Samsung Galaxy Buds Core Review: Best Budget Earbuds

I’ll be honest with you. Finding quality wireless earbuds under $50 feels like searching for a needle in a haystack. Most cheap earbuds either sound terrible, die after a few hours, or fall out of your ears the moment you start moving. But after spending three weeks with the Samsung Galaxy Buds Core, I’ve found something that genuinely surprised me. These budget-friendly earbuds pack features I’d expect from models costing twice as much, and they’ve become my go-to choice for daily use.

If you’re tired of overpriced earbuds that promise the world but deliver mediocrity, or if you’ve been burned by ultra-cheap options that barely last a month, this review will help you understand whether the Samsung Galaxy Buds Core deserves a spot in your pocket.

First Impressions That Matter

When I opened the box, the first thing that struck me was how clean everything looked. You get the earbuds, a compact charging case, three sizes of silicone ear tips, and a USB-C cable. Nothing fancy, but nothing cheap-feeling either.

The charging case is genuinely tiny. It slips into my jeans pocket without creating an awkward bulge, and the matte finish means it doesn’t attract fingerprints like glossy cases do. Opening and closing the lid feels solid, with a satisfying magnetic snap that tells me these won’t accidentally pop open in my bag.

Each earbud weighs just 5.3 grams. I know that sounds like a random spec, but it matters when you’re wearing them for hours. They come in black and white, and both colors have this understated look that works whether you’re at the gym or in a meeting. The silicone wingtips help lock them in place, which I appreciated during workouts when I needed them to stay put.

Real-World Sound Performance

Let me start with what matters most to anyone buying earbuds. How do they actually sound?

The sound signature is balanced and pleasant. I tested them with everything from jazz to heavy rock, podcasts to audiobooks. Vocals come through clearly without sounding tinny or distant. The bass has enough punch to make music feel alive without overwhelming everything else. If you’ve used cheap earbuds before where everything sounds muddy or flat, you’ll immediately notice the difference here.

Active Noise Cancellation works well for the price point. When I’m on the train or in a coffee shop, it cuts down background chatter and steady noises like air conditioning or traffic. Is it as powerful as $300 flagship earbuds? No, but it’s effective enough that I can focus on my music or podcasts without cranking the volume to uncomfortable levels.

Call quality genuinely impressed me. Each earbud has three microphones, and they do a solid job picking up my voice while filtering out background noise. I’ve taken calls while walking down busy streets, and people on the other end said they could hear me clearly. The Environmental Noise Cancellation feature really shines during calls, making conversations feel natural even in moderately noisy environments.

One thing I noticed is that when I switch from ANC to transparency mode, the transition feels smooth. Transparency mode lets outside sounds in when I need to hear announcements or talk to someone without removing the earbuds. It’s not perfect, but it’s good enough for daily use.

Battery Life That Actually Delivers

Samsung claims 35 hours of total battery life with the case when ANC is off, and around 20 hours with it on. In my testing, these numbers held up surprisingly well. With ANC turned on, I got about five to six hours of continuous listening before the earbuds needed a recharge. The case gave me several additional charges throughout the week. When I turned ANC off, I could push closer to eight hours on a single charge.

Fast charging is where these earbuds really shine. If I forgot to charge them overnight, I could plug in the case for 10 minutes while getting ready in the morning and get enough juice for my commute. A full charge takes about an hour, which is reasonable considering how long they last. For someone who uses earbuds throughout the day for music, calls, and videos, this battery performance means I’m not constantly worried about them dying at inconvenient moments. The charging case uses USB-C, which is convenient since that’s what most of my other devices use.

Features That Surprised Me

I didn’t expect budget earbuds to include Galaxy AI features, but here we are. The Interpreter function can translate conversations in real time, which sounds gimmicky until you actually use it. I haven’t traveled internationally yet with these, but I tested it with a friend who speaks Spanish, and it worked better than I expected.

The touch controls took a day or two to get used to, but now they feel natural. Single tap plays or pauses music. Double tap skips tracks or answers calls. Long press toggles between ANC and ambient mode. You can customize these controls through the Samsung Galaxy Wearable app, which also lets you adjust equalizer settings and check battery levels.

