New Samsung Galaxy Buds+ may have better battery but no noise cancellation

New Samsung Galaxy Buds+
(Image credit: Samsung)

In the run up to Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked 2020 event on 11th February, we've seen no shortage of leaked information on the new Galaxy S20 smartphone, but information on the second generation of its true wireless headphones has been comparatively scarce. 

Before Christmas we learned the next-gen Buds could arrive with a much bigger battery, suggesting that could be to power noise-cancellation. Now, however, it seems their rumoured bigger battery could simply be to prolong the earbuds' battery life 12 hours (no bad thing of course).

As reported by SamMobile, anonymous "reliable sources" have suggested the Galaxy Buds+ won’t come with active noise cancellation – bad news for Samsung fans looking for an Apple AirPods Pro alternative.

The good news? The company has apparently made improvements to the overall sound quality, while the strong design of the originals isn’t going to change much.  The Galaxy Buds+ will allegedly have four microphones – double that of the originals – in the name of improved call handling, too.

Those familiar with our two-star review of the inaugural Samsung Galaxy Buds will know that Samsung has much work to do in order to truly establish itself amongst the true wireless competition. 

Will the rumoured new features be enough to stop us summarising that you should "steer clear" of Samsung's truly wireless buds? We truly hope so. There's clearly a lot to like on paper – if those sources are to be believed.

As soon as we get our hands on the Galaxy Buds+ for a thorough review, we will of course give you our full-fat, unabridged appraisal. Until then, the knowledge that the Galaxy Buds+ are due for a big reveal in less than a month (alongside the Galaxy S20 smartphone and the new Galaxy Z Flip foldable smartphone) will have to suffice.

MORE: 

5 key highlights from Samsung at CES 2020

Best wireless headphones 2020: the best Bluetooth headphones you can buy

Best Bose headphones 2020: noise-cancelling and wireless

Becky has been a full-time staff writer at What Hi-Fi? since March 2019. Prior to gaining her MA in Journalism in 2018, she freelanced as an arts critic alongside a 20-year career as a professional dancer and aerialist – any love of dance is of course tethered to a love of music. Becky has previously contributed to Stuff, FourFourTwo, This is Cabaret and The Stage. When not writing, she dances, spins in the air, drinks coffee, watches football or surfs in Cornwall with her other half – a football writer whose talent knows no bounds.