Samsung Galaxy Buds Core Review: Smart Sound Meets Everyday Comfort

Samsung Galaxy Buds Core on hands

Samsung’s audio catalogue continues to expand, and the Galaxy Buds Core aims to deliver a well-rounded, feature-packed in-ear experience at a budget-friendly price. Launched in 2025, the Buds Core aims to bridge the gap between ultra-affordable TWS and Samsung’s higher-end Buds line, offering useful Galaxy AI features and respectable hardware in a compact, comfortable package. 

In this review, I’ll cover design, fit, sound, call quality, battery life, software features, durability, where to buy, who should buy them, and how they compare to rivals.

Let us begin this blog with…

Samsung Galaxy Buds Core – A Quick Overview

The Galaxy Buds Core are comfortable, lightweight earbuds offering Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), up to 35 hours total playback with the case, IP54 dust/water resistance, and smart Galaxy features (including translation and voice assistance).

 They deliver good value for people entrenched in the Samsung ecosystem or anyone who wants ANC and long battery life without paying premium Buds 3 Pro prices. (Product listings for the Galaxy Buds Core are available on Amazon.)

What’s in the box?

Inside the retail box, you’ll find:

  • Pair of Galaxy Buds Core earbuds (left + right)
  • Charging case
  • Silicone wingtips in multiple sizes for a secure fit
  • USB-C charging cable
  • Quick start/ warranty documentation

Samsung’s packaging is compact and unassuming. The accessories are standard for the class; the emphasis is clearly on a simple, lightweight carry case and a plug-and-play experience.

It’s time to look at the important section.

Samsung Galaxy Buds Core Review – An Ultimate Breakdown

The Samsung Galaxy Buds Core combine reliable sound quality, solid battery life, and seamless Galaxy ecosystem integration, making them a strong choice for everyday wireless listening. 

Let us see everything about this TWS earbud briefly, from design to connectivity and features. 

1. Design and Comfort

The Buds Core adopts Samsung’s recent minimalist aesthetic: smooth, pebble-like earbuds with a shallow stem and silicone wing tips designed for stability. Each earbud weighs roughly 5.3 g, and the case is compact, easy to drop into a pocket or small bag. 

The tactile finish is matte; the touch-sensitive outer area supports taps and hold gestures for playback, ANC toggles, voice assistant, and call controls.

Fit is one of the Buds Core’s strengths. The silicone wings keep the buds secure during movement, and users with smaller ears should find them comfortable for extended listening sessions. The ergonomic shape means they don’t stick out much, useful for commuting or wearing under a helmet.

2. Build Quality and Durability

Samsung rates the Buds Core with an IP54 rating for dust and water resistance. That means they’re protected against limited dust ingress and splashes from any direction (not submersion). 

Image source – Samsung

For daily use, workouts, and light rain, the IP54 rating offers practical protection. If you need full waterproofing for heavy sweat sessions or swimming, a higher IP rating would be required.

3. Sound Signature and Performance

Sound-wise, the Buds Core aim for an engaging, balanced signature with emphasis on bass that most casual listeners enjoy. The driver tuning provides warmth and enough low-end punch to make pop, hip-hop, and electronic tracks sound satisfying without overwhelming mids and highs. Vocals remain clear, and the overall presentation is tuned for easy listening rather than reference accuracy.

If you’re an audiophile who prefers analytical, flat sound, the Buds Core won’t replace high-end wired headphones or dedicated audiophile TWS. But for everyday music, podcasts, and streaming video, they deliver a pleasing, musical experience that’s a solid step up from bare-bones budget earbuds.

4. Active Noise Cancellation and Ambient Modes

One of the main attractions at this price point is ANC. The Buds Core offer effective basic Active Noise Cancellation that cuts down low to mid-range background noise, useful on public transport, in cafés, or while walking the street. 

It’s not as deep or adaptive as the ANC on flagship buds, but it’s useful and noticeably improves immersion. Samsung also provides Ambient/Aware listening modes to let in surrounding sound when you need situational awareness. 

Switching between ANC and Ambient is quick via the Galaxy Wearable app or using configurable touch gestures on the earbuds.

5. Microphones and Call Quality

Samsung builds multi-mic setups into the Buds Core to improve voice pickup and call clarity. For regular phone calls in quiet or moderately noisy environments, the Buds Core perform well. 

