- Better: serious ANC Tom's Guide recommended spending more on the Pro model if stronger ANC matters.
Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Review
Bottom Line
Choose the Galaxy Buds 4 for rich sound, comfort, and Galaxy-first features at a non-Pro price. Skip them if strong ANC, Apple compatibility, long battery life, or seamless non-Galaxy multipoint matters most.
Best for
Best for Samsung and Android users who want comfortable open-fit earbuds with rich sound, customizable controls, and deep Galaxy/Wearables settings. They also fit buyers who want a cheaper non-Pro Samsung option.
Not for
Not for shoppers who need serious ANC, strong passive isolation, long battery life, or seamless multipoint outside the Galaxy ecosystem. iPhone-heavy users should also be cautious because reviewers said iOS is not catered for.
Verdict
Across the reviews, the Galaxy Buds 4 come across as a strong open-fit earbud for Samsung and Android users, especially for sound. Reviewers praised the warm, bass-forward tuning, clear mids and treble, premium-feeling design, comfortable fit, useful controls, and deep Galaxy settings. The tradeoff is that the same open design limits noise blocking: ANC is repeatedly described as modest, with outside sound still leaking in. The ecosystem story is also uneven, since the richest features, UHQ audio, higher-quality calls, and smoother switching depend on Galaxy devices. Battery life is serviceable but not a highlight, and the IP54 rating is a step down from the prior generation.
Compared in Reviews
Products reviewers directly compared with this model, grouped into quick takeaways.
- Better: battery life Tom's Guide said Sony's WF-C710N beat both Apple and Samsung on battery life.
Galaxy Buds 4 Pro
- Better: call quality Tom's Guide reported that call quality was better on the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro.
- Better: audio quality Engadget said the Pro is the better pick when audio is the main priority.
- More expensive: price tier Engadget framed the Buds 4 as a way for Galaxy owners to spend less than they would on the Pro model.
Feature Scorecards
Summary
36 reviewed features- Very positive 4.5-5.0 17% 6 features
- Positive 3.5-4.4 58% 21 features
- Neutral 2.5-3.4 19% 7 features
- Negative 1.5-2.4 6% 2 features
- Very negative below 1.5 0% 0 features
Pros
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Comfort was a major strength in the Tom's Guide review, including for smaller ears and everyday listening.
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The stem controls were praised as easy, precise, and straightforward, especially after Samsung refined the blade shape.
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Android and especially Samsung users get the strongest experience, with one reviewer explicitly saying the buds were made for Android/Samsung users.
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The app and phone settings offer a broad control surface, with reviewers highlighting a huge range of adjustable settings.
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EQ customization was described as a premium feature, with access to adjustment options and presets inside Samsung's software experience.
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Soundstage width was praised in UHQ mode, with Tom's Guide calling the presentation surprisingly expansive.
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Touch control responsiveness was praised, with reviewers finding the touch area easy to locate and the gestures precise or straightforward.
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Bluetooth was viewed positively, with reviewers citing longer range, future-proofing, and Bluetooth 6.1 as a meaningful upgrade.
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Sound quality was the clearest strength across all three reviews, with praise for richness, refinement, and overall listening enjoyment.
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Bass was consistently praised as punchy, wide, warm, and stronger than expected for open-fit entry-level earbuds.
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Build quality drew positive comments for a premium feel and a more refined look than the prior generation.
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Hi-res/UHQ playback was praised when paired with compatible Galaxy hardware and high-resolution sources, adding perceived expansiveness and cleaner sound.
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Treble performance was praised for crunchy highs and strong mids/treble performance, without the tinniness criticized in AirPods comparisons.
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Value was favorable for Galaxy owners and price-conscious buyers, with reviewers calling the performance strong for the $179 tier.
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Instrument separation was praised in track testing, where synths, bass, vocals, and percussion stayed layered rather than smeared together.
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Soundstage depth received positive evidence through UHQ listening, where acoustics were described as reverberating around the listener.
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Microphone noise reduction was a strength, with reviewers saying background roar, white noise, wind, and background noise were reduced or blocked.
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Midrange clarity was praised, especially for vocals, though Engadget described the non-Pro model's mids as merely filling the gaps adequately.
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Head gestures were treated as a useful modern addition that adds hands-free control and helps Samsung keep pace with rivals.
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Setup and software were strongest for Galaxy users, with settings baked into the phone and a broad range of options available.
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Design impressions were positive overall, with reviewers calling the Buds 4 more polished, premium, and refined despite the familiar AirPods-like shape.
