Samsung Galaxy Buds Live

Quick Facts

Item	Details
Launch Year	2020
Earbud Type	Open-type wireless earbuds
Speaker	12mm speaker with bass duct
Noise Control	Active Noise Cancellation
Microphones	Three microphones and Voice Pickup Unit per earbud
Battery Life	Up to 6 hours with ANC; up to 21 hours with charging case
Connectivity	Bluetooth 5.0
Charging	USB-C and wireless charging
Water Resistance	IPX2 earbuds
Earbud Weight	5.6g each

Overview

The Samsung Galaxy Buds Live are open-type wireless earbuds for buyers who prefer a less sealed fit than conventional in-ear models. Their distinctive bean-shaped design sits inside the outer ear without using silicone ear tips.

Each earbud uses a 12mm speaker and bass duct to deliver fuller sound from its open design. Active Noise Cancellation focuses mainly on reducing low-frequency background noise while allowing more surrounding sound to remain audible than sealed Galaxy Buds models.

Battery life reaches up to 6 hours with ANC enabled and up to 21 hours with the charging case. USB-C charging, wireless charging and Wireless PowerShare are supported.

Key Highlights

1. Open-Type Design Without Silicone Ear Tips

Galaxy Buds Live rest inside the outer ear rather than forming a tight seal inside the ear canal. Small and large wingtips are included to help stabilise the earbuds.

Why it matters:

Suitable for buyers who find sealed silicone tips uncomfortable
Allows greater awareness of surrounding activity
Reduces the plugged-ear feeling associated with conventional in-ear earbuds

The open design also means less passive noise isolation and a fit that can vary more significantly between users.

2. 12mm Speakers with Bass Ducts

Each earbud uses a 12mm speaker tuned by AKG, supported by a bass duct that helps reproduce lower frequencies.

Why it matters:

Large drivers provide spacious sound from an open-type design
Bass ducts help compensate for the absence of an in-ear seal
Well suited to casual music, podcasts, videos and calls

3. ANC Designed for an Open Fit

Active Noise Cancellation reduces selected low-frequency background sounds while retaining the openness of the design.

Why it matters:

Can reduce steady sounds such as transport or air-conditioning noise
Allows voices and announcements to remain more noticeable
Suits buyers who want some noise reduction without strong isolation

Because the earbuds do not seal the ear canal, their ANC is less isolating than the ANC found on Galaxy Buds Pro, Buds2 or Buds2 Pro.

Key Features Explained

Feature	What It Does	Buyer Benefit
Open-type design	Rests inside the outer ear without silicone ear tips	Provides a less enclosed wearing experience
12mm speaker	Uses a relatively large driver in each earbud	Delivers spacious sound with fuller bass
Bass duct	Reinforces lower-frequency reproduction	Helps maintain bass despite the open fit
Active Noise Cancellation	Reduces selected low-frequency background noise	Provides moderate noise reduction while retaining awareness
Three microphones per earbud	Captures speech and supports noise control	Improves voice pickup during calls
Voice Pickup Unit	Detects jaw movement when the wearer speaks	Helps separate speech from surrounding noise
Touch controls	Manages playback, calls and selected functions	Allows direct control from the earbuds
Wireless charging	Charges the case on compatible charging pads	Provides an alternative to USB-C charging
Wireless PowerShare	Uses supported Galaxy devices to charge the case	Offers an additional 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 Live	Galaxy Buds FE	Galaxy Buds2	Galaxy Buds Pro
Fit	Open-type	Sealed in-ear with wingtip	Sealed compact in-ear	Sealed premium in-ear
Silicone Ear Tips	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Speaker System	12mm single driver	Single-way	Two-way	11mm woofer and 6.5mm tweeter
Active Noise Cancellation	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Noise Isolation	Light	Stronger	Stronger	Stronger
Battery with ANC	Up to 6 hours	Up to 6 hours	Up to 5 hours	Up to 5 hours
Total Battery with ANC	Up to 21 hours	Up to 21 hours	Up to 20 hours	Up to 18 hours
Bluetooth	5.0	5.2	5.2	5.0
Water Resistance	IPX2	IPX2	IPX2	IPX7
Earbud Weight	5.6g	5.6g	5.0g	6.3g

Which Galaxy Buds Model Should You Choose?

Buyer Priority	Recommended Model	Reason
Open fit without silicone ear tips	Galaxy Buds Live	Provides a less sealed feel and greater environmental awareness
Affordable sealed fit with ANC	Galaxy Buds FE	Uses silicone tips and wingtips for stronger isolation and stability
Lightweight in-ear design	Galaxy Buds2	Combines a 5.0g weight with ANC and two-way speakers
Two-way sound and stronger water resistance	Galaxy Buds Pro	Adds separate woofer and tweeter drivers with IPX7 protection
Premium compact Galaxy earbuds	Galaxy Buds2 Pro	Provides stronger isolation, 24-bit audio support and IPX7 resistance

Alternatives to Samsung Galaxy Buds Live

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

Samsung Galaxy Buds FE — A value-focused in-ear alternative with ANC and stabilising wingtips.
Samsung Galaxy Buds2 — A lightweight sealed model with two-way speakers and stronger passive isolation.
Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro — A premium alternative with two-way speakers, Voice Detect and IPX7 water resistance.
Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro — A newer compact option with 24-bit audio support and effective in-ear noise cancellation.
Samsung Galaxy Buds3 — A newer open-fit alternative with a blade-style design and IP57 protection.

Common Questions

Are the Galaxy Buds Live in-ear earbuds?

Galaxy Buds Live sit inside the outer ear but do not use silicone tips to seal the ear canal. Samsung describes them as open-type earbuds.

Do the Galaxy Buds Live have Active Noise Cancellation?

Yes. Their ANC is designed to reduce low-frequency background noise while retaining the open character of the earbuds. It does not provide the same level of isolation as sealed in-ear models.

How long does the Galaxy Buds Live battery last?

The earbuds provide up to 6 hours of playback with ANC enabled and up to 21 hours with the charging case. With ANC and Bixby Voice Wake-up disabled, playback can reach up to 8 hours from the earbuds and up to 29 hours with the case.

Do the Galaxy Buds Live support wireless charging?

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

Are the Galaxy Buds Live waterproof?

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

Are the Galaxy Buds Live suitable for exercise?

Their suitability depends heavily on individual ear shape because they use an open design without silicone ear tips. The included wingtips help stabilise the fit, but buyers wanting stronger water resistance or a more secure seal may prefer another Galaxy Buds model.

Can the Galaxy Buds Live connect to non-Samsung devices?

Yes. They can connect to compatible Bluetooth devices. Some features and control options work best through Samsung’s companion apps and compatible Galaxy devices.

Why Buy Samsung Galaxy Buds Live?

The Galaxy Buds Live are a distinctive option for buyers who dislike silicone ear tips or the pressure created by sealed in-ear earbuds. Their open fit, 12mm speakers, ANC and wireless charging provide a different experience from most Galaxy Buds models.

They prioritise comfort and environmental awareness over maximum isolation. Compare Galaxy Buds Live listings on SellUp Marketplace by price, condition, colour and availability to find the option that best matches your preferences.