Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro vs Google Pixel Buds Pro: Which should you buy?

Update: February 2, 2023: This article was updated to include charts comparing the earbuds’ frequency responses and noise-cancelling. We expanded upon information regarding the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro and added information on the Pixel Buds Pro’s custom EQ (Google Pixel phone required).

Original article: August 12, 2022: Samsung and Google are big names in the Android world, and each company offers its signature true wireless earbuds. Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 2 Pro are the latest in a line of many models and sit at the top of the Galaxy Buds family, while Google positions the Pixel Buds Pro as the ultimate Android buds. But which active noise-cancelling (ANC) earbuds are right for you? We’ll cover what you need to know in this Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro vs Google Pixel Buds Pro comparison.

Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro vs Google Pixel Buds Pro: Design

When placed next to each other, the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro and the Google Pixel Buds Pro look somewhat similar. Both have small buds with ear tips that sit close to their bodies, and both models mirror some of the design aesthetics of Android phones from their respective brands.

The Galaxy Buds 2 Pro are 15% smaller than their preceding models and have larger pressure-relief vents to reduce that “plugged ear” feeling. On the other hand, the Pixel Buds Pro look a lot like the cheaper Pixel A series buds. However, the new Pro case is IPX2-rated, while the buds are IPX4-rated. Samsung’s older Galaxy Buds Pro share the same IPX7 rating as the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro earphones. That means you can immerse the Buds 2 Pro for up to 30 minutes, and they should survive.

Google claims the batteries in the Pixel Buds Pro last seven hours with active noise-cancelling enabled, which our tests confirmed. You can also net up to 20 hours of battery with the charging case. Disabling ANC lets the buds go for up to 11 hours and 31 hours total with the charging case.

Samsung claims the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro can go for up to five hours with noise-cancelling enabled. In our testing, the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro lasted four hours, 50 minutes with ANC on. Combining the standalone battery life with the charging case totals 18 hours of playtime. Without ANC, battery life climbs to 29 hours.

Both USB-C and wireless charging are options for either model. With the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, you can charge the case on top of a compatible Samsung device.

Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro vs Google Pixel Buds Pro: Features

Despite being Google’s signature offering, the Pixel Buds Pro only support the SBC and AAC Bluetooth codecs, which is odd for Android-tailored buds. On the other hand, the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro offer AAC and SBC, and, if you use a Galaxy device, the Samsung Seamless Codec for 24-bit audio. The latter is better for latency reasons, but it’s only available if you own a Samsung device running One UI 4.0 or later.

This is where the two models diverge further. The Pixel Buds Pro lets you connect to almost any Android device with just a tap. You can connect the Pixel Buds Pro to two devices simultaneously, thanks to Bluetooth multipoint support. The Galaxy Buds 2 Pro lacks multipoint, and you miss out on some features when you pair the buds to a non-Samsung device. In that case, you miss out on automatic device switching and 360 audio.

Controls

Both the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro and the Pixel Buds Pro feature multifunction controls. You can swipe back and forth on Google’s buds to change the volume and tap them in various ways to access some settings. However, with most of these functions baked in, you can’t customize their controls.

The Galaxy Buds 2 Pro let you use the Samsung Wearables app to remap controls and tweak things. This app works with all Android devices, but again, certain functions will only work with Galaxy phones.

The new Galaxy Buds 2 Pro feature SmartThings Find, which can alert you if you leave your buds behind. Google offers a Find My service, as well; you’ll have to enable it before losing your buds.

Either model of earbuds let you use voice commands to control functions, but they differ in their approach. Pixel Buds Pro use Google Assistant to interact with your voice, while the default voice assistant for Galaxy Buds 2 Pro is Bixby, but you can change to another voice assistant if you want.

Noise-cancelling

The Pixel Buds Pro are Google’s first noise-cancelling earbuds. While the Pixel Buds Pro cancel out plenty of noise, the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro does more to quiet sub-bass frequencies and certain treble frequencies. Again, both are very good, but you’ll notice a greater ANC effect from Samsung’s earbuds than Google’s.

Both of these models have three sizes of ear tips to choose from, so you can find a fit that delivers good isolation. However, in our experience, the ear tip fit test in the Google Pixel Buds Pro app seems to indicate that all the tips are an ideal fit, which isn’t the case. Samsung’s ear tip fit test is usually a little more reliable.

Sound quality

The Google Pixel Buds Pro tend to emphasize lows and highs a bit too much, which isn’t awful but might be noticeable depending on your listening habits. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro features slightly less sub-bass and treble emphasis than the Pixel Buds Pro.

With Samsung’s app, you can choose from a handful of EQ presets, but with Google’s “pro” earphones, you can create your own EQ from a Google Pixel phone (Android 10+). Like Samsung, Google also offers a host of EQ presets if you don’t want to manually tinker with the sound.

The Galaxy Buds 2 Pro support 24-bit audio playback but only with Galaxy devices. The Pixel Buds Pro aren’t compatible with any Hi-Res audio standard.

Samsung’s buds also give you Dolby Atmos support, while Google doesn’t offer spatial audio support at the time of this writing. It is set to arrive with a future firmware update, however.

Price and colors

The Google Pixel Buds Pro come in Charcoal, Fog, Coral, and Lemongrass and sell for $199.

The Galaxy Buds 2 Pro come in White, Graphite, or Bora Purple and cost $229.

Specs

Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro vs Google Pixel Buds Pro: Which should you buy?

The choice between the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro and the Pixel Buds Pro will likely come down to the phone you have (or want to buy).

Google’s offering is targeting all Android users. While they are missing some features at launch and lack a reliable low-latency Bluetooth codec, they will integrate nicely with the ecosystem.

Meanwhile, Samsung tailors the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro to work best with Galaxy devices. They will also work well with other Android phones, but the experience won’t be quite as fully featured.