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Bose Earbuds vs Galaxy Buds Plus (2021): Comparing SoundSport Free & the New Samsung Galaxy Buds+

Samsung recently unveiled the Galaxy Buds+, the successor to the Samsung Galaxy Buds True Wireless Earbuds. How do these new earbuds fare against the top-selling Bose SoundSport Free Truly Wireless Earbuds? If you’re on the hunt for your next in-ear headphones and still deciding whether to get the new Galaxy Buds Plus, you’ll find the comparison below helpful.

Bose SoundSport Free vs Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus Wireless Earbuds Comparison Chart

ModelBose SoundSport FreeSamsung Galaxy Buds Plus
 Bose SoundSport FreeSamsung Galaxy Buds
PriceCheck Price at Walmart.comCheck Price at Walmart.com
Earbud Dimensions30.48 x 30.48 x 25.4 mm17.5 x 19.4 x 22.3 mm
Case Dimensions38.1 x 101.6 x 48.26 mm38.9 x 70 x 26.4 mm
Active Noise CancellationNoNo
Noise Canceling MicrophoneNoYes
Quick Ambient ModeNoYes
PlaytimeUp to 5 hoursUp to 11 hours
Charging CaseUp to 10 hoursUp to 11
Wireless ChargingCompatibleYes
Quick Charging15 minutes for up to 45 minutes of playtime3 minutes for up to 60 minutes of playtime
Wireless PowershareNoYes
Bluetooth4.15.0
Audio CodecsSBC, AACSBC, AAC, Samsung Scalable
Microphone1 (right earbud)1 inner and 2 outer mics for each earbud
Touch ControlsNoYes
Voice AssistantYesYes
IPX RatingIPX4 (splash resistant from all directions)IPX2
Color OptionsBlack, Blue, Bright Orange, Ultra VioletCosmic Black, White, Cosmic Blue, Red

Design

The Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus are sleeker and slimmer than the Bose wireless earbuds

bose earbuds vs samsung earbuds
The Bose SoundSport Free (left) are bulkier than the Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus wireless earbuds (right)

Just as the 2nd Generation AirPods had the same exterior as their predecessor, the Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus not look too different from the Galaxy Buds. However, the upcoming wireless earbuds will have different colors to choose from: white, black, blue, and red. These truly wireless earbuds are some of the most stealthy in-ear headphones in the market today.

The Bose SoundSport Free jut out much farther out of your ear than the Samsung Galaxy Buds+. Their charging case is also bulkier than the Samsung’s handy wireless charging case. Even from the back, you will still see the Bose earbuds sticking out of your ear, whereas the Samsung wireless earbuds are barely visible from the rear.

Both wireless earbuds come with different sizes of ear tips to ensure better comfort and fit. They have different ear tip designs though, with the Samsung earbuds providing a better seal than the Bose. The Samsung earbuds stay more securely in your ears and do not bounce, but both true wireless earphones stay secure enough to be used during workouts or sports.

Sound Quality

The Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus boast improved sound quality

Bose vs Samsung Wireless Earbuds (1)
Engineered by AKG, the Samsung Galaxy Buds+ deliver clear and crisp audio

Bose is a household name for audio products for a reason, and the sound quality of its earbuds does not disappoint. They have a more accurate, cleaner sound than the Samsung Galaxy Buds. However, the Galaxy Buds Plus have better sound quality than their predecessor. Samsung’s new wireless earbuds offer better passive cancellation than Bose’s as well. In fact, even though the Buds Plus are not noise-canceling earbuds, they offer an ambient aware mode as they can block out external sound well. 

As much as the Bose SoundSport Free deliver stunning audio when listening to music, they tend to have poor audio latency with audiovisuals and connection stability. Many users experience a lag of up to one second when streaming videos and games, affecting their viewing experience. The left earbud also frequently loses its connection, especially when used under direct sunlight. This is because of the earbuds’ safety feature that turns off the earphone when it heats up.

The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ have remarkably better microphones than Bose’s wireless earbuds, allowing for better voice call quality. They are equipped with 2 inner ear and 1 outer ear microphones on each earbud. If you often use your wireless earbuds for phone calls, you’ll like the Samsung earbuds better.

