Compare Poly Voyager Free 20 Earbuds vs Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro

ANC was one of the strongest consensus points, repeatedly described as effective against office, commute, fan, and low-frequency noise.

ANC is generally useful to strong, with several reviewers praising it, while others note it is not always class-leading or fit-proof.

Android compatibility was supported by app availability and Android, Pixel, or Samsung testing.

Android and Samsung compatibility is useful but restrictive, since the best features require Galaxy devices and some are Android-only.

The Poly Lens app is important and feature-rich on mobile, but desktop functionality and firmware workflows drew criticism.

The app and settings experience is feature-rich, but one review called the Galaxy Wear app bare-bones and another notes a learning curve.

aptX support was not confirmed; the only evidence flags uncertainty around advanced codec support.

aptX support is effectively absent based on evidence that the buds are not compatible with AptX hi-res formats.

Latency evidence is mixed: common codecs are said to lag minimally, but hi-res settings and missing low-latency modes add caveats.

Auracast support is clearly present and repeatedly noted as useful for public or shared broadcasts.

Bass was divisive: some reviewers heard strong or punchy low end, while others found it timid or lacking energy.

Bass is a consistent strength, described as deep, energetic, punchy, and extended, though one review found it too strong on some tracks.

Battery life was broadly praised, commonly around 8 hours with ANC and longer with ANC off or the case.

Battery life is adequate but not a standout, with repeated six-hour ANC evidence and several concerns versus rivals.

Bluetooth support was strong overall, with Bluetooth 5.4, stable pairing, and good range mentioned despite setup quirks.

Bluetooth support is modern and generally stable, centered on Bluetooth 6.1, with one review noting some dropouts.

Build quality was mixed: earbuds were described as solid or well built, while the case and hinges felt fragile.

Build quality evidence is limited but positive, including a reviewer saying the redesigned case feels more durable.

Hi-res playback is a strong Galaxy-specific feature, with repeated 24-bit/96kHz UHQ or SSC evidence.

Control usability was mixed: push buttons prevent accidental touches but often push the buds into the ear and require pressure.

Pinch and stem controls are generally effective, though one review found the pinch area somewhat painful or awkward.

The included cable drew criticism for being very short.

Case quality was split: reviewers liked magnets, size, and style, but several criticized plastic feel, loose hinges, and fingerprints.

The carry case is generally praised for its clear lid, magnetic feel, easier bud placement, and visibility.

Charging was strong, with repeated fast-charge mentions plus USB-C and wireless charging positives.

Charging is a strength because reviewers cite wireless charging plus wired USB-C case charging.

Codec support was a weak point because HP did not specify supported codecs in one review.

Codec support is strong inside the Samsung ecosystem, but non-Samsung devices fall back to common lower codecs.

Comfort was mostly strong, with multiple reviewers reporting long wear or low fatigue, although one had soreness after a couple of hours.

Comfort is widely praised, including long listening sessions, flights, and multi-hour use without fatigue for several reviewers.

The design was generally liked for its sleek, professional, black-and-gold or lightweight look.

Design sentiment is positive overall, with reviewers calling the buds premium, sleek, more polished, and better differentiated.

Dongle support is absent, and reviewers called out the missing USB dongle compared with more work-focused alternatives.

Fit was a recurring strength, aided by fit tests and tip choices, though fit still depended on ear size.

Fit is polarized: several reviewers found a secure seal, while others could not get the tips to seal or stay put.

Ear tip options were strong because multiple reviews confirmed four sizes or multiple tips.

Ear-tip options are included, but proprietary tips and fit complaints reduce the practical flexibility.

EQ customization was a repeated weakness, with reviewers wanting more than limited presets or a custom curve.

EQ customization is a major strength, with a nine-band EQ, custom mode, presets, and Wear app adjustment all supported.

Find My-style location support appears in Poly Lens, but evidence is limited to last-known or location features.

Find My support is clearly present through Find My Earbuds and map-based finding references.

Frequency-response evidence is mixed: detail and clarity improve, but one review notes bass/high balance issues that may need EQ.

Head gestures are supported for calls and assistant interactions, though some reviewers had not fully tested them.

Hinge durability was a concern because reviewers found loose hinges on the charging case.

Included accessories were solid, with ear tips, charging case, and USB-C cable included.

Included-accessory evidence is limited to bundled ear tips and documentation.

One review praised the earbuds for balancing different sounds, supporting strong instrument separation.

Instrument separation is repeatedly praised through comments about separated instruments, centered guitars, and textural detail.

Integrated microphones are a core feature, with repeated references to three mics per bud or six noise-canceling microphones.

Integrated microphones are clearly present and usable, but mic impressions range from ordinary to very good.

LDAC support was not confirmed; the only evidence flags uncertainty around advanced codec support.

LDAC support is effectively absent based on evidence that the buds are not compatible with LDAC formats.

