Galaxy Buds Live

Released August 2020.5 Last checked 16 October 2026.

Form factor: Open-ear
ANC: Yes
Battery life: 8h
With case: 29h

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All specs

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General

Series: Galaxy Buds2
Model numbers: SM-R180NZKAEUA, SM-R1801 2 4
GTIN / EAN: 880609048685221
Announced: 5 August 20203
Status: Not available
Predecessor: Not available
Successor: Not available
Launch price (US): $169.993
Launch price (EU): Not available
Markets: GB1
Colours: Mystic Black, Mystic White, Mystic Bronze, Mystic Red, Mystic Blue, Onyx Black2 3 6 17 18
Segment: Music2

Design

Form factor: Open-ear4 6 7 8
Bud shape: Stemless7
Use one bud alone: Either bud4
RGB lighting: Not available

Drivers and sound

Drivers per bud: Type Role Diameter (mm) Count per earbud
Dynamic Full range 12 1
Source2 3 8
Driver type: Dynamic8
Driver size: 12mm
Drivers per bud: 1
Diaphragm material: Not available
Frequency response: Not available
Impedance: Not available
Sensitivity: Not available
Sensitivity reference: Not available
Max sample rate: Not available
Max bit depth: Not available
Adaptive EQ: Not available
Personalised sound: Not available
Onboard EQ: Yes19
Custom EQ bands: Not available
EQ presets: Normal, Bass boost, Soft, Dynamic, Clear, Treble boost9
Volume limit: Not available

Type	Role	Diameter (mm)	Count per earbud
Dynamic	Full range	12	1

Spatial audio

Spatial audio: Samsung 360 Audio10 12
Head tracking: Yes12

Noise cancelling

Active noise cancelling: Yes1 2
ANC type: Not available
ANC microphones in both earbuds: Not available
Adaptive ANC: Not available
ANC levels: Not available
ANC attenuation (claimed): Not available
Transparency mode: Not available
Adjustable transparency: Not available
Automatic ANC and transparency blend: Not available
Conversation detection: Not available
Wind noise reduction: Not available

Measured

Frequency response notes (measured): Measured response emphasizes bass and high notes. Open fit makes the result sensitive to ear shape and placement.9
Bass amount (measured): Not available
Treble amount (measured): Not available
Deviation from target (measured): Not available
Consistency between fittings (measured): Not available
Harmonic distortion (measured): Not available
Sound leakage (measured): Not available
Noise isolation (measured): Not available
Noise isolation, best (measured): Not available
Passive isolation (measured): Not available
Call quality notes (measured): Published non-standardized microphone demo. Review reports effective indoor background noise rejection and difficulty with wind.9
Mic low-frequency extension (measured): Not available
Mic high-frequency extension (measured): Not available
Mic speech-to-noise ratio (measured): Not available
Latency (measured): Not available
Bluetooth latency, worst (measured): Not available
2.4 GHz latency, worst (measured): Not available
Latency in game mode (measured): Not available
Battery life (measured): ANC Hours (h)
Yes 5.25
Source9
Longest tested use per charge: 5.25h
Battery life with case (measured): Not available
Full charge time (measured): Not available
Weight per bud (measured): Not available

ANC	Hours (h)
Yes	5.25

Microphones and calls

Voice microphones in both earbuds: 68
All microphones in both earbuds: 61 8
Bone conduction voice sensor: Yes2 8
Mic noise reduction: DSP8
Call audio bandwidth: Not available
Mic mute control: Not available
Sidetone: Not available

Connectivity

Chip: Broadcom BCM43015 and BES30038
Connections: Bluetooth4
Bluetooth: 5.01
Bluetooth codecs: SBC, AAC, Samsung Scalable Codec3
Bluetooth profiles: A2DP, AVRCP, HFP1
LE Audio: Not available
Auracast: Not available
Multipoint: No13
Multipoint devices: Not available
Multipoint with LDAC: Not available
Paired devices remembered: Not available
Automatic switching between own devices: Yes10 11
Fast pairing: Microsoft Swift Pair2
Audio sharing: Yes2 3
Wireless range (claimed): 10m4
Wireless receiver: Not available
Receiver connector: Not available
Simultaneous 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth audio: Not available

Latency

Low latency mode: Yes3
Claimed latency: Not available
Lowest claimed latency: Not available

Compatibility

Platforms: Android, iOS, Windows, Other13
Connection per platform: Platform Connection Microphone works
Android Bluetooth Yes
iOS Bluetooth Yes
Windows Bluetooth Not available
Other Bluetooth Not available
Source13
Features that need a specific device: Feature Needs
Original mobile companion apps Original manual specifies Android 5.0 or later with at least 1.5 GB RAM, or iPhone 7 or later with iOS 10 or later. Current app requirements can differ.
Bixby voice wake-up Compatible Samsung phone, Samsung Account and network connection. Enable voice wake-up in Galaxy Wearable.
Microsoft Swift Pair Windows 10 April 2018 update or later and Swift Pair notifications enabled.
Gaming mode Samsung Android P or later host, Gaming Optimizing Service 2.1.02 or later and Samsung Scalable Codec. Enable in Galaxy Wearable Labs.
Buds Together One source shares audio with a second Galaxy Buds Live pair. Original US release requires One UI 2.1 for sharing and One UI 2.5 for scanning. Exact European product page specifies One UI 2.5.
Auto Switch Introduced by R180XXU0AUB5 in February 2021. Compatible Galaxy devices with One UI 3.1 or later and the same Samsung Account. Availability varies by region and software.
360 Audio and head tracking 360 Audio introduced by R180XXU0AVC2 in April 2022 for Galaxy phones and tablets with One UI 3.1 or later. Samsung UK describes movement tracking for Buds Live with updated software. App and content support vary.
SmartThings Find offline finding Powered earbuds, Samsung Account and offline finding enabled on a compatible Galaxy phone or tablet. Android 8 or later host. Find nodes do not provide exact precision location.
Source2 3 4 10 11 12 15
Official licence: Not available

Platform	Connection	Microphone works
Android	Bluetooth	Yes
iOS	Bluetooth	Yes
Windows	Bluetooth	Not available
Other	Bluetooth	Not available

Feature	Needs
Original mobile companion apps	Original manual specifies Android 5.0 or later with at least 1.5 GB RAM, or iPhone 7 or later with iOS 10 or later. Current app requirements can differ.
Bixby voice wake-up	Compatible Samsung phone, Samsung Account and network connection. Enable voice wake-up in Galaxy Wearable.
Microsoft Swift Pair	Windows 10 April 2018 update or later and Swift Pair notifications enabled.
Gaming mode	Samsung Android P or later host, Gaming Optimizing Service 2.1.02 or later and Samsung Scalable Codec. Enable in Galaxy Wearable Labs.
Buds Together	One source shares audio with a second Galaxy Buds Live pair. Original US release requires One UI 2.1 for sharing and One UI 2.5 for scanning. Exact European product page specifies One UI 2.5.
Auto Switch	Introduced by R180XXU0AUB5 in February 2021. Compatible Galaxy devices with One UI 3.1 or later and the same Samsung Account. Availability varies by region and software.
360 Audio and head tracking	360 Audio introduced by R180XXU0AVC2 in April 2022 for Galaxy phones and tablets with One UI 3.1 or later. Samsung UK describes movement tracking for Buds Live with updated software. App and content support vary.
SmartThings Find offline finding	Powered earbuds, Samsung Account and offline finding enabled on a compatible Galaxy phone or tablet. Android 8 or later host. Find nodes do not provide exact precision location.

Battery and charging

Battery per bud: 60mAh1
User-replaceable earbud battery: Not available
Claimed battery life: Mode Includes case recharges Hours (h)
ANC on No 6
ANC on Yes 21
ANC on No 5.5
ANC on Yes 20
ANC off No 8
ANC off Yes 29
ANC off No 6
ANC off Yes 21
Call No 4.5
Call Yes 17
Call No 5.5
Call Yes 19
Source1 3
Longest claimed use per charge: 8h
Playback per charge with ANC (claimed): 6h
Playback per charge without ANC (claimed): 8h
Total with case (claimed): 29h
Total with case and ANC (claimed): 21h
Talk time (claimed): 5.5h
Full charge time, buds: Not available
Charging guidance: Not available
Quick charge time: 5min2 3
Earbud playback after quick charge: 1h2 3

Mode	Includes case recharges	Hours (h)
ANC on	No	6
ANC on	Yes	21
ANC on	No	5.5
ANC on	Yes	20
ANC off	No	8
ANC off	Yes	29
ANC off	No	6
ANC off	Yes	21
Call	No	4.5
Call	Yes	17
Call	No	5.5
Call	Yes	19

Charging case

Case battery: 472mAh1
User-replaceable case battery: Not available
Case charging port: USB-C4
Case full charge time: Not available
Wireless charging: Yes3 4
Wireless standards: Qi3 4
Wireless charging power: Not available
Speaker in case: Not available
Screen on case: Not available
Case works as audio transmitter: Not available

Controls

Controls: Touch, Voice commands4
Earbud volume control: Touch4
Gestures: Single, double and triple tap, Touch and hold4
Remappable controls: Yes4
Voice assistant: Bixby4

Sensors and health

In-ear detection: Yes9
Sensors: Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity sensor, Hall sensor, Touch sensor, Grip sensor, Voice Pickup Unit1
Heart rate sensor: Not available
Skin temperature sensing: Not available
Hearing aid feature: Not available
Medical clearances: Not available
Hearing test: Not available
Hearing protection: Not available
Health features: Not available

Fit and durability

Ear tips included: Not available
Ear tip materials: Not available
Stabilisers: Wing tips4
Ear tip fit test: Not available
Dust and water rating, buds: IPX23
Dust and water rating, case: Not available
Water resistance depth: Not available

Software

Companion app: Galaxy Wearable (Android), Samsung Galaxy Buds (iOS) and Galaxy Buds (Windows)4 13 14
App platforms: Android, iOS, Windows4 13 14
User firmware updates: Yes4 10 14
Finding network: Samsung Find15
Precision finding: Not available
Live translation: Not available

Dimensions and weight

Front and side, drawn to scale.

Weight per bud: 5.6g(0.2 oz)1
Bud dimensions: Width16.5Height27.3Depth14.9mm(0.6 × 1.1 × 0.6 in)1
Case weight: 42.2g(1.5 oz)1
Case dimensions: Width50Height50.2Depth27.8mm(2 × 2 × 1.1 in)1

Certifications

Hi-Res Audio: Not available
Communication certifications: Not available
FCC IDs: A3LSMR180L, A3LSMR180R20
Other certifications: UL Verification for low-frequency active noise cancellation2

In the box

In the box: Galaxy Buds Live earbuds, Charging case, Wing tips in S and L, Quick Start Guide, USB-C charging cable1
Cables included: Type Count
USB-C charging cable 1
Source4