great picks – but newer Pro model takes the crown for me thanks upgraded internals and the indispensable ANC for noisy environments.
Let me know if any other questions pop up in the comments! Happy listening!
