Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro Review: Samsung Finally Competes with the Big Leagues!

Over several iterations, Samsung has finely tuned its Galaxy Buds line. The Buds 2 Pro made a significant impact in 2022, and the Buds 3 Pro introduced a radically different design, echoing Apple’s AirPods with a distinctive triangular stem and a lit tip. This bold aesthetic choice divided opinions, but there was no denying the technical advancements in ANC and sound quality.

The Buds 4 Pro breaks away from the previous design, adopting a sleeker form with a flat, brushed aluminum stem and a compact charging case with a transparent lid. Importantly, Samsung has made substantial upgrades to the transducers, clearly outperforming previous generations. Each earbud features two separate speakers: an 11 mm dynamic woofer for bass and low-mids, and a 5.4 mm magnetic planar tweeter for mids and highs. The inclusion of a planar tweeter in an in-ear headphone priced at 249 euros is the most technically intriguing feature of the Buds 4 Pro, and it makes a noticeable difference in sound quality. It’s worth noting that Samsung also offers the simpler Galaxy Buds 4, which lacks passive noise isolation.

At this price point, the Buds 4 Pro directly competes with Apple’s AirPods Pro 3, Sony’s WF-1000XM6, and Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 2nd Gen. Each of these models sets the standard for their category in their own way. We examine the strengths of these new earphones and how they stack up against the industry leaders.

Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro Technical Specifications

This review was conducted with earphones provided by Samsung.

Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 ProFive Grams, Two Transducers

The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are both compact and lightweight. Each earbud weighs just 5.1 grams, barely noticeable in the ear canal once the silicone tips are properly positioned. Samsung offers three sizes of tips (S, M, L), and the app even includes a fit test that real-time analyzes the quality of the acoustic seal. This is crucial, as passive isolation directly depends on this seal. Fortunately, the fit is secure, even during physical activities.

It’s quite an achievement to have managed to fit two distinct transducers into such a compact earbud. A 11 mm dynamic woofer and a 5.4 mm magnetic planar tweeter, each powered by its own dedicated amplifier, in a casing that weighs just 5 grams. This kind of miniaturization challenge explains why high-end true wireless earphones are priced as they are.

The stem is flat, crafted from brushed aluminum. Simple, elegant. Less distinctive than the illuminated triangular stem of the Buds 3 Pro, but more subtle. The matte finish gives the Buds 4 Pro a decidedly premium look.

The ergonomics of the controls are directly inspired by what Apple popularized with its AirPods Pro. You pinch the stem to initiate actions, with a clear click and haptic feedback to avoid pressing repeatedly to ensure the command has registered. Pinching is clearly the best current approach for controlling earphones, rather than tapping on touch areas. There’s no risk of accidentally triggering a command while adjusting the earbud in your ear. Sliding up or down on the stem adjusts the volume: up to increase, down to decrease. Again, this volume control is thoughtfully designed, smooth, and instantaneous. On the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, you had to slide on the back of the triangular stem, but now, you slide at the front.

The charging case is one of the nice surprises with these Buds 4 Pro. Compact, square with rounded corners, and a transparent lid that lets you see the earphones through it. A simple idea, but really useful when juggling multiple pairs daily. A quick glance is enough to identify the Buds 4 Pro in your bag. Charging is done via USB-C or Qi wireless. The whole package is neat, feels good in the hand, and fits easily in a pocket.

Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 ProThe Ecosystem at Work

If you own a Samsung smartphone running One UI 8.0 or higher, you don’t need the Galaxy Wearable app. The Buds 4 Pro integrate natively. When you open the case, a connection window automatically appears on the screen. Pairing is instant, with no fiddling required. ANC settings and sound presets are directly accessible from the One UI 8.5 quick panel, with a swipe of a finger, without ever opening a third-party app.

In this ecosystem, the Buds 4 Pro also unlock a set of exclusive features.

• The 24-bit/96 kHz SSC UHQ codec, available on the Galaxy S23 and later as well as the Z Fold 5/Flip 5 and Tab S9 and higher.
• The Super Wideband for HD calls up to 16 kHz, on the Galaxy S25, S26, and recent devices running One UI 6.1.1 minimum.
• Head gesture controls, which allow you to answer a call with a simple nod and reject it with a lateral movement.
• Voice commands to invoke Gemini or Perplexity without taking your phone out of your pocket.
• Real-time translation in 22 languages via Live Translate, combined with the Samsung Phone app on Galaxy S26. Locating lost earphones via SmartThings Find.
• And automatic switching between Galaxy devices, without any manipulation.

On non-Samsung Android, the Galaxy Wearable app is necessary and functional for the essentials: selecting ANC mode, 9-band equalizer, customizing pinch controls, and firmware updates. Enough to enjoy the sound and isolation.

However, the advanced functions listed above are completely absent. On iPhone, the situation is even more limited: the Galaxy Wearable app simply does not exist on iOS. The Buds 4 Pro function as basic Bluetooth earphones, with no customization possible.

Bluetooth and Codecs

The Buds 4 Pro operate on Bluetooth 6.1 and support the Auracast standard, derived from the LE Audio norm, which allows audio to be streamed to multiple compatible earphones simultaneously from a single source. This is still an emerging technology, but it opens up interesting possibilities. Regarding codecs, the situation is clear: 24-bit/96 kHz SSC UHQ on compatible Galaxy devices, SBC or AAC for everything else. No LDAC, no aptX. For a non-Samsung Android user or an iPhone user, the audio quality ceiling stops at AAC (which, let’s face it, is quite sufficient).

Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 ProSilence on the Agenda

The active noise cancellation (ANC) of the Buds 4 Pro is one of the major advancements in this generation. Samsung claims a 36 dB reduction, up from 33 dB in the Buds 3 Pro. This 3 dB improvement might seem modest on paper, but it’s noticeable in practice, particularly in the mid frequencies where older models showed their limits.

The app offers three approaches: adaptive mode, which adjusts the attenuation power in real time according to the ambient noise level; fixed intensity manual mode; and complete deactivation.

If your goal is total isolation, you should use manual mode at maximum. In this setting, the Buds 4 Pro demonstrate their true capabilities. Silence sets in. Subway rumble, café chatter, airplane engine hum: everything is significantly reduced. Although they don’t quite reach the quietude of the AirPods Pro 3, which maintain a lead in mid-high frequencies, the margin is slim. For 99% of everyday situations—train, tram, open-plan office—these earphones deliver excellent noise reduction.

The ambient sound mode (transparency) is particularly successful. The sound is surprisingly natural. It doesn’t feel like you’re wearing earphones. Ambient sounds come through cleanly, without artificial coloring or annoying whistling. On this specific point, the Buds 4 Pro are on par with the AirPods Pro 3. Being able to work focused while hearing your surroundings, listening to music while staying approachable, isolating yourself with a stem snap: everything works as expected.

Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 ProA Powerful and Precise Sound Signature

Each Buds 4 Pro packs a two-way system. The 11 mm dynamic woofer with an enlarged diaphragm handles the bass and low-midrange. The 5.4 mm magnetic planar tweeter, on the other hand, takes care of the high-midrange and highs. This separation of registers is a fundamentally sound idea. A dynamic transducer tasked with low frequencies must perform large diaphragm movements. However, these large excursions degrade the quality of high-frequency reproduction if the same transducer must simultaneously handle it. By freeing the tweeter from any responsibility in the bass range, Samsung allows it to excel in its specialty.

And the planar tweeter excels in high frequencies for fundamental physical reasons. Unlike a dynamic tweeter whose diaphragm is moved by a rigid coil attached at its center, the magnetic planar transducer uses an ultra-thin, ultra-light membrane traversed across its entire surface by precisely etched conductors.

This membrane is sandwiched between two rows of permanent magnets. When the electrical signal passes through it, the entire surface vibrates uniformly and simultaneously, with exceptional oscillation speed, an almost total absence of mechanical distortion, and a reproduction of transients with remarkable precision. The attacks are sharp, the decays are clean, and the details in the highs have a smoothness that dynamic tweeters simply cannot match. Two dedicated amplifiers drive each transducer independently, further enhancing control and separation between the two channels.

The frequency response curve reveals an interesting signature. The bass is generous, with a high level in the sub-bass and low-midrange. A slight dip around 100-300 Hz, then a pronounced and sharp peak around 1 kHz in the midrange. This peak, visually alarming on the curve, is surprisingly unobtrusive to the ear. The ear integrates and adapts to it.

The presence and brilliance frequencies, between 2 and 10 kHz, remain relatively subdued before a rebound in the high brilliance frequencies around 10-12 kHz. Despite a somewhat rock’n’roll curve, far from linearity, the sound is surprisingly unadulterated. And if you want more air, more sparkle, more presence in the highs, the 9-band equalizer is there for that. A few dB in the bands above 8 kHz, and the sound opens up, illuminates, without ever sounding forced.

Sound Signature: A Balance that Will Appeal

Upon listening, the bass register is the great success of these earphones. Powerful without being bloated, textured, with a nice definition of bass lines. It lacks a bit of speed (compared to the high frequencies), but there is no heaviness or excessive dragging.

The midrange is present, detailed, with a slight tendency to veil the high harmonics of female voices and taut string instruments. Nothing seriously problematic, and most importantly, there is no harshness. The high frequencies are very fine. You can listen at high volumes for hours without auditory fatigue.

The soundstage is wide, reasonably deep. The separation of layers is good but not remarkable. It’s a pleasant, generous signature that suits all genres.

Listening Impressions

Some current tracks to validate these impressions:

Sabrina Carpenter, Espresso: Sabrina’s voice comes through with beautiful warmth. The production’s bass is very present, the synthetic kick provides rhythm. The voice seems slightly veiled in the high harmonics, but the overall effect is pleasant, danceable. The Bass Boost mode of the equalizer further enhances the groove of this track.

Kendrick Lamar, Not Like Us: The Buds 4 Pro are in their element. The kick is heavy, quick, well-defined. The plucked string samples come through precisely. Kendrick’s voice, in the midrange, is clear and present. The soundstage is wide, the mix is enjoyable to listen to.

Chappell Roan, Good Luck, Babe!: The bright, synthetic production of this track highlights the slight retreat in the brilliance zone. The high synths and distant reverbs sound a bit less airy than with the Sony WF-1000XM6. But the voice is there, well-placed, the rhythm is dynamic. A quick tweak with the equalizer fixes the issue in thirty seconds.

Booba, Piège à Cons: On a French rap track with a drier production, the Buds 4 Pro showcase their precise midrange and solid low-midrange. The flow is effortlessly intelligible.

Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 ProCall Quality

Samsung has seriously improved call quality on the Buds 4 Pro. Six microphones surround the ear, coupled with an AI algorithm to isolate the voice from the environment. The signal is transmitted via Super Wideband technology up to 16 kHz with recent Samsung smartphones, versus

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Maya Singh

Maya Singh is a senior editor covering tablets and hybrid devices. Her work explores how these tools reshape digital productivity and learning. She also contributes to feature editorials on emerging tech.