Skip to main content

Galaxy Buds Pro bring fresh features, tight integration to Samsung phones

After months of leaks and tons of hype, Samsung has finally launched the Galaxy S21 series, with improved performance, an all-new design, and more. Alongside the phones, however, Samsung also launched other new devices — like the Bluetooth-tracking SmartTags, and the new Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro earbuds.

You might assume that the new earbuds are simply an upgraded version of the Galaxy Buds Live that Samsung launched alongside the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. Instead, they offer a fresh true wireless design, along with a series of high-end features that should appeal to any Galaxy user that wants a pair of portable earbuds.

The headphones come in a small and very portable charging case, along with an ergonomic design that’s aimed at offering a comfortable fit. The buds also have an IPX7 water resistance rating in case you sweat or get caught in the rain.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

As you would expect, the headphones also offer a series of smart features, both to improve audio quality and to help ensure the headphones better integrate with your other devices. Notably, the Buds Pro offer noise-cancellation that Samsung says can reduce background noise by up to 99% — and you can tune the ANC to your preferred level. They also offer an Ambient Sound mode, which can amplify outside sounds for things like having a conversation. And the headphones can intelligently switch between those modes by detecting when you’re speaking.

You can count on Samsung to rapidly iterate on its true wireless earbuds.

The headphones integrate with the rest of your Galaxy tech too, even though many of these features are taken directly from Apple. For example, they can automatically switch between your Galaxy phones and tablets, and if you get a call on your phone when watching a video on your tablet, your video will automatically pause so you can take a call with the buds on your phone.

The headphones also offer 360 Audio, which is built with Dolby Head Tracking technology. Essentially Samsung’s take on Apple’s Spatial Audio, the feature should help you get a surround sound experience in a pair of stereo headphones. Last but not least, the Galaxy Buds Pro support Samsung’s new SmartThings Find, which helps you locate each individual bud if you lose it, even if they’re no longer connected to Bluetooth.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

The Galaxy Buds Pro headphones offer 8 hours of continuous battery life, with an additional 20 hours of use with the charging case, without ANC. With ANC, you’ll get only 5 hours of continuous use, with an extra 13 hours thanks to the charging case — though that’s still not bad.

The headphones are now available from Samsung for $200 and will be available from other retailers starting on January 15. Samsung also intends to keep the Galaxy Buds Live and even the older Galaxy Buds+ in the market, for those who are more price-conscious.

Editors' Recommendations

Christian de Looper
Christian’s interest in technology began as a child in Australia, when he stumbled upon a computer at a garage sale that he…
5 things I want to see in the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and S Pen stylus on its screen.

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is definitely one of the best smartphones on the market right now, no doubt about that. You get incredible performance with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, plenty of RAM and storage, a whopping 200MP camera, two telephoto lenses for 3x and 5x optical zoom, S Pen integration, and more. It’s certainly an impressive package.

But it’s not perfect. In fact, some weaknesses could be improved in the next version, the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Here’s what I hope to see next year.
A new design
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (left) and Galaxy S23 Ultra Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Read more
What is Bixby? How to use Samsung’s AI assistant
A Samsung Galaxy phone showing off Bixby with a tablet in the background.

We’ve all heard of Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri, but what’s all the fuss about this Bixby character? Yet another voice assistant that’s built into smartphones and tablets, Bixby is Samsung’s virtual assistant. If you own something with the ‘Galaxy’ sub-label, you can use Samsung’s digitized companion to do all kinds of things. 

Like its competitors, Bixby has a ton of capabilities, but it’s a little different from the rest of the class. Here’s a guide to teach you everything you need to know about the Samsung voice assistant. And be sure to check back regularly, as voice assistants change and evolve all the time.
What is Bixby?

Read more
5 phones you should buy instead of the iPhone 15 Pro Max
iPhone 15 Pro Max lying on the ground surrounded by leaves.

Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro Max is one of the top choices for a premium smartphone. It offers the latest and greatest from Apple, including the new A17 Pro chip, a fantastic camera system, a lightweight titanium body, the Action button, and USB-C charging. It's a great package.

But there’s no doubt about it — the iPhone 15 Pro Max is also quite expensive, with a starting price of $1,200. It’s also not the only option out there if you want the best smartphone on the market, especially if you aren’t particularly invested in the Apple ecosystem.

Read more