Lossless support is mixed because Samsung hi-res playback is supported, but one review stresses true lossless Bluetooth is not available.

Maximum-volume clarity was limited by peaking and high-frequency distortion in one review.

Reviewers who addressed clarity at output levels described clean, dynamic, distortion-free playback.

Noise reduction for calls was praised for reducing background noise and helping voices stay clear.

Microphone noise reduction is a clear strength in wind, traffic, and background-noise scenarios, though not every voice sample was perfect.

Call quality was consistently positive, with reviewers hearing clear, understandable voice pickup.

Call quality is usable to strong, but evidence is mixed because some reviewers heard fuzziness, digitization, or fit-related variability.

Midrange clarity was generally a strength, with repeated comments about clear vocals and mids suited to calls and podcasts.

Midrange clarity is generally strong, with vocals, mids, and clear signatures receiving positive notes across several reviews.

Multi-platform compatibility was strong across phones, laptops, Windows, iPhone, MacBook, Android, and general Bluetooth use.

Multi-platform use is limited because non-Samsung devices can leave the product feeling incomplete.

Multipoint was a major work-use strength across phone and laptop pairings, though one reviewer noted switching delays.

Multipoint is a weakness outside Samsung devices, with several reviews noting no true multipoint or manual switching limitations.

Passive isolation was decent to strong because the sealed tips fully plugged the ears before ANC was considered.

Passive isolation is strong when the tips seal well, but the benefit depends heavily on fit.

Portability was helped by a slim case that fits in a pocket.

Portability is strong, with the case described as small, pocketable, and easy to carry.

Preset EQ options were limited to Bass, Flat, and Bright and were often described as underwhelming or too similar.

Preset EQ evidence is positive, especially for Samsung's Dynamic profile, which reviewers used to add punch or emphasize strengths.

Lighting customization is not a feature here; evidence says the lighting element is gone.

Sensors were useful for wear detection, call answering, and media pause/resume behavior.

Sensor-like smart features are strong, especially voice detection, siren detection, and adaptive behavior.

Sidetone adjustment scored poorly because one reviewer said the Free 20 lacked the ability.

Sidetone support is present and lets users hear their own voice in the buds.

Smudge resistance was poor, with multiple reviewers calling out fingerprints and scratches.

Smudge resistance is a weakness because the transparent case section shows scratches and fingerprints.

Setup and software simplicity were mixed: basic setup could be straightforward, but firmware and desktop support created friction.

Setup and software access are workable, but reviewers note a learning curve around where controls live.

One review referenced a fit test for audio leakage, suggesting leakage control depends on getting a proper seal.

Most reviewers described sound as good to excellent, especially for calls, vocals, and everyday music, though one found music compressed and shallow.

Review evidence is strongly positive on overall sound, with reviewers calling the audio excellent, very good, or among Samsung's best.

Soundstage depth was mixed, with one review finding it unexciting and another finding it immersive.

Soundstage impressions were mixed, ranging from solid but unexciting to spacious and immersive.

The available evidence points to a wider, more expansive stage rather than a cramped in-ear presentation.

Spatial audio scored low because one review explicitly said it is lacking.

Spatial audio support is clearly present through 360 audio and head tracking, though some features are Android or Samsung-focused.

Stability was good, with reviewers noting no slipping, secure fit, and fit-test support.

Stability is strong for reviewers whose ears matched the shape, with evidence of perfect fit and secure wear.

Touch controls scored poorly because one review stated the earbuds have no touch controls.

Touch and gesture controls are mostly praised as responsive and easy to use once learned.

Transparency mode was useful in some reviews but less consistent, with complaints about switching friction or weak amplification.

Transparency and ambient modes are a highlight, often described as natural, clear, or useful for conversation.

Treble came through clearly in some reviews, but one reviewer heard high-frequency distortion at maximum volume.

Treble is mostly praised for crispness, clarity, and sparkle, but one lab-style review found the highs weaker than ideal.

USB-C is well supported for the case and charging cable.

USB-C support is consistently evidenced through case port mentions.

Value was strongest when discounted or judged against sound and ANC performance, but one review felt $150 was pricey.

Value is context-dependent: Samsung users often get strong value, while non-Samsung users and upgraders face more caveats.

Voice assistant support is present through controls, though evidence focused on activation rather than deeper integration.

Voice assistant support is broad, with Bixby, Gemini, Google assistant, and built-in voice controls mentioned.

Volume output was treated as a strength in hands-on use, though evidence was limited.

Direct evidence is limited but positive, with one review saying maximum volume is far higher than needed.

Water and dust resistance was a positive feature across reviews, though one reviewer warned against running water.

Water and dust resistance is a strong point thanks to repeated IP57 evidence.

The earbuds’ low weight was repeatedly tied to easy long-session comfort.

The earbuds are described as light, with roughly 5g weight contributing to comfort.