Galaxy Buds 4 Pro: Samsung’s New Earbuds Outshine AirPods

Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro: The New King of Wireless Audio?

Samsung has quietly launched its latest audio contenders, the Galaxy Buds 4 and Buds 4 Pro, and early impressions suggest they might just be the best wireless earbuds you can buy, even giving the mighty Apple AirPods Pro a serious run for their money. After spending a couple of days with the Buds 4 Pro, it’s clear that Samsung has delivered something truly special, offering a compelling package that excels in sound quality, features, and everyday usability.

A Design That Impresses

The first thing you’ll notice about the Buds 4 Pro is the redesigned charging case. It sports a new, taller cube design with a stylish tinted clear lid that offers a satisfying magnetic snap. While slightly taller than the AirPods case, it remains remarkably pocketable and supports convenient wireless charging alongside a USB-C port. The earbuds themselves have also received a makeover. While they share a passing resemblance to AirPods from certain angles, the new design features a more squared-off stem with a brushed metal accent. This ergonomic change not only looks good but also enhances usability, making the touch controls more intuitive.

Crucially, the new design means the Buds 4 Pro actually stay in your ears. For anyone who has struggled with earbuds constantly slipping out, this is a game-changer. The default ear tips provided a secure fit for me, but Samsung also includes two additional sizes (smaller and larger) to ensure a perfect seal for everyone. The earbuds boast an IP57 dust and water resistance rating, matching the AirPods Pro, though the case itself does not share this protection – a minor drawback in an otherwise stellar design.

Sound Quality That Rivals the Best

Samsung has equipped the Buds 4 Pro with new drivers, featuring a larger subwoofer and a dedicated tweeter in each bud, powered by individual amplifiers. The result is exceptional audio performance across a wide range of frequencies and listening scenarios. Whether you prefer punchy bass or crisp highs, the Buds 4 Pro deliver. The companion Samsung app offers an EQ with a ‘Dynamic’ setting that subtly boosts bass and treble for a more engaging, V-shaped sound profile, but you can also meticulously tune the audio to your exact preferences. This level of customization, combined with the sheer quality of the sound, sets the Buds 4 Pro apart.

Compared to audiophile-focused earbuds like the Sony WF-1000XM6, which often sacrifice comfort and everyday features for ultimate sound fidelity, the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro strike an impressive balance. They offer sound that is every bit as good, but in a more compact, comfortable, and versatile package suitable for workouts, travel, or simply enjoying music anywhere.

Next-Level Noise Cancellation and Transparency

Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) on the Buds 4 Pro is nothing short of remarkable. While the passive isolation from the ear tips is standard for good earbuds, the ANC itself is adjustable across five levels. At its maximum setting, it rivals and arguably surpasses the ANC performance of the AirPods Pro, effectively silencing ambient noise and allowing you to immerse yourself fully in your audio. This is a significant leap forward for Samsung’s earbuds, making them ideal for noisy environments like airplanes or busy offices.

The transparency mode, or ‘Ambient Sound’ as Samsung calls it, is equally impressive. With five adjustable levels, it provides a natural and clear awareness of your surroundings. At its highest setting, it comes very close to the transparency mode on the AirPods Pro, allowing for natural conversations and a clear perception of your environment without removing the earbuds. This mode is also enhanced with intelligent features:

• Emergency Sound Detection: The microphones can automatically detect sirens or emergency vehicle sounds and switch to ambient mode so you can hear them.
• Voice Detect: If the earbuds detect you speaking, they can automatically switch to ambient mode, facilitating quick conversations without manual intervention. The mode reverts to ANC after a short period of silence.

Smart Features and Ecosystem Integration

Samsung continues to pack the Buds 4 Pro with smart features that mirror and even exceed those found in competing products. They offer seamless, instant switching between Samsung devices, much like AirPods do with Apple devices. Other notable features include:

• 360° Headtracking Spatial Audio
• Gesture controls: Nod to accept calls, shake to reject.
• In-ear ear detection for automatic media playback control.
• ‘Find My’ functionality to locate lost earbuds.
• Live Translate feature.
• A dedicated gaming mode to minimize audio latency.
• Extensive 9-band equalizer for deep audio customization.
• Available in three color options.

Cross-Platform Compatibility

While the full suite of features and customization options are best experienced within the Samsung ecosystem, the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro function as standard Bluetooth earbuds on other platforms, including iOS. When paired with an iPhone, basic controls like ANC/Ambient mode switching and playback functions still work, although the advanced app-based customization, including the multi-band EQ, is unavailable. This makes them a viable option for iPhone users seeking high-quality audio, but they won’t offer the same deep integration as AirPods.

Battery Life and Call Quality

Battery life is rated at approximately 6 hours with ANC enabled and 7 hours with it off, which is competitive within the current market and more than sufficient for extended listening sessions. The six built-in microphones perform adequately for calls, producing clear audio, though it’s noted that the quality is comparable to many other premium earbuds on the market.

Verdict: The Android Earbud to Beat

Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are a significant achievement. They offer a refined design, outstanding sound quality, class-leading noise cancellation, and a wealth of smart features, all at a competitive $250 price point. For Android users, and particularly those within the Samsung ecosystem, these earbuds are undoubtedly the ones to beat in 2026. They successfully blend premium audio performance with the everyday convenience and comfort that users demand, making them a discreet but powerful contender in the crowded wireless earbud market.

Specs & Key Features

• Price: $250
• Drivers: New dual drivers (woofer + tweeter) per bud
• Noise Cancellation: Adjustable Active Noise Cancellation (5 levels)
• Transparency Mode: Adjustable Ambient Sound (5 levels) with Voice Detect and Emergency Sound Detection
• Water Resistance: IP57 rated earbuds
• Battery Life: Up to 6 hours (ANC on), up to 7 hours (ANC off)
• Connectivity: Bluetooth
• Features: 360° Spatial Audio, Headtracking, Gaming Mode, 9-band EQ, ‘Find My’, Live Translate, Auto ear detection, Gesture controls
• Colors: Available in three colors

Source: Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro Review: Better than AirPods! (YouTube)