Samsung Galaxy Buds Core – Galaxy Buds Core Active Noise Cancellation

ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLATION

The Samsung Galaxy Buds Core promises an elite experience without paying the elite price. Possibly one of the most astounding things regarding the earbuds is that they come with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), a feature usually reserved for high-end versions. This enables listeners to greatly minimize background noise, producing a richer and more concentrated listening experience, while traveling, in a noisy office environment, or just needing to listen in quiet. In addition to ANC, Galaxy Buds Core also has a battery life in excess of 35 hours of total listening time when using the charging case with ANC off, and still an excellent 20 hours of listening time when ANC is active. Fast-charging capability through USB-C is another handy feature, providing up to one hour of listening time from only three minutes of charging.

GALAXY AI INTEGRATION

Galaxy AI collaboration with Samsung Galaxy Buds Core is a major selling feature as it brings high-end, smart features directly to a cheap pair of earbuds. The main and most promoted AI feature of the Galaxy Buds Core is:

Interpreter Mode (Real-time, Two-way Voice Translation)

This is the star AI feature. With a compatible Samsung Galaxy phone, Galaxy Buds Core can provide real-time, two-way conversation translation for in-person conversations.

How it works: Suppose you’re conversing with a person who knows a different language. Speak into your phone’s microphone (just voice it out and the earbuds will record it), and the Galaxy Buds Core will translate your words real-time into the other person’s language, playing it into your earbuds. If the other person utters his or her language, the earbuds record the words and pump in a real-time translation into your ears.

Benefits: This feature aims to do away with language barriers, ensuring the conversation is natural and effortless without having to keep looking at your phone screen. It is very helpful when traveling, conducting business abroad, or just talking to someone who uses a different language.

Key Note: Though Buds Core provide the audio of the translation, core AI processing of the translation takes place on the paired compatible Samsung Galaxy smartphone. The earbuds serve as the audio gateway for this AI-based communication. Samsung states that features such as Interpreter and Live Translate demand pairing with Samsung Galaxy devices that are compatible (such as Galaxy S24 series, S23 series, Z Fold/Flip series, Tab S series with the latest version of One UI). Samsung Account login may also be necessary, and some language packs might need to be downloaded.

This deployment of Galaxy AI is an indication of Samsung’s vision of infusing cutting-edge intelligence throughout its ecosystem, so that its affordable devices also get to avail rich AI capabilities.

BALANCED TUNED AUDIO

The Samsung Galaxy Buds Core are geared to provide a “balanced” and “well-tuned” sound experience with a special focus on clear trebles and a “bold bass.” That’s what that primarily involves and how Samsung accomplishes it:

Balanced Audio Profile
When the makers declare an audio profile is “balanced,” typically what they are implying is that none of the frequency ranges (bass, mids, treble) are overemphasized or withdrawn compared to the others. The aim is to achieve a neutral and true rendering of the source recording so that all the sounds on the music can be well reproduced without any of them controlling the soundstage.

As with the Galaxy Buds Core, Samsung specifically notes:

“Bolder bass”: Balanced though it is, Samsung seeks a bass response that is there, solid, and “stays true to the beat” but neither boomy nor muddy. That implies tight, well-defined low frequency that enhances depth in the sound without dominating the other frequencies.

“Clear trebles”: The upper frequencies (hi-hats, cymbals, higher singing notes) are sharply defined and sparkly and never hard or hissy (too hard “s” sounds).

Balanced mids: Even if less than highly detailed, a “balanced sound” by definition means that mid-range (vocal, guitar, most instruments) is represented well so that vocals and solo instruments can cut through the mix.

Tuning and Technology
Samsung utilizes a number of methods to accomplish this sought-after sound of the audio:

Dynamic Drivers: Galaxy Buds Core utilize dynamic drivers (a “1-way speaker,” or a single dynamic driver per earbud, according to some sources). Dynamic drivers are characterized by their ability to produce an extensive frequency range and provide strong bass. The tuning of the driver plays an important role so that an equal amount of sound can be produced.

Audio Codecs: The earbuds use:

AAC (Advanced Audio Coding): A high-quality codec used by many in both Apple and most Android devices, with nice sound quality at low bitrates.

SBC (Subband Coding): The cross-platform Bluetooth standard codec, and one that will work with almost all Bluetooth devices, but with less quality than AAC or Samsung’s native codec.

Samsung Scalable Codec (SSC): A proprietary codec, which is a strong bonus to users on the Samsung Galaxy platform. SSC stops chopping of audio and ensuring stable sound quality by dynamically adjusting the bit-rate depending on the Bluetooth signal strength. It can stream higher quality audio during strong connection, and it compresses the audio more intelligently when the signal gets weaker so that there is not any drop, making listening stable and high-quality on supported Samsung devices.

