The tech world is no stranger to stark rivalries, and few are more divisive than the Apple vs. Android debate. Apple and Samsung go toe-to-toe with the AirPods (2019) and Samsung Galaxy Buds. While we could tell you that both charging cases feel nice in the hand and that each boasts a robust build in its own right and leave it at that, we believe that when it comes to audio, there’s subjective preference and then there’s objective science.
Editor’s note: this comparison was updated on December 28, 2019 to account for price changes and the Apple AirPods Pro release.
Hardware
Just like our Sony WH-1000XM3 vs. Bose QC 35 II feature, we’re going to work from the outside in with this comparison, meaning hardware first. These true wireless earbuds sport starkly different designs from one another. Samsung’s have a playful, practical design while Apple applies its minimalist philosophy to the updated AirPods.
Both feature touch controls and both can be remapped and customized to your liking. The AirPods (2019) have a leg up on the Galaxy Buds because of the automatic ear detection, which may be toggled on or off via your iPhone’s settings menu. The Galaxy Buds also support automatic ear detection, but our unit had trouble reliably executing this during regular use.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds include wireless charging from compatible Galaxy phones without any extra cost.
What’s more, the AirPods allow users to choose whether sound is recorded and relayed through the left or right microphone. On the other hand, the Galaxy Buds dual-mic array doesn’t let you modify recording settings. Both sets of touch controls work well, and both models allow for wireless charging. Granted, Apple’s cancellation of AirPower proved to be quite a spectacle, the wireless charging case works with Qi-compatible mats. Users will have to pay a premium for it with the second-gen AirPods as it increases the price.
The AirPods may have a sleeker design, but the Galaxy Buds provide a better fit and don’t require you to pay more for wireless charging.
Samsung’s wireless charging, on the other hand, is all included and can be charged directly from any of the Galaxy S10 phones. Not only is this a neat party trick, but it’s also quite convenient and is automatically included with the Galaxy Buds.
Some may prefer the larger, relatively flat panels of the Galaxy Buds while others may be more drawn to the design of the AirPods. Ultimately, though, we tip our hats to Samsung on this one as its a better value and doesn’t hike the price for wireless charging.
Winner: Samsung
Microphone quality
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Relating to hardware is microphone quality. Again, the new AirPods use a mic in each earbud, while the Samsung Galaxy buds use an adaptive dual-mic array which alternates between the inner and outer mics to greatly reduce background noise. The fundamental frequency of my voice fluctuates from 160-240kHz, which is relayed best with the AirPods as the Samsung Galaxy Buds attenuate this range. Generally speaking, the new AirPods sound much more accurate than the Galaxy Buds which tend to transmit an echo along with vocals.
Apple AirPods (2019) microphone demo: https://www.soundguys.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Apple-AirPods-2019-microphone-demo.mp3 Samsung Galaxy Buds microphone demo: https://www.soundguys.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Samsung-Galaxy-Buds-microphone-demo.mp3 Winner: AirPods
Bluetooth codecs and connectivity
Apple’s H1 chip grants improved efficiency, connectivity, and talk time for iOS users.
What about codec and Bluetooth support? Well, both operate via Bluetooth 5.0 and support AAC. The products diverge from here, though, as the new AirPods uses Apples H1 chip, the successor to its W1 chip. Not only does this facilitate hands-free access to Siri, but Apple claims it results in faster connecting times and lessened playback control latency. What’s more, you also benefit from a 50% increase in talk time.
Samsung’s Galaxy Buds don’t support aptX and are outdone by the AirPods when it comes to connectivity.
If you’re using it with an iOS device, connectivity is stable and reliable. The same can’t quite be said when using AirPods with an Android device. Although Samsung doesn’t support aptX, a bit of a misstep, it does use the company’s proprietary scalable codec. This operates similarly to aptX adaptive in that it’s constantly optimizing for bitrate without compromising connectivity.
Initial testing made it seem that connectivity was consistently reliable, however, as I’ve continued to use them between other products, it’s become apparent that the Galaxy Buds still have a ways to go. There have been multiple instances where I’ve had to completely unpair and repair the Buds with my Galaxy S10e. Hopefully Samsung remedies this with future updates, but for now, this point goes to the Cupertino kids.
