Compare Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 vs Sony WF-C710N 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 wind and background suppression, but a few reviewers said voice quality suffers or becomes hard to understand in noisy settings.

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

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

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

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 positive in the one review that tested both iPhone and Android without issues.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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