Galaxy Buds 2 vs Redmi Buds 4 Pro: Today, we’re comparing the Galaxy Buds 2 and the Redmi Buds 4 Pro. If you’re considering buying either of these headphones, let’s explore each model to see which one might be better for you.
Table of Contents
Specifications
| Galaxy Buds2 | Redmi Buds 4 Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Samsung | xiaomi |
| Type | In-ear | In-ear |
| Wireless | Bluetooth | Bluetooth |
| Sound Output | Stereo | Stereo |
| Controls | Volume, Play / Pause | Play / Pause |
| Battery life | Upto 7 hours | Upto 9 hours |
| Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless |
| Quantity | 1 Pack, 2 Pack | 1 Pack |
| Use | Mobile Phone, Sports | Computer, Mobile Phone, Sports, Video Game Console |
| Colors | Black, Gray, Lavender, Mystic Bronze, Olive Green, Violet, White | Black, Blue, White |
Design
The Galaxy Buds 2 borrow their style from the Samsung Galaxy Buds Live and Galaxy Buds Pro. They stand out with their round shape, different from the usual rod shape inspired by Apple. Their design is sleek and fits smoothly into your ear, making them less noticeable. These buds are light, weighing just 5 grams, so they stay in place well. They fit inside your ears and come with three sizes of soft tips, so they’re comfortable for different ear sizes. Plus, they have a big touch area on the outside that’s easy to use and adds a bit of color.
On the other hand, the Redmi Buds 4 Pro by Xiaomi have a more traditional design with stems. They’re also light, weighing 5 grams, and come with three different tip sizes. They feel comfortable even if you wear them for a long time. However, the plastic they use doesn’t seem as high quality as the Galaxy Buds 2, especially the matte black ones.
In general, the Galaxy Buds 2 look more modern and are designed for comfort and discreetness. The Redmi Buds 4 Pro, while classic in design, don’t feel as premium.
Build Quality
Now, let’s talk about their cases. The Galaxy Buds 2 case is compact and easy to carry, measuring 50.2 x 50.0 x 27.8 mm and weighing 41.2 grams. It opens like a jewelry box, which is pretty cool. The case is white, but the color of the buds shows on the inside and along a groove. It has two lights to show battery life and a USB-C port for charging.
The Redmi Buds 4 Pro’s case is even smaller, at 49 x 60 x 23 mm, so it fits easily in your pocket or bag. The design is simple, with a rounded shape. It has a light on the front to show charging, a USB-C port, and a button for pairing. But it only has one light, so you can’t tell the battery level of the case and the buds separately.
Comparing the two, the Galaxy Buds 2 case has a more unique and colorful design. The Redmi Buds 4 Pro case is very small and handy, but it’s more basic. So, in terms of the case design and features, the Galaxy Buds 2 might be the better choice.
Connectivity and Bluetooth Performance
The Galaxy Buds 2 come with Bluetooth 5.2, whereas the Redmi Buds 4 Pro features the slightly newer Bluetooth 5.3. Both pairs connect swiftly to smartphones without any dropouts. The quality of Bluetooth connectivity is commendable in both, ensuring a stable connection up to 10 meters, depending on environmental factors.
Comfort and Fit
Both earbuds offer excellent comfort, making them some of the most comfortable Bluetooth headphones on the market. However, the Galaxy Buds 2 might have a slight edge in this area, fitting a bit more snugly in the ear.
Battery Life
The battery life is a crucial factor for many users. The Galaxy Buds 2 provide around 7.5 hours of continuous music play with active noise cancellation turned off, while the Redmi Buds 4 Pro can go up to approximately 9 hours under similar conditions.
Microphone and Sound Quality
When it comes to microphone quality, both earbuds perform well, offering clear audio transmission. In terms of sound quality, the Galaxy Buds 2 offer a balanced sound profile with good bass, which can be further customized via an app. The Redmi Buds 4 Pro also deliver quality sound, but their volume levels are not as high as the Galaxy Buds 2.
When comparing the audio quality of the Galaxy Buds 2 and the Redmi Buds 4 Pro, both offer impressive features, but with notable differences.
