As well as the Galaxy A52 or Galaxy A52s may have served you for the past three years, the perfect time for an upgrade might be just around the corner. The newly-announced Galaxy A55 and Galaxy A35 are prime contenders, and regardless of which of these models you might pick, you'll end up with a better phone and a more up-to-date experience — especially since the Galaxy A52 and A52s will never get another big Android OS upgrade.
Your transition from the A52/A52s to a 2024 mid-range phone should be seamless, with just one exception. The Galaxy A52 and A52s were the last in the A5x series to sport a 3.5mm headphone port. And if you haven't yet adapted to the portless present, you will have to do it if you intend to upgrade to a new phone.
So, what audio solutions await those Galaxy A52 and A52s users who continue to rely on their 3.5mm ports and headphones for music, videos, podcasts, and hands-free calls? Here's all you need to know.
This is what the wireless present has in store for you
Galaxy A52 and A52s users ready to leave wired headphones behind and pair a Galaxy A55 or A35 with a wireless audio solution can pick one of three Samsung devices.
Samsung doesn't have on-ear or over-ear headphones on sale (its partner JBL does), and the three solutions from Samsung are all from the Galaxy Buds family of products. Although they don't look, sound, or feel the same, all three have an in-ear wireless design.
Galaxy Buds FE
Starting from the most affordable pair of Galaxy Buds, we have the Galaxy Buds FE (Fan Edition). These wireless earbuds usually cost $99, but you can often find them at a discount. They are the only ones in the current lineup to have interchangeable wingtips.
They don't sound as good as the pricier earbud models we will mention later and don't have wireless charging, but they have features like Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Ambient Sound. They offer up to 8.5 hours of battery life on a single charge, with ANC turned off.
Galaxy Buds 2
Next in line are the Galaxy Buds 2, which usually cost $149. They do offer wireless charging for the case but lack interchangeable wingtips. They also offer ANC and Ambient Sound.
Most importantly, the Buds 2 boast dual-drivers per earbud instead of one, so they sound better than the Buds FE. They're also more colorful, as you can pick from four color options instead of two. The Buds 2 offer up to 7.5 hours of music playback on a charge.
Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
And last but not least, you have the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, which are usually available for $229 or less. These wireless earbuds are technically superior to anything Samsung's done before and connect through Bluetooth 5.3 instead of 5.2.
The Galaxy Buds 2 Pro also have dual-drivers per earbud but offer deeper bass and features like 24-bit Hi-Fi, Voice Detect, and 360 Audio Recording. And while the Galaxy Buds FE and Buds 2 have a low IPX2 dust and water-resistance rating, the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro boast IPX7. They can last up to 8 hours on a charge.
Don't forget about recycling
One of the best things about buying a new pair of Galaxy Buds through Samsung is that the company offers hefty discounts if you recycle old headphones — in most markets, and primarily when you buy the FE or Buds 2 Pro.
The audio equipment you trade-in can be wired and wireless, in-ear or on-ear, old or new. It doesn't matter. As long as you help Samsung recycle old headphones or earbuds, you can get discounts of up to $20 when you buy the Buds FE and up to $50 off the Buds 2 Pro.
What can you do if you want to keep things wired?
Lastly, assuming you have invested in powerful 3.5mm wired headphones, you might not want to go wireless yet. What can you do in this case? How can you upgrade from your Galaxy A52 or A52s to a newer phone that doesn't have a 3.5mm headphone port?
Well, there is a solution. It's not pretty, but you're not without any options. Namely, you can buy a third-party 3.5mm-USB-C dongle. It's a small adapter that has a 3.5mm port at one end and a USB-C at another. It can help you connect your wired 3.5mm-based headphones to any modern smartphone. And it's cheaper than any Samsung wireless earbuds.
Just keep in mind that wireless earbuds do offer advantages. They're generally better for mobile use because they don't have any wires that can get tangled up or get in your way when you exercise. And Galaxy Buds can offer robust features that work exclusively with the Galaxy Wearable app, such as Ambient Sound, ANC, and 360-Audio.
