True Wireless
Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus
72Good
$150
Full review dataSamsung Galaxy Buds Plus vs Sony WF-1000XM5: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Sony WF-1000XM5 comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 88. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Sony WF-1000XM5 - Outstanding overall at around $249.
True Wireless
Sony WF-1000XM5
88Outstanding
$249
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus
Sound7.0
Battery8.0
Calls8.0
Value8.0
Sony WF-1000XM5
Sound9.0
Noise cancelling9.0
Battery8.0
Calls8.0
Value7.0
Specifications
| Spec | Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus | Sony WF-1000XM5 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | True Wireless | True Wireless |
| Price (USD) | $150 | $249 |
| HearWiki score | 72 / 100 · Good | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2021 | 2023 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | 0.33" |
| Driver size | 6 mm | 8.4 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-20kHz | 20 Hz - 40,000 Hz |
| Impedance | 16 Ω | 32 Ω |
| Sensitivity | - | 102 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 |
| Bluetooth version | 5.0 | 5.3 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, Scalable | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 |
| Multipoint pairing | No | Yes |
| Wireless range | 10 m | - |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 11 h | 12 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | - | 8 h |
| Battery incl. case | 22 h | 24 h |
| Full charge time | - | 90 min |
| Quick charge | 3 min = 1 h | 5 min = 1 h |
| Wireless charging | Yes | Yes |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | - |
| ANC type | none | hybrid |
| Transparency mode | Yes | Yes |
| Companion app | Yes | Yes |
| Custom EQ | No | Yes |
| Wear detection | No | Yes |
| Controls | touch | touch |
| Voice assistant | Bixby | Yes |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 6.3 g | 11.8 g |
| Case weight | 39.6 g | 39 g |
| Water resistance | IPX2 | IPX4 |
| USB-C | Yes | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 3 | 6 |
What reviewers said
Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus
The Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus are true wireless earbuds that deliver a balanced, neutral sound profile with improved battery life and call quality over their predecessor. While they lack active noise cancellation and advanced codec support, their comfortable fit, reliable performance, and strong app integration make them a solid everyday choice, especially at discounted prices. They offer practical features like wireless charging and USB-C, but their dated feature set faces stiff competition in today's market. Their strengths lie in versatility and dependable performance rather than cutting-edge specs.
- Pro:Balanced and neutral sound signature
- Pro:Excellent battery life with the charging case
- Pro:Clear call quality thanks to triple microphones
- Con:No active noise cancellation
- Con:Only IPX2 water resistance, not suitable for heavy workouts
- Con:Lacks multipoint connection and advanced codecs like aptX
Sony WF-1000XM5
These are high-end true wireless earbuds that focus on adaptive noise cancellation and detailed audio, supporting LDAC for high-resolution streaming. They offer a solid battery life of up to 12 hours without ANC, plus a comfortable fit and IPX4 sweat resistance for daily use. The touch controls and companion app add convenience, though the price reflects their premium status.
- Pro:Excellent adaptive noise cancellation
- Pro:Long battery life (12 hours without ANC)
- Pro:Supports LDAC and AAC codecs
- Con:Premium price point
- Con:No higher water resistance rating than IPX4
- Con:Touch controls may take time to master
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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