Comparing Samsung‘s Flagship Earbuds: An In-Depth Galaxy Buds Pro vs. Buds Plus Guide

Hey friend! So you‘re trying to decide between Samsung‘s top-of-the-line wireless earbuds models – the Galaxy Buds Pro versus the Galaxy Buds Plus?

I‘ve tested out both pairs extensively (and as an audiophile myself) so you‘ve come to the right place!

In this detailed guide, we‘ll be comparing every feature from sound quality to battery life and comfort across the Buds Pro and Buds Plus models so you can determine which set best fits your listening preferences and lifestyle.

I‘m going to cover way more nitty gritty details than a standard spec sheet so you can really grasp what sets these earbuds apart. Ready? Let‘s dive in!

Making Sense of Samsung‘s Lineup

First, let‘s quickly recap Samsung‘s different wireless earbud options, because that can get confusing:

Samsung Galaxy Buds: These were the 1st generation released in 2019. Decent quality for the price but missing some key features of the Plus and Pro.

Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus: Samsung‘s 2020 earbud model with improved sound, battery and Microphones over the originals. Great value for price but no active noise cancellation.

Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro: The latest 2021 flagship buds with Samsung‘s best sound performance yet plus active noise cancelling and waterproofing. Naturally the priciest option.

The Galaxy Buds Plus vs Pro comparison is the most interesting, since on paper they pack pretty similar audio hardware and designs. Yet the Pro still somehow justifies it‘s higher price tag with key functionality upgrades.

Throughout this guide I‘ll break down how exactly the Buds Pro separates itself, and whether those differences warrant paying extra over the already solid Buds Plus.

Let‘s kick things off by examining sound quality and audio hardware up close…

Sound Quality Showdown

When it comes to wireless earbuds, sound performance should be rightfully considered before all else. So how do these flagship Samsung models compare when it comes listening experience?

Surprisingly the hardware specs tell a very similar story:

• Both utilze a dual driver system consisting of a woofer and tweeter in each earbud, a setup found in many high-end audiophile headphones.

• The woofers in each pair handle low frequencies – deep punchy bass, kick drums etc. Meanwhile the dedicated tweeters reproduce higher register sounds like cymbals, vocals and guitars with detail and clarity.

• Officially the Galaxy Buds Pro and Buds Plus contain identical 11mm woofers and 6.5mm tweeters, indicating comparable frequency range and tone.

And indeed most professional reviews score their sound quality as quite similar, with rich bass response and nice overall balance:

• TechRadar: "The good news is that sonically, there’s not a huge difference between the Buds Plus and the Pros."

• SoundGuys: "The two wireless earbuds share a very similar sound quality, each delivering a consumer-friendly sound with boosted bass and highs."

However, Samsung does claim some audio advancements that give the newer Pro model an edge:

• The Buds Pro introduced a newer Bluetooth codec called Scalable Codec that dynamically optimizes wireless connection strength for better reliability.

• They also support direct multi-device connection via Bluetooth 5.2, whereas the Buds Plus must switch connections which may impact syncing.

Do these result in vastly superior sound though? Probably not noticeably so according to most experts. Subtle refinements yes, but the average listener likely won‘t find either model lacking.

Now, the Buds Pro does hold one other massive sound quality advantage:

Noise Cancelling Prowess

Here‘s an area where the Galaxy Buds Pro clearly separates itself from it‘s predecessor – the addition top notch active noise cancellation (ANC).

([insert graph showing sound reduction at different frequencies])

If you aren‘t familiar, ANC uses advanced internal microphones to analyze incoming ambient noises around you. It then generates inverse sound waves aimed to electronically "cancel out" those noises before they reach your ear drum.

The result? Your music, movies or calls sound dramatically cleaner and more immersive, minus the din of external distractions like chatty coworkers, airplane engines, yard work, traffic and more. It‘s almost like slipping on noise cancelling earmuffs!

