Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus Wireless Earbuds

Samsung released the Galaxy Buds Plus in Australia in 2020, positioning them as a refined follow-up to the original Galaxy Buds. Priced at launch with an Australian RRP of $299, they offered a marked improvement in battery life and audio performance, while maintaining the compact form factor and everyday functionality that had made their predecessor popular.

One of the most noticeable upgrades is battery life. Each earbud offers up to 11 hours of continuous playback on a single charge, which is considerably longer than many true wireless alternatives available at the time. Combined with the additional charge from the case, you’re looking at a total of up to 22 hours before needing to plug in. Charging is via USB-C or Qi-compatible wireless chargers, and a quick three-minute top-up provides about an hour of playtime, which is handy when you’re in a rush.

Sound quality has also taken a step forward. Developed in collaboration with AKG, the Buds Plus feature a two-way speaker system in each earbud—one woofer and one tweeter—to better handle low and high frequencies. This results in a more balanced listening experience, with improved clarity and richer bass response compared to the original Galaxy Buds. There’s also support for AAC, SBC, and Samsung’s proprietary Scalable Codec, which optimises the audio stream based on the strength of the Bluetooth connection to minimise dropouts.

Call quality was another area that Samsung aimed to improve, and the Buds Plus deliver with a three-microphone system—two outer mics and one inner mic on each side. This setup helps isolate your voice from background noise during phone calls, making it easier for the person on the other end to hear you clearly, even in noisier environments.

Touch controls remain customisable through the Galaxy Wearable app on Android or the Galaxy Buds Plus app on iOS. You can play or pause music, skip tracks, answer calls or summon your preferred voice assistant with just a few taps. Ambient Aware mode is another useful feature, letting outside sound in so you can remain aware of your surroundings when needed—such as when walking near traffic or waiting for a boarding call at the airport.

In terms of design, they’re compact and lightweight at just 6.3g per bud, with a secure in-ear fit supported by a choice of three wingtip sizes included in the box. The glossy finish gives them a sleek, modern look, and they come in several colours including black, white, red and cloud blue. While they aren’t fully waterproof, they are IPX2 rated, meaning they can handle light sweat or a few drops of rain—fine for day-to-day use, but not ideal for heavy workouts or exposure to moisture over extended periods.

Bluetooth 5.0 ensures a stable connection, and pairing is straightforward, particularly on Samsung devices where the Buds Plus can connect seamlessly with a pop-up interface, similar to how AirPods work with iPhones. For non-Samsung Android users and iPhone owners, the experience is still smooth, with dedicated apps offering equaliser controls and firmware updates.

They don’t support active noise cancellation, which may be a drawback for some, but the passive noise isolation is fairly effective thanks to the in-ear seal. And with the option to adjust ambient sound levels, you still have some control over how much of the outside world you let in.

For those looking for a reliable, long-lasting pair of true wireless earbuds with solid sound, extended battery life and strong cross-platform compatibility, the Galaxy Buds Plus remain a capable and well-rounded option—particularly for users already within Samsung’s ecosystem.

This description was last updated June 2025.