Compare Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro vs Audio-Technica ATH-CKS50TW Earbuds

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

ANC performance was the most divided feature: some reviewers found it strong or effective, while several called it average, mediocre, or disappointing versus leaders.

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

Android pairing was praised through Google Fast Pair and straightforward setup on Android devices.

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

The Connect app was broadly praised as thorough, useful, and feature-rich, with repeated appreciation for customization, updates, and extra controls.

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

aptX support was treated as a positive for higher-quality or potentially better fidelity, especially for compatible devices.

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

Low-latency performance and video sync were a clear strength, with reviewers repeatedly reporting little to no perceptible delay.

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

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

Bass was a major strength for most reviewers, described as deep, warm, thumpy, or great, but a few noted it could obscure mids or lacked flagship-level cleanliness.

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

Battery life was the clearest consensus strength, with reviewers repeatedly calling it epic, insane, best-in-class, or unusually long.

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

Bluetooth performance was generally stable and reliable, with strong connection praise, though one reviewer reported random signal drops in some multipoint use.

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

Build quality was mostly viewed positively, with reviewers praising sturdy construction or non-cheap materials, though one reviewer criticized the build as not amazing.

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

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

Button usability split reviewers sharply: some preferred responsive physical buttons, while others found them fiddly, hard to locate, or awkward to press.

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

Case quality was generally positive for sturdiness, magnets, finish, or design, although size hurt portability rather than perceived construction.

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

Charging was mixed: fast charging drew strong praise, but multiple reviewers criticized the lack of wireless charging on the original model.

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

Codec support was praised as a strong spec highlight, especially around Bluetooth 5.2 and aptX Adaptive.

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

Comfort was mostly positive despite the bulky housings, with several reviewers wearing them for long periods, though one TW2 review found the design less comfortable.

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

Design impressions were mixed to negative: some liked the subdued look, but many called the buds or case bulky, plain, or not especially attractive.

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

Fit was generally secure and comfortable for some reviewers, but fit concerns remained for smaller ears or wind-noise isolation.

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

One review praised the four tip sizes as giving plenty of range to find a comfortable fit.

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

EQ customization was one of the strongest software features, with reviewers praising the ability to tune sound and create more personalized profiles.

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.

Reviewers described the overall tuning as balanced or safe, with the frequency range generally represented without harshness.

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

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

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

Instrument separation was praised when reviewers heard transient details and individual elements clearly, but one reviewer found separation below audiophile rivals.

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

Reviewers who evaluated the built-in microphones found them useful or strong for calls in favorable conditions, though noise handling could struggle outdoors or in busy spaces.

The snap-together magnetic bud design on the TW2 was strongly praised for reducing loss and battery drain outside the case.

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.

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

One reviewer noted that dynamics could feel slightly compressed at louder volumes, making maximum-volume clarity good but not perfect.

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

Microphone noise reduction was a repeated weakness, with reviewers noting struggles against noise, exterior sounds, or wind.

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

Call quality was usually acceptable to good in quiet conditions, with some strong praise, but several reviewers found it only average outside controlled environments.

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

Midrange clarity was mixed: some reviewers heard clear vocals and lead instruments, while others said vocals or lower mids were pushed back by the bass-forward tuning.

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

Reviewers found phone-and-laptop use helpful, with multipoint and cross-device switching making the earbuds practical across platforms.

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

Multipoint was consistently valued for switching between phone, laptop, computer, or other devices, with reviewers describing it as useful, seamless, or reliable.

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

Passive isolation was usually strong when the seal fit well, though one review noted fit-related wind-noise leakage.

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

Portability was a recurring weakness because the case was often described as bulky, clunky, hard to pocket, or inconvenient, despite battery-life tradeoffs.

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

One reviewer said the Clear Vocal preset effectively fixed a vocal-detail issue, supporting a strong score for preset EQ usefulness.

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

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

Sensors were a clear weakness where reviewers wanted wear detection and criticized its absence.

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

Sidetone was treated as useful for calls, helping users monitor their own voice or making the earbuds more office-friendly.

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

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

One review described initial setup as simple and fast, supporting a strong software/setup score.

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

Reviewers mostly found the earbuds enjoyable and capable, with repeated praise for warm, detailed, or impressive sound, though one reviewer found the sound merely okay.

Soundstage depth was praised by Expert Reviews but underwhelmed one YouTube reviewer who expected more depth from the large housings.

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

Soundstage width drew strong praise from some reviewers for wraparound or convincing staging, while one reviewer expected more width from the large earbuds.

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

Spatial audio opinions were divided, ranging from disappointment or superfluousness to strong immersion and impressive 360 Reality Audio effects.

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

Stability ranged from excellent in workout/head-shake testing to less reassuring on the bulkier TW2 design.

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

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

Transparency/hear-through mode was useful for awareness and conversation, but reviewers disagreed on quality, ranging from invaluable to merely okay.

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

Treble generally stayed clear and non-harsh, but several reviewers said highs lacked some sharpness, space, or detail compared with stronger competitors.

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

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

Value was generally positive because of battery life, sound, and features for the price, though one reviewer argued $150 was too high.

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

One review criticized the lack of built-in voice-assistant control, making this a weak point for hands-free assistant use.

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

Reviewers who commented on volume found adequate headroom and loud output, without major volume complaints.

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

Water and sweat resistance was treated as useful for workouts, outdoor use, and peace of mind, though not as full waterproofing.

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

One review specifically described the earbuds as light and relatively inconspicuous, supporting a positive weight-comfort impression.