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Improved noise-cancelling joins a brilliantly rich sound and premium design on the Galaxy Buds4 Pro to deliver Samsung's best-ever earbud experience.
The Good
- Excellent, complex sound quality
- Top-tier noise-cancelling
- High quality finish
The Not So Good
- Some features limited to Galaxy compatible devices
Need-to-knows
- Best Galaxy Buds yet
- Superb audio profile with adjustable EQ
- Some of the best noise-cancelling on the market
- Premium feel
With every previous generation of Galaxy Buds, my advice was always the same: sure, check them out, but also look at Sony, Sennheiser, Bose – there’s a lot of great competition out there, and Samsung’s own offering wasn’t quite far enough ahead to justify brand loyalty alone.
It’s not that they were bad at all – the Galaxy Buds3 Pro were superb. They just weren’t AirPods Pro.
That changes with the Galaxy Buds4 Pro.
The good news is that if you’re a Samsung person thinking about buying these, I can save you some time.
This is a very simple review, because the conclusion is straightforward:just buy them. But stick around, because the reasons why are worth hearing.
Shop the Galaxy Buds4 Pro below!
At a glance
| Category | Specs |
|---|---|
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 6.1, LE Audio |
| Audio | 2-way driver, 360 Audio, AAC/SBC/SSC/LC3 |
| Mics | 6 |
| Noise Control | ANC, Adaptive ANC, Ambient |
| Smart Features | Adaptive EQ, Voice/Siren Detect |
| Battery | 6h (ANC) / 7h (off), up to 30h total |
| Build | IP57, 5.1g earbuds |
| Sensors | Motion, proximity, touch, VPU |
| Extras | Bixby, Samsung Find |
| Price | $249/£219 |
A design that finally feels premium
Samsung has gone with a new “blade” design for the Buds4 Pro, and it’s a significant departure from the previous generation. There’s a premium metal finish, engraved pinch controls, and a satisfying ‘click’ when you interact with them. It feels like Samsung has been taking notes from the right places.
Gone are the lights. Remember those? I never quite understood what they were for. The Buds4 Pro are cleaner, more understated, and all the better for it. The new transparent clamshell charging case is a nice touch, too – easier to dock the buds and a genuinely attractive thing to leave on your desk.
They’re canal-fit with three ear tip sizes (S, M, and L), and they come in Black, White, and a Pink Gold that’s exclusive to Samsung.com. But here’s the thing that struck me most: at 5.1g per bud, they are remarkably light. I’ve worn them for hours and genuinely forgotten they were in my ears. That’s not something I say lightly (excuse the pun) – because I’m fussy about earbuds that make their presence known after an hour or two.
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I have a feeling the lightness could be one of the biggest selling points for the Galaxy Buds4 Pro – they are easily one of the most comfortable earbuds I’ve ever worn.
Superb sound
Samsung has fitted a new, wider woofer inside the Buds4 Pro, with roughly 20% more vibration area compared to the previous generation. Combined with a dedicated tweeter in each bud, the result is a two-way speaker system that punches well above its weight.
Bass is clean without being overbearing. Treble is rich and detailed without ever tipping into harshness. It’s a full-spectrum listening experience that had me reaching for these over my daily drivers more often than I expected.
If you’re using a Samsung Galaxy device running One UI 4.0 or later, you also get 24-bit Hi-Fi audio over Bluetooth, which is a tangible step up. There’s a 9-band EQ for customisation and 360 Audio with head tracking for spatial listening. It’s not quite at Apple’s level when it comes to spatial audio – the head tracking is a touch less precise – but it’s close enough that most people won’t notice the difference.
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Worth noting: the Hi-Fi audio requires a Samsung Galaxy device to get the full benefit. If you’re using these with a non-Samsung phone, you’ll still get great sound, but you’ll miss out on some of the higher-end codec magic.
Noise cancelling that’s (nearly) there
The Buds4 Pro feature Adaptive ANC 2.0, which uses real-time processing to adjust noise cancellation based on your ear shape and environment. Samsung says it analyses wearing conditions dynamically rather than relying on pre-trained algorithms, and the result is genuinely impressive.
Low-frequency noise – the hum of a train, the drone of an aircraft cabin – is handled very well. It’s not quite at AirPods Pro 3 levels, but the gap is small enough that you’d struggle to tell the difference in most everyday situations. You certainly need to A/B test the two several times to spot a difference, and no one does that beyond us tech YouToobers.
Samsung has also included Voice Detect, which pauses your music and switches to ambient mode when you start talking, and Siren Detect for safety-critical alerts. Both work reliably.
Transparency mode is where the AirPods Pro 3 still hold a slight edge, though. There’s an audible hiss on the Buds4 Pro’s transparency mode that simply isn’t there on Apple’s latest. It’s subtle, and plenty of people won’t notice or care, but if you’re the sort of person who constantly switches between ANC and transparency, it’s worth flagging.
Check out our list of the best headphones for more help!
That said, this is the closest Samsung has ever come to matching Apple in the noise cancelling department. It’s a genuinely tight race now.
Call quality
Six microphones (two high-SNR plus one digital per side) and a Voice Pickup Unit work together to isolate your voice during calls. Samsung’s Super Clear Call and Super Wideband tech doubles the bandwidth of standard Bluetooth calls, which makes a noticeable difference in clarity.
Best results come when paired with a Galaxy S26 Series phone, naturally, but call quality is solid across the board. People on the other end reported that my voice sounded clear, with minimal background noise bleeding through, even in busier environments.
