Nothing Ear (open) vs Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro
The Verdict
Nothing Ear (open) prioritizes ambient awareness through their innovative open-ear design with directional audio, supporting LDAC hi-res audio and offering exceptional 8.5-hour battery life per charge. Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro deliver 5 hours of ANC-enabled playback with superior noise cancellation featuring three adjustable levels, 360 Audio with head tracking, and faster charging via Qi wireless. Sound signature differs fundamentally: Nothing excels for users wanting external awareness during workouts or commutes, while Samsung targets those seeking maximum isolation and immersive spatial audio. Galaxy Buds2 Pro's dual-driver coaxial setup provides richer, more detailed audio compared to Nothing's single titanium-coated driver. Battery endurance heavily favors Nothing at 30 hours total versus Galaxy's 18 hours. Samsung's IPX7 rating surpasses Nothing's IP54 for water durability. At the $80 price difference, choose Nothing Ear (open) for lifestyle-focused listening with superior battery or Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro for demanding audio quality and noise isolation.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Nothing Ear (open) if…
- →Open-ear design lets you hear your surroundings while enjoying music
- →LDAC and multipoint at $149 is excellent value
- →8-hour battery per charge is generous for open earbuds
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro if…
- →24-bit Samsung Seamless codec for Hi-Fi audio quality on Galaxy devices
- →360 Audio with head tracking creates an immersive surround experience
- →Compact and lightweight at 5.5 g per earbud for comfortable fit
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Nothing Ear (open)
Pros
- Open-ear design lets you hear your surroundings while enjoying music
- LDAC and multipoint at $149 is excellent value
- 8-hour battery per charge is generous for open earbuds
- Directional drivers minimize sound leak to bystanders
- IP54 dust and water resistance for outdoor use
Cons
- No noise cancellation by design — not for noisy environments
- Bass is inherently weaker than sealed in-ear designs
- 8.1 g per bud is heavier than traditional earbuds
- Open design means music is audible to nearby people
Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro
Pros
- 24-bit Samsung Seamless codec for Hi-Fi audio quality on Galaxy devices
- 360 Audio with head tracking creates an immersive surround experience
- Compact and lightweight at 5.5 g per earbud for comfortable fit
- IPX7 water resistance handles sweat and rain confidently
- Voice Detect automatically pauses and enables transparency mode
Cons
- Samsung Seamless codec only works with Samsung Galaxy devices
- 5-hour ANC battery life is short — case extends to 18 hours
- No multipoint Bluetooth for dual-device connectivity
- Touch controls can be finicky and hard to activate consistently
- ANC is not as strong as Sony WF-1000XM5 or AirPods Pro 2
Full Specifications
| Spec | Nothing Ear (open) | Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancelling | ||
| Type | in-ear | in-ear |
| Weight | 8.1 g (each) | 5.5 g (each) |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 8 hrs, 30 hrs total with case | 5 hrs (earbuds with ANC), 18 hrs total with case |
| Charging | USB-C | USB-C, Qi wireless, 5 min = 1 hr playback |
| Drivers | 14.2 mm titanium-coated driver | Custom coaxial 2-way driver (10mm woofer + 5.3mm tweeter) |
| Features | Open-ear design for ambient awareness, Directional audio minimizes sound leakage, LDAC hi-res wireless audio, Multipoint Bluetooth pairing, Bass Enhance and custom EQ, Nothing X app with equalizer | Intelligent ANC with 3 adjustable levels, 360 Audio with head tracking, SmartThings Find for locating lost earbuds, Auto Switch between Samsung devices, Voice Detect for automatic transparency mode |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wired option | ||
| Codecs | LDAC, AAC, SBC | Samsung Seamless (24-bit), AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Multipoint | ||
| Water Resistance | IP54 | IPX7 |
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This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
Explore more in headphones, see all Nothing products or all Samsung products. View full details for the Nothing Ear (open) or the Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro.