Samsung Galaxy Buds 5: Features and upgrades we want to see

Table of Contents

I like Samsung. The global electronics brand sells great products that can compete with the best. That includes its true wireless Galaxy Buds line. 

But if I’m being honest — which is my main responsibility as a tech reviewer — Samsung has dropped the ball big time with its wireless earbuds.

There was a time when the Galaxy Buds were as popular as Galaxy smartphones. You couldn’t buy one without owning the other, much like AirPods and iPhones. Then the wireless audio market grew. Rivals like Bose, Beats, and Sony started releasing superior Android-compatible alternatives. The exclusive features and effortless connectivity that once made Galaxy Buds a compelling companion to Samsung phones were no longer enough to excite consumers.

Where did it all go wrong for Samsung’s wireless earbuds franchise? To answer that question, we must revisit the past and work our way to the present. All roads lead to the Galaxy Buds 5, Samsung’s highly anticipated (and currently rumored) flagship release, with the future of the entire series hanging in the balance.

A peak never repeated

I absolutely love the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro. No other entry in the series has matched their overall performance and value. These buds introduced several innovations, including a custom coaxial two-way speaker system, a ridiculously small wireless charging case, and 24-bit Hi-Fi sound via the Samsung Scalable Codec (SSC). They still hold up well against today’s latest releases. 

That was the last time we saw a pair of Galaxy Buds make serious noise. Sales were solid, reviews were at an all-time high, and Galaxy smartphone users were committed to the company’s expanding wireless audio ecosystem. The future of the Galaxy Buds looked bright.

Then came the series’ Howard Dean moment…

The redesign that ruined everything

Changing the Galaxy Buds’ design from oval to long stem is what put the series on life support. This was the biggest complaint about the Galaxy Buds 3 and Buds 3 Pro, among several other issues. The Galaxy Buds 2 Pro had a distinctive look that was universally praised. And they didn’t just look attractive. Samsung’s touch-sensitive controls and strong mic performance were major highlights, too.

Why reshape the Galaxy Buds’ identity to resemble the Apple AirPods? Your biggest competitor, and one that practically every other wireless earbud maker has copied time and again? Talk about fumbling the ball in your own end zone. 

Let’s talk about a downgrade.
Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

Clearly, Samsung has its reasons for this decision, which I’m sure made financial sense. However, the redesign made functionality worse on the Galaxy Buds 3. The triangular “blade” stems were difficult to grip and made pinch and swipe gestures harder to execute. On top of that, you had to pinch them hard to get tactile feedback, and that left your fingers hurting after a while. The transparent-lid charging case did little to earn the product any cool points, either.

It wasn’t surprising to see Samsung rush out the Galaxy Buds 4 and Buds 4 Pro a year later. The company wanted everyone to forget the Galaxy Buds 3’s failures. More importantly, Samsung wanted another shot at proving that its previous decisions were justified. That’s why the Galaxy Buds 4 carried over and improved several performance features, including AI functionality, controls, noise cancellation, sound, and voice calling.

To their credit, the Galaxy Buds 4 are a significant upgrade from their predecessor, especially the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro, which are arguably among the most underrated wireless earbuds on the market. My peers and other tech experts would likely agree.

Even so, critical acclaim and commendable AI integration weren’t enough to erase the bad taste the Galaxy Buds 3 left in our mouths. The fourth-gen models are occasionally brought into the true wireless conversation; some of the “several months later with the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro” op-eds have kept the series relevant.  

When all else fails, go open-ear?

Releasing open earbuds seems like the natural next move for any wireless earbuds brand. The category is hot, and everyone wants a piece of the pie. On paper, the all-new Samsung Galaxy Buds On look impressive. They promise AI-powered features, SSC and SSC UHQ codec support, up to 38 hours of battery life, and a minimalist clip-on design that shares a similar aesthetic to the Galaxy Buds Pro 2.

Was this the right move? Most analysts will say yes. I’m saying no, and not because I don’t have any faith in them. Mashable will test the buds soon and determine whether they’re worth $229. 

The real conversation starter would have been a pair of Samsung wireless headphones. From an ecosystem standpoint, it makes perfect sense. Galaxy Buds models are already integrated with Samsung phones, TVs, and other smart home devices. Design and hi-fi sound could have been provided by Harman, which Samsung owns. Clever home audio features, such as seamlessly transferring sound from a Samsung soundbar to Galaxy headphones, could have made these a top contender. It worked for Sonos (read our Ace Ultra review).

That didn’t happen, and it probably never will. Samsung already owns a headphone brand: JBL. 

Fifth time must be the charm

Our wish list for the Galaxy Buds 5 is stacked with new features and upgrades. However, Samsung is likely to do what it always does: double down on what’s already there. Expect more AI integration, along with the latest wireless technologies, such as Bluetooth 6.3 and LE Audio. Enhancements to adaptive noise cancellation and sound quality are guaranteed. Hopefully, battery life gets a boost, too. 

Want more tech and digital culture news delivered to your inbox daily or sent straight to your device? Sign up for Mashable’s Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts today.

Now, does any of that sound compelling? Not for today’s wireless audio consumers. It sounds like a rinse-and-repeat of the past two Galaxy Buds generations. I’m not saying this is what the Galaxy Buds 5 will deliver. These are simply predictions based on the Galaxy Buds release history. 

Either way, it’s do-or-die for the Galaxy Buds series. If the Galaxy Buds 5 aren’t groundbreaking — or at least innovatively appealing — Samsung needs to reconsider its place in the true wireless market because its buds are not resonating enough with the buying public. The company is nowhere near Apple, Bose, or Sony in the category, nor is it competing with popular budget brands like Anker and EarFun. Throw JBL into the mix, and brand recognition alone gives Samsung’s subsidiary an advantage.

Even if it takes two years to develop, the Galaxy Buds 5 must be treated with care and the utmost urgency. More ingenuity, less novelty. Otherwise, it’s time to close up shop.