The world of true wireless earbuds has seen a significant surge in recent years, with tech giants like Samsung jumping into the fray with their own innovative offerings. Among these, the Samsung Buds Live and Pro have garnered considerable attention for their unique features, sleek designs, and impressive performance. But what sets them apart from each other, and which one is the better choice for you? In this article, we’ll delve into the differences between Samsung Buds Live and Pro, helping you make an informed decision.
Design and Build
At first glance, both the Samsung Buds Live and Pro appear to be almost identical, with their sleek, compact designs and ergonomic fits. However, upon closer inspection, you’ll notice some subtle yet significant differences.
Samsung Buds Live: A Fashionable Affair
The Samsung Buds Live boast a more fashionable and futuristic design, with a glossy, spherical shape that fits snugly into your ear. Weighing in at a mere 5.6 grams, they’re incredibly light and comfortable to wear, making them perfect for daily use. The earbuds come in three stylish colors – Mystic Bronze, Mystic White, and Mystic Black – ensuring there’s a shade to suit every taste.
Samsung Buds Pro: A Practical Approach
In contrast, the Samsung Buds Pro take a more practical approach to design, prioritizing functionality over fashion. Their slightly larger size (6.3 grams) accommodates more advanced features, such as active noise cancellation and improved audio quality. The Pro model is available in three colors – Phantom Silver, Phantom Black, and Phantom Violet – offering a more subdued, sophisticated aesthetic.
Audio Quality and Codecs
When it comes to audio quality, both the Samsung Buds Live and Pro deliver impressive performances. However, there are some key differences in their audio capabilities.
Samsung Buds Live: Clear and Crisp Sound
The Samsung Buds Live feature a 12mm dynamic driver, which provides clear and crisp sound with good bass response. While they may not be the best in terms of sheer audio quality, they’re more than sufficient for casual music listening and voice calls. The Buds Live support the SBC and AAC codecs, ensuring seamless connectivity with most devices.
Samsung Buds Pro: Immersive Audio Experience
The Samsung Buds Pro, on the other hand, boast a more advanced 11mm dynamic driver, capable of producing an even more immersive audio experience. With support for the SBC, AAC, and aptX codecs, the Pro model is better equipped to handle high-quality audio streams. Additionally, the Pro model features active noise cancellation (ANC), which effectively blocks out background noise, allowing you to focus on your music or calls.
Battery Life and Charging
Battery life is a critical factor when it comes to true wireless earbuds, and both the Samsung Buds Live and Pro offer respectable performances.
Samsung Buds Live: Up to 8 Hours of Playtime
The Samsung Buds Live provide up to 6 hours of playtime on a single charge, with an additional 2 hours courtesy of the charging case. This totals around 8 hours of listening time, making them suitable for daily commutes or workouts.
Samsung Buds Pro: Up to 18 Hours of Playtime
The Samsung Buds Pro outshine their Live counterparts, offering up to 5 hours of playtime on a single charge. The charging case provides an additional 13 hours, resulting in a total playtime of around 18 hours. This makes the Pro model better suited for long trips or extended use.
Additional Features and Functionality
Beyond their differences in design, audio quality, and battery life, the Samsung Buds Live and Pro also vary in terms of their features and functionality.
Samsung Buds Live: Seamless Connectivity and Ambient Sound
The Samsung Buds Live offer seamless connectivity with Samsung devices, allowing for easy pairing and instant switching between devices. They also feature an “Ambient Sound” mode, which enables you to hear your surroundings while still listening to music or taking calls.
Samsung Buds Pro: Advanced Noise Cancellation and 360 Audio
The Samsung Buds Pro take things to the next level with advanced noise cancellation, which effectively blocks out background noise for a more immersive listening experience. They also support 360 Audio, a feature that simulates a surround sound experience, adding depth and immersion to your audio.
Pricing and Value
Ultimately, the decision between the Samsung Buds Live and Pro comes down to your budget and priorities.
Samsung Buds Live: Affordable and Accessible
The Samsung Buds Live are generally priced around $150, making them an attractive option for those seeking a stylish, feature-rich true wireless earbud experience without breaking the bank.
