Compare H2O Audio TRI 2 PRO Headphones vs Samsung Galaxy Buds 4

Reviewers agreed ANC is the weakest major feature: two hands-on reviews found it modest or not serious, while the specs-focused comparison expected improvement over Buds 3.

Android compatibility is supported by a reviewer pairing successfully with a Google Pixel phone.

Android and especially Samsung users get the strongest experience, with one reviewer explicitly saying the buds were made for Android/Samsung users.

The app is adequate but limited; some found it easy to navigate, while others wanted clearer instructions, more customization, or smoother access to stored music.

The app and phone settings offer a broad control surface, with reviewers highlighting a huge range of adjustable settings.

Bass is highly inconsistent: some reviews praise punch or improved bass in water, while others say land playback lacks low-end impact or becomes woolly and hollow.

Bass was consistently praised as punchy, wide, warm, and stronger than expected for open-fit entry-level earbuds.

Battery life is mostly good for workouts and swims, though one review found real-world drain below the stated claim.

Battery life was treated as adequate but unimpressive, with one reviewer calling 5-6 hours poor beside longer-lasting rivals.

Bluetooth experiences vary sharply: pairing can be easy on phones and laptops, but underwater use, stutters, random disconnections, and clumsy setup hurt reliability.

Bluetooth was viewed positively, with reviewers citing longer range, future-proofing, and Bluetooth 6.1 as a meaningful upgrade.

Build quality is a strength, with reviewers describing sturdy construction, flexible durability, and soft-touch or sleek materials.

Build quality drew positive comments for a premium feel and a more refined look than the prior generation.

Hi-res/UHQ playback was praised when paired with compatible Galaxy hardware and high-resolution sources, adding perceived expansiveness and cleaner sound.

Controls are divisive: some reviewers found them reachable or simple, while many criticized stiff buttons, accidental presses, and unreliable secondary commands.

The stem controls were praised as easy, precise, and straightforward, especially after Samsung refined the blade shape.

Charging and transfer cable feedback is mixed, from necessary for waterproofing to inconvenient proprietary limitations and one failed USB loading experience.

Case quality is mostly praised as nice, protective, or convenient, though one reviewer found the standard case bulky.

The case was reviewed favorably for practical design touches, including visibility through the lid and useful physical controls.

Charging feedback is positive where reviewed, with magnetic connection clarity and roughly one-to-two-hour charging times.

Comfort is generally strong thanks to low weight and soft contact, though a few reviewers report long-wear soreness or fit quirks.

Comfort was a major strength in the Tom's Guide review, including for smaller ears and everyday listening.

Design works well for aquatic use and looks clean to some reviewers, but fit gaps and sizing for smaller heads create caveats.

Design impressions were positive overall, with reviewers calling the Buds 4 more polished, premium, and refined despite the familiar AirPods-like shape.

Fit evidence was mixed: reviewers liked the comfort of the open form, but the lack of a seal and repeated fit adjustments hurt stability and ANC.

EQ customization is essentially absent, with reviewers explicitly noting no EQ or presets to tune the sound.

EQ customization was described as a premium feature, with access to adjustment options and presets inside Samsung's software experience.

Frequency balance is not very accurate; reviewers describe the response as not crisp and noticeably unbalanced.

One comparison review credited the Buds 4 tuning with better clarity and balance than the prior generation.

Adjustability is limited, with one reviewer wishing the band could be adjusted for a looser fit.

Head gestures were treated as a useful modern addition that adds hands-free control and helps Samsung keep pace with rivals.

Included accessories are useful, especially earplugs, a protective case, and clear documentation that improve swim use and setup.

Instrument separation is weak in critical listening, with strings, guitar, and bass parts getting lost or failing to cut through the mix.

Instrument separation was praised in track testing, where synths, bass, vocals, and percussion stayed layered rather than smeared together.

The integrated microphone system was described as upgraded and designed for clearer calls and better voice recognition.

