Compare Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 vs Sony WF-C710N Earbuds

Passive isolation is inherently weak because the buds do not seal the ear canal. External sound leaks in easily, which also makes ANC and bass performance more dependent on positioning.

Passive isolation received strong marks where tested, with reviewers crediting the ear tips and secure seal for blocking outside noise before ANC.

Wear detection can become unreliable when the earbuds shift, occasionally making the system think a bud is no longer seated and dropping ANC in that ear.

Wear-detection sensors were praised as smooth, useful, and battery-saving.

Spatial depth is limited by the unsealed design, and reviewers caution against expecting a strongly three-dimensional or immersive presentation.

Soundstage depth received positive comments around three-dimensional space, soundstage, and bass/soundstage impact.

Samsung Seamless Codec can provide near-lossless wireless playback on compatible Galaxy devices, giving Samsung users a higher-quality audio path than standard Bluetooth modes.

Lossless audio support was weak because one reviewer explicitly noted the lack of aptX lossless and LDAC.

The buds can handle basic use across different devices, but the experience is much richer on Samsung hardware. Several advanced audio, assistant, and switching features are unavailable or less capable elsewhere.

Multi-platform compatibility was positive in the one review that tested both iPhone and Android without issues.

Fit is highly polarizing but skews strongly negative. A minority find the open shape comfortable and secure, while many others cannot keep the buds properly seated even during ordinary movement.

Eartip fit was usually secure and comfortable when the right size was found, though smaller ears and seal sensitivity remained caveats.

Samsung's SSC/UHQ codec support is one of the stronger ecosystem perks, delivering high-quality 24-bit/96kHz playback that reviewers say can make an audible difference.

Codec support was a recurring weakness because reviewers repeatedly criticized the earbuds for offering only AAC/SBC and lacking higher-quality options.

ANC is the biggest technical compromise of the open design. Many testers and buyers found it weak or unstable without a seal, though several users reported strong noise reduction when the buds stayed seated well.

ANC was the clearest consensus strength, repeatedly described as highly effective, above its price class, and unusually strong for budget earbuds.

Value is contentious. Galaxy-focused features and strong sound justify the price for some, but many buyers say the poor fit, modest battery, or weak ANC makes cheaper or Pro alternatives a smarter purchase.

Value was one of the strongest themes: reviewers consistently saw the WF-C710N as a strong budget buy despite compromises in codecs, case feel, controls, and fit.

Setup is one of the most consistent strengths. Galaxy pairing is usually immediate and seamless, while even Pixel and other Android users report quick, straightforward connection.

Software/setup simplicity was mixed, with one reviewer praising guided EQ setup and others reporting frustrating app signup or connection issues.

Stability is the dominant complaint. Dozens of buyers report slipping, loosening, or outright falls during walking, chewing, exercise, or even sitting still, although a minority say the buds stay secure in their ears.

Stability was polarizing: some reviewers had no fallouts, while others found the earbuds slipped during running or were insecure for workouts.

The transparent case lid looks good but attracts fingerprints and scratches very quickly, so keeping it clean and pristine takes extra care.

Smudge resistance was mixed, with one reviewer finding the case not fingerprint-prone and another saying it attracts fingerprints and dust.

Loudness varies sharply by user and fit. Some testers find plenty of output, while many customers report the Buds 4 as unusually quiet or developing very low output in one ear.

One reviewer highlighted strong volume output, describing the earbuds as loud and energetic.

Width is inconsistent: UHQ playback can sound impressively expansive, but broader testing finds the unsealed design limits convincing spatial width when fit is less than ideal.

One lab-based review credited the earbuds with wide, clearly defined spatial presentation.

Battery life is one of the more common complaints. Around five to six hours is often described as merely adequate or disappointing, and some buyers reported much shorter runtimes, although a smaller group found endurance very good.

Battery life was usually praised as long or above average, though one reviewer fell short of Sony’s claim in mixed ANC/ambient use.

The move from IP57 on the prior generation to IP54 is consistently viewed as a downgrade. It still covers sweat and splashes, but offers less protection for rain, workouts, and water exposure.

Water and sweat resistance was seen as adequate for light workouts or casual use, though not all reviewers trusted the fit for exercise.

The box feels sparse for the price. Multiple reviewers objected to the missing charging cable, and one also wanted basic printed guidance or a direct setup link.

Included accessories were adequate but not generous, with one reviewer wishing Sony supplied a better charging cable.

Comfort depends heavily on ear shape. The light, tipless design is excellent for some people and works well for long sessions, while others report pressure, irritation, or pain within minutes.

Comfort was a major strength, with many reviewers saying the earbuds remain comfortable for hours or even all day.