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The case was reviewed favorably for practical design touches, including visibility through the lid and useful physical controls.
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One comparison review credited the Buds 4 tuning with better clarity and balance than the prior generation.
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The integrated microphone system was described as upgraded and designed for clearer calls and better voice recognition.
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Transparency mode earned positive evidence from the comparison review because Ambient Sound made daily use more practical than Buds 3.
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Voice assistant integration was considered useful for hands-free tasks, though one reviewer personally had little interest in AI assistants.
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Call quality was usable but not flawless: one review heard crisp clarity, another reported a muffled voice, and the comparison piece expected clearer calls.
Cons
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Multipoint and device switching were mixed: Tom's Guide criticized non-Galaxy limitations, while the specs comparison expected smoother Galaxy ecosystem switching.
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Fit evidence was mixed: reviewers liked the comfort of the open form, but the lack of a seal and repeated fit adjustments hurt stability and ANC.
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Reviewers agreed ANC is the weakest major feature: two hands-on reviews found it modest or not serious, while the specs-focused comparison expected improvement over Buds 3.
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Multi-platform compatibility was a clear limitation because the richest features and smoothest device switching stay tied to Samsung or Galaxy devices.
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Battery life was treated as adequate but unimpressive, with one reviewer calling 5-6 hours poor beside longer-lasting rivals.
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Spatial audio was not a selling point for one reviewer, who said upmixed spatial audio could warp music.
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Water and sweat resistance were a concern because the Buds 4 dropped from Buds 3's IP57 rating to IP54 and were described as less rugged.
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Physical stability was a weakness in the Engadget review because the open design required repeated fit adjustments.
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Passive isolation was weak because the open-fit body lacks a sealing silicone tip, letting outside noise seep in.
Compared With Category Average
Compared with other Earbud Headphones, this product is above average in Button control usability, below average in Noise isolation (passive), Stability, Battery.
Summary
8 compared features- Above average 0.4+ pts higher 13% 1 feature
- Same as average within 0.3 pts 0% 0 features
- Below average 0.4+ pts lower 88% 7 features
| Attribute | This product | Category average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noise isolation (passive) | 2.0 | 4.1 | -2.1 |
| Stability | 2.2 | 4.3 | -2.1 |
| Battery | 2.5 | 4.1 | -1.6 |
| Multi-platform compatibility | 2.5 | 4.0 | -1.5 |
| Active noise cancellation | 2.5 | 3.9 | -1.4 |
| Eartips fit | 2.6 | 4.0 | -1.4 |
| Water/sweat resistance rating | 2.5 | 3.9 | -1.4 |
| Button control usability | 4.5 | 3.6 | +0.9 |
FAQ
Are the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 good for Android users?
Yes. Reviewers framed them as especially strong for Android and Samsung users because the richest controls and settings are built around Galaxy phones or the Wearables app.
How good is the ANC on the Galaxy Buds 4?
ANC is the main weakness. Hands-on reviewers said the open-fit design prevents a true seal, so noise reduction is modest and serious ANC shoppers should look elsewhere.
Do the Galaxy Buds 4 sound good?
Yes. Sound quality was the strongest point across the reviews, with praise for warm bass, clear mids and treble, an expansive UHQ presentation, and strong value at the price.
Are the Galaxy Buds 4 comfortable?
Tom's Guide praised their comfort, including for smaller ears. Engadget still noted that the open design can require fit adjustments, so stability may depend on ear shape.
Do they work well with iPhones?
They can handle basics like ANC, controls, and ambient sound, but reviewers said many advanced features require Samsung or Android devices and that iPhones are not catered for.
How is call quality?
Call quality is usable but mixed. Reviewers found voices understandable and background noise reduction strong, but one heard muffling and another noted digitized voice processing in noisy places.
Consider This Instead
If you want better Noise isolation (passive)
Choose Sony WF-1000XM5 Earbuds. It scores 4.9 vs 2.0 for Noise isolation (passive), with a 3.9 overall score.
If you want better Stability
Choose Sennheiser CX 80U Wired Earbuds. It scores 5.0 vs 2.2 for Stability, with a 4.2 overall score.
If you want better Multi-platform compatibility
Choose Technics EAH-AZ100 Earbuds. It scores 5.0 vs 2.5 for Multi-platform compatibility, with a 4.2 overall score.
If you want better Battery
Choose Audio-Technica ATH-CKS50TW Earbuds. It scores 5.0 vs 2.5 for Battery, with a 3.9 overall score.
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