Maximum-volume playback is a recurring weakness, with distortion, muddiness, overpowering tracks, or bone-conduction tickle appearing at louder levels.

Microphone noise reduction was a strength, with reviewers saying background roar, white noise, wind, and background noise were reduced or blocked.

Call quality is a weak point overall; some calls are usable, but several reviewers report quiet, distant, or incomplete microphone pickup.

Call quality was usable but not flawless: one review heard crisp clarity, another reported a muffled voice, and the comparison piece expected clearer calls.

Midrange and vocals range from clear and full in some testing to static, under-defined, or not very cutting in more critical reviews.

Midrange clarity was praised, especially for vocals, though Engadget described the non-Pro model's mids as merely filling the gaps adequately.

Multi-platform compatibility is positive in the review that paired the headset with both a Google Pixel phone and a MacBook.

Multi-platform compatibility was a clear limitation because the richest features and smoothest device switching stay tied to Samsung or Galaxy devices.

Multipoint and device switching were mixed: Tom's Guide criticized non-Galaxy limitations, while the specs comparison expected smoother Galaxy ecosystem switching.

Passive isolation depends on the open-ear tradeoff: awareness is strong, but external noise can drown out playback unless earplugs are used.

Passive isolation was weak because the open-fit body lacks a sealing silicone tip, letting outside noise seep in.

Offline playback is the product's defining advantage for swimming, but Playlist+ recording and syncing can be cumbersome or unreliable.

Portability is supported by a compact, gym-bag-friendly case in the review that discussed it.

Setup is mixed: drag-and-drop loading can be easy, but Playlist+, app handling, and troubleshooting are often described as clumsy or time-consuming.

Setup and software were strongest for Galaxy users, with settings baked into the phone and a broad range of options available.

Sound leakage is mixed: pool use appears discreet, but above-water leakage can appear at higher volumes.

Reviewer opinion is split by use case: underwater and swim use often sounds good or even impressive, while several reviewers criticize above-water sound as tinny, muddy, or below regular earbuds.

Sound quality was the clearest strength across all three reviews, with praise for richness, refinement, and overall listening enjoyment.

Soundstage depth received positive evidence through UHQ listening, where acoustics were described as reverberating around the listener.

Soundstage width was praised in UHQ mode, with Tom's Guide calling the presentation surprisingly expansive.

Spatial audio was not a selling point for one reviewer, who said upmixed spatial audio could warp music.

Stability is a major strength in water and workouts, although one reviewer with fit issues felt less secure while running.

Physical stability was a weakness in the Engadget review because the open design required repeated fit adjustments.

Touch control responsiveness was praised, with reviewers finding the touch area easy to locate and the gestures precise or straightforward.

Transparency mode earned positive evidence from the comparison review because Ambient Sound made daily use more practical than Buds 3.

Treble is serviceable but not consistently crisp; reviewers mention rolled-off, grainy, or missing high-end detail, with a few brighter elements coming through well.

Treble performance was praised for crunchy highs and strong mids/treble performance, without the tinniness criticized in AirPods comparisons.

Value depends heavily on the use case: swimmers often get enough benefit, while land users and audio-focused buyers face better-value alternatives.

Value was favorable for Galaxy owners and price-conscious buyers, with reviewers calling the performance strong for the $179 tier.

Voice assistant integration was considered useful for hands-free tasks, though one reviewer personally had little interest in AI assistants.

Volume is adequate for some voices and workouts, but multiple reviewers had to raise it high, noticed vibration, or found volume changes distracting in water.

Water readiness is the strongest consensus area, with reviewers repeatedly praising pool, underwater, and waterproof performance.

Water and sweat resistance were a concern because the Buds 4 dropped from Buds 3's IP57 rating to IP54 and were described as less rugged.

Weight comfort is a clear strength; reviewers repeatedly call the headset lightweight enough for running, swimming, and extended workout use.