Compare Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 vs Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro

Reviewers agreed ANC is the weakest major feature: two hands-on reviews found it modest or not serious, while the specs-focused comparison expected improvement over Buds 3.

ANC drew mostly positive reactions, from useful to very strong, but several reviewers still found it behind the best competitors or dependent on fit.

Android and especially Samsung users get the strongest experience, with one reviewer explicitly saying the buds were made for Android/Samsung users.

Android and Samsung compatibility was strong for Galaxy owners but weaker for non-Samsung Android users because many advanced features are locked down.

The app and phone settings offer a broad control surface, with reviewers highlighting a huge range of adjustable settings.

The app and software feature set was considered robust and useful, but some reviewers found the app bare-bones or ecosystem-gated.

aptX support was scored negatively because reviewers explicitly criticized the lack of compatibility with formats like AptX outside Samsung’s codec path.

Latency evidence was mixed: Android latency and gaming mode were praised, while one reviewer warned that a high-quality audio setting could affect lip sync.

Auracast was treated as a useful, forward-looking feature for public and shared broadcasts.

Bass was consistently praised as punchy, wide, warm, and stronger than expected for open-fit entry-level earbuds.

Bass was usually described as deep, energetic, controlled, and not boomy, but one reviewer found the low end too strong on some songs.

Battery life was treated as adequate but unimpressive, with one reviewer calling 5-6 hours poor beside longer-lasting rivals.

Battery life was consistently a caveat: it often met claims or felt average, but multiple reviewers called it short or disappointing versus rivals.

Bluetooth was viewed positively, with reviewers citing longer range, future-proofing, and Bluetooth 6.1 as a meaningful upgrade.

Bluetooth performance was mostly positive, with future-proofing and no disconnection issues noted, but one reviewer experienced a few dropouts.

Build quality drew positive comments for a premium feel and a more refined look than the prior generation.

Build quality impressions were positive, with reviewers noting a more premium metallic look and a case that felt more durable.

Hi-res/UHQ playback was praised when paired with compatible Galaxy hardware and high-resolution sources, adding perceived expansiveness and cleaner sound.

Hi-res playback was praised as detailed and audibly better on Galaxy devices, but several reviewers stressed that it is Samsung-gated.

The stem controls were praised as easy, precise, and straightforward, especially after Samsung refined the blade shape.

Button and pinch controls were mixed: several reviewers liked the redesigned stems, while others found the controls awkward or slow to learn.

The case was reviewed favorably for practical design touches, including visibility through the lid and useful physical controls.

Case quality was generally praised for style, pocketability, easier bud placement, and wireless charging, though some found it blocky or less ergonomic.

Charging was praised for convenience, especially wireless charging and the inclusion of USB-C.

Codec support was strong for Samsung owners but criticized for proprietary lock-in and lack of open hi-res formats.

Comfort was a major strength in the Tom's Guide review, including for smaller ears and everyday listening.

Comfort was a major strength across many reviews, with several reviewers wearing the buds for hours without fatigue or pain.

Design impressions were positive overall, with reviewers calling the Buds 4 more polished, premium, and refined despite the familiar AirPods-like shape.

Design and aesthetics were widely praised as sleeker, more premium, more distinctive, and better than the previous generation.

Fit evidence was mixed: reviewers liked the comfort of the open form, but the lack of a seal and repeated fit adjustments hurt stability and ANC.

Eartips fit was highly subjective: some reviewers got a fantastic or secure seal, while others could not get a firm fit.

Ear tip options were a recurring concern because the proprietary design limits third-party swaps and included sizes did not solve fit for everyone.

EQ customization was described as a premium feature, with access to adjustment options and presets inside Samsung's software experience.

Equalizer customization was praised for giving users strong control over the sound and for rescuing or tailoring the tuning.

One comparison review credited the Buds 4 tuning with better clarity and balance than the prior generation.

Frequency response evidence was mixed, with one lab-style reviewer saying the mids were fine but the bass balance was somewhat off.

Head gestures were treated as a useful modern addition that adds hands-free control and helps Samsung keep pace with rivals.

Head gestures were treated as modern and mildly useful, though not a breakthrough feature.

Instrument separation was praised in track testing, where synths, bass, vocals, and percussion stayed layered rather than smeared together.

Instrument separation and detail were praised through references to clear placement, textural insight, and good separation between instruments.

The integrated microphone system was described as upgraded and designed for clearer calls and better voice recognition.

The integrated microphone array received positive hardware-level comments, even though call quality varied across reviews.

LDAC support was scored negatively because reviewers explicitly criticized the lack of compatibility with formats like LDAC outside Samsung’s codec path.