Samsung implemented this into the Buds Pro using a new high-bandwidth Bluetooth chip that enables advanced filtering algorithms. And by most accounts, they nailed it – the ANC quality competes closely with buds twice the price from Sony or Bose.

You‘re able to choose between low or high noise cancelling intensities depending on your environment or preference. And leaving it turned off doesn‘t seem to effect sound either.

Compare this to the passive noise isolation you get from the Galaxy Buds Plus (or any earbud lacking ANC). Sure, having a snug ear canal seal blocks out some ambient racket reasonably well. But nowhere near on par with advanced electronics processing that noise cancelling offers.

For frequent travelers, open office workers or urban dwellers, the peace and serenity afforded by ANC should not be underestimated!

Now on to call quality and microphone performance…

Crisp Call Clarity

Beyond just sounding stellar for music or movies, Samsung aims to ensure clear-as-day call quality for times you need to dial into meetings or chat hands-free.

Both the Galaxy Buds Plus and higher-end Pro utilize what Samsung dubs "Voice Pickup Units", consisting of:

• One inner mic aimed downward into the mouth for speech pickup
• Outer microphones that analyze background noise

Together this microphone array focuses on amplifying the users voice for calls while minimizing external disruptions.

So how do they stack up for voice clarity when chatting? Extremely well according to reviews:

• CNET – "No complaints on voice calls — they should be able to handle wind noise well.":

• SoundGuys – "Few Bluetooth headsets offer better call quality than the Galaxy Buds Pro."

• Wirecutter – "Call quality is excellent, making voices sound rich and full."

Notice critics don‘t draw huge distinctions between the Plus and Pro models here. That‘s because call quality already shined on the Plus, and the Pro aims for parity using a similar triple mic setup.

With crisp HD call transmission being so pivotal for work meetings or just catching up with friends, both pairs check this box impressively no matter which you choose.

Now, regarding battery efficiency however…there is a clear difference separating the Plus and Pro that we need to examine.

Battery & Charging Breakdown

Battery performance stands paramount for true wireless buds you may use constantly outside the home. Sadly physics dictates that adding advanced features often impacts this area.

Let‘s break down the playtime and charging differences between models:

Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus

• 11 Hours listening per charge (ANC off)
• Wireless charging case provides 2 extra charges (11 hours each)
• 1 Hour playback from 3 minutes charging

Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro

• 5 Hours with Active Noise Cancelling on
• 8 Hours listening with ANC turned off
• Wireless charging case provides roughly 4 extra charges
• 30 Minutes playback from 3 minutes charge (ANC off)

You‘ll immediately notice the Galaxy Buds Plus tout a battery life advantage – roughly 3 extra hours of continuous listening over the Pro. Credit that lengthy longevity to missing energy-draining features like noise cancellation.

However, do keep context in mind! The Buds Pro still achieve reasonable battery benchmarks, considering most competitors housing ANC (like the AirPods Pro) land around just 4 to 5 hours playtime as well. Plus the Pro case does provide more total extra charges – handy for longer trips.

Ideally battery optimization comes down to smart usage habits:

• Toggle noise cancellation judiciously instead of always running for basic music playback. Use during flights, commutes or loud environments when it makes the biggest difference.

• Case charges are plentiful with both models. For shorter 1 to 2 hour listening blocks during workdays, you realistically may only need to charge every 2 to 3 days.

• The wireless charging cases means you can conveniently plop either model onto any Qi charging pad. I keep one on my nightstand to stay topped off.

• Turn off hands-free Bixby voice features that can sip more battery in the background with the Buds Pro.

Considering battery & charging aspects in full, the Plus certainly bests the Pro for raw longevity. But the Pro makes up significant ground with case charges and still delivers competitive benchmark compared to similar ANC earbuds.

Onto styling, fit and comfort…

Design & Ergonomics Differences

Visual curb appeal and lightweight portable designs represent hallmarks of Samsung‘s electronics. And their two earbuds flagships exemplify slick aesthetics augmented by ergonomic customization for comfort.

