Compare OnePlus Buds 3 vs Samsung Galaxy Buds 4

ANC is the most divided area: several reviewers call it strong or impressive for the price, while others say it is average, weak, or below competitors.

ANC is available, but reviewers consistently treat it as limited by the open-fit design; one comparison piece expects improvement over Buds 3, while hands-on reviews still call it modest or not serious noise blocking.

Android compatibility is strong because reviewers emphasize that a OnePlus phone is not necessary to access core features.

Android support is strong for everyday use, especially on Galaxy phones, and non-Samsung Android users can still use the Wearables app, though some Galaxy-only features remain locked down.

The app is a major strength, with reviewers praising easy setup, strong feature access, stability, and broad control options.

The app and settings experience is broad on Samsung and Android, with Wearables support for non-Samsung Android phones and Galaxy settings integration for Samsung users.

Audio-video sync is generally strong for video and casual gaming, with occasional gaming delay noted in demanding cases.

Auracast is explicitly included among the shared features across the Buds 4 lineup.

Bass is one of the strongest themes: many reviewers praise its punch, depth, and fun energy, while a few find it too much or underwhelming out of the box.

Bass earns positive notes across reviews, ranging from punchy and crunchy to loud, wide, fuller and more refined.

Battery life is viewed as good enough by most reviewers, but not universally impressive and vulnerable to feature drain.

Battery life is serviceable rather than standout, with reviewers citing 6 hours without ANC, 5 hours with ANC and 30 hours via the case.

Bluetooth reliability is positive where tested, with strong range and stable everyday connectivity noted by reviewers.

Bluetooth support is a strength because the Buds 4 include Bluetooth 6.1, which reviewers connect to range, stability and future-proofing.

Build quality is generally positive, with reviewers noting durable finishes and solid construction after use.

Build impressions are positive: reviewers describe a premium feel, refined stems and a cleaner physical design.

Hi-res playback brings some benefits, such as lower distortion or slightly better quality, but reviewers describe the improvement as limited.

Hi-res playback is a Galaxy-centered strength, with UHQ and 24-bit Hi-Fi audio noted when paired with compatible devices.

Control usability is strong where volume swipes are discussed, although one review criticized the default omission of play/pause.

The included cable drew a mild negative note because PCMag called it short despite recognizing the signature USB-C cable.

Carry case quality is mixed: reviewers like the compact pocketable case, but one questioned the plastic case’s toughness.

The case is viewed positively for its translucent lid, updated flat-bud layout and physical pairing button.

Charging is mixed: fast charging helps, but the repeated lack of wireless charging is one of the most common drawbacks.

Charging evidence centers on the case reserve, with reviews citing up to 30 hours of total listening time through the charging case.

Codec support is useful but imperfect: LHDC support earns interest, yet limited device support and unstable high bitrates reduce its practical value.

Codec and high-quality audio support is represented by UHQ and 24-bit Hi-Fi playback on compatible Galaxy devices, not by aptX or LDAC.

Comfort is widely praised, with many reviewers saying the earbuds are comfortable for long sessions, though one found fit only moderately comfortable.

Comfort is a clear strength in the Tom's Guide review, including for small ears.

Design is broadly praised for looking stylish, premium, sleek, and attractive, with only smudging treated separately as a drawback.

Design feedback is broadly positive, describing the Buds 4 as polished, premium and more refined, even while acknowledging the AirPods-like stem style.

Eartip fit is mostly positive for comfort and seal, though one review notes the looser fit can let a bud slip out.

Fit evidence is mixed to weak: the open design can require adjustments and lacks a seal, though one review still found the earbuds comfortable.

Ear tip sizing receives one mild complaint that extra-large tips would have been useful.

Ear tip options are effectively absent because the Buds 4 use an open-fit, no-silicone-tip design.

EQ customization is useful and often effective, though one review found it too light-touch to correct the bass-heavy sound.

EQ customization is strong, with access to a 9-band equalizer in the app/settings experience.

Frequency balance is often considered improved or well tuned, but reviewers frame it as consumer-friendly rather than strictly neutral.

Head gestures are a supported modern control feature, with reviewers noting nods or shakes for calls, Bixby prompts and notifications.

Hinge durability is positive in the reviews that mention it, with both describing the case hinge as sturdy and not flimsy.

Instrument separation and imaging are frequently praised, with reviewers noting above-average placement, exceptional separation, and clear directional cues.

