Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus vs. Samsung Galaxy Buds
The phrase “sophomore slump” exists for good reason, but Samsung’s second-generation Galaxy Buds bring a novel feature set to the table, making them a compelling buy for any Spotify user. That said, just because the Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus are newer doesn’t make them a better choice for everyone. Let’s see how the original Galaxy Buds compare to the new kid on the block, and why last year’s Buds may be the better option for some.
Editor’s note: this versus was updated on April 27, 2020, to address the Galaxy Buds software update version R170XXU0ATD2.
Are there hardware differences?
The Samsung Galaxy Buds and Galaxy Buds Plus appear nearly the same, and both are available on Amazon.
The Galaxy Buds Plus and Galaxy Buds are indistinguishable from one another; the new edition is available in black, white, and light blue while the original is available in black, white, yellow, and silver. The Buds Plus retains the same whimsical design as before which is both practical and fun. Everything from the plastic construction to the silicone wing and ear tips remains unchanged. Samsung includes three extra pairs of sleeves and tips with both models, so listeners are more likely to find a proper fit. This provision not only improves comfort but also optimizes audio quality by passively blocking out external noise.
Listeners should use the various ear tips to find a proper fit.
Users can remap the touch-capacitive panels on each headset, and sensitivity is the same between the old and new Galaxy Buds. Automatic ear detection remains present with the new Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus: removing both earbuds automatically pauses media playback. Just as before, re-inserting the Buds Plus does not resume playback; instead, you must manually hit play on your smartphone or tap an earbud to resume music.
Both the Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus and Samsung Galaxy Buds support Wireless PowerShare, which lets you charge the USB-C case wirelessly atop a compatible Samsung Galaxy smartphone. You can also use a Qi wireless charging mat to charge the case, affording you plenty of options for topping up the pill-shaped case.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus look nearly identical to the original but house a new dual-driver system for clear audio reproduction.
The only physical design amendments made to the Plus model are seen in the case: it now shines with a glossy, rather than matte, finish. Then there’s the silicone “L R” piece that does nothing more than indicate where to place the earbuds. I initially thought this was a functional button, but alas, it’s just an aesthetic change. Original Galaxy Buds owners who upgrade to the Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus can use either case to charge either pair of earbuds. In other words, you can plop the older earbuds into the Plus case to charge them, and vice versa.
Neither appearance nor build quality should be a critical factor when deciding between the Samsung Galaxy Buds and Galaxy Buds Plus model, and this one is too close to call.
Winner: Draw
What extra features come with the Galaxy Buds Plus?
You can charge the case via Wireless PowerShare or with a Qi-certified power mat.
One of the major selling points of the Plus headset is exclusive Spotify integration, which is now supported by the Samsung Galaxy Buds with the April 27, 2020, software update (version R170XXU0ATD2); Samsung is swaggering around dropping Spotify’s name like crazy, and for good reason: Spotify is among the most popular music streaming services worldwide.
Why I’m an avid Spotify user despite dubious audio quality
Seeing these two audio powerhouses team-up is a sight to behold, and one-touch access to Spotify is something I dearly miss upon returning to standard wireless headphones. By pressing and holding one of the earbuds (chosen in the Galaxy Wearable application), a recommended set of songs is queued up. This is randomly generated according to your preferences and ranges from one of Spotify’s Daily Mix playlists, an artist or song radio, genre playlist, and more. Unfortunately, this perk is only afforded to Android OS devices, so iPhone users still need to enter the Spotify app for music playback.
There are some similarities here, too, though as both pairs of earbuds earned an IPX2 rating, making them sweat-resistant. General consumers who want the option to workout with their daily earbuds will benefit from either headset’s durability. No matter which earbuds you go with, you have the option to enable ambient aware mode. This is great for outdoor runners and general consumers: it keeps you aware of your surroundings, thereby enabling you to stay safe or engage in conversation with the train ticketer.
The Galaxy Buds Plus ambient sound mode is limited to three modes: high, medium, and low. Yet, the older Galaxy Buds support a “voice focus” mode, which further amplifies vocal frequencies through the earphones. This is as of software version R175XXU0ATA6 for the Buds Plus; perhaps we’ll see an experimental addition in the “Labs” section of Samsung’s app, or even as a full-fledged feature with future updates.
Both headsets support software updates through the Samsung Galaxy Wearable app.
To my dismay, neither the Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus nor the Galaxy Buds support standard Bluetooth multipoint connectivity. Although the Galaxy Buds Plus promised this feature across Bluetooth 5.0 devices, the company has since removed any mention of multipoint support from the official website. When I asked a Samsung representative whether support would make its way to the Galaxy Buds Plus, she shared, “Multipoint connectivity is not available on the Galaxy Buds+ at this point.”
Winner: Draw
The Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus have better battery life than the Galaxy Buds
The original Galaxy Buds fit into and charge via the Buds Plus case.
