The Independent - 05.03.2020

(Wang) #1

these smaller headphones can be more than enough.


And they are so easy – and less bulky – to carry around, of course.


Battery life is limited with in-ear true wireless because of the size, though all have extra battery power in the
supplied case, which is also there to help you not lose the little blighters.


We’ve tested the true wireless headphones for audio quality, features, comfort, how securely they stay in
your ears, battery life and elegance of design.


You can trust our independent reviews. We may earn commission from some of the retailers, but we never
allow this to influence selections, which are formed from real-world testing and expert advice. This revenue
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Samsung Galaxy Buds+ : £159.00, Samsung


Battery life case: 11 hours
Wireless chargeable case? Yes
Available colours: Black, white, cloud blue
Weight per earbud: 6.1g
Weight earbuds plus case: 52.4g
Noise-cancelling? No


The latest in-ear headphones are the Samsung Galaxy Buds+. They look almost identical to last year’s
Samsung Galaxy Buds, but though the design hasn’t noticeably changed, the smart technology inside has.
When last year’s model launched, they didn’t sound great, though a quick bunch of updates sorted that out.
Even so, they weren’t the best-sounding in-ears around.


This year, it’s all changed, with significantly improved audio quality, tuned by AKG, a hi-fi company now
owned by Samsung. Now, there are dual drivers, that is a tweeter and a woofer, in each earbud, which
improves things considerably. The tone is quite neutral and though it’s not as wide a soundstage as many
over-ear headphones can deliver, it’s a pleasing result. I found I needed to turn them up higher than I
expected to make them easily audible.


Three sets of ear tips are supplied so you can choose the best fit, and additionally, there’s the option to fit an
ear hook to hold the Bud in place more securely. There’s no “stalk” as there is on AirPods, which may mean
you prefer the smaller, less obtrusive design.


Set-up is straightforward, though not as seamless as it is for the AirPods with an Apple iPhone. Unlike last

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