Is the Samsung Galaxy Buds2 worth the upgrade from the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C)?
Verdict
Downgrade
The Samsung Galaxy Buds2 actually scores 12.0 points below the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C), so on aggregate review consensus this is a step backwards. It loses ground on noise cancelling (9.0 to 7.0) and sound (8.5 to 7.5). On paper: codecs SBC, AAC to SBC, AAC, Samsung Scalable Codec, case weight 50.8 g to 41.2 g and custom eq. Worth checking: bluetooth goes 5.3 to 5.2. One caution: this steps down a line tier (AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C) to Galaxy Buds2), and base models usually trade away tier features - check the codec and ANC rows above before trusting the score gap alone. And it costs $25 more for a lower score, which is hard to justify on the data alone. Only worth it if a specific feature above matters more to you than overall quality does.
What actually changes
Sub-scores both products have, on the same 0-10 scale. Bars extend right for a gain, left for a loss.
- Sound8.57.5
- Noise cancelling9.07.0
- Battery7.57.0
- Calls8.07.5
- Value7.57.0
Spec differences
Only where the two genuinely differ - everything they share is omitted.
| Spec | AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C) | Galaxy Buds2 | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, Samsung Scalable Codec | |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.2 | |
| Water resistance | IP54 | IPX2 | |
| Case weight | 50.8 g | 41.2 g | |
| Custom EQ | No | Yes | |
| ANC type | adaptive | hybrid | |
| Controls | both | touch | |
| Driver | dynamic | two-way dynamic speakers |
About this verdict
Direction matters here: this page answers "AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C) to Galaxy Buds2". The other direction is a separate question with a different answer. Scores blend published review verdicts across true wireless and shift as new reviews land, so a marginal call today may not be one next quarter.