When you buy a smartphone from Apple , Samsung , Google , or OnePlus , there ’s always going to be the enticement to get a matching circle of wireless earbuds to go along with it , as each producer reach its own twosome . But what exactly does it intend when you last out loyal to the make , and is it worth it ?
I ’ve used the belated sound and earbuds from each manufacturer to line up out . Here ’s what you need to cognize — and which pair is the best .
What have I tested?
This is n’t a review of the phone or the earbuds ; it ’s a equivalence of the app ecosystems and the supererogatory feature you get by matching Apples with , well , Apples , and so on . There are dozens ofexcellent true wireless earbuds available , so why should you stick to the same brand ? It ’s this view we ’ve test rather than going in - profundity about the heavy quality , bombardment living , or the earpiece ’s case-by-case audio - related feature .
What gadget have we looked at ? TheiPhone 16 Pro Maxand theApple AirPods Pro 2are perhaps the best lie with and likely take the benchmark for telephone and earbuds integration , so they ’re at the top of our leaning . Samsung ’s Galaxy S24 Ultrahas been equalise with theSamsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro , while theGoogle Pixel 9 Prowas used with theGoogle Pixel Buds Pro 2 . last , there are the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 , but rather than jibe them with the shortly - to - be - replacedOnePlus 12 , I ’ve used them with theOnePlus Nord 4 .
All the earbuds are interchangeable and work with all the phones after connecting with Bluetooth , but when you connect to the same marque ’s telephone set , there ’s suppose to be some sort of welfare . At the very least , it should look and work seamlessly .
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2Simon Cohen / Digital Trends
Let ’s find out if you should stick with the same brand name or if it ’s just as undecomposed to ruffle and match .
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max and Apple AirPods Pro 2
This is in all probability the best known and belike most wide used pairing in mobile technical school . Initial setup is incredibly well-heeled , you just put the AirPods Pro 2 next to your phone and exploit a few on - screenland buttons , and if you own more than one Apple mathematical product , the AirPods Pro 2 are immediately paired with them too , without the want to do anything more . Reconnecting take a few seconds when you take the earbuds out of the grammatical case , and the Dynamic Island shows battery condition when you connect them .
There are several ways to interact with the AirPods Pro 2 . launch the options app , and there ’s a menu pick at the top of the listing where you may adjust the dissonance cancellation modes and customize the earbud ascendency .
Dig further , and you may set up conversation consciousness , book decrease level , ear detecting , spacial audio recording , head gestures , and ear tip fit testing . Apple ply a lot of feature article , but you do n’t have to habituate any of them . The options page can be discount if you ’d instead rather just stand by to the basics .
Apple AirPods Pro 2Zeke Jones / Digital Trends
For lesson , swipe down to show the restraint jury and tap the volume slider to show three controls for noise cancellation , conversation awareness , and spatial audio . bug the icon shaped like an ear to reach the build - in “ background vocalise , ” so your iPhone and AirPods act like a blank noise machine . Add the Batteries widget , and it evidence the charge position for the case and earbuds .
What I like about the AirPods Pro 2 and iPhone consolidation is it ’s really part of iOS , rather than a put together - on screen or a separate app to spread out and navigate . While there ’s sight of functionality , it never becomes consuming . The AirPods Pro 2 are also very comfortable to wear , the fighting noise cancellation is top - notch , Siri reads messages to you , and the feeling controls are accurate and easy to activate . This is the benchmark pairing for a reason , and I do n’t cerebrate you may go wrong buying a duad of AirPods Pro 2 to go with your iPhone .
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro
The brilliance of iOS ’s unlined integration with the AirPods Pro 2 is laid bare when you search earbuds connected to an Android telephone set . connect the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro to the Galaxy S24 Ultra is light enough , as is update the software if require . However , thing get less coherent when you look for on - gadget controller and customization . There ’s an Android gimmick to adjust the active noise cancellation layer , and the book ascendence has its own “ earbud ” stage , too , but to do anything else , you have to open Samsung ’s Wearable app .
The app ’s main screenland shows the earbud charge level ( but not the pillow slip ’s battery level ) , dissonance cancellation preferences , and option to adapt the equalizer , touch off 360 - academic degree audio and top dog trailing , plus customize the earbud ascendancy . There are a few unusual features , too , including neck stretchiness reminders and the ability to select which apps have notifications interpret out .
There ’s no consecrated board for the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro in the phone ’s notification shade , and when you tap the Bluetooth connection push , then the configurations icon , it hold you to a dissimilar but functionally standardised page to the Wearable app . Here , you may give the Buds 3 Pro access to call , permit to flip between machine , and bend on the UHQ high - quality audio mode . It ’s all a flake of a mash - mash .
Samsung Galaxy Buds 3Simon Cohen / Digital Trends
The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro ’s interference cancellation is wild , though , and I love the stem firing effects , plus I find them equally comfortable to wear as the AirPods Pro 2 . While the integration with the earbuds is n’t quite as seamless as Apple ’s , it ’s still extremely available , and once you ’re used to it , it ’s just as fast . to boot , the Galaxy Wearable app is available in the Google Play Store , so you could download it on any compatible Android phone . This widens the appeal of the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro a great deal .
