The Samsung Galaxy Buds Live are a strange product. The earbuds claim to block out noise, but they can’t seal to the ear, which is very important. Still, the noise cancelling does work to some extent. These earphones will appeal to people who like the idea of being aware of their surroundings and want something that stands out. They fit better than AirPods and can be charged wirelessly, too. If you’re not interested in the Galaxy Buds Live, you might be more interested in the Galaxy Buds Plus.
People have been saying this about the Galaxy Buds Live for a long time, but they really do look like a pair of beans. However, that doesn’t mean they’re not sleek and stylish in their own right. The Buds Live have a unique shape that makes them fit surprisingly well in my ears (more on that later), and we like that their design doesn’t stick out of my ears like my AirPods do.
[content-egg-block template=offers_logo hide=price]Specifications
- Battery life: 6 hours/21 hours with case (ANC + Bixby); 5.5 hours/20 hours (ANC); 8 hours/29 hours (ANC + Bixby off)
- Compatibility: Android 5.0 / iPhone 7 or newer
- Water resistance: IPX2
- Size: 0.6 x 1.1 x 0.6 inches (earbuds); 2 x 2 x 1.1 inches (case)
- Weight: 0.2 ounces (earbuds); 14.8 ounces (case)
Where to get Galaxy Buds Live?
As with previous Samsung earbuds, the Buds Live also stand out from the AirPods and AirPods Pro thanks to the fact that they actually come in multiple colours. While our review unit came in an Apple-like white, you can also get the Buds Live in a gorgeous Mystic Bronze, Mystic Black or Mystic Red.
The Buds Live can be customised through Samsung’s Galaxy Wearable app on Android or Galaxy Buds app on iOS, which offer similar functionality save for a few Samsung-exclusive features.
The app allows you to toggle active noise cancelling, use Find My Earbuds to track down a lost bud, and customise long-press controls for each earbud. You can also choose between Normal, Bass boost, Soft, Dynamic, Clear, and Treble boost audio presets. If you have a Galaxy device, the Galaxy Wearable app does give you a few perks that other apps don’t.
That includes hands-free Bixby control, which lets you use Samsung’s voice assistant to check the weather or play a song without ever taking your phone out of your pocket. There’s also a gaming mode, which aims to minimise audio latency when playing gamesm as well as an option to have your notifications read aloud to you.
The Galaxy Wearable app does offer several exclusive perks if you own a Galaxy device. That includes hands-free Bixby control, which lets you use Samsung’s voice assistant to check the weather or play a song without ever taking your phone out of your pocket. There is also a gaming mode that tries to reduce audio lag when playing games. You can also choose to have your notifications read out loud.