We have been conditioned to expect batteries to degrade, hinges to fail, and ‘new and improved’ models to make our current gear feel like basic within 24 months.
Yet here I am in 2026, still reaching for a pair of earbuds I unboxed in mid-2020: the Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus.
While the rest of the world chased spatial audio and stem-heavy designs, these pill-shaped veterans stayed in my pocket and survived countless OS updates and three primary phones.
From the legendary battery life that refuses to quit to a fit that modern flagship buds still can’t quite replicate, here is why I’m still ignoring the upgrade cycle and sticking with a pair of five-year-old TWS.
5 reasons I bought the Google Pixel Buds 2 instead of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
I’m a huge fan of Google’s flagship earbuds
Excellent wingtip fit
Being a tech reviewer, I have tested dozens of earbuds over the last few years, but I always find myself coming back to the Buds Plus for one specific reason: the wingtips.
Modern TWS design seems to have shifted towards a smooth pebble aesthetic that relies entirely on the ear tip to stay put. While that looks sleek, it’s a nightmare for stability.
The Buds Plus use a small, replaceable rubber wing that hooks into the concha of the ear, and it’s a game-changer that I’m surprised more brands haven’t copied.
Whether I’m leaning over my laptop for hours, out for a quick run, or just moving around the house, they never budge.
Even in 2026, when I’m multitasking between my Google Pixel 8 and my HP Spectre, I can leave these in for a four-hour stretch and completely forget they are there.
It’s the perfect ‘set it and forget it’ fit that makes most modern, stem-heavy designs clumsy by comparison.
11 hours of raw endurance
When the Galaxy Buds Plus first launched, that 11-hour runtime was practically unheard of. It was the gold standard that put every other TWS maker on notice.
Now, five years into the 2020s, my pair doesn’t hit that double-digit mark anymore. I’m seeing more like seven to eight hours of actual playback.
But here is the kicker — that degraded battery life is still beating the brand-new 2026 flagships.
It’s hilarious to see a $250 pair of modern earbuds struggle to reach six hours with all their fancy features enabled, while my vintage Samsung buds are still cruising through a full workday.
Even with the chemical aging of the lithium-ion cells, the baseline was so high to begin with that they have remained perfectly viable.
I can still sit through a marathon writing session or back-to-back Google Meet calls without breaking a sweat.
One of the biggest problems I have with modern TWS is that as the list of features grows, the cases seem to follow suit.
Galaxy Buds Plus delivers one of the most pocket-friendly footprints I have ever used.
It doesn’t matter if I’m wearing slim-fit jeans or just throwing them into the small tech pocket of my bag; the case is so slim (and rounded) that it virtually disappears.
Even compared to the newer, boxier cases from the latest Galaxy Buds or the stems of the AirPods, this rounded, aerodynamic shape just slides in and out of a pocket without snagging.
Samsung managed to fit enough juice for a full extra charger into a shell that is barely larger than the buds themselves.
Having that level of portability is a massive win for my EDC.
Decent sound and natural isolation
When it comes to sound quality and noise cancellation, the Buds Plus are good enough while I’m drafting posts or managing my Docker containers.
It provides a crisp, punchy sound from my YouTube Music playlists that honestly holds its own against many mid-range buds being released today.
And because the fit is so secure, they block out a surprising amount of ambient noise without the need for aggressive ANC.
When I’m in the zone, the natural seal is enough to drown out the hum of HP Spectre’s fans or the chatter in a coffee shop.
And when it comes to connectivity and reliability, the Buds Plus still get the job done.
Still, they don’t have the latest fancy AI-powered spatial audio or HD codecs, but they nail the fundamentals: they connect when I put them in, they stay connected while I move, and the microphone is still clear enough for a quick Google Meet call.
I have seen many smart devices that feel over-engineered and buggy. In comparison, this one just works.
Stop buying new earbuds every year
Overall, the Galaxy Buds Plus serve as a reminder that the best piece of tech isn’t always the one with the highest version number — it’s the one that blends in your routine without friction.
My Galaxy Buds Plus have survived the transition from my older devices to my Pixel 8, outlasted several newer pairs that promised more but delivered less, and maintained a battery life that still pits modern flagships to shame.
While I will eventually have to retire them when the hardware finally gives up, for now, they remain a crucial part of my everyday gear.