Related: Sony WF-1000XM6 review
You can hear a mic test in the YouTube version of this review.
Battery and the rest
You’re looking at six hours with ANC on, and 26 hours in total when you factor in the charging case. That’s competitive with the AirPods Pro 3 and comfortably enough to get through a full day of mixed use without reaching for the charger.
Bluetooth 6.1, IP57 water resistance, and 24-bit/96kHz Hi-Fi audio round out the spec sheet.
At £219 in the UK and $249.99 in the US, they’re priced identically to the AirPods Pro 3 – which tells you everything you need to know about where Samsung sees these sitting in the market.
Verdict
So, are the Galaxy Buds4 Pro as good as the AirPods Pro 3?
Nearly. And that’s what makes them so impressive.
The main difference – and it really is the main difference – is transparency mode. Apple’s is cleaner. Samsung’s has that faint hiss. Beyond that? Sound quality is superb. Noise cancelling is very nearly on par. The design is a massive improvement over the previous generation. And the comfort and weight are, for me, the standout feature.
Everything else is pretty much neck and neck. And that’s the point. For the first time, Samsung has made a pair of earbuds that I’d recommend to Galaxy owners with the same confidence I’d recommend AirPods Pro to iPhone users. No caveats. No “but also check out Sony” disclaimers. If you’re in the Samsung ecosystem, these are the earbuds to buy.
It’s worth noting that non-Samsung users will miss out on some of the best features – Hi-Fi audio, the best call quality, and some of the smarter ANC tricks are optimised for Galaxy devices. If you’re on an iPhone or a Pixel, you’ll still get a great pair of earbuds, but you won’t get the full picture.
It’s a good time to be a Samsung person. And, frankly, it’s a good time to be an Apple person, too. The competition between these two at the top of the true wireless market is fierce, and we’re all the better for it.
Let me know in the comments if you’re picking up a pair.
16 Comments
If Samsung is genuinely within margin-of-error distance in trains, planes, and mixed urban noise, then the differentiation shifts away from ANC Cool Games leadership toward ecosystem integration and comfort.
After reading the specifications, I was delighted Car games because the smarter ANC tricks has groundbreaking new features.
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oh it useful for my life
Granny
Goof job!
Granny
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Platform Games offers a nice collection of online platformers, ranging from relaxing adventures to challenging levels.
@slope This is a pretty important point.
The point about the 5.1g weight is really what sold me on these, as I’ve always struggled to find earbuds I can wear for long sessions without discomfort. I’m glad they finally ditched the lights for a cleaner look, though it’s a shame some of the best features are still locked to the Samsung ecosystem.
The proprietary codec situation is so frustrating—Samsung keeping 24-bit Hi-Fi audio tied strictly to SSC on Galaxy devices really limits these for Pixel or iPhone users.
Before picking up a new pair, it’s always worth checking whether the features you actually get justify the price tag for your specific phone. If you’re setting aside funds on a prepaid or payroll card specifically for gadget upgrades, taking a second to check atm balance updates beforehand guarantees your transaction goes through smoothly without dipping into primary savings. Great analysis!
Spot on regarding the ecosystem lock-in! Buying flagship earbuds like the Galaxy Buds Pro or AirPods Pro makes sense if you’re fully built into that ecosystem, but non-native users end up paying full price for locked-out features like spatial audio or seamless device switching.
High-end true wireless earbuds aren’t cheap, so double-checking your discretionary tech budget before dropping $200+ on an upgrade is always smart. For shoppers using dedicated shopping or payroll cards to manage non-essential tech purchases on the go, running a fast check atm balance on your card helps ensure you have sufficient cleared funds before checking out online or at retail tech stores.
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Unless you’re planning to switch your smartphone brand soon, sticking to ecosystem-agnostic brands like Sony or Sennheiser often gives non-Galaxy/iPhone users better value for their money!
This review makes a strong case for the galaxy buds4 pro, especially the improved noise cancelling and lightweight design. The comfort factor is a standout feature for long listening sessions. While these are great for music and calls, they highlight the importance of a good fit for different uses. For those looking for a comfortable sleep solution, sleep earbuds offer a specialized option for blocking out noise all night.
It’s worth noting that non-Samsung users will miss out on some of the best features – Hi-Fi audio, the best call quality, and some of the smarter ANC tricks are optimised for Galaxy devices. If you’re on an iPhone or a Pixel, you’ll still get a great pair of earbuds, but you won’t get the full picture.
Whether you’re listening to music during your daily commute and checking the sunday metro timing dubai or just relaxing at home, having the right gear makes a huge difference. It’s a good time to be a Samsung person. And, frankly, it’s a good time to be an Apple person, too. The competition between these two at the top of the true wireless market is fierce, and we’re all the better for it.
It’s worth noting that non-Samsung users will miss out on some of the best features – Hi-Fi audio, the best call quality, and some of the smarter ANC tricks are optimised for Galaxy devices. If you’re on an iPhone or a Pixel, you’ll still get a great pair of earbuds, but you won’t get the full picture.
It’s a good time to be a Samsung person. And, frankly, it’s a good time to be an Apple person, too. The competition between these two at the top of the true wireless market is fierce, and we’re all the better for it.
Let me know in the comments if you’re picking up a pair!
(PS: For readers commuting in the UAE this weekend, make sure to verify the sunday metro timing dubai before planning your trip).
Galaxy Buds4 Pro Review Premium wireless earbuds with top-tier noise cancellation and seamless Samsung ecosystem integration.
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