The wireless earbud market has evolved significantly since Apple first removed the headphone jack from iPhones. Today, we're comparing two of the most capable options: the Beats Fit Pro ($179) and Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro ($188), released in late 2021 and mid-2022 respectively.
Wireless earbuds have become essential daily carry items, serving multiple roles from music and podcasts to video calls and gaming. The technology has matured significantly, with even mid-range options now offering features that were premium just a few years ago.
The key technologies that matter in 2023 include:
The Galaxy Buds2 Pro takes the lead in pure audio performance, offering support for 24-bit high-resolution audio when paired with compatible Samsung devices. Its dual-driver design (separate speakers for high and low frequencies) delivers notably clearer sound separation than single-driver earbuds.
The Beats Fit Pro isn't far behind though. While it uses a single dynamic driver, it's tuned exceptionally well, delivering the energetic, bass-forward sound Beats is known for, but with better balance than earlier models. Having tested both extensively with various music genres, the Beats handle hip-hop and electronic music particularly well, while the Samsung offers more detail in classical and jazz.
Both models offer excellent noise cancellation, but implement it differently:
In real-world testing, both are effective for office use or travel, though neither quite matches the absolute best-in-class noise cancellation of premium options like the Sony WF-1000XM4.
The Beats Fit Pro uses an innovative wing tip design that provides exceptional stability during workouts. It's one of the few premium earbuds that truly excels for both casual and athletic use.
The Galaxy Buds2 Pro takes a more traditional approach but improves on earlier models with a 15% smaller design. They're notably comfortable for long listening sessions but may not feel as secure during intense physical activity.
The Beats Fit Pro shines in the Apple ecosystem, offering:
The Galaxy Buds2 Pro excels with Samsung devices, providing:
Battery life is crucial for daily use, and both models deliver solid performance:
Beats Fit Pro:
Galaxy Buds2 Pro:
For home theater use, both models support low-latency audio modes when used with compatible devices. The Beats works exceptionally well with Apple TV, while the Samsung pairs naturally with Samsung TVs. Both offer spatial audio support, creating a virtual surround sound experience that's particularly immersive for movies.
However, neither is specifically optimized for home theater use - if that's your primary use case, dedicated home theater headphones might be a better choice.
At nearly identical price points, the decision largely comes down to your existing device ecosystem and primary use case:
Beats Fit Pro delivers better value if you:
Galaxy Buds2 Pro offers better value if you:
After extensive testing in various scenarios, both models prove highly capable, but each has distinct advantages:
Both handle commuting well, though the Galaxy Buds2 Pro's slightly better noise cancellation gives it a small edge on noisy trains or buses.
The Beats Fit Pro is the clear winner for exercise, with its secure fit and better sweat resistance. The wing tip design really makes a difference during running or high-impact activities.
Both excel for office use, though the Galaxy Buds2 Pro's better ambient sound mode makes it easier to have quick conversations without removing the earbuds.
Both the Beats Fit Pro and Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro represent excellent choices in today's wireless earbud market. They're well-matched in terms of core features and price, making ecosystem compatibility and specific use cases the primary deciding factors.
For Apple users who want a do-everything earbud that excels during workouts, the Beats Fit Pro is the clear choice. For Samsung users or those prioritizing pure audio quality, the Galaxy Buds2 Pro offers slightly better sound and more premium features like wireless charging.
Remember, there's no wrong choice between these two - both represent some of the best wireless earbuds available today. Your decision should ultimately come down to which features matter most for your specific needs and which ecosystem you're most invested in.
| Beats Fit Pro ($179) | Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro ($188) |
|---|---|
| Ecosystem Integration - Determines how seamlessly they work with your devices | |
| Apple H1 chip, optimal for iPhone/iPad | Samsung Seamless codec, optimal for Galaxy devices |
| Battery Life with ANC - Critical for all-day use without charging | |
| 6 hours buds, 18 hours case | 5 hours buds, 18 hours case |
| Water Resistance - Important for workouts and rain | |
| IPX4 (splash resistant) | IPX7 (full submersion up to 1m) |
| Charging Options - Affects convenience and usage flexibility | |
| USB-C only | USB-C and Wireless charging |
| Fit Style - Critical for activity and comfort level | |
| Secure wing tip design (best for workouts) | Traditional in-ear (better for casual use) |
| Audio Codecs - Affects maximum sound quality potential | |
| SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, Samsung Seamless (24-bit) |
| Noise Cancellation - Important for commuting and office use | |
| Adaptive ANC with good performance | Advanced ANC with slightly better performance |
| Special Features - Extra capabilities that might matter to you | |
| Spatial Audio with head tracking, "Hey Siri" | 360 Audio with head tracking, Auto Switch |
| Microphone Quality - Critical for calls and meetings | |
| Excellent with voice isolation | Good with ambient noise reduction |
| Device Switching - Important for multi-device users | |
| Instant switch between Apple devices | Fast switch between Samsung devices |
The Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro ($188) offers superior sound quality for movies with its 24-bit audio support and balanced sound profile. However, the Beats Fit Pro ($179) provides excellent integration with Apple TV and comparable spatial audio performance.
Yes, both earbuds can connect to smart TVs via Bluetooth. The Galaxy Buds2 Pro works especially well with Samsung TVs, while the Beats Fit Pro pairs seamlessly with Apple TV devices.
The Beats Fit Pro edges out with 6 hours of playback with ANC compared to the Galaxy Buds2 Pro's 5 hours, making it slightly better for longer viewing sessions.
Both earbuds feature low-latency modes when paired with their respective ecosystems - Beats with Apple devices and Samsung with Galaxy devices. General video streaming has minimal lag on either device.
The Galaxy Buds2 Pro is generally more comfortable for long sessions due to its lighter weight and traditional fit, while the Beats Fit Pro wing tip design might be noticeable during extended wear.
The Beats Fit Pro supports audio sharing with other Beats or AirPods when used with Apple devices. The Galaxy Buds2 Pro doesn't offer this feature.
Both offer spatial audio with head tracking, but implementation differs. The Beats Fit Pro works best within the Apple ecosystem, while the Galaxy Buds2 Pro shines with Samsung devices.
The Beats Fit Pro works best with Apple devices but has an Android app for basic features. The Galaxy Buds2 Pro requires the Galaxy Wearable app to access all features.
The Galaxy Buds2 Pro has a dedicated gaming mode with lower latency, making it slightly better for gaming. The Beats Fit Pro performs well with Apple TV gaming but doesn't have a specific gaming mode.
Both support multi-device connectivity within their ecosystems - Beats Fit Pro with Apple devices and Galaxy Buds2 Pro with Samsung devices.
The Galaxy Buds2 Pro has slightly better noise cancellation, but both provide sufficient isolation for home theater use. The difference is minimal in quiet home environments.
For mixed use including mobile and home theater, both provide good value. The Beats Fit Pro and Galaxy Buds2 Pro offer versatility that dedicated home theater headphones don't, though specialized home theater headphones might provide better pure audio quality for movies.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: sixminutemile.com - apple.com - youtube.com - bestbuy.com - pcrichard.com - expercom.com - target.com - beatsbydre.com - soundguys.com - businesswire.com - staples.com - samsung.com - samsung.com - samsung.com - samsung.com - brandsmartusa.com - shopsavvy.com - microcenter.com - androidauthority.com
