Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus vs Technics EAH-AZ100: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the Technics EAH-AZ100 comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 86. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: Technics EAH-AZ100 - Outstanding overall at around $250.

True Wireless

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

Technics EAH-AZ100 leads on 5 of 7 measures.

Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus
Technics EAH-AZ100

HearWiki score

Sound

7.8

9.2

Noise cancelling

8.6

Battery

9.1

8.7

Calls

7.5

7.8

Value

8.1

Price (USD)

$160

$250

Generation & platform

The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?

New platform

Technics EAH-AZ100 (2025) against Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus (2021). The Technics EAH-AZ100 is the newer platform here: Bluetooth 5.3 against 5.0, Top codec LC3 against AAC, LE Audio (LC3) and ANC type Hybrid against None. It also adds Multipoint pairing, Wear detection, Custom EQ and Water resistance IPX4 against IPX2.

Galaxy Buds Plus2021
EAH-AZ10020254 yr newer

What differsGalaxy Buds PlusEAH-AZ100

Bluetooth: 5.0; 5.3
Top codec: AAC; LC3
LE Audio (LC3): No; Yes
ANC type: None; Hybrid
Multipoint pairing: No; Yes
Wear detection: No; Yes
Custom EQ: No; Yes
Water resistance: IPX2; IPX4

Level on: Wireless charging, USB-C, Transparency mode, Companion app.

Specifications

Galaxy Buds PlusEAH-AZ100

Type: True Wireless; True Wireless
Price (USD): $160; $250
HearWiki score: 70; 86
Released: 2021; 2025
Availability: Still sold new; Sold new
Driver: 6 mm dynamic; 10 mm dynamic
Driver type: dynamic; dynamic
Driver size: 6 mm; 10 mm
Drivers per side: 1; 1
Frequency response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz; 20 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance: 16 Ω; 16 Ω
Bluetooth: 5.0; 5.3
Codecs: SBC, AAC, Samsung Scalable; SBC, AAC, LC3, LDAC
Multipoint pairing: No; Yes
Wireless range: 10 m; 10 m
Battery life: 11 h; 12 h
Battery life (ANC on): -; 10 h
Battery incl. case: 270 h; 28 h
Full charge time: -; 120 min
Quick charge: 3 min → 1 h; 15 min → 1.2 h
Wireless charging: Yes; Yes
Active noise cancelling: No; Yes
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: Yes; Yes
Weight: 6.3 g; 11.8 g
Case weight: 39.6 g; 42 g
Water resistance: IPX2; IPX4
USB-C: Yes; Yes
Model code: SM-R175; -
Microphones: 1; 2
Microphone type: -; MEMS

Specification comparison of Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus vs Technics EAH-AZ100
Spec	Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus	Technics EAH-AZ100
Type	True Wireless	True Wireless
Price (USD)	$160	$250
HearWiki score	70 / 100 Good	86 / 100 Outstanding
Released	2021	2025
Audio
Driver	6 mm dynamic	10 mm dynamic
Driver type	dynamic	dynamic
Driver size	6 mm	10 mm
Drivers per side	1	1
Frequency response	20 Hz - 20 kHz	20 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance	16 Ω	16 Ω
Wireless
Bluetooth	5.0	5.3
Codecs	SBC, AAC, Samsung Scalable	SBC, AAC, LC3, LDAC
Multipoint pairing	No	Yes
Wireless range	10 m	10 m
Battery
Battery life	11 h	12 h
Battery life (ANC on)	-	10 h
Battery incl. case	270 h	28 h
Full charge time	-	120 min
Quick charge	3 min → 1 h	15 min → 1.2 h
Wireless charging	Yes	Yes
Features
Active noise cancelling	No	Yes
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	Yes	Yes
Design
Weight	6.3 g	11.8 g
Case weight	39.6 g	42 g
Water resistance	IPX2	IPX4
USB-C	Yes	Yes
Model code	SM-R175	-
Calls
Microphones	1	2
Microphone type	-	MEMS

What reviewers said

Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus

The Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus are true wireless earbuds that deliver a well-balanced, neutral sound profile suitable for most music genres. They stand out for their excellent battery life, improved call quality from the extra microphone, and comfortable, stylish design, though they lack active noise cancellation. With USB-C and wireless charging support, they remain a practical everyday choice for those prioritizing sound and endurance over noise blocking.

Pro:Very long battery life with case
Pro:Balanced and neutral sound out of the box
Pro:Improved call clarity thanks to dual mics

Con:No active noise cancellation
Con:Only IPX2 water resistance
Con:No multipoint connection

Technics EAH-AZ100

The Technics EAH-AZ100 are premium true wireless earbuds that deliver rich, detailed sound through a 10mm dynamic driver, with support for high-resolution LDAC streaming. They combine effective hybrid active noise cancellation with a comfortable, IPX4-rated design, plus smart features like multipoint pairing and wireless charging for versatile daily use. With up to 12 hours of playtime on a single charge, they are built to last through long listening sessions.

Pro:Excellent sound quality with LDAC support
Pro:Strong hybrid ANC and transparency modes
Pro:Long battery life with wireless charging case

Con:Premium price point
Con:Touch controls may be overly sensitive
Con:No aptX codec support

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

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