The Galaxy Buds 2, following in the footsteps of the Galaxy Buds Pro, feature two dynamic transducers in each earbud. This setup includes a tweeter for handling the highs and mids, and a woofer for the bass. While Samsung hasn’t specified the size of these transducers for the Buds 2, they likely have sizes similar to the 11mm and 6.5mm found in the Pro version. In terms of audio codecs, the Galaxy Buds 2 support only the most common ones, SBC and AAC. This means they don’t support higher-quality codecs like aptX or LDAC, limiting their audio quality to MP3 level and not fully capitalizing on CD quality sound.
Meanwhile, the Redmi Buds 4 Pro also employ a dual-transducer system, a growing trend in the market. This design allows for separation of sound frequencies, with the treble handled by a secondary, smaller speaker, and the bass and mids by a larger one. This results in a more detailed sound as each transducer can focus on its specific range. Xiaomi has incorporated a 10mm aluminum alloy main transducer for the bass and midrange, and a 6mm titanium transducer for the treble. Furthermore, these headphones are Hi-Res Audio Wireless certified, supporting the LDAC codec in addition to SBC and AAC. This means they can reproduce files encoded up to 24 bits at 96 kHz, offering higher audio fidelity.
In summary, while the Galaxy Buds 2 offer a solid audio experience with their dual-transducer setup, they fall short in codec support, limiting their sound quality. In contrast, the Redmi Buds 4 Pro not only feature a dual-transducer system but also support a wider range of codecs, including LDAC for high-resolution audio. Therefore, in terms of audio quality, the Redmi Buds 4 Pro appear to have the upper hand.
Controls
Once the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 are connected to your phone, you can control them using the built-in touch surfaces. Samsung offers, by default, nothing less than four gestures supported on its Galaxy Buds 2:
- Single press: play / pause
- Double press: next song
- Triple press: go back
- Long press for one second: change noise reduction mode
The Xiaomi Redmi Buds 4 Pro have sensitive surfaces on the stems. By default, several controls are offered with these surfaces:
- Double press: play / pause;
- Triple press: next title;
- Long press: noise reduction.
Water Resistance
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 come with an IPX2 certification. This means they can resist splashes at angles less than 15°. However, this level of protection isn’t ideal for sports. They do stay in place during exercise, so you can use them for a short run as long as you don’t sweat excessively and avoid getting caught in the rain.
On the other hand, the Xiaomi Redmi Buds 4 Pro boast an IP54 certification. This higher rating ensures they are resistant not only to dust but also to splashes. Therefore, they’re more suitable for use in rainy conditions or during sports activities where you might sweat a lot.
In conclusion, while both earbuds offer some water resistance, the Redmi Buds 4 Pro are the better choice for sports and outdoor activities due to their superior IP54 certification, which offers better protection against both dust and water.
Additional Features
Both earbuds come with active noise cancellation and instant music pause upon removal from the ear. They also include various sound customizations through their respective apps.
Price and Value
Considering the price, the Galaxy Buds 2 tend to be a bit more affordable compared to the Redmi Buds 4 Pro. This factor, combined with their slightly better performance in certain aspects, might make them a more appealing choice for budget-conscious buyers.
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 price: $99.99
Redmi Buds 4 Pro Wireless Earbuds: $79.99
Conclusion
Both the Galaxy Buds 2 and the Redmi Buds 4 Pro are excellent choices in the wireless earbud market.
The Galaxy Buds 2 feel a bit more expensive than the Redmi Buds 4 Pro, even though they cost about the same. Redmi Buds 4 Pro have shorter stems and a less shiny finish that doesn’t attract fingerprints as much. Also, the Redmi Buds can connect to two devices at the same time (this is called multipoint connection), but the Samsung can’t do this. The Transparency mode on the Redmi Buds, which lets you hear outside sounds, works better and sounds more natural.
When it comes to sound, the Redmi Buds 4 Pro have a balanced and open sound, but the bass is a bit weak and the sound can feel metallic. The Galaxy Buds 2, on the other hand, has a warmer sound with stronger mid-bass. So, which one you choose really depends on what kind of sound you like.