Auto Switch is a feature I use constantly. If I’m watching something on my tablet and get a call on my phone, the earbuds automatically switch to my phone. It works seamlessly if you’re using Samsung devices, though the experience is still decent with other brands.

Bluetooth 5.4 provides a stable connection with good range. I can leave my phone on my desk and walk around my apartment without music cutting out. The connection drops are rare, and when I do go out of range, reconnecting happens quickly when I come back.

The Samsung Scalable Codec is available if you’re using a Samsung phone, which can improve audio quality. I tested these with both a Samsung device and an iPhone, and while the Samsung experience felt slightly more polished, they work well with any phone.

Comfort for All-Day Wear

Comfort is subjective, but I can wear these for several hours without discomfort. The silicone tips create a good seal without feeling like they’re jamming into my ear canal. The wingtips add stability, especially during workouts or when I’m moving around a lot.

I tried all three ear tip sizes before settling on the medium tips. If you have smaller or larger ear canals, having options matters. The fit test feature in the Samsung app helps you figure out which tips give you the best seal, which also improves sound quality and ANC performance.

During workouts, they stayed in place through running, weight lifting, and cycling. The IP54 rating means they can handle sweat and light rain. I wouldn’t take them swimming, but they’ve survived plenty of sweaty gym sessions without issues.

The only comfort concern is the relatively wide nozzle. If you have very small ears, you might find the fit uncomfortable. I’d recommend trying them first if possible, or making sure you can return them if the fit doesn’t work for you.

Samsung Galaxy Buds Core Specifications

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Exceptional battery life for the price range
• Effective Active Noise Cancellation for daily use
• Lightweight and comfortable for extended wear
• Clear call quality with triple-mic system
• Stable Bluetooth 5.4 connection
• Water and sweat resistant (IP54)
• Galaxy AI features included
• Works seamlessly with both Samsung and non-Samsung devices
• Compact, pocket-friendly charging case
• Fast charging capability
• Affordable price point

Cons:

• ANC not as strong as premium models
• No wireless charging support
• Wide nozzle may not fit smaller ears comfortably
• Limited color options (only black and white)
• Some features work better with Samsung devices
• Bass can be slightly overpowering for some listeners

The Value Question

At around $43 to $50 depending on where you buy them, the Galaxy Buds Core offer exceptional value. You’re getting features that used to be exclusive to premium earbuds just a few years ago. Active noise cancellation, long battery life, solid sound quality, and smart features all at a price that won’t make you wince.

Who should buy these? If you want reliable wireless earbuds for daily use without spending flagship money, these make sense. They’re great for commuters who need ANC, students on a budget, or anyone who wants a backup pair of quality earbuds. If you already own Samsung devices, the ecosystem integration makes them even more appealing.

Who should skip these? If you’re an audiophile who demands perfect sound reproduction, you’ll want to spend more. Competitive gamers who need ultra-low latency should look elsewhere. And if you absolutely need wireless charging or the strongest possible ANC, you’ll need to increase your budget.

The trade-offs at this price are minimal. Yes, the ANC isn’t as powerful as $200+ models. Yes, you don’t get wireless charging. But for most people doing most things, these limitations won’t matter.

Final Thoughts

After three weeks of daily use, the Samsung Galaxy Buds Core have earned their place as my everyday earbuds. They sound good, last long, fit comfortably, and include features that make daily life easier. The price makes them accessible without feeling like a compromise.

What I appreciate most is that Samsung didn’t try to do everything. They focused on the essentials and did them well. The sound is balanced and enjoyable. The battery lasts all day. The ANC works for typical situations. The fit is comfortable for extended wear.

If you’re in the market for budget-friendly wireless earbuds that don’t feel cheap, the Galaxy Buds Core deserve serious consideration. They prove that you don’t need to spend a fortune to get a quality listening experience. Sometimes the best choice is the one that does exactly what you need without the premium price tag.

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