AirPods vs Galaxy Buds: Which Is Best? [After Trying For 8 weeks]
It’s the battle of the best wireless earbuds. AirPods vs. Galaxy Buds: which ones come out on top? In this blog post, we will compare and contrast these two sets of earbuds to see which one is better for you.
We’ll look at features, design, sound quality, and more to help you make the decision about which set to buy. Both have their pros and cons, but ultimately one will reign supreme. So, without further ado, let’s get started!
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Key Differences Between Apple AirPods and Samsung Galaxy Buds Live
When it comes to wireless earbuds, there are two clear frontrunners in the market: Apple AirPods and Samsung Galaxy Buds Live. Both of these options offer a sleek design, great sound quality, and easy connectivity. But which one is the better choice for you?
Let’s take a closer look at the key differences between these two popular options to help you make a decision.
- When it comes to design, the AirPods have a more traditional look with their white plastic casing and long stems. The Galaxy Buds Live, on the other hand, has a unique bean-shaped design that some people find more comfortable to wear. Both earbuds are lightweight and come with charging cases that offer additional battery life.
- In terms of sound quality, the AirPods offer a slightly better bass response and overall clarity than the Galaxy Buds Live. However, both earbuds provide high-quality audio that is suitable for most listeners. If you are an audio enthusiast or require top-notch sound quality for professional use, then the AirPods may be the better option for you.
- When it comes to connectivity, the AirPods use Apple’s proprietary W-series chip, while the Galaxy Buds Live uses Bluetooth five. The W-series chip offers slightly better range and stability than Bluetooth five, but both earbuds provide a solid connection that is suitable for most users.
- The AirPods are not the best choice for use during activities like running or working out. The Galaxy Buds Live have an IPX rating of two, which makes them resistant to sweat and water. If you are looking for earbuds that can stand up to a little more activity, then Galaxy Buds Live may be the better option for you.
- The AirPods have active noise cancellation, while the Galaxy Buds Live has passive noise isolation. The AirPods will do a better job of reducing background noise, like chatter in a coffee shop or music playing from another room. If you are looking for earbuds to use in noisy environments, then the AirPods may be the better option for you. However, if you just want to block out distractions so that you can focus on your work or study, then Galaxy Buds Live may be a better choice.
Apple AirPods vs Galaxy Buds Live – Comfort
Let’s start with comfort since that’s going to be the first thing you notice when you put either of these in your ears.
The new AirPods have a more traditional earbud design, which some people will prefer over the Galaxy Buds Live “bean” shape. That said, the Galaxy Buds Live are still quite comfortable, and they don’t stick out of your ears as much as the AirPods do.
The Galaxy Buds Live have a more secure fit design, which means they will stay in your ears better during activities like running or working out. The AirPods, on the other hand, have a more traditional earbud design that some people prefer.
That said, both earbuds are quite comfortable and don’t stick out of your ears as much as some other models do.
Apple AirPods vs Galaxy Buds Live – Design and Style
When it comes to design, the AirPods are very sleek and minimalistic. They come in all white and feature a small stem that sticks out of each earbud. The Galaxy Buds Live, on the other hand, has a unique design.
They’re shaped like beans and come in three different colors: black, white, and bronze.
Both sets of earbuds are pretty small and compact, but the AirPods are definitely the more low-profile option.
If you’re looking for something that will be less noticeable when you’re wearing them, the AirPods are the way to go. However, if you don’t mind a little bit of bulk and you like the way the Galaxy Buds Live look, then they could be a better option for you.
When it comes to style, the AirPods definitely have a more premium look and feel to them. They’re clean and sleek, which goes well with Apple’s other products.
The Galaxy Buds Live, on the other hand, has more fun and funky style. They’re not as sleek as the AirPods, but they definitely stand out more.
If you’re looking for something that will make a statement, the Galaxy Buds Live is probably a better choice. However, the AirPods are probably your best bet if you prefer a more understated look.
Charging Cases
The AirPods come with a small charging case that fits easily into your pocket. The Galaxy Buds Live comes with a larger charging case that’s shaped like a pill. Both cases are easy to use and provide a secure fit for your earbuds.
The AirPods case is definitely more convenient if you’re looking for something that you can just throw in your bag and go.
However, the Galaxy Buds Live case provides a bit more protection for your earbuds, which could be important if you’re worried about them getting damaged.