This is the easiest metric to measure. We subjected each pair of earbuds to our standard battery test, a constant 75dB(SPL) output, and noted the results. The original Galaxy Buds last 6.53 hours while the Buds Plus last 11.73 hours under identical conditions. This is a remarkable leap in playtime, and each charging case provides an extra charge cycle, doubling total on-the-go playtime. This means you get under 24 hours of listening with the Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus, and just over 12 hours with the Galaxy Buds.
Both earbuds support fast charging: the Galaxy Buds supply 1.7 hours of playtime from 15 minutes in the case, and the Buds Plus supply one hour of listening after just three minutes in the case. Again, both USB-C cases support Wireless PowerShare and are Qi-compatible.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus
Bluetooth codec support is identical
Neither headset supports aptX.
The same Bluetooth codecs are supported by these Bluetooth 5.0 headsets: AAC and the Scalable Samsung codec. It’s a bummer that Samsung didn’t go in for aptX support, but makes sense to push its proprietary codec. The scalable codec operates similarly to aptX Adaptive because it’s always optimizing for the best bitrate without compromising connection strength. This is, however, only compatible with certain Samsung devices operating Android 7.0 and later.
Despite the same specs on paper, the Galaxy Buds Plus perform better with fewer connection stutters when taken outdoors, something the original Galaxy Buds still struggle with. When I worked on the Apple AirPods vs. Samsung Galaxy Buds article, there were a handful of times when I had to unpair and re-pair the Buds to my Galaxy S10e smartphone.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus
Which headset has the better microphone system?
- The Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus microphone has been improved from 2019’s model, and effectively relays cleaner, more accurate audio.
- The Samsung Galaxy Buds microphone effectively transmits the human voice thanks to its dual-microphone array.
Microphone quality is straightforward: Samsung improved the mic array in its latest true wireless earbuds, and it shows. The Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus three-microphone array sounds markedly better than the original Galaxy Buds’ system. The new model uses two external mics to focus on your voice while simultaneously reducing ambient noise, which is similar to how the AirPods Pro operate. The more neutral frequency response of the Buds Plus microphones means you’re less likely to sound “distant” or “unnatural.” Be sure to listen to our demos below to determine for yourself which is best.
Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus microphone demo:
Samsung Galaxy Buds microphone demo:
Winner: Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus
Do the Galaxy Buds Plus sound better than the Samsung Galaxy Buds?
- AKG tuned the Galaxy Buds Plus drivers, resulting in clear audio with just a touch of amplification in the low-end.
- Tuned by AKG, the Galaxy Buds reproduce an accurate sound with minimal distortion.
It’s easy to forget that we’re looking at earbuds; after all, Samsung packs plenty of technology into both pairs of Galaxy Buds. When push comes to shove, though, we can’t forget the importance of sound quality. Both headsets are tuned by Samsung subsidiary AKG but the audio reproduction varies between the two models. You can choose between a few EQ presets including normal, soft, dynamic, clear, and treble boost with the Galaxy Buds. The Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus offers a bass boosts option, too, via the Samsung Wearable app.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus look nearly identical to the original but house a new dual-driver system for clear audio reproduction.
Listeners who want a more accurate, neutral-leaning frequency response straight from the box will prefer the first-generation Galaxy Buds, which are equipped with drivers that reproduce accurate low and midrange frequencies. There’s little deviation across the audible spectrum, making them an excellent choice for listeners with eclectic musical taste.
On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus reproduce a more consumer-friendly sound with amplified bass notes and a slight emphasis to midrange harmonics. The former adds greater impact to bass lines and kick drums while the latter contributes to a perceived sense of improved clarity. We often ascribe auditory detail to our ability to register harmonic resonances, be it vocal ringing or the sound of calloused fingers sliding up a fretboard, and the 700Hz-2kHz bump does just that.
- Isolation performance can be quite good so long as you’re using properly fitting ear and wing tips.
- The Samsung Galaxy Buds are able to effectively isolate the listener from external noise, which promotes greater bass response.
Although sound quality will come down to your personal preference, we’re giving this to the Buds Plus again for its inclusion of ear and wing tips which allow for optimal audio reproduction.
Winner: Draw
The Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus are the better earbuds, so why get the Galaxy Buds?
The compact charging case provides an additional seven hours of playback.
In case you haven’t been keeping a tally at home, the Galaxy Buds Plus beat the Galaxy Buds, as they should: these are billed as an upgrade from the original headset and retail for $20 more than the Galaxy Buds did upon their debut. Today, you can get the Samsung Galaxy Buds for around $100 or less, making them an absolute steal. Pricing also happens to be the main reason as to why you should grab them over the Galaxy Buds Plus. You get 90% of what the Galaxy Buds Plus offer for ⅔ of the cost.