Instrument separation is supported by a detailed listening note about synth effects layered between bassline and percussion.

The integrated mic array is praised in the scored review for supporting clear speech recognition.

The mic hardware is described as upgraded, with multiple microphones and voice pickup units.

Maximum-volume clarity is mixed: PCMag praised distortion-free bass at top volumes, while Scarbir warned treble can become overwhelming.

Microphone noise reduction is often praised for suppressing background noise and wind, though Android Central was less convinced outdoors.

Microphone noise reduction is a strength, with reviewers saying background roar, white noise and wind/background noise are reduced or blocked.

Call microphone quality is usually good to excellent, with praise for loud, clear voices, though a few reviewers consider it merely adequate.

Call quality is generally good and intelligible, though one review says the voice can sound muffled and another notes processing in noisy places.

Midrange impressions vary: some hear clear vocals and mids, while others find the mids veiled or recessed behind the stronger bass and treble.

Midrange clarity is praised through adequate mids, clean vocals and strong mids/treble performance.

Multi-platform compatibility is positive in the scored review, which found audio quality consistent across several phones.

Multi-platform compatibility is limited: basics work outside Galaxy, but advanced features and seamless switching are restricted by ecosystem.

Multipoint is a consistent strength, with reviewers calling it brilliant, flawless, convenient, and useful across phones, laptops, and other devices.

Multipoint is context-dependent, working best in the Galaxy ecosystem and improving in Samsung contexts while remaining limited for non-ecosystem devices.

Passive isolation is weak because the open-fit, no-seal design lets external noise seep in.

Portability is positive in the scored review, which highlights the compact, lightweight design of the buds and case.

Preset EQ support is good, with six presets including speech and instrumental options.

Smudge resistance is weak because reviewers repeatedly describe the glossy earbuds as fingerprint-prone.

Setup and software simplicity are mixed: several reviewers call setup or the app easy, while others report slow pairing or calibration/connectivity friction.

Setup is simplest on Galaxy devices through Bluetooth/settings integration and remains available through Wearables on non-Samsung Android.

Reviewers generally like the sound for the price, often calling it good, rich, or entertaining, though some note bass-heavy tuning and imperfect balance.

Sound quality is the product's strongest theme, with reviewers calling it richer, cleaner, clear, balanced and better than expected.

Soundstage depth is supported by listening impressions of deeper low-end and expansive playback.

Soundstage is viewed as respectable to impressive for the price, though one reviewer felt pricier Pro buds opened up audio more.

Soundstage width is supported by the UHQ soundscape and wide bass impressions.

Spatial audio divides reviewers: some call it immersive and unusually good at this price, while others find it underwhelming, fake, or unnatural.

Spatial audio is present as 360 Audio/360° sound, though one reviewer does not personally use it.

Fit stability is mostly good for exercise and daily use, though some reviewers see it as better for lighter activity or dependent on eartip fit.

Fit stability is a concern because one review calls out constant fit adjustments from the open design.

Touch controls are mostly praised for responsiveness and customization, but some reviewers report missed taps, accidental presses, or awkward use while moving.

Controls are well regarded, with swipe, press and pinch gestures described as straightforward, precise and easy to locate.

Transparency mode ranges from natural and useful to confusingly ineffective, with reviewer experiences varying more than for most other features.

Transparency is improved by the addition of a proper Ambient Sound mode.

Treble receives split feedback, from clear and detailed to blown out, spicy, harsh, or insufficiently crisp depending on reviewer and volume.

Treble clarity is praised alongside mids, with reviewers noting crunchy highs and strong mids/treble performance.

Value for money is one of the clearest strengths, with most reviewers praising the $100 feature set despite some tradeoffs.

Value is positive for Galaxy or Android users because reviewers frame the $179 Buds 4 as compelling and able to challenge bigger rivals.

Voice assistant integration is positive in the one scored review, which says assistant commands worked well hands-free.

Voice assistant support is clear, with Bixby and Gemini assistance plus head-gesture responses to Bixby prompts.

Volume output is a strength for reviewers who like loud earbuds, with both scored reviews describing the Buds 3 as louder than average.

Water and sweat protection is treated positively for rain and sweat use, though reviewers do not frame it as suitable for submersion.

Water and sweat protection is adequate but not rugged, with IP54 covering sweat and splashes while dropping below Buds 3's IP57 rating.

Weight comfort is a strength: reviewers describe the buds as lightweight enough to barely register or be easy to forget in the ear.