Winner: Apple
Battery life
This one’s pretty easy to measure. We subjected each pair of earbuds to a constant 75dB(SPL) output, as we do with all headphone units, and observed the results. The new AirPods afforded 4.125 hours of playback with an iPhone X streaming over the AAC codec. While this is a tad shorter than Apple’s claimed five hours of playback, it’s 21 percent longer than the first iteration, presumably due to the new H1 chip. This is no small feat.
It’s worth commending Apple for improving efficiency, the Samsung Galaxy Buds mop the floor with the AirPods as they provide 6.53 hours of playback on a single charge. Granted, the Galaxy Buds case only provides an additional seven hours of battery life, while the AirPods’ case provides an extra 20 hours.
Besides the H1 chip inside, there is basically no difference between this and the previous AirPods.
Additionally, the Galaxy Buds’ quick charging capabilities fall short of Apple’s truly wireless ‘buds. Just 15 minutes in the case for the Buds grants 1.7 of playback; however, the 15 minutes of charging the AirPods 2 results in approximately three hours of playback. Ultimately it depends on how you prioritize your usage, but as far as standalone playback goes, Samsung wins this round.
Winner: Samsung
Sound quality and fit
The Samsung Galaxy Buds have an actual in-ear fit while the new AirPods retain the same form factor as the old model.
With all of this great data being collected and picked apart, it’s easy to forget that behind all the bells and whistles, these are ultimately just earbuds and pricy ones, too. Since you’re paying a premium no matter which pair you go with, it’s important that they sound good too.
Below are the frequency responses of both pairs of earbuds. These graphs depict how much emphasis is placed in a specific frequency range. The new AirPods have a much more exaggerated bass response, which is a more consumer-friendly sound and necessary seeing as the AirPods don’t create a seal with the ear. Not only does this degrade audio quality but many struggle to keep the AirPods in during rigorous movement, a dealbreaker for athletes.
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The Samsung Galaxy Buds, though, have a neutral-leaning sound signature that bodes well for nearly all genres. If you enjoy EQ-ing your music, the Galaxy Buds will be easier to do that without compromising audio quality than the AirPods. Additionally, the wing and ear tips that are directly inserted into the ear canal make for a more secure, comfortable fit.
Clarity and overall sound quality are better with the Galaxy Buds by nature of them being true in-ears that seal to your ear. Due to the solid fit, AKG didn’t have to alter the frequency response too much for the Buds to sound good.
Winner: Samsung
That’s right, the Samsung Galaxy Buds outperform the new AirPods
Compatible Samsung devices with Android 7.0 or later can use the Scalable Codec with the Galaxy Buds.
Safe to say, Samsung wins this battle, but who knows about the war? At the end of the day, Apple users will probably gravitate toward the new AirPods, while Android users will be more inclined to pick up a pair of Galaxy Buds. Again, we can talk your ears off about the data recorded but don’t want to overlook the importance of personal preference. If you like that the AirPods don’t create a cogent seal, then that may be a reason to buy, rather than avoid, them; otherwise there are plenty of great AirPods alternatives out there. However, if you want the bestaudio quality, comfort, and battery life, get the Galaxy Buds.
Don’t overlook the Apple AirPods Pro with noise cancelling
The Apple AirPods Pro address listeners’ complaints about a lack of seal from the previous generations.
As of the Apple AirPods Pro release, you no longer need to leave the Apple ecosystem to get a secure fit and solid isolation. The AirPods Pro has been completely redesigned from the original and second-generation AirPods with the inclusion of dedicated nozzles, noise cancelling, and a Qi wireless-compatible charging case by default. The AirPods Pro cost significantly more than Apple’s older total wireless earbuds, but we feel it’s worth saving up for as they’re also more durable than ever with an official IPX4 rating to show for it. If you want to get the best sound quality from a pair of Apple earbuds, the AirPods Pro is the set to get. Android users who want noise cancelling true wireless earbuds will benefit from comparing the AirPods Pro to the Sony WF-1000XM3.
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