Spatial audio divides opinion. One user calls it genuinely cool, while another avoids it because upmixing can warp music, making its value highly preference-dependent.

Spatial audio support was not a major draw, with reviewers noting limited service support or calling the feature unimpressive.

Very high volume can hurt tonal balance. Reviewers heard bass recede and upper frequencies become noticeably thinner or tinnier near the top of the volume range.

Maximum-volume clarity was mixed, with reviewers noting muddier mids at high volume and occasional treble distortion.

Bass can be punchy, deep, and even surprisingly powerful when the fit is right, but it is highly seal-dependent. Several reviewers heard the low end thin out, turn muddy, or fade as the buds shifted.

Bass was one of the most praised traits, usually described as powerful, punchy, deep, or dynamic, with a minority saying it can overpower the mix or sound too heavy out of the box.

The buds often feel solid, premium, and capable of surviving drops, but long-term reliability is uneven. Multiple customers reported buzzing, weak output, microphone degradation, or complete failure within a few months.

Build quality was mostly solid for the price, though some reviewers described the plastics as slightly plasticky.

The built-in microphone system can perform extremely well, with clear voice pickup and strong overall microphone performance in demanding use.

Integrated microphones were generally adequate to good for calls, with stronger indoor performance and weaker results in noisier conditions.

The lack of built-in silicone tips or meaningful size adjustment is a major weakness. Buyers with a poor fit have little way to improve grip, seal, or stability without aftermarket add-ons.

Ear tip options were limited, with one reviewer warning that three sizes and no stabilizers may not suit many users.

The compact case can disappear easily into a pocket for some users, but one buyer found the newer case noticeably larger and no longer comfortably pocketable.

Portability was mostly good because the case fits pockets, though several reviewers called it bulkier than rivals or less ideal for tight pockets.

Charging is generally convenient and reliable, with wireless charging and reasonably quick top-ups earning praise. Minor complaints include the lack of an audible charging confirmation.

Charging was mixed: quick charging earned praise, but the lack of wireless charging was a repeated limitation.

The flatter clamshell case is widely praised for easier insertion, visibility, and a premium feel. A few users found it bulky, hard to pry open, or unusually tight, but the redesign is mostly well received.

Carry case quality split reviewers, with some finding it premium or sturdy and others calling it plasticky, chunky, cheap-feeling, or less sturdy over time.

The 9-band custom EQ and multiple presets provide unusually broad tuning flexibility for the standard model. Reviewers consistently appreciate having meaningful sound adjustment without stepping up to the Pro.

EQ customization was useful and often appreciated, though some reviewers wanted deeper controls or found Sony’s personalization basic.

Ambient Sound is generally welcomed as a practical addition for awareness outdoors and quick conversations. One user found the transparency effect noticeably amplified rather than fully natural.

Transparency and ambient modes were mixed: some reviewers found them useful or excellent, while others noticed hiss, delay, or weaker high-frequency reproduction.

When seated correctly, the Buds 4 reproduce timbre reasonably well and present a balanced consumer-friendly tuning. Fit instability is the main factor that can disturb that consistency.

Frequency balance was mostly praised as balanced or preference-aligned, though one reviewer wanted more middle and high-frequency presence.

The revised Buds 4 design gets strong marks for looking cleaner, sleeker, and more premium than the previous generation. The brushed-metal styling and simplified stems are recurring visual highlights.

Design opinions were mixed but leaned positive, especially for the transparent Glass Blue finish; some reviewers found it toy-like or only average.

Background-noise rejection is usually a strong point, with several tests showing voices staying clear through traffic, crowds, white noise, or loud music. A smaller number of users reported poor noise handling during calls.

Microphone noise reduction was often praised for wind and background suppression, but a few reviewers said voice quality suffers or becomes hard to understand in noisy settings.

Sound is one of the strongest parts of the Buds 4, with frequent praise for clarity, detail, vocals, and overall richness. The catch is fit: when the buds loosen, bass and balance can deteriorate sharply.

Reviewers broadly found the WF-C710N enjoyable and strong for the price, with praise for full, engaging sound, though a few noted merely average or bass-heavy tuning.

Complex mixes remain clean and layered when the buds are seated well, with vocals and instruments staying distinct instead of collapsing into each other.

Instrument separation was praised in several reviews, with reviewers hearing clear placement, detail, and separation across layered tracks.

Galaxy-to-Galaxy Auto Switch can be excellent and nearly instant, but true cross-platform Bluetooth multipoint is missing. Users moving between Samsung and non-Samsung devices may need manual switching.

Multipoint was valued when it worked, but one reviewer reported disruptive dual-device buzzing, making reliability context-dependent.

