Compare Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 vs Sennheiser CX 80U Wired Earbuds

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.

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

Android-style USB-C use was strong in Tom’s Guide testing, where the earbuds worked seamlessly with a Google Pixel phone.

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

Tom’s Guide noted there is no companion app, but judged that absence as not a major drawback for these wired earbuds.

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

Bass was generally described as clean, responsive, punchy, and powerful, though both transcripts noted the deepest sub-bass lacked some weight.

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

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

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

TechRadar explicitly praised the earbuds’ build quality as impressive for the budget category.

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

Tom’s Guide treated the built-in DAC and hi-res playback support as a major selling point for budget wired earbuds.

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

Control usability was mixed: TechRadar disliked the missing volume buttons, while Tom’s Guide praised the button feel and responsiveness.

Cable quality drew criticism from Tom’s Guide because the wires lack anti-tangle design and bunch up in a pocket.

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

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

Comfort was excellent across both reviews, including multi-hour listening with no irritation and full marks for long-period wear.

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

Design reactions were split: TechRadar loved the classy look, while Tom’s Guide found the lowkey all-black design unflashy.

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.

Fit was a major positive, with the right seal improving comfort and Tom’s Guide’s chosen tips staying put securely.

Both reviews valued the supplied eartip options because they helped users find a better fit and seal.

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

Equalizer customization is limited, but Tom’s Guide did not feel a need to tailor the sound profile during use.

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

The tonal balance was broadly praised as full-range and accurate, but Tom’s Guide still noted the lowest frequencies were less refined.

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

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

Instrument and vocal separation were praised, with layers avoiding muddiness and words not bleeding together.

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

The integrated mic was usable but not impressive, with decent voice clarity offset by static and limited call quality.

Tom’s Guide praised the earbuds for lossless, low-latency playback support up to 24-bit/96KHz.

At peak volume, the TechRadar review found the treble stayed controlled instead of becoming harsh or tinny.

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

The mic picked up noticeable background static, suggesting weak noise handling during recording or calls.

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 mic performance was a weakness in TechRadar’s testing, with acceptable voice clarity but below-best call quality.

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

Mids and vocals came through clearly, with one review praising robust balance and the other emphasizing intelligible, separated vocals.

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 strong, with Tom’s Guide reporting seamless use across a Pixel phone, MacBooks, and an iPad.

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

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

Passive noise isolation was repeatedly praised, with the seal and eartips blocking office chatter and reducing external sounds well.

Pocket portability is undercut by the cable tangling and bunching, which Tom’s Guide found annoying to manage.

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

Setup simplicity was excellent because the USB-C plug-and-play interface worked without friction.

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

Reviewers strongly praised the CX 80U’s sound for detail and refinement, while one review framed it as mostly superb because the lowest bass was weaker.

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.

Both reviewers found a convincing sense of space, including defined treble placement and a notably wide soundstage.

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 excellent in Tom’s Guide testing, with the earbuds staying in place while stationary and walking.

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

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

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

Treble was a strength in both reviews, staying vivid and bright without turning harsh, tinny, or shrill.

USB-C was a major advantage in both reviews, improving fit with modern devices and making the earbuds more versatile.

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

Value was a standout strength in both reviews, with strong praise for the sub-$40 sound and overall bang for the buck.

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

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.

Water resistance was a limitation because TechRadar wanted at least IPX4-style splash protection and found no waterproofing claim.

Tom’s Guide tied comfort and stability partly to the very light individual earbud weight.