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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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 across many reviews, with several reviewers wearing the buds for hours without fatigue or pain.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 modern and mildly useful, though not a breakthrough feature.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Multi-platform compatibility was strong, with Tom’s Guide reporting seamless use across a Pixel phone, MacBooks, and an iPad.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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