Set Up and Controls

The Bose SoundSport Free have a multi-function button while the Samsung wireless earbuds have touch controls

Bose SoundSport Free wireless earbuds
The Bose SoundSport Free Totally Wireless Earbuds don’t have touch controls

It is easy to pair both earbuds, with Samsung being the winner if you’re using a Galaxy device. Simply open their charging case near the smartphone and they automatically pair. Pairing is also a breeze with the Bose SoundSport Free, but they don’t come equipped with the NFC feature.

They differ when it comes to their controls, however. The Bose earbuds do not feature touch controls. Instead, you can use its multi-function button to manage tracks or accept and end calls. These buttons are strategically located on the side of the buds so you won’t have to push towards your ear and consequently add more pressure.

Meanwhile, the Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus utilize their touch-capacitive features and the Samsung Wearable app to control tracks and manage calls. Pairing the new Samsung wireless earbuds with either your mobile phone or computer is quick and straightforward, especially when you’re using a Windows 10 PC. The Samsung Wearable App works well with Android phones, but if you are an Apple user, you’ll miss out on some features as they don’t have the app on Apple Store yet.

Additional Features

The Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus have longer battery life and faster charging than the Bose SoundSport Free

Bose vs Samsung Wireless Earbuds
Complete your Samsung ecosystem with the latest Samsung Galaxy Buds+

Contrary to what many speculated, the Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus do not come with active noise-canceling features. However, with their seal design, the Samsung earbuds do a great job of isolating sound. The Bose SoundSport Free‘s seal is not as good as the Samsung earbuds and lets more external noise pass through. This won’t be a big deal if you typically use the wireless earbuds outdoors and need to be more aware of your surroundings.

The battery life of the Galaxy Buds Plus is 7 hours longer than Bose’s wireless earbuds. At full charge, the new Samsung wireless earbuds have a listening time of up to 11 hours and its wireless charging case adds up to 11 hours more. Running out of juice? the Galaxy Buds+ features Wireless Powershare that you can use to charge your earbuds using a Qi charger or a compatible Galaxy mobile device. 

Bose’s SoundSport Free have a battery life of up to five hours and their charging case adds an additional 10. Their charging case is bigger than Samsung’s, but not as impressive as what the tiny Buds+’s charging case offers. Bose’s wireless earbuds do not come with a wireless charging case, but they are compatible with the ones that are sold separately by Bose.

Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ are the more versatile and cost-effective earbuds packed with better and more features

It’s hard to top the superb sound quality of the Bose SoundSport Free. However, their poor audio latency and unstable connectivity are both significant minuses, especially for their price. As for the new Samsung Galaxy Buds+, their audio quality may not be as clean as the Bose’s, but they still deliver great audio for their price. They are sleeker, have better fit, longer battery life, more microphones, and are overall more convenient to use, especially if you are an Android user.

FAQ

๐Ÿ“Œ Are the Samsung Galaxy Buds+ waterproof?

The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ should not be submerged in water, but they’re mostly safe for use during training and workouts as they’re sweat-resistant.

๐Ÿ“Œ Are the Samsung Galaxy Buds+ worth it?

Yes, they offer amazing value for their price.

๐Ÿ“Œ Are the Bose SoundSport Free wireless earbuds worth the money?

The Bose wireless earbuds deliver great audio, but the Galaxy Samsung Buds+ is the more worthwhile purchase between the two. Check out our comparison chart above to find out why.

๐Ÿ“Œ Which is better, the Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus or the Bose SoundSport Free wireless earbuds?

In terms of audio quality alone, the Bose SoundSport Free is better. However, its latency and connectivity issues may be a deal-breaker for many. The Samsung Buds Plus’ audio may not be as clean as the Bose wireless earbuds’, but they are a solid choice and offer more features than the SoundSport Free at a lower cost.

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Rhodaline Escala-Phelps

Former Managing Editor and Team Leader at Compare Before Buying. Writer and researcher passionate about food, people, product comparisons, culture, and current events.