Software Equalizer (EQ) Presets: Users can reprogram the sound profile through the Galaxy Wearable app. That would generally involve choosing one of an array of EQ presets such as:

Normal

Bass Boost

Soft

Dynamic

Clear

Treble Boost
Those presets help people set the “balanced” sound to their own taste or the type of music being listened to.

Although the Galaxy Buds Core is marketed as budget earbuds, Samsung wants to offer a sound signature that is broadly pleasing to most people, with a balanced response of bass, resolution, and overall balance, and an added extension from the customizability options that come through in the Galaxy Wearable app.

BATTERY & CHARGING

The Samsung Galaxy Buds Core have great battery life on a cost basis, so they are a genuine contender for shoppers who want longevity first. Here is a comprehensive overview:

Total Playback Time (Earbuds + Charging Case):

Up to 35 hours with ANC OFF: That is a truly impressive figure for good wireless earbuds and positions them among Samsung’s longest-lasting earbud models. It allows for extended listening times during the day and a few recharges from the case before they must be plugged in.

Up to 20 hours with Active Noise Cancellation ON: Although ANC shortens battery life, 20 hours of playback time total with ANC enabled is incredibly good and competitive and can provide ample quiet listening with a single case and bud charge.

Individual Earbud Battery Life:

Each earbud comes with a 65mAh battery. Although the actual runtime of the earbuds on a single charge from the case is not always clearly specified in all marketing literature, it can be estimated to last for a few hours, offering more than enough power for most workouts or commutes before needing to return to the case. There have even been rumors of a 100mAh battery per bud, further extending earbud life and providing even more long term playback times, but 65mAh is more standard.

Charging Case Battery:

There is a 500mAh battery contained within the charging case. With this much capacity, it can supply multiple full charges for the earbuds and play a significant part in the extremely high total playback times.

Charging:

Galaxy Buds Core charge via a USB-C port.

Fast Charging: They have fast charging, and you get a maximum of 1 hour of playtime with only 3 minutes of charge on placing the earbuds in the case. This is quite handy to charge in a rush before leaving.

No Wireless Charging: Unlike some high-end Galaxy Buds models, the Galaxy Buds Core does not have wireless charging for the case. You will have to use a USB-C cable.

Short of that, Galaxy Buds Core are more into longer listening, especially when ANC is turned off, and are therefore a great fit for users who value battery life over incessant charging interruptions.

TOUCH CONTROLS

The Samsung Galaxy Buds Core provide a feature set of smart touch controls on both earbuds, which allow the user to manage their audio playback, calls, and listen modes without needing to touch their paired device. The genius of these controls is that they can be personalized for the user’s preference with the Galaxy Wearable app.

The following is a list of typical touch controls and how they generally work:

Standard/Default Touch Controls:

Single Tap:

Play/Pause Music: Double tap on either of the two earbuds will play or pause music.

Double Tap:

Next Track: Simple double tap will jump to the next track of your playlist.

Answer/End Call: Double tap is the default action to answer an incoming call or end a current call.

Triple Tap:

Earlier Track: Double tapping quickly will go back to the previous song. Triple tapping at the beginning of a track might restart the existing track instead.

Touch and Hold (Long Press):

Decline Call: Holding the touchpad down for a few seconds will hang up an incoming call.

Customizable Shortcut: It is the most universal control. It is usually defaulted to switch between Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Ambient Sound modes. You can, however, customize this action.

Customization through the Galaxy Wearable App:

The real power of Galaxy Buds Core touch controls is through the Galaxy Wearable app (which is supported on Android phones, generally Android 11.0 or later with enough RAM). In the “Touch Controls” setting of the app, you can:

Remap Touch and Hold: Here you have the most freedom. You can remap the “Touch and hold” action on each earbud (left and right separately) to do several actions, including:

Switch Noise Controls: Toggle between ANC, Ambient Sound, and Off (default).

Voice Assistant: Turn on your phone’s voice assistant (e.g., Google Assistant, Bixby).

Volume Control: Designate one earbud to turn volume up (e.g., right) and the other to turn volume down (e.g., left). If you do this on one bud, the second will likely auto-set to the inverse volume control.

Spotify: Open Spotify and play some music.

Interpreter Mode: Simply turn on the AI-powered Interpreter feature.

Enable/Disable Gestures: You can enable or disable certain touch commands (such as single, double, or triple tap) in case you inadvertently trigger them or simply don’t enjoy them.

Labs Features: Occasionally, the “Labs” feature within the Wearable app may provide test or alternate control settings, like “Double tap earbud edge” to control volume, which will enable you to double-tap the edge of your earbud instead of the flat top.

Advantages of Touch Controls:

Convenience: Control your calls and audio without having to pick up your phone.

Seamless Interaction: Keeps the focus on your activity, whether exercising, commuting, or relaxing.

Personalization: Customize the controls to your own habits and needs.

Generally, the touch controls on Galaxy Buds Core are a significant aspect of its user-centered design, providing a decent balance of general functions out of the box and advanced personalization for an even more customized experience.