Apple AirPods vs Galaxy Buds Live – Sound Quality
The sound quality of the AirPods is fantastic. They provide clear, powerful, and well-balanced audio that sounds great no matter what you’re listening to. The Galaxy Buds Live, on the other hand, has a bit of an issue with bass response.
While they don’t sound terrible by any means, they don’t quite match up to the AirPods in terms of overall sound quality. If you’re looking for the best-sounding wireless earbuds, then the AirPods are the way to go.
So How do the Samsung Galaxy Buds Fare Here?
While the AirPods might have better sound quality overall, the Galaxy Buds Live have a few features that help them compete. First of all, they offer active noise cancellation, which the AirPods do not.
This can be a lifesaver if you’re trying to focus on your work or just want to block out the world for a while.
The Galaxy Buds Live also has an ambient sound mode, which allows you to hear your surroundings without taking off the earbuds.
This can be handy if you’re walking around in a crowded area or need to be aware of your surroundings for safety reasons.
Apple AirPods vs Galaxy Buds Live – Noise Cancelling
The next big thing in the world of wireless earbuds is active noise cancellation (ANC). This feature is designed to block out unwanted ambient noise so that you can focus on your music or phone call.
ANC is available on both the AirPods Pro and Galaxy Buds Live, but which one does it better?
The AirPods Pro uses two microphones, one on the inside of the earbud and one on the outside. The Galaxy Buds Live on a triple-microphone format, two of which are beamforming.
The AirPods Pro uses Apple’s proprietary noise cancellation technology to cancel out background noise. The Galaxy Buds Live uses AKG’s Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) algorithm to achieve similar results.
From a technical standpoint, the AirPods Pro is able to cancel out more noise than the Galaxy Buds Live. However, some users prefer the sound quality of the Galaxy Buds Live ANC feature because it does not muffle voices as much as the AirPods Pro.
In terms of overall effectiveness, both earbuds do a great job at noise cancellation, but the AirPods Pro is slightly better.
So, which pair of earbuds is better at active noise cancellation? It’s hard to say for sure. Both the AirPods Pro and Galaxy Buds Live do a good job of canceling out background noise.
If you’re looking for slightly better ANC performance, then the AirPods Pro may be a better choice. However, if you’re looking for a more affordable option, then the Galaxy Buds Live is definitely worth considering.
Apple AirPods vs Galaxy Buds – Battery Life
When it comes to battery life, the AirPods have a slight advantage. The AirPods can last for up to 5 hours on a single charge, while the Galaxy Buds can only manage 4.5 hours.
However, both earbuds come with charging cases that give you an extra few charges.
The AirPods case can give you an extra 24 hours of battery life, while the Galaxy Buds case will give you an extra 7 hours. So, if you’re using your earbuds for short periods throughout the day, the AirPods should be able to last you a full day on a single charge.
If you’re using your earbuds for longer periods or for more intensive activities, like working out, the Galaxy Buds will probably need to be recharged before the end of the day.
Both earbuds support fast charging, so you can get a quick boost of power when you need it. The AirPods can get up to three hours of battery life from a 15-minute charge, while the Galaxy Buds can get an hour and a half of battery life from a quick 15-minute charge.
Overall, the AirPods have better battery life than the Galaxy Buds. However, the difference is not huge, and both earbuds come with handy charging cases that give you plenty of extra charges. So, if you’re looking for earbuds with great battery life, either of these options will be a good choice.
Apple AirPods vs Galaxy Buds Live – Controls and Ease of Use
The next big thing to compare is how easy each set of earbuds is to use. The best way to do that is by talking about the controls.
Touch Controls
Starting with the AirPods, there really aren’t any physical buttons or anything like that. All you have is a very tiny LED light on the front of each pod; that’s it.
All the controls are done through Siri, which can be accessed by either saying “Hey Siri” or double tapping on either AirPod. This can be slightly annoying at times, especially if you don’t want to activate Siri accidentally.
As for the Galaxy Buds Live, they too, have no physical buttons. However, all the controls are done through the touchpad that’s located on the back of each earbud.
This touchpad is extremely sensitive, so it’s very easy to accidentally pause your music or turn up the volume when you don’t mean to. It does take a little bit of time to get used to, but once you do, it’s not too bad.
In terms of ease of use, I would say that the AirPods are slightly better just because there are fewer things that can go wrong. With the Galaxy Buds Live, it’s very easy to accidentally pause your music or change the volume without meaning to.