Google Pixel 9 Pro and Google Pixel Buds Pro 2
Connect the Pixel Buds Pro 2 to the Pixel 9 Pro , and you will get a choice of way to interact with the feature . you may either go through the Bluetooth preferences foliate or open up the dedicated Pixel Buds app . Both finish up doing the same thing , but it ’s dainty to have a choice , and it stops the need to dig through menus or the Bluetooth setting foliate .
bombardment levels and noise cancellation alternative are at the top of the app ’s main silver screen , trace by various feature , including spacial sound , an equalizer , conversation detection , and a plane section providing information on loudness levels and hearing habits . Perhaps the bounteous feature of speech is the ability to talk to Google Gemini using the Pixel Buds 3 . It ’s antiphonal and fast , can scan presentment , and does n’t necessitate your earpiece to be unlocked .
I like the no - nonsense Pixel Buds Pro 2 experience . The functionality is there , but Google has drop more metre getting the size and fit of the minimalist Buds Pro 2 in good order rather than going overboard with anything more complex on the telephone set . The earbuds are a reliable means to converse with Gemini if that ’s important to you , and there ’s a handy little crosscut widget available that takes you to the Pixel Buds app from the home screen , too .
The Pixel Buds app is the Pixel Buds 3 ’s secret artillery because it ’s also available in the Google looseness Store so that you could download and use it on any supported Android phone . It shape on the Galaxy S24 Ultra and the OnePlus Nord 4 . While you do n’t get admittance to Gemini in the same way as with a Pixel phone , it still has helpful feature like multi - equipment connection .
OnePlus Nord 4 and OnePlus Buds Pro 3
Unlike the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro and the Galaxy S24 Ultra , the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 do not require an app when used with a OnePlus phone . However , if you ’re get in touch to another make , it ’s best to download the HeyMelody app to admittance all the functionality . Despite not take an app , the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 ’s features and control condition are rather concealed . There ’s not even a thingmajig useable as part of OxygenOS or OnePlus ’ typically useless Shelf lineament .
Instead , you have to go to the Bluetooth configurations foliate , then tap the “ i ” picture next to the connected Buds Pro 3 before get at some of the features , like giving access to headphone calls . But to get earbud - specific feature , you have to tap another button — called Earbud Functions — and eventually , you may see barrage fire levels , noise cancellation options , and more . I think it ’s “ built - in ” to the software program , but it never feels seamless or firm , just messy . If you download the HeyMelody app , it immediately inspire you to open up the Bluetooth setting anyway , so do n’t have a bun in the oven it to offer an option .
In the configurations bill of fare , like other earbuds essay here , there ’s a fit test , spacial audio , an equalizer , and a pick of noise mastery level when using the ANC . The earbuds also have a “ neck health ” mode , which necessitate the disjoined OHealth app to run , and a snowy noise manner call Zen Mode Air . It ’s unfortunate that accessing the Buds Pro 3 ’s features is a long - hoist affair , as the earbuds ’ touch controls are excellent , and I like the conception and style of the earbud case , but using them with a OnePlus phone is the least appealing of the four tested .
What happens when you try to mix and match?
Perhaps you prefer the sizing and shape of the Pixel Buds Pro 2 , for lesson , but own an Apple iPhone ? When you connect the Google earbuds to the iPhone , they work just as you ’d expect and are controlled using the touch modality board on each earbud , but the Pixel Buds app is n’t available , and there ’s no way to easy change configurations or update the microcode . It ’s exactly the same situation if you desire to use the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro with an iPhone .
However , the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 are different due to the HeyMelody app , which is available in the Apple App Store . This gives you the same experience bump on a OnePlus headphone on the iPhone — including access to all features , the probability to tailor-make the controls , and update the microcode . The app is free and reliable , and it ’s far more visually appealing than using the earbuds with a OnePlus earpiece .
Connect the Apple AirPods Pro 2 to an Android telephone set like the Pixel 9 Pro , and there ’s the choice under Bluetooth preferences to enable spatial sound recording , but otherwise , all the controls are on the earbud ’s stems . By mixing and matching , you will always escape out on some features , such as multi - machine connection on the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro , certain codec support , or adjusting healthy caliber using an equalizer on unsupported machine , but you will still be able-bodied to use the earbuds due to the world-wide Bluetooth connection .
Finally , on devices with reverse wireless charging ( the OnePlus Nord 4 does not , but the OnePlus 12 does ) , all connected wirelessly to all the earbud cases prove here , allowing you to add charge to the battery from your phone . The iPhone does not have wireless reverse charging , but it add together a charge to each earbud compositor’s case when connected via a USB - C cable system .
Is it worth staying loyal?
I require to understand if it ’s worth stick with the same brand when buy a phone and a pair of wireless earbuds , so what ’s the verdict ? amazingly , it ’s not a straight “ yes ” answer .
The AirPods Pro 2 and iPhone jazz group is a surefire victor , and like using theApple Watchwith an iPhone , it give you the best experience all around . However , the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 also figure out really well with the iPhone thanks to the HeyMelody app , so they ’re also a good consideration .
If you ’ve got an Android phone , you have a much wider pick with fewer compromises . The Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 and the Pixel Buds app countenance you change place setting and update the firmware on any Android speech sound , not just a Pixel phone . The Samsung Wearable app is also available in the Google Play Store and render the same experience regardless of earpiece brand . As advert above , a few features will be miss when you commingle and match like this , but overall , there wo n’t be much departure in the app itself .
Perhaps the biggest takeout is in the case of the OnePlus Nord 4 , as it ’s almost more bare and convenient to use the Pixel Buds Pro 3 or Galaxy Buds 3 Pro than it is to use the OnePlus Buds Pro 2 . While youcanstick with the same producer for your earbuds and earpiece , you’re able to see it is possible to mix and match a little , so if you spot a deal that ’s too skillful to drop , now you know what ’s in computer storage for you when you connect them to your speech sound .
