Samsung Stereo Headphones with Microphone Stereo Headphones Designed by AKG Review

These are your phone's free headphones, now sold separately for $20. The mic is great for calls, but the sound is just okay. Only buy them to replace the pair you lost.

Look, these are the free headphones that come in the box with a Samsung phone. That's the one thing you need to know. They're designed by AKG, which sounds fancy, but let's be real: they're a solid pair of wired earbuds for the price of 'free' or about $20 if you're buying them separately. They get the job done for calls and casual listening, but they're not going to replace your main headphones. They're the backup pair you keep in your bag or at your desk.

The microphone is the surprise star here. It lands in the 85th percentile in our database, which is genuinely impressive for a bundled accessory. The echo cancellation and HD Voice features actually work, making you sound clear on calls. The sound quality, however, is exactly what you'd expect—it's fine. It sits around the 41st percentile, so it's balanced but not exciting. They're not for critical listening, but they're perfectly serviceable for podcasts and YouTube.

For $20, they're a decent value. You're getting a reliable wired set with a great mic. But their real value is as a no-cost bonus with your Galaxy phone. If you lost your bundled pair and need a cheap replacement, these are it. Just don't pay more than $20 expecting a revelation.

This is where it gets interesting. Compared to a budget wireless option like the Nothing Ear (a) for around $50, you lose the convenience and modern features for a slightly better mic. Against a proper ANC champ like the Sony WF-1000XM5, there's no contest—you're comparing a bicycle to a sports car. But if you absolutely need a wired connection or hate charging earbuds, these Samsung buds have a niche. They're also a smarter buy than most generic $20 gas station earbuds because of that AKG tuning and functional mic.

Skip these if you're an audiophile, a commuter needing noise cancellation, or a fitness enthusiast. The sound is average, there's no ANC, and our data shows they're terrible for fitness (scoring 19/100). For those needs, look at the Anker Soundcore P3i for budget ANC or the Nothing Ear (a) for better all-around wireless sound.

We recommend these only in two very specific scenarios: you just lost the pair that came with your Samsung phone and need a cheap replacement, or you absolutely need a sub-$25 wired set with a competent microphone for work calls. For everyone else, especially if you care about sound quality, wireless freedom, or noise cancellation, spend a little more on a dedicated pair of budget wireless earbuds. Your ears will thank you.