Samsung Galaxy Buds

Quick Facts

Item	Details
Launch Year	2019
Earbud Type	In-ear wireless earbuds
Sound	AKG-tuned audio
Noise Control	Ambient Sound; no Active Noise Cancellation
Battery Life	Up to 6 hours; up to 13 hours with charging case
Connectivity	Bluetooth 5.0
Charging	USB-C and wireless charging
Water Resistance	IPX2 earbuds
Earbud Weight	5.6g each
Model Number	SM-R170

Overview

The Samsung Galaxy Buds are the original model in Samsung’s modern Galaxy Buds range. They suit buyers seeking compact wireless earbuds with a sealed in-ear fit, Ambient Sound and wireless charging for basic everyday listening.

Their sound is tuned by AKG, while interchangeable silicone ear tips and wingtips help create a stable fit. The earbuds do not have Active Noise Cancellation, but their sealed design provides some passive isolation from surrounding noise.

Battery life reaches up to 6 hours from the earbuds and up to 13 hours when combined with the charging case. Buyers who need longer playback or ANC may prefer one of Samsung’s later models.

Key Highlights

1. Compact In-Ear Design

Each earbud weighs 5.6g and uses silicone ear tips to seal the ear canal. Interchangeable wingtips help stabilise the earbuds inside the outer ear.

Why it matters:

Compact earbuds are easy to carry and discreet when worn
Multiple ear-tip and wingtip sizes support a more personalised fit
A secure seal improves passive isolation and bass response

2. AKG-Tuned Sound

The Galaxy Buds use audio tuning by AKG for music, podcasts, videos and calls.

Why it matters:

Delivers balanced sound for general everyday listening
Provides closer integration with compatible Samsung Galaxy devices
Offers an affordable entry point into the Galaxy Buds range

3. Ambient Sound

Ambient Sound uses the microphones to pass external audio through the earbuds.

Why it matters:

Helps users hear announcements and nearby conversations
Improves awareness without removing the earbuds
Compensates for some of the isolation created by the silicone ear tips

Galaxy Buds do not have Active Noise Cancellation. Buyers who regularly listen in noisy environments may prefer Galaxy Buds FE, Buds2 or a Pro model.

Key Features Explained

Feature	What It Does	Buyer Benefit
AKG-tuned audio	Applies AKG sound tuning to the earbuds	Provides balanced sound for everyday content
Sealed in-ear fit	Uses silicone tips to close the ear canal	Reduces some surrounding noise passively
Ambient Sound	Passes external sound through the microphones	Improves awareness when needed
Adaptive Dual Microphone	Selects between internal and external microphones for calls	Helps capture speech under different conditions
Touch controls	Manages playback, calls and selected shortcuts	Allows control directly from the earbuds
Ear tips and wingtips	Provides different fitting combinations	Helps users achieve a comfortable and stable fit
Wireless charging	Charges the case on compatible charging pads	Provides an alternative to USB-C charging
Wireless PowerShare	Charges the case from supported Samsung Galaxy devices	Adds a convenient charging option when travelling
IPX2 rating	Protects the earbuds against limited water droplets	Provides basic resistance to light moisture

Compare Samsung Galaxy Buds Models

Feature	Galaxy Buds	Galaxy Buds+	Galaxy Buds Live	Galaxy Buds2
Fit	Sealed in-ear with wingtip	Sealed in-ear with wingtip	Open-type	Compact sealed in-ear
Sound	AKG-tuned	Two-way AKG-tuned	12mm speaker	Two-way
Active Noise Cancellation	No	No	Yes	Yes
Ambient Sound	Yes	Yes	Open design	Yes
Earbud Battery Life	Up to 6 hours	Up to 11 hours	Up to 6 hours with ANC	Up to 5 hours with ANC
Total Battery Life	Up to 13 hours	Up to 22 hours	Up to 21 hours with ANC	Up to 20 hours with ANC
Bluetooth	5.0	5.0	5.0	5.2
Water Resistance	IPX2	IPX2	IPX2	IPX2
Earbud Weight	5.6g	6.3g	5.6g	5.0g

Which Galaxy Buds Model Should You Choose?

Buyer Priority	Recommended Model	Reason
Basic Galaxy earbuds for everyday listening	Galaxy Buds	Provides a compact fit, Ambient Sound and wireless charging
Longer standalone battery life	Galaxy Buds+	Increases earbud playback from 6 to 11 hours
Open fit without silicone ear tips	Galaxy Buds Live	Sits in the outer ear without forming a sealed fit
Lightweight earbuds with ANC	Galaxy Buds2	Adds noise cancellation and two-way speakers at 5.0g per earbud
Secure value-focused earbuds with ANC	Galaxy Buds FE	Combines ANC with a wingtip design
Premium sound and water resistance	Galaxy Buds Pro	Adds two-way speakers, intelligent ANC and IPX7 protection

Alternatives to Samsung Galaxy Buds

If you are comparing Samsung wireless earbuds, consider these alternatives:

Samsung Galaxy Buds FE — A value-focused upgrade with ANC and a secure wingtip design.
Samsung Galaxy Buds2 — A lighter alternative with two-way speakers, ANC and longer total battery life.
Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro — A premium upgrade with intelligent ANC, Voice Detect and IPX7 water resistance.
Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro — A compact premium option with 24-bit audio support and Bluetooth 5.3.
Samsung Galaxy Buds3 — A newer open-fit alternative with blade controls and IP57 protection.

Common Questions

Do the original Galaxy Buds have Active Noise Cancellation?

No. They use a sealed in-ear fit for passive noise isolation and provide Ambient Sound when greater awareness is needed.

How long does the Galaxy Buds battery last?

The earbuds provide up to 6 hours of music playback. The charging case extends total playback to approximately 13 hours.

Do the Galaxy Buds support wireless charging?

Yes. The case supports compatible wireless charging pads, Wireless PowerShare from supported Samsung Galaxy devices and USB-C charging.

Are the Galaxy Buds waterproof?

The earbuds have an IPX2 rating, providing limited protection against water droplets. They are not intended for swimming, heavy rain or immersion. The charging case does not carry the same rating.

Can Galaxy Buds connect to non-Samsung devices?

Yes. They can connect to compatible Bluetooth devices. Some settings and Samsung ecosystem features may require the Galaxy Wearable app and a compatible Android or Galaxy device.

Can either earbud be used independently?

Yes. A single Galaxy Bud can be used independently for listening or calls while the other earbud remains in the charging case.

What comes with the Samsung Galaxy Buds?

The standard package originally included the earbuds, wireless charging case, multiple sizes of silicone ear tips and wingtips, a USB cable and documentation. Contents may vary between Marketplace listings.

Why Buy Samsung Galaxy Buds?

The original Galaxy Buds suit buyers seeking straightforward Samsung wireless earbuds with a compact wingtip design, Ambient Sound and wireless charging.

They lack the ANC, longer battery life and newer audio features of later models, but may still offer good value for basic listening when priced accordingly. Compare Samsung Galaxy Buds listings on SellUp Marketplace by price, condition, colour and availability.