The next Samsung Unpacked event on August 11 is lining up to be a busy show, and we've now got some freshly leaked information about one of the products that we're expecting to see unveiled on that date: the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2.
Some digging by WinFuture has turned up new images of the wireless earbuds, and we also have an update on how much they might cost. They'll be priced at €149.99 in Europe apparently, slightly cheaper than last year's Galaxy Buds Plus.
That's the equivalent of $180 / £130 / AU$240 – but Samsung won't be using a currency converter to price its products, with taxes and other market factors to consider, so that's only a rough guide as to how these earbuds might be priced internationally.
Wir haben neue Marketingbilder der #GalaxyBuds2 in die Hände bekommen und Informationen zu den technischen Details: https://t.co/UEf5oquMaVJuly 31, 2021
- What we know about the Google Pixel watch
- Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic images leak out
- Why we're big fans of the Garmin Instinct Solar
Here's looking at you, Galaxy Buds 2
In terms of the design shown off in these leaked images, not much has changed from the wireless earbuds that Samsung has previously put out (the graphite color shown here is one of several we're expecting). The charging case looks significantly different though, with a shape that's more like a square.
According to WinFuture's sources, the Galaxy Buds 2 are going to come with touch controls, an IPX2 rating (which means they're splash-proof and sweat-resistant), and support for the latest Bluetooth 5.2 standard. Active noise cancelling (ANC) is also said to be on board.
Battery life is rumored to be around the 20 hour mark with ANC enabled, and you might be able to get another nine hours or so with ANC turned off. All will be revealed on August 11, when we should also see the Galaxy Z Fold 3, the Galaxy Z Flip 3, the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic, and the Galaxy Watch 4.
Analysis: Samsung needs to get it right with the Galaxy Buds 2
There's no denying that Samsung has been trying hard to get it right when it comes to wireless earbuds. Since the original Galaxy Buds launched in 2019, we've had the Galaxy Buds Plus, the Galaxy Buds Live, and the Galaxy Buds Pro.
We've been impressed with all of them to a certain extent, but it feels like Samsung has yet to really find the magic formula when it comes to producing a pair of buds that can appeal to the masses – in the same way that, say, the Apple AirPods have.
Apple is expected to upgrade its own wireless earbuds at some point this year, with a refresh for the more expensive Pro version expected in 2022. That makes it even more important for Samsung that the Galaxy Buds 2 are a success.
Samsung will be hoping that Android phone owners pick up the Galaxy Buds 2 as regularly as iPhone owners pick up AirPods – and the addition of active noise cancellation, together with the affordable price we've mentioned here, will definitely help.
