I just thought I would post a final update after trying to use these one last time to watch a 4min Youtube clip on the Surface Pro where I first put both mobiles and smart watch in a different room, disabled my Bluetooth mouse and played the video. It took 8 attempts to get them to both connect without bad interference (device about 40-50cm away on glass desk) by disconnecting and reconnecting in Windows Settings and even then there were metalic echoes in the background and halfway through they went off so I had to pause the video and reconnect which took a few attempts again.
I believe they have become progressively worse over time (have had them approx 2.5months) as had they been as bad as the example above I would have taken them straight back. In case this helps others I can document how they have deteriorated.
After purchase:
Annoyingly I found I had to disconnect and reconnect after reinserting into my ears on PC and then other bluetooth devices like the Microsoft Surface mouse didn't work when using these. Had to keep settings open to quickly disconnect and reconnect so they would work.
After 3-4 weeks:
Metalic interference was often noticible mainly in left earbud when audio was being outputted making it harder to hear other party on video calls. Other party said they could hear me clearly. Started having issues with audio pausing on iPhone (playing Spotify) and having to take out phone and press play to resume (only wore right earbud with iPhone).
After 5-6 weeks:
Earbuds would randomly disconnect during video calls so would need to use chat to indicate I had an issue with ear buds and to wait.
Did a full reset of these as advised and was very difficult getting them to connect back up to my phone (took about 30 mins)
After 7-8 weeks:
Left earbud would mostly either not be working or would emit metalic interference at high volume making it much harder to hear the other person and was easier to remove and just manage with right one which was not as bad. Disconnects happened all the time. On iPhone putting phone into my trouser pocket disconnected the earbud (only wore right one)
After 8-9 weeks:
Other party complained of just hearing interference and had to keep disconnecting and reconnecting so both audio and mic worked in at least one earphone. Disconnecting and reconnecting in Settings was taking much longer (20-30 seconds each). They also seemed to need charging more often and case didn't seem to be lasting as long either - this was just perception though and I could be wrong about that.
Looking on Samsung forums I now see quite a few posts about these types of issues, in particular the left earbud which I had the most issues with.
I have now taken these back and purchased Apple Airpods Pro and have none of the above issues (yet) and there is no interference with other bluetooth devices so can use all at the same time and they work as soon as I put them in my ears so can answer calls and audio is nice and clear. I preferred the design of the Samsung ones but the issues made then unusable with either my phone or PC.
I also have some £25 (not fully wireless) Bludio ones from a market stall in 2016 and they also work acceptably and don't interfere with other Bluetooth devices.
