This earbuds guide explains the new features of Galaxy Buds Pro (vs Galaxy Buds Live): traditional fit/shape, IPX7 rating, Voice Detect, ambient sound, 360 Audio, Auto Switch. Based on the comparison of Galaxy Buds Pro vs Galaxy Buds Live, you may also understand which earbuds are the right one to meet your needs.
The differences among Galaxy Buds Live, Galaxy Buds+, and Galaxy Buds were explained in detail here (Galaxy Buds Live vs Galaxy Buds+) and here (Galaxy Buds+ vs Galaxy Buds). The layout of Galaxy Buds Live can be found here.
Galaxy Buds Pro and Galaxy Buds Live share similar active noise cancelling (ANC), similar battery life, similar audio quality, and similar microphone quality. This guide tries to highlight the new features of Galaxy Buds Pro vs Galaxy Buds Live.
Galaxy Buds Pro looks more like Galaxy Buds+ than the bean-shaped Galaxy Buds Live.
The more traditional ear tip design offers a better seal for the earbuds sound from the ambient noise. You can choose an ear tip of different sizes to fit your ear. It also makes active noise cancelling more effective.
But some users may feel it is less comfortable compared to Galaxy Buds Live.
The bean-shaped Galaxy Buds Live is usually more comfortable for wearing for a long time. But it seems a few owners find the Galaxy Buds Live does not fit their ears well and therefore it may cause pains. The wingtip on Galaxy Buds Live offers minor support, and many owners are not aware of the different sizes of wingtips in the box.
Anway, Galaxy Buds Pro returned to the traditional shape and improved the fit and comfort over Galaxy Buds+. If you re looking for an even lighter version of Galaxy Buds Pro, you may try Galaxy Buds 2.
Galaxy Buds Pro improved water-resistant and has an IPX7 rating, which means Galaxy Buds Pro is waterproof and can be submerged in water at a depth of one meter for 30 minutes. This matches the water-resistance of Jabra Elite Sport, which is one of the best sports earbuds.
So, it is safe to wear the Galaxy Buds Pro when exercising in the rain. Or if you accidentally drop the earbuds to the washing basin, Galaxy Buds Pro should survive easily.
As a comparison, Galaxy Buds Live (and Galaxy Buds, Galaxy Buds+, and Galaxy Buds 2) has an IPX2 rating. They are only sweat-proof, and you should not expose them to water.
Please note, the water-proofing rating is only for the buds, not for the charging case.
Anyway, the IPX7 rating is probably the most welcomed new feature of Galaxy Buds Pro for the gym and running guys.
Ambient sound mode let you be aware of the background noise when you are listening with the earbuds. The background sound is passed to your ear through the microphones.
Galaxy Buds Pro not only brings back the ambient sound mode (which is absent from Galaxy Buds Live) but also allows you to set the ambient sound to 4 different levels.
FYI, both Galaxy Buds and Galaxy Buds+ also have the ambient sound mode. It was not available only in Galaxy Buds Live.
For Galaxy Buds Pro vs Galaxy Buds Live, the noise-cancelling is similar. But the ambient sound mode makes Galaxy Buds Pro more usable in some special situations.
Galaxy Buds Pro can detect it when you are talking or in a conversation. Then make adjustments so that it is easier for you to talk and listen.
Samsung coined this new feature of Galaxy Buds Pro as Voice Detect.
Once your voice is detected, Galaxy Buds Pro can:
If your voice is not detected for a certain period of time (which you can specify among 5, 10, or 15 seconds), Galaxy Buds Pro automatically reverts to the previous setting/mode.
Voice Detect is a totally new feature of Galaxy Buds Pro. But apparently, it works quite accurate and fast. It relies on the voice detector sensor inside the earbuds.
Galaxy Buds Pro also supports Samsung's 360 Audio, which is similar to Apple's Spatial Audio on AirPods Pro and AirPods Pro Max.
Samsung's dynamic 360 Audio provides a 360-degree surround sound and creates an immersive environment for your media. When you move your head, the intelligent motion-tracking sensor calculates the direction of the sound so that the sound follows your head movements.
Of course, there is no magic. The 360 Audio is created by changing the left and right sound volumes (and phases) of the earbuds.
Please do not confuse Samsung's 360 Audio with Sony's 360 Reality Audio. They are totally different and unrelated.
360 Reality Audio requires both a comparable headset (or earbuds like Sony WF-1000XM3) and a special audio source. The music file for 360 Reality Audio requires additional info embedded. So, you must play 360 Reality Audio files (not normal audio files) to get the special 360 Reality Audio effects on supported headsets.
Samsung's 360 Audio requires a pair of compatible earbuds (currently Galaxy Buds Pro) and compatible Samsung devices with Android 11(e.g., Galaxy S21, Galaxy S20, Galaxy Note 20, and Galaxy Note 10). It does not require a special audio source. In other words, the 360 Audio effects are generated from normal audio files.
Auto Switch is another new feature of Galaxy Buds Pro. It requires Samsung devices with One UI 3.1 (currently Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21+, Galaxy S21 Ultra, Galaxy Tab S7, and Galaxy Tab S7+ only).
Basically, Galaxy Buds Pro can switch among Samsung devices automatically in various situations, for example:
Please note, Auto Switch actually is a new feature of One UI 3.1 (with Android 11). So, to use Auto Switch on Galaxy Buds Pro, you need to have Samsung devices with One UI 3.1. The Android 11 update for Galaxy S20, S10, Note 10, and Note 20 only comes with One UI 3.0. For those devices, you have to wait for a new One UI 3.1 update, which will start to roll out globally in March 2021.
Besides, both Samsung devices must use the same Samsung account to make Auto Switch work.
By comparing Galaxy Buds Pro vs Galaxy Buds Live, you can find:
So, if you want to upgrade your Galaxy Buds or Galaxy Buds+, you can skip Galaxy Buds Live unless you feel Galaxy Buds Pro less comfortable.
For Galaxy Buds Live owners, generally, it is not necessary to change to Galaxy Buds Pro with some exceptions, including
Anyway, it depends on your needs and budget.
If you have any questions or need help on Galaxy Buds Pro vs Galaxy Buds Live vs Galaxy Buds+ vs Galaxy Buds, you may let us know in the comment box below.
The community will help you.
You may check Headphone 101 for detailed explanations of headphone technologies and terms.
For Bluetooth headphone guides, please check the Bluetooth headphones section.
Sports headphones section is dedicated to guides on sports headphones.
Active noise-cancelling headphone guides can be found in the Noise-canceling headphones section.
This post was last modified on September 27, 2021
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