ANC is usually rated as strong and clearly improved, but not universally best-in-class; it excels more with steady noise than sudden sounds and remains behind the very top Bose, Sony, or Apple options for some listeners.
These earbuds pair especially well with Samsung and Android devices, and many reviewers frame that ecosystem fit as one of the product's biggest selling points.
The app is useful for firmware, library management, and Playlist+ tasks, but it is basic rather than feature rich and can feel awkward compared with more polished headphone apps.
The Galaxy Wearable experience is feature-rich and useful, but several reviews note that the best tools remain most valuable on Samsung devices.
One review notes that enabling the highest-quality Samsung audio mode can hurt lip-sync performance, making video playback less precise than standard settings.
Bass is inconsistent. Some reviewers hear solid or even punchier bass, especially underwater or with earplugs, but others call it hollow, woolly, or nearly absent on land.
Bass is widely described as deep, punchy, and well-controlled, but a minority of reviewers thought the low end could overpower some tracks without EQ tweaks.
Battery life is solid for the category, with most reviews landing around the claimed 9 hours over Bluetooth and 6 hours from memory mode, though some testing suggests real-world endurance can fall short of the marketing numbers.
Battery life is serviceable rather than standout. Most reviews land around six hours per charge and see that as fine for everyday use, but short versus the longest-lasting rivals.
Bluetooth is fine for some above-water use, but stability is not flawless. Multiple reviewers mention stutters, disconnects, or pairing friction, and underwater Bluetooth remains impractical as expected.
Bluetooth stability is generally solid, with good range and few disconnect complaints, though one review did note occasional dropouts.
Build quality comes across as sturdy, flexible, and ready for abuse in the pool or during training. The sealed construction and soft exterior inspire confidence.
The controls are the most common complaint. Physical buttons offer tactile feedback, but many reviewers found them too small, too close together, slow on secondary presses, or easy to trigger incorrectly while moving.
The magnetic proprietary cable supports the waterproof design, but it adds one more special accessory to keep track of, and one reviewer reported unreliable wired file transfers.
The included cases are generally well regarded. Reviewers call them protective and practical, though some found the standard case bulkier than necessary.
The redesigned case earns mostly positive marks for pocketability, easier docking, and the translucent lid, though a few reviewers found it blockier or more scratch-prone than ideal.
Charging is straightforward once aligned with the magnetic connector, and case-based charging options add convenience, but the waterproof-focused approach means living with a proprietary setup.
Charging convenience is strong thanks to USB-C and wireless charging support, and reviewers generally liked the case's day-to-day practicality.
Codec support is strong for Samsung owners thanks to SSC and UHQ options, but the experience is less compelling outside the Galaxy ecosystem where higher-end features are restricted.
Comfort is one of the strongest recurring positives. The open-ear design avoids ear-canal fatigue, vibrations are generally well controlled for the category, and several reviewers found them easy to wear for long swims or runs.
Long-session comfort is a major positive. Many reviewers wore the earbuds for hours on flights, work sessions, or daily use without significant fatigue.
The design is sporty and practical rather than stylish. Reviewers like the soft-touch finish and purpose-built form, even if it looks more specialized than everyday headphones.
Samsung's new look is broadly seen as more polished and premium, with the flatter metallic stem and refined case helping the Buds 4 Pro feel more distinct and mature.
Samsung includes multiple tip sizes, but fit outcomes still vary widely; some reviewers got a strong seal quickly while others could not find a great match.
EQ tuning is essentially missing, so you are mostly stuck with the default sound signature.
EQ customization is a clear strength, with reviewers frequently praising the custom bands and the ability to tune the sound away from the stock profile.
Accessories are a plus. Earplugs and a protective case show up repeatedly as useful inclusions, and they materially improve the swim experience.
Instrument separation is frequently cited as a standout, with cleaner layering and better distinction between elements than earlier Galaxy Buds generations.
Pushing volume too high hurts sound quality. At max levels, reviewers noted distortion, harsher vibrations, and less pleasant listening.
Background-noise suppression during calls performs very well in most reviews, especially against wind, traffic, and loud ambient noise, even if the processed voice can sound a bit artificial.
Call quality is usable but not a strength. Voices tend to sound quiet, distant, or light on detail, which fits the swim-first design but limits all-purpose appeal.
Call quality is good overall, with clear enough voice pickup for everyday use, but several reviewers heard some digitizing, fuzziness, or mild warble in tougher conditions.
Mids and vocals are serviceable rather than standout. They come through well enough for workouts and can sound more balanced underwater, but several reviews say voices lose body or detail above water.
Midrange performance is a strength, with vocals and core instruments coming through clearly and without being swallowed by the boosted low end.
Outside the Samsung ecosystem, the Buds 4 Pro lose meaningful convenience and some premium features, so cross-platform users get a less complete product.
Multipoint support is absent, which limits convenience if you switch between devices often.
Multipoint and device switching are a weak spot. Galaxy-to-Galaxy switching is convenient, but true cross-platform multipoint is missing or awkward.
The open-ear design provides almost no passive isolation on its own. The included earplugs make a noticeable difference in the pool by reducing splash noise and improving perceived clarity and bass.
Passive isolation depends heavily on fit: reviewers with a strong seal found it effective, while others said the tips failed to seal well enough for class-leading isolation.
The local-memory feature is the reason to buy these. Reviewers like the 8GB storage, drag-and-drop loading, and true phone-free swimming, but Playlist+ is often described as clunky, slow, or awkward, and 8GB trails some rivals.
Preset EQ options are generally well received, especially the Dynamic-style tuning, though they are not a full substitute for manual tweaking if you dislike the default balance.
Setup is not difficult, but one review noted a small learning curve because some controls moved from the old app-centered flow into Samsung's system settings.
Sound quality is the main compromise. Underwater playback is often described as good or at least satisfying for the category, while above-water listening ranges from merely okay to clearly weak compared with better open-ear or in-ear alternatives.
Across the review set, the Buds 4 Pro are consistently praised for rich, detailed, energetic sound, though a few reviewers found the tuning a bit bass-forward or Samsung-dependent at the top end.
When reviewers commented on staging, they found the presentation surprisingly open and spacious for true wireless earbuds, especially with Samsung's higher-quality audio modes.
Once the fit suits your head, stability is excellent. Reviewers regularly say the headset stays put through swimming, running, and vigorous movement, though smaller heads can end up with extra rear loop.
Fit security is good for many listeners, but not universal. Several reviewers found the buds locked in well, while others reported slipping during movement or difficulty maintaining a seal.
Pinch and swipe controls are usually considered responsive and easier to use than last generation, though a few people still found the gesture scheme awkward at first.
Transparency or ambient mode is one of the most consistently praised features, sounding natural and useful for conversations, announcements, and day-to-day awareness.
Treble is acceptable for exercise use, not refined listening. Highs are often described as rolled off, grainy, or slightly distorted when volume climbs.
Treble is generally clear and lively with good sparkle, though a few reviews mention occasional high-frequency leak-through in ANC mode or a slightly uneven top-end balance.
There is enough output for workouts and spoken-word listening, but open-ear use in noisy settings often requires higher volume than ideal.
Water performance is the standout strength. The IPX8 rating and real underwater playback are consistently praised, making these far more convincing for swimmers than most open-ear alternatives.
The IP57 rating is repeatedly highlighted as a useful advantage for sweaty workouts, rain, and general durability, even though the buds are not meant for swimming.
These are repeatedly described as lightweight and unobtrusive, which helps during long sessions and makes the headset easy to forget once positioned.