In very windy or heavily crowded settings, you may notice the limitations common to budget ANC earbuds, but overall call quality is more than acceptable for most users. Reviews have noted the mics are clear and that the buds handle conversational voice well. 

6. Battery Life and Charging

Battery life is a standout spec: Samsung claims up to 35 hours total playback with the case (varies based on ANC on/off and volume levels) and up to 20 hours with ANC enabled on a single charge configuration.

The earbuds themselves host modest internal batteries (typical earbud capacity listed at 65 mAh each) while the case packs a larger 500 mAh battery, enabling multiple top-ups on the go. Fast charging via USB-C provides a quick boost of power when you’re in a hurry. 

7. Connectivity and Features

The Buds Core uses Bluetooth 5.4, which offers stable connections and energy efficiency. Samsung supports tap-to-connect, Auto Switch between Galaxy devices, and Galaxy-specific features through the Galaxy Wearable app. Notable software features include:

  • Galaxy AI-driven tools (such as interpreter / real-time translation features on compatible devices)
  • Equalizer presets in the Wearable app
  • Touch gesture customization
  • Auto Switch between paired Galaxy phones and tablets (within Samsung’s ecosystem)

If you’re invested in Samsung’s ecosystem, Galaxy phones, tablets, and watches, these features become extra convenient and elevate the everyday experience.

Next, let us have a look at…

Comparison with the Competition

Compared to budget rivals, the Buds Core are competitive: they offer ANC and long battery life, where many low-priced alternatives skip one or the other. They aren’t quite as polished as Samsung’s premium Buds 3 Pro in sound refinement or ANC depth, but they carry over several useful features at a much friendlier price. 

If your priorities are comfort, battery life, and a reliable Samsung integration, the Buds Core present strong value.

Samsung Galaxy Buds CoreAvailability and Pricing

The Galaxy Buds Core are widely available on Amazon in multiple regions and through Samsung’s online storefront. Prices can vary by region, promotions, and seller; in India, they launched at an aggressively budget price, while in other marketplaces, the price reflects local taxes and stock. 

Best Choice in Amazon
Samsung Galaxy Buds Core (Black) Galaxy AI Enabled in-Ear TWS
  • Triple mics per earbud for clear calls
  • Secure wingtips for all-day comfort
  • Easy and responsive touch controls
  • IP54 water and dust resistance
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

For the latest regional pricing, check the Amazon listing for your country. Amazon currently lists the Galaxy Buds Core (various sellers), and they are frequently in stock. 

Pros and Cons of Samsung Galaxy Buds Core

This one has both advantages and disadvantages. Let us see both of them for a better understanding.

Pros

  • Affordable price for a feature-packed TWS package.
  • Effective basic ANC for the class.
  • Up to 35 hours total battery life with the case.
  • Comfortable, secure fit with silicone wing tips.
  • Samsung ecosystem features and Galaxy AI tools.

Cons

  • ANC isn’t as deep as flagship buds.
  • IP54 is splash-resistant but not fully waterproof.
  • Sound is tuned for general listeners — not highly analytical audiophiles.
  • Some competing non-Samsung buds may offer stronger mic performance in extreme conditions.

These are the pros and cons of the Samsung Galaxy Buds Core. Now, you might have a question on your head…

Who should buy the Galaxy Buds Core?

This TWS is well-suited for the following persons. 

  • Samsung/Galaxy phone owners who want seamless pairing and Auto Switch.
  • People seeking ANC and long battery life on a modest budget.
  • Daily commuters, students, and casual listeners who want comfortable earbuds for long listening sessions.
  • Buyers who value practical features (real-time interpreter, quick connect) over absolute top-tier audio fidelity.

We hope you had enough insights about the Samsung TWS earbuds. If you still have doubts or clarifications on why you should prefer TWS earbuds, then you can gain more insights from our recent blog. 

Final verdict

The Samsung Galaxy Buds Core earbud is a pragmatic, sensible release: they bring meaningful features like ANC and Galaxy AI tools into a wallet-friendly package without making major sacrifices to comfort or battery life. 

They’re not an audiophile’s dream nor a flagship ANC replacement, but for most users, especially those in the Samsung ecosystem, they hit a very attractive sweet spot of value, features, and everyday usability. 

If you want reliable earbuds that “just work” and won’t break the bank, the Samsung Buds Core are worth a serious look.