Visually, both the Galaxy Buds Pro and Plus share a smooth pebble-like shape with glossy touch surfaces. Compared side-by-side however, a few physical differences stand out:

You‘ll notice while dimensions feel similar in-hand, the Galaxy Buds Pro case rates slightly wider and heavier to accommodate extra mics/hardware inside. Still easily pocketable though.

More importantly, the IPX7 waterproof rating gives Buds Pro superiority in terms of water, sweat and dust protection. Don‘t worry about rainstorm workouts or spilled drinks!

([insert side-by-side earbuds photo and case photo])

Ergonomics and fit remain strong suits for both models as well thanks to interchangeable ear tip and wing tips:

• The angular shape and oval ear tips slide snugly into ear canals, passively blocking noise just via fit.

• Removable wings on the Plus lock into the folds of your ears for extremely secure hold during exercise and activity. The Pro lacks wings relying on tip seal alone.

• Soft silicon material withstands long listening sessions without irritation.

Now chosing between Buds Plus stable wings vs Pro waterproofing depends on priorities. I prefer the added grip and hold for running provided by wings the Plus offers. But don‘t fret over water exposure with the bold IPX7 ruggedness if the Pro better suits!

Either way you should achieve comfortable long term wear.

Moving onto functionality perks…

Special Features & Apps

Rolling with a popular brand like Samsung brings certain advantages into the mix – namely seamless device integration and support.

The Buds Pro and Plus unlock full native controls, customizations and information via Samsung‘s Galaxy Wearable app. Conveniences include:

• Earbud status info like battery levels, ambient sound mode, fit seal checks.
• Custom sound profiles – bass boost, soft treble etc.
• Toggle noise cancelling and ambient sound modes
• EQ presets optimized for different genres.
• Firmware updates
• Finding lost earbud locations using onboard trackers

Plus you‘re able to use device OS functionality like hands-free Bixby voice assistant activation for news, queries, reminders and more. Apple users miss out on this sort of tight-knit integration.

Beyond that, both models share the same tap/touch controls for core playback functions like pausing music, skipping tracks, accepting calls all without reaching for your phones.

Rounding things up, let‘s weigh overall value and use cases recommendations…

Verdict: Which Model Should You Buy?

When comparing the merits of Samsung‘s leading wireless earbuds models, the Galaxy Buds Pro certainly justifies it‘s premium price tag with substantial upgrades – most notably adding best-in-class active noise cancellation.

You can expect comparable excellence when it comes to sound quality, microphone performance for voice calls, mobile apps support and style from either choice.

But beyond noise cancelling, the Galaxy Buds Pro also brings full waterproofing that the IPX2-rated Plus lacks. So no sweat over weather exposure whatsoever.

Now the Buds Plus does maintain battery efficiency as a selling point. You‘ll squeeze ~3 more hours of continuous playback compared to the Pro with ANC enabled. The winged tips also promote a more anchored secure fit depending on ear shape.

So in summary:

Choose the Buds Pro If:

• You want / need effective active noise cancelling for travel, work, noisy places
• IPX7 waterproofing appeals to your active lifestyle
• Maximizing battery life isn‘t your biggest priority
• You want latest and greatest features

Choose the Bud Plus If:

• ANC and waterproofing aren‘t deal-breakers for your uses
• You crave longer continuous battery runtime
• Secure winged tip design seems to fit your ears best
• Saving some money appeals most

Hopefully it‘s clearer how these two awesome earbud models from Samsung compare, with better context what benefits matter based on your listening preferences. Plus armed with this info, you can likely find deals on either model and get huge value!

Feel free to reach out if any other questions arise! Having tested them both out personally across many hours music and calls, I‘m happy to offer any advice or tips to help decide between the Galaxy Buds Pro vs Plus!

Talk soon,
[Your name]