Bluetooth Pairing
Pairing the AirPods with your iPhone is extremely easy and straightforward. All you have to do is open the case next to your iPhone, and it will automatically pop up on your screen, asking if you want to connect. Once you click “connect,” that’s it! Your AirPods are now paired with your phone.
The Galaxy Buds Live is a little bit more difficult to pair with your phone. First, you have to download the Galaxy Buds app from the App Store or Google Play Store.
Once that’s done, open up the app and follow the prompts until your earbuds are successfully connected. This process can be a little bit confusing and time-consuming, so be prepared to spend a few minutes getting it set up.
In terms of Bluetooth pairing, the AirPods are definitely better. They’re so easy to connect, and you don’t need any extra apps or anything like that.
Customization
Customization is key when it comes to the best wireless earbuds. When it comes to customizing your AirPods, there isn’t much you can do. You can choose between white and black, and that’s about it.
However, with Galaxy Buds Live, you have a few more options. You can choose between three different colors: black, white, and bronze. You can also choose to have your buds engraved with a personal message.
Another important factor to consider when choosing the best wireless earbuds is the ability to find a missing bud. With AirPods, you can use the “Find My iPhone” feature to help you locate a lost bud.
However, Galaxy Buds Live comes with an even better feature. The “Bixby Voice Wake-Up” feature allows you to say, “Hey Bixby, where are my Galaxy Buds Live?” and Bixby will help you locate them.
Apple AirPods vs Galaxy Buds Live – Voice Assistants
The Apple AirPods and Galaxy Buds Live have their own voice assistant. With the AirPods, you have Siri at your disposal, while Buds Live offers Bixby support. Both of these voice assistants are competent and can perform a variety of tasks.
However, there are some key differences between them that you should be aware of.
When it comes to features, both Siri and Bixby are fairly evenly matched. However, Siri has an advantage when it comes to third-party app support. This means that you can use Siri to control a wider range of apps than you can with Bixby.
Another area where Siri shines is in its ability to understand natural language queries. This means that you can ask Siri questions in a more natural way than you can with Bixby.
Bixby has one key advantage over Siri, which is its live translation feature. This allows you to translate a foreign language in real-time, which can be very useful when traveling.
So, which voice assistant is better? That really depends on your needs and preferences. If you need support for third-party apps or want to be able to ask natural language queries, then Siri is the better choice. However, if you need live translation capabilities, then Bixby is the superior option.
Are Apple AirPods Compatible With Samsung Smartphones?
You may be wondering, if Samsung and Apple are such fierce competitors, can you even use AirPods with a Samsung smartphone? The answer is yes! In fact, many Android users prefer the design and functionality of AirPods over Galaxy Buds.
While there are some slight differences between the two earbud models, they both provide a great listening experience.
Do Galaxy Buds Work With the iPhone?
The simple answer is yes; the Galaxy Buds work with the iPhone. You can use them to listen to music, make phone calls, and use Siri. The only caveat is that you won’t be able to take advantage of all the features that are available on the Galaxy Buds when used with an iPhone.
For example, you won’t be able to use Samsung’s TouchWiz interface or customize the sound profile through the equalizer. Despite these minor drawbacks, the Galaxy Buds are still a great option for those who want a quality pair of wireless earbuds that work with both Android and iOS devices.
Who Came Out With Wireless Earbuds First – Apple or Samsung?
When it comes to wireless earbuds, there are two major players in the game: Apple and Samsung. But who came out with this popular product first?
The answer may surprise you. It was actually Samsung who released the first wireless earbuds back in 2016 with their Gear IconX. However, these earbuds were not met with much success and they soon faded into obscurity.
Apple then released its AirPods in 2019 and they quickly became one of the most popular consumer electronics products on the market. Since then, Samsung has been playing catch up with their own Galaxy Buds line of earbuds.
Conclusion
Both the AirPods and Galaxy Buds are great wireless earbuds. However, there are some key differences that may make one better suited for you than the other. So, which is the better wireless earbud? The answer may depend on your needs and preferences.
If you’re looking for an earbud that has great sound quality and is comfortable to wear, then the AirPods would be a good choice. However, if you’re looking for an earbud with a more affordable price tag, then Galaxy Buds Live might be a better option. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide which wireless earbud is best for you.