[Trying Galbuds2] Noise-Canceling Earphones Priced Around 140,000 Won... Comfortable Fit

Samsung Electronics, 3rd in Global Wireless Earbuds, Strikes Back
Noise Cancelling at 149,000 KRW
Two-Thirds the Price of Buds Pro with Similar Quality

Lower Perceived Noise Blocking Effect
But Two-Thirds the Price of Buds Pro
Overall High Satisfaction

Using Samsung Electronics' new wireless earphones, 'Galaxy Buds2'. Photo by Cha Min-young

[Asia Economy Reporter Cha Min-young] Following Apple and Xiaomi, Samsung Electronics, the world's third-largest wireless earphone company, made a bold move with its budget line 'Galaxy Buds2' at the August Galaxy Unpacked (new product launch) event. The Buds2, a canal-type earphone, features the much-rumored Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) function. ANC is a technology that literally 'actively removes noise.' Among online communities and IT influencers, the consensus is that 'the anticipated product came out exactly as expected.'

The right side shows the new release, 'Galaxy Buds2'. Compared to the 'Galaxy Buds Pro' earbuds, a distinctly different design has been applied externally.

Looking at the actual Buds2, the plump appearance of the two earbuds immediately catches the eye. Compared to the premium line 'Galaxy Buds Pro' released last January, the part connecting to the eartip is slimmer. Personally, I found the Buds2 more comfortable to wear than the Buds Pro, which has a thicker volume that fits snugly in the ear without gaps. The Graphite color is a subtle shade mixing gray and black, and unlike the Buds Pro, which clearly shows the face, it is translucent.

For a full test, I turned on Bluetooth and connected the Buds2. The connection time took about 1 to 2 minutes and did not experience delays even in large cafes with many smartphone users. The noise reduction solution (DNN) function showed little difference during regular calls but was effective in noisy earphone and speaker calls. The sound quality felt cleaner on the Buds2. This is a new feature not included at all in the Buds Pro.

I also tested the most anticipated ANC function. The ANC effectively blocked surrounding noise, giving a somewhat muffled feeling in the ears. Filling the noise-free ear canal space with music allowed enjoyment of music even at low volumes. It worked even when wearing only one earbud. When ANC is on, the earbud battery lasts about 5 hours. However, there were limitations in sound depth and quality during music playback, typical of a budget model.

On the software side, the developers’ efforts were evident. After connecting the wireless earphones to a smartphone, users could perform earbud fit tests or customize the equalizer on the 'Galaxy Wearable' screen. Using the 'SmartThings' app, which applies to all Galaxy devices, users can also locate the earbuds. Pressing the find earbuds button connected via Bluetooth shows an approximate location and can help find them through sound. The 'beep beep' bird-like sound is the clue.

There are certainly disappointing aspects, such as the less noticeable noise cancellation performance and the sound depth and quality falling short of the premium Buds Pro. However, these are offset by the overwhelming price difference. The Buds2’s retail price is about 149,000 KRW, roughly 90,000 KRW cheaper than the Buds Pro’s 239,800 KRW. This surpasses market expectations of a 10-20% discount. Even compared to Apple and Samsung’s 200,000 to 300,000 KRW noise-cancelling products, the quality is not far behind. It seems sufficient to capture the attention of the general public, excluding some enthusiast groups.