There won’t be any more big launch events from Samsung in 2020 but we’re starting to get a good picture of what is coming next year. It looks like the firm will expand its headphone range with the ‘Galaxy Buds Pro’, previously thought to be ‘Galaxy Buds Beyond’.
Samsung has been doing well in the wireless earbud game since the Gear IconX back in 2018 and this year released both the Galaxy Buds+ and Galaxy Buds Live.
When is the Galaxy Buds Pro release date?
Initially, the earbuds were been discovered (via 9to5Google) in a US trademark filing, which applies for the phrase ‘Galaxy Buds Beyond’. Sadly, the application reveals no further details on the device.
However, it now seems like Galaxy Buds Pro is the final name, fitting in with convention.
There are strong rumours that Samsung will launch the Galaxy S21 (or possibly S30) range of smartphones on 14 January – the last day of CES 2021.
It’s earlier in the year than normal but it seems Samsung wants to take away sales from rivals like Apple and Huawei by releasing new phones sooner.
Should an Unpacked event take place on that date, it’s a good bet that the Galaxy Buds Beyond will be unveiled alongside the phones. The Galaxy Buds+ arrived with the Galaxy S20 and the Galaxy Buds Live were revealed with the Galaxy Note 20.
SamMobile, as detailed below, says the Galaxy Buds Pro (another possible name) will indeed launch with the S21.
However, evleaks isn’t so sure about January saying that “these “early Galaxy launch” rumors pop up nearly every year, and are just as regularly proven false. The only thing that we can say with any real confidence is that the Buds Pro should be available to purchase in the first quarter.”
Galaxy Buds Pro rumours
There’s been little in the way of leaks but now we have some details on Samsung’s upcoming headphones. It looks like they will indeed be a follow-up to the Galaxy Buds+ rather than the Live ‘beans’.
It also, via Indonesia Telecom Certification (spotted by SmartPrice), looks like they could be called the Galaxy Buds Pro rather than ‘Beyond’ with the model number SM-R190.
An exclusive from SamMobile says the Galaxy Buds Pro will come with the same design as the Galaxy Buds+ but likely gain active noise cancelling as well as an improved Ambient mode and “usual upgrades to improve sound quality”.
We now have a look at the Buds Pro via evleaks showing a Buds+ style design in a violet colour. As to why they say ‘voice’ on them is not mentioned.
Galaxy Buds Pro wishlist
Scoring 9/10 in our review, there’s not a whole lot Samsung can do to improve the Galaxy Buds+. Dom said in his verdict “I’ve never worried less about battery on any wireless headphones.”
They also offer excellent sound quality thanks to dual-drivers, but are limited to IPX2 splash resistance so that could certainly be improved making them more durable for serious runners and the like.
It’s also hard to move the earbuds without triggering the touch sensitive buttons. That’s a hard one to solve but, well, it’s Samsung’s problem.
The main thing we want to see is active noise cancelling. The Galaxy Buds Live have this, albeit on an open design which isn’t ideal. It’s hard to predict whether Samsung will add this or keep it as a lure to buy the more expensive Buds Live but fingers crossed.
We’ll update this article with any leaks and rumours as they happen.
