Believe it or not, Samsung hasn’t updated its standard Galaxy Buds since 2019 – everything else was an upgrade for those willing to pay a premium. In this sense, the apparently imminent Galaxy Buds 2 are long overdue.
What Samsung could do to polish up the Galaxy Buds 2 is another question. Will the true wireless earbuds offer a significant improvement in audio quality and design, or will they just be a makeover? Here’s what we want to see of the next generation buds, along with a few clues as to what to expect.
Better sound quality
It’s safe to say that improved audio quality is the top request for the Galaxy Buds 2 – while their predecessors sound good, competitors (not to mention Samsung successors like the Galaxy Buds Pro) have pushed the game forward.
While we found the originals had good bass response and isolation, overall we’d want a tighter lower section and more detail. It would also be helpful if the Galaxy Buds 2 had active audio processing in addition to ambient sound. We wouldn’t expect active noise cancellation in this price range, but a little more intelligence would be desirable.
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Fortunately, that can just happen. 91 Cell Phones A recent leak mentioned that the Galaxy Buds 2 might include active noise cancellation. You would still hear the world around you then, but it would also be easier to hear music and calls on busy sidewalks. However, there was no mention of support for AptX, LDAC, or other audio codecs that could improve quality.
A refreshed design
Few would call the existing Galaxy Buds ugly, but they are best described as harmless – not what Samsung wants in a market full of trendy AirPods. The Galaxy Buds 2 need a more stylish (if not necessarily iconic) look if they are to stay relevant. While their nature as “starter” earbuds will likely limit what is possible, we’d like something slimmer and something higher quality looking.
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Incidentally, Samsung could also improve the color selection. To date, the most noticeable choices have been Aura Glow Silver (actually silver with a slightly fancy insert) and a glowing bright yellow. We want the Galaxy Buds 2 to come in colors that are eye-catching without being intrusive.
But once again it looks like this wish will come true. The 91 Cell Phones Leak suggested that the Galaxy Buds 2 would have a sleek, monochromatic design with cheerful but tasteful green and purple color options alongside the usual black and white. They can even come in a two-tone Pixel Buds A-style case that is white on the outside but matches the hue of your earbuds on the inside.
Better battery life and water resistance
The first Galaxy Buds had enough battery life to handle a long zoom meeting or a long walk, but not much more. Incidentally, the case was good for three extra charges – not that hot if you’re just getting off a plane (now that travel is back to being a thing) and still needing some listening time. It may be unrealistic to expect a full working day from the buds without putting them back in their shell, but we would at least want a slight improvement in lifespan.
That could happen. An FCC filing indicated that the Galaxy Buds 2 itself might only get a slight battery upgrade from 58 mAh in each ear to 60 mAh, but that the case’s capacity would almost double from 252 mAh to 500 mAh. You may be able to charge the earbuds multiple times before even thinking about refilling their case.
The water resistance is also a weak point of the current models. An IPX2 rating just isn’t enough if you’re sweating through your earbuds while exercising or listening to your music if you’ve been caught in the rain. We’d prefer the Galaxy Buds 2 to offer IPX4 resistance that can withstand most sweat and splashes with no problems.
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Unfortunately, it is not clear whether this resistance upgrade is imminent. While the Galaxy Buds 2 will clearly have a redesign, it is not certain that they will be more splash-proof than their predecessors. You might want to include the Galaxy Buds Pro with an IPX7 rating when you can’t afford to wait.
Estimated release date and price of Galaxy Buds 2
It is not certain when Samsung will release the Galaxy Buds 2 to the general public. In the past, however, it held an unpacked event in August that featured key accessories alongside some of its hottest phones. If Samsung is due to launch these buds anytime soon, this is the most likely candidate.
The price should be less mysterious. The first generation Galaxy Buds officially sell for $ 129.99, and we wouldn’t expect the prices of the Galaxy Buds 2 to change. That said, earbuds with similar or better features are available at lower prices, like the second-generation Pixel Buds A and Amazon Echo Buds. Samsung may want more aggressive pricing if it remains on the shortlist for many buyers.