Lossless and high-res support received positive evidence, but the strongest benefits depend on Samsung’s own codec path.

Review evidence supported strong clarity with little distortion, though comments were about clean output generally rather than a dedicated max-volume stress test.

Microphone noise reduction was a strength, with reviewers saying background roar, white noise, wind, and background noise were reduced or blocked.

Microphone noise reduction was often praised for blocking background noise and wind, though fit and mic-selection issues could hurt performance.

Call quality was usable but not flawless: one review heard crisp clarity, another reported a muffled voice, and the comparison piece expected clearer calls.

Call microphone quality was mixed: some reviewers heard crisp or strong calls, while others heard fuzziness, digitization, or minor wonkiness.

Midrange clarity was praised, especially for vocals, though Engadget described the non-Pro model's mids as merely filling the gaps adequately.

Midrange and vocal clarity earned strong praise, with reviewers calling vocals clear, forward, cutting, or unmuddled.

Multi-platform compatibility was a clear limitation because the richest features and smoothest device switching stay tied to Samsung or Galaxy devices.

Multi-platform compatibility was a weakness because reviewers repeatedly said the product feels incomplete or limited outside Samsung devices.

Multipoint and device switching were mixed: Tom's Guide criticized non-Galaxy limitations, while the specs comparison expected smoother Galaxy ecosystem switching.

Multipoint was one of the clearest weaknesses, with reviewers repeatedly noting no true universal multipoint and weaker switching outside Samsung devices.

Passive isolation was weak because the open-fit body lacks a sealing silicone tip, letting outside noise seep in.

Passive isolation depended heavily on fit: some reviewers got a strong seal, while others found isolation could be weaker.

Portability was positive because the case was described as small and pocketable.

Preset EQ feedback was positive, especially for the Dynamic preset, which reviewers said added punch or emphasized the buds’ strengths.

Adaptive sensors and detection features were generally useful, with reviewers praising timely voice detection and automatic ambient switching.

Sidetone was appreciated for helping callers hear their own voice, though one review noted digital hiss.

Smudge resistance was weak because the transparent case was said to show scratches and fingerprints.

Setup and software were strongest for Galaxy users, with settings baked into the phone and a broad range of options available.

Setup simplicity was somewhat mixed, with one reviewer noting a learning curve after Samsung moved controls into phone settings.

Sound quality was the clearest strength across all three reviews, with praise for richness, refinement, and overall listening enjoyment.

Reviewers largely treated sound quality as the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro’s standout strength, praising clarity, richness, and detail, though one lab-focused review found the tuning somewhat off without EQ.

Soundstage depth received positive evidence through UHQ listening, where acoustics were described as reverberating around the listener.

Soundstage width was praised in UHQ mode, with Tom's Guide calling the presentation surprisingly expansive.

The soundstage was described as more open and expansive than expected for earbuds.

Spatial audio was not a selling point for one reviewer, who said upmixed spatial audio could warp music.

Physical stability was a weakness in the Engadget review because the open design required repeated fit adjustments.

Stability was polarized, with some reviewers saying the buds stayed in well and others reporting slipping, especially while moving.

Touch control responsiveness was praised, with reviewers finding the touch area easy to locate and the gestures precise or straightforward.

Touch and swipe responsiveness was mostly praised, especially when reviewers could adjust or grab the buds without accidental playback changes.

Transparency mode earned positive evidence from the comparison review because Ambient Sound made daily use more practical than Buds 3.

Transparency and ambient mode were consistently praised as natural, clear, and among the better implementations reviewers had tried.

Treble performance was praised for crunchy highs and strong mids/treble performance, without the tinniness criticized in AirPods comparisons.

Treble was generally praised for sparkle, crispness, and clarity, contributing to a clean and lively sound.

USB-C was mentioned positively as part of a convenient charging setup.

Value was favorable for Galaxy owners and price-conscious buyers, with reviewers calling the performance strong for the $179 tier.

Value depended on the buyer: several reviewers called them worth it or easy to recommend for Galaxy users, while others said non-Samsung buyers could do better.

Voice assistant integration was considered useful for hands-free tasks, though one reviewer personally had little interest in AI assistants.

Volume output was considered more than sufficient, with one reviewer saying maximum volume exceeded what users would need.

Water and sweat resistance were a concern because the Buds 4 dropped from Buds 3's IP57 rating to IP54 and were described as less rugged.

The IP57 protection was treated positively for dust, rain, sweat, and stronger water resistance than many earbuds.

Weight comfort was praised through comments about lightness, low pressure, and forgetting the earbuds were in.