Samsung Buds Pro: Premium and Pricier
The Samsung Buds Pro, on the other hand, are typically priced around $200, reflecting their advanced features, improved audio quality, and longer battery life. While they may be more expensive, the Pro model offers a more comprehensive package for those willing to invest in their audio experience.
| Feature | Samsung Buds Live | Samsung Buds Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Fashionable, spherical shape | Practical, ergonomic design |
| Audio Quality | 12mm dynamic driver, SBC and AAC codecs | 11mm dynamic driver, SBC, AAC, and aptX codecs, ANC |
| Battery Life | Up to 8 hours (6 hours + 2 hours with charging case) | Up to 18 hours (5 hours + 13 hours with charging case) |
| Additional Features | Seamless connectivity, Ambient Sound mode | Advanced noise cancellation, 360 Audio |
| Pricing | Around $150 | Around $200 |
In conclusion, the Samsung Buds Live and Pro cater to different needs and preferences. If you’re looking for a stylish, affordable true wireless earbud experience with solid audio quality, the Samsung Buds Live are an excellent choice. However, if you’re willing to invest in a more premium product with advanced features, improved audio quality, and longer battery life, the Samsung Buds Pro are the way to go. Whichever you choose, you can’t go wrong with Samsung’s commitment to innovation and quality.
What are the key differences between Samsung Buds Live and Pro?
The Samsung Buds Live and Pro are both wireless earbuds designed for immersive sound and seamless connectivity. However, they differ in design, features, and performance. The Buds Live have a bean-shaped design and offer active noise cancellation, while the Buds Pro have a more traditional earbud design and provide both active and passive noise cancellation.
In terms of features, the Buds Pro have a more comprehensive set of noise-cancellation modes, including ambient sound mode, which allows users to tune in to their surroundings. The Buds Live, on the other hand, have a focus on comfort and fit, with a larger ear tip size range and a more ergonomic design.
Which earbuds have better sound quality?
Both the Samsung Buds Live and Pro deliver high-quality sound with clear highs, crisp lows, and rich bass. However, the Buds Pro have a slight edge in terms of sound quality due to their ability to support 24-bit audio and Dolby Head Tracking technology, which provides a more immersive audio experience.
That being said, the Buds Live are also capable of producing excellent sound quality, especially in the mid-range frequencies. They also have a feature called “Scalable Audio” which allows the earbuds to adjust the audio signal to optimize sound quality. Ultimately, the difference in sound quality between the two earbuds is subtle, and both options are suitable for casual listeners and audiophiles alike.
Do both earbuds have active noise cancellation?
The Samsung Buds Live have active noise cancellation, but it’s limited to a single mode. This mode uses two outer microphones to detect ambient noise and then cancels it out with anti-noise. While it’s effective in quieting down background noise, it may not be as effective in very loud environments.
The Buds Pro, on the other hand, have two modes of active noise cancellation: high and low. The high mode is designed for noisy environments like public transportation or construction sites, while the low mode is better suited for quieter environments like an office or library. The Buds Pro also have a feature called “Voice Detect” which can automatically switch to ambient sound mode when it detects the user’s voice.
Which earbuds have a longer battery life?
The Samsung Buds Pro have a longer battery life, with up to 8 hours of playback time on a single charge, and an additional 20 hours with the charging case. The Buds Live, on the other hand, have up to 6 hours of playback time on a single charge, and an additional 15 hours with the charging case.
It’s worth noting that the battery life of both earbuds can vary depending on the volume level, noise cancellation mode, and other factors. However, overall, the Buds Pro have a slightly longer battery life, making them a better option for users who need earbuds that can last all day.
Are the Samsung Buds Live and Pro waterproof?
The Samsung Buds Live and Pro both have a rating of IPX7, which means they can withstand being submerged in water up to 1 meter for up to 30 minutes. This makes them suitable for use in wet conditions, such as during exercise or in the rain.
However, it’s important to note that the IPX7 rating only applies to freshwater, and the earbuds may not be suitable for use in saltwater or other harsh environments. Additionally, the earbuds should be dried thoroughly after exposure to water to prevent damage.
Can I use the Samsung Buds Live and Pro with non-Samsung devices?
Yes, the Samsung Buds Live and Pro can be used with non-Samsung devices, including Apple and Android devices. They support Bluetooth 5.0 and have a universal fit, making them compatible with a wide range of devices.
However, some features may not be available when using the earbuds with non-Samsung devices, such as seamless connectivity and integration with Samsung’s ecosystem. Additionally, the earbuds may require a separate app to be installed on non-Samsung devices in order to access certain features and settings.
Which earbuds are more comfortable to wear?
The Samsung Buds Live are generally considered more comfortable to wear due to their ergonomic design and larger ear tip size range. They have a more snug fit and are less likely to fall out of the ear.
The Buds Pro, on the other hand, have a more traditional earbud design and may not fit as snugly in the ear. However, they are still comfortable to wear and come with a range of ear tip sizes to ensure a secure fit. Ultimately, comfort is a personal preference, and users may find that one or the other earbud is more comfortable for them.