How long do owners say Samsung Galaxy Buds typically last?

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro rival the Apple AirPods Pro 3 in terms of audio quality, but their longevity isn’t often compared. While Apple AirPods can last between 2-3 years, with regular use, can Samsung of course give Apple a run for its money? According to owners, how long do Samsung Galaxy Buds typically last?

Surprisingly, Samsung Galaxy Buds last an average of 2-3.5 years. Outliers exist, however. A user removed 7 years from the original version of Galaxy Buds. Some commenters shared similar experiences, saying they had been shaking Samsung’s ears for about five years. At the same time, a group of users complained about early failure, which was to be expected. For example, one Reddit user saw his buds die after five months.

Regardless, as user BahAndGah pointed out, keeping the earbuds clean and protecting them from damage means they will work properly as long as the battery remains healthy. They added that even with 50% degradation, it is possible to gain 5 hours of use on a single charge. Luckily, if your Galaxy Buds end up being one of the first instances of failure, paying $29 extra for Samsung Care+ extends the warranty to two years, which may be worth it just for your peace of mind.

As one of the commenters suggested, cleaning the headphones frequently and keeping them out of harm’s way will go a long way in extending their overall lifespan. However, you must also accept that batteries have a limited lifespan, as each charge cycle reduces their capacity. Wireless earbud owners have suggested never letting batteries completely discharge, with Reddit user evilbadgrades pointing out that you should keep the charging case at around 85%.

Although owners claim that Galaxy Buds can last more than two years, what happens if your exact pair dies sooner? Unfortunately, the Samsung warranty does not cover battery replacement. Embarking on a solo repair is not for the faint of heart (and is not recommended by the manufacturer), but it is technically possible.

Galaxy Buds user Xelanil on Reddit detailed a successful replacement with batteries purchased through Amazon. Maybe it’s worth it, when you think about it. A pair of replacement batteries will cost you around $14 and iFixit provides a detailed replacement guide. Given that Samsung’s in-ear headphones are well-made and can easily last for years, the ability to pop in a new pair of ‘bats’ could be a game-changer. That is, if you’re willing to get your hands dirty, really like the sound, and don’t care about future technology upgrades.