According to SamMobile, Samsung is developing a feature that would allow Galaxy Books to stream audio to two Galaxy Buds simultaneously using Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast technology. The feature currently works on the Galaxy Book 5 Pro and Galaxy Book 5 Pro 360 models, as well as Microsoft’s seventh-generation Surface Laptop and latest 13-inch Surface Pro. Compatible earbuds include the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, Galaxy Buds 3, and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, meaning a Galaxy Book 5 Pro could stream to two Galaxy Buds 2 Pro units at once. This development represents Samsung’s ongoing effort to create tighter ecosystem integration between its devices, though the company faces challenges competing with Apple’s walled garden approach. This technical capability raises important questions about real-world implementation.
Sponsored content — provided for informational and promotional purposes.
The Bluetooth LE Audio Reality Check
While the concept of streaming to multiple earbuds sounds impressive, the implementation faces significant technical constraints that SamMobile’s report doesn’t address. Bluetooth LE Audio, while promising lower power consumption, introduces new complexities in maintaining synchronized audio across multiple devices. Even minor latency differences between two earbud pairs could create echo effects or audio drift that would be particularly noticeable during video playback or gaming. The Bluetooth SIG’s own documentation acknowledges that maintaining perfect synchronization across multiple LE Audio receivers remains challenging, especially in environments with wireless interference.
Samsung’s Fragmented Ecosystem Problem
Samsung’s approach highlights the fundamental challenge Android manufacturers face when competing with Apple’s integrated ecosystem. Unlike Apple, which controls both hardware and software across its product lines, Samsung must navigate partnerships with Google for Android, Microsoft for Windows integration, and Qualcomm for many of its chipsets. This multi-vendor approach creates compatibility gaps that Apple simply doesn’t face. The limited device compatibility—currently only two Galaxy Book models and three earbud models—means most Samsung users won’t benefit from this feature, creating a fragmented experience that undermines the ecosystem value proposition.
Limited Real-World Use Cases
The practical applications for streaming to two pairs of earbuds simultaneously are narrower than they might initially appear. While useful for shared movie watching on flights or collaborative audio editing sessions, these scenarios represent edge cases rather than daily driver functionality. Most consumers already have simpler solutions for shared listening, from Bluetooth speakers to simple audio splitters. The feature’s utility is further constrained by the fact that both users need to own compatible Galaxy Buds—an unlikely scenario given the premium pricing of the supported models. This creates a classic chicken-and-egg problem where limited adoption prevents the feature from becoming truly useful.
Playing Catch-Up in a Mature Market
Samsung’s move comes years after Apple introduced similar sharing capabilities through its proprietary ecosystem. Apple’s Audio Sharing feature, introduced with iOS 13 in 2019, allows multiple AirPods to connect to a single iPhone or iPad. While Samsung’s implementation uses standardized Bluetooth LE Audio rather than proprietary technology, the timing highlights how Android manufacturers consistently trail Apple in ecosystem integration. Microsoft’s involvement through its Phone Link features demonstrates the fragmented approach Windows-based PC makers must take to compete with Apple’s vertical integration.
The Battery Life and Performance Trade-Offs
Streaming to multiple Bluetooth devices simultaneously imposes significant power demands that could impact both the Galaxy Book’s battery life and the earbuds’ performance. Maintaining two independent Bluetooth LE Audio connections requires additional processing power and radio transmission, potentially reducing the laptop’s battery life during mobile use. Similarly, the earbuds themselves may experience reduced battery life when operating in this multi-stream mode, as they must maintain more complex synchronization protocols. These practical considerations could limit the feature’s usefulness outside of situations where power outlets are readily available.
A Step Toward Broader Ecosystem Strategy
Despite the limitations, this development represents an important strategic move for Samsung as it attempts to create stronger ties between its mobile and computing divisions. The company’s broader ecosystem strategy depends on creating unique value propositions that keep users within the Samsung product family. While this specific feature may have limited immediate impact, it signals Samsung’s commitment to developing deeper integration between its devices. The success of such initiatives will depend on expanding compatibility across more product lines and creating genuinely compelling use cases that justify the technical complexity.
