Compare Apple AirPods Pro 2 Wireless Earbuds vs Samsung Galaxy Buds 4

Ear tip size options were praised for improving fit and seal, especially the added extra-small option, though some wanted extra-large tips.

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.

Stability was strong in lab tests and daily use, with one long-term reviewer only wishing for slightly better grip in certain jaw movements.

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.

Included accessories were positively noted where the extra-small ear tips were treated as a needed and applauded inclusion.

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.

Android compatibility was consistently weak because reviewers said many features are unavailable or the experience is not worth the price.

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.

Equalizer customization was a consistent weakness: reviewers repeatedly missed a manual EQ or noted no direct EQ adjustment.

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.

Sensors were praised where auto-wear/skin detection returned and improved playback behavior.

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.

Hi-res playback support was weak because the reviews noted no broad high-resolution audio support outside the headset exception.

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.

Passive isolation was strongest when reviewers got a good seal, but one long-term user still wanted more background blocking.

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.

Volume output was seen as strong, with one lab noting maintained sound quality at high and low levels and another noting clarity at low volume.

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.

Water and sweat resistance were viewed positively for workouts, sweat, light rain, and added security, but not as full waterproofing.

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.

Fit was generally favorable, especially versus some rivals, but reviews still noted ear-tip fit may vary by ear.

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.

Button and pinch controls were praised as intuitive and superior to less comfortable tap-based controls.

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.

Codec support was a recurring weakness because reviewers noted AAC/SBC limits and no higher-quality codec support.

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.

Value was strong for Apple users, especially on sale, though some reviews still emphasized the high price and ecosystem dependence.

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.

Active noise cancellation drew the strongest agreement: reviewers repeatedly called it excellent, impressive, or among the best in true wireless earbuds.

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.

Maximum-volume clarity was mostly positive, though one review noted clarity can suffer at high levels while another heard little distortion.

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.

Lossless audio support was mostly a limitation, except for Vision Pro-specific support that one reviewer found useful.

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.

Soundstage depth was mixed: some reviewers found the experience immersive, but others heard limited depth compared with larger headphones.

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

Multi-platform use was acceptable in the one Windows mention, where switching to a Windows PC worked without trouble.

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.

Reviewers often found the soundstage surprisingly wide and spacious for earbuds, though some treated the effect as limited compared with full-size headphones.

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.

Build quality received a low long-term note because the case was reported to scratch easily.

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.

Portability was praised through the small, pocketable case and sleek form factor.

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.

Comfort during long use was a major strength, with reviewers repeatedly saying they could wear the earbuds for extended sessions.

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.

Find My support was heavily praised for case tracking, sounds, precision finding, and helping locate individual buds or the case.

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.

Battery life was adequate to good for most users, improved over older models, but several reviewers still called it average or behind rivals.

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.

Bass was usually described as satisfying, fuller, and more powerful than earlier AirPods, with only isolated caveats about tightness or quantity versus other headphones.

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.

Apple-device switching and connectivity were repeatedly praised, while true non-Apple multipoint remained a limitation.

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.

Design drew mixed-to-positive reactions: reviewers liked the modern look and compact case but criticized white plastic grip, stains, or snag-prone stems.

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.

Setup and software simplicity were excellent in Apple’s ecosystem but poor for users outside it, especially Android owners.

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.

Touch and stem controls were usually praised for convenience and responsiveness, though several reviewers found the volume gesture imperfect or awkward at first.

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.

Call mic quality ranged from mediocre in one audiophile review to excellent in lab and mainstream reviews, with most evidence positive.

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.

Treble was consistently characterized as smooth, natural, and free from harshness or sibilance.

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.

Charging was praised for quick top-ups, Apple Watch/MagSafe/wireless options, USB-C convenience, and reduced cable friction.

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.

Bluetooth reliability was generally strong in lab and long-term testing, though one dropped-product report mentioned occasional connection and balance issues.

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.

Midrange performance earned positive notes for natural vocals, balanced mids, and clear vocal presentation.

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.

Low-latency spatial audio for Vision Pro was positively described as essential for avoiding delayed audio in that use case.

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

The long-term reviewer who discussed tonal balance found the frequency response consistent and neutral.

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.

The app/settings experience was excellent on Apple devices but sharply weaker for Android users without access to key controls.

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.

Reviewers broadly praised the AirPods Pro 2 sound as clear, balanced, rich, and dramatically improved, though a few framed it as merely good rather than truly pro-level.

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.

The integrated microphone hardware was praised where the beam-forming mic array was evaluated directly.

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

Voice assistant integration was praised in one long-term review for working seamlessly with Apple’s assistant.

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.

Instrument separation was praised in the reviews that discussed it, especially the ability to pull apart different elements in music.

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

Transparency mode was one of the most praised features, often described as natural, class-leading, and useful for conversations or awareness.

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.

Microphone noise reduction was praised for suppressing background noise and keeping voices intelligible.

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.

Smudge and surface resistance were weak in long-term use, with complaints about scratching, yellowing, and visible grime.

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

Weight comfort was supported by praise for the lightweight design that helped make the earbuds comfortable.

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

The case was widely liked for compactness, pocketability, speaker/Find My usefulness, and easier daily handling, despite scratch concerns elsewhere.

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.

Spatial audio was polarizing: several reviewers loved the immersion, while others called it gimmicky or frustrating to personalize.

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.

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.

The H2 chip was credited with better ANC, battery life, stability, and the features that distinguish this generation.

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

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.

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.

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.

Sustainability materials were mentioned positively in one review that applauded Apple’s sourced-material choices.

USB-C was generally welcomed for cable convenience, though one review said it was not enough reason to upgrade from the Lightning version alone.

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.