Android use is a clear strength, especially on Galaxy phones where pairing and settings feel deeply integrated. Non-Samsung Android phones generally work well too, but some premium features remain Galaxy-only.

Android compatibility was positive where tested, including Android pairing and no cross-platform issues.

The Smooth preset is specifically recommended for listeners who find the upper treble too sharp, giving the built-in presets practical value beyond simple novelty.

Preset EQ profiles were viewed positively when reviewers found bass boost, Excited, or Bright profiles useful for shaping the sound.

The earbuds are exceptionally light, and that low weight helps them sit without much strain during longer listening sessions.

Low weight supported comfort, with reviewers noting the earbuds are light enough to forget they are being worn.

Call quality is mixed. Many reviewers heard crisp, clear speech and strong pickup, but others found voices muffled, too quiet, inconsistent, or badly degraded after a few months.

Call microphone quality ranged from clear and impressive to merely usable, with the best results in quiet or moderate environments.

Treble is often crisp, lively, and detailed, but the brighter upper range can become shrill for sensitive listeners and may sound thinner at very high volume.

Treble was often described as crisp, clear, or detailed, though several reviewers noted missing upper-treble detail or occasional distortion.

Bluetooth 6.1 brings good range and stability in several expert tests, and Galaxy pairing is usually smooth. Customer experiences are less consistent, with reports of slow reconnection, short range, dropouts, and repeated disconnects.

Bluetooth reliability was mixed, with several reviewers reporting no issues or stable switching, while others encountered dropouts, app reconnection problems, or buzzing.

The software offers extensive control over ANC, EQ, gestures, and other features. Most impressions are positive, although one reviewer disliked the Wearable app's heavy permission requests and another noticed a wrong Buds icon.

The app was mostly praised for control and customization, but some reviewers wanted easier setup, more features, or fewer connection frustrations.

The retained physical case button is welcome, but button placement is not universally easy. Reviewers with dexterity limitations and some other users found the small or side-mounted controls difficult to activate.

Control usability was limited by awkward volume gestures and limited customization despite some responsive touch surfaces.

Controls can be responsive, tactile, and easy to customize, but usability varies. Some users find the pinch-and-swipe system awkward, easy to trigger accidentally, or likely to disturb the already fragile fit.

Touch control responsiveness was generally good, but repeated taps and accidental triggers made the control experience uneven.

Vocals and midrange detail are generally clear and well presented when the buds sit properly. In noisier real-world use, the open fit can let outside sound mask the mids.

Midrange clarity was generally positive, especially for vocals, but some reviewers said heavy bass or higher volumes can make mids muddy or constrained.

Translation performance is inconsistent: one tester found Korean back-and-forth surprisingly smooth, while another said normal-speed speech was not reliable enough. It looks useful, but not dependable for every conversation.

aptX support was criticized as absent, especially because some cheaper or similarly priced earbuds offer it.

Day-to-day use on a Galaxy phone showed no noticeable latency problems, making video playback and ordinary media use feel properly synchronized.

Auracast is viewed as a useful forward-looking feature that can tap into compatible public or shared Bluetooth LE audio broadcasts as adoption grows.

Galaxy-exclusive UHQ playback is a genuine audio advantage: testers heard a more expansive presentation and a clear benefit from 24-bit/96kHz playback on compatible Samsung devices.

Cable quality/accessories drew mild criticism because one reviewer wanted a longer USB-C-to-USB-C charging cable.

Samsung Find offers useful location tools and proximity guidance, but the case lacks its own speaker, which makes audible finding less convenient than it could be.

Headwear can aggravate the already loose open fit: hoodies may knock the buds out, and a thick winter hat can interfere with microphone placement.

Head gestures are generally considered a useful hands-free addition for answering or declining calls and handling prompts. Reviewers who tested them found the feature effective and convenient.

LDAC support was repeatedly called out as missing, which reviewers saw as disappointing for Sony earbuds and a drawback for serious listeners.

Overall reactions are split: strong sound, easy Galaxy pairing, premium styling, and useful smart features earn real praise, but the open fit creates enough stability, ANC, and consistency problems to ruin the experience for many buyers.

The unopened package arrived neatly presented, giving one buyer a positive first impression before using the product.

Sidetone was weak in one review because the earbuds did not feed enough of the caller’s own voice back during calls.

Hands-free voice controls and assistant access are useful for playback, messages, and phone tasks. Recognition can struggle in very loud environments, but the feature is broadly convenient.

Support experiences after early failures were extremely poor in the two customer reports: both describe getting little useful help, including a disputed warranty and an unresolved serial-number issue.