The Samsung Galaxy Buds4 series marks Samsung's most ambitious overhaul of its wireless earbud lineup in years. Unveiled alongside the Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26+, and Galaxy S26 Ultra, both the standard Galaxy Buds4 and the more premium Galaxy Buds4 Pro transcend mere incremental upgrades, positioning Samsung squarely in the premium wireless earbud segment. The Galaxy Buds4 retail for $179.99, while the flagship Galaxy Buds4 Pro is priced at $249.99, competing directly with the Apple AirPods 4 with ANC and Sony’s WF-1000XM6.

Samsung has made a significant, data-driven commitment to comfort and ergonomics across the series. Both models incorporate a new ergonomic design, developed from an analysis of over 100 million global ear-shape data points and validated through more than 10,000 fit simulations. This extensive biomechanical research aims to deliver lasting comfort, even during prolonged wear. The standard Galaxy Buds4 retain an open-fit, semi-in-ear design, which means they lack silicone ear tips and a canal seal, appealing to users who dislike the 'closed-off' feeling of traditional in-ear monitors. They feature a refined blade-shaped stem, brushed-metal plating, and engraved pinch controls, available in Black and White matte finishes. Durability for the Buds4 is rated at IP54, offering protection against dust and water splashes. In contrast, the Galaxy Buds4 Pro adopt a canal-fit, stem-style earbud that is both smaller and more stable, weighing just 5.1 grams per earbud. They include three silicone ear tip sizes and boast a more robust IP57 rating, making them fully protected against dust ingress and temporary submersion. The Pro model offers Matte White, Matte Black, and an exclusive Pink Gold color option.

Audio quality is a headline feature for both models, with support for 24-bit/96kHz hi-res audio. However, this high-fidelity experience is contingent on using the Samsung Seamless Codec (SSC-UHQ) and a compatible Galaxy phone. Users on non-Samsung Android devices or iPhones are limited to standard SBC or AAC codecs, meaning they cannot access high-resolution audio. Neither model supports LDAC or aptX. The standard Galaxy Buds4 are driven by a single 11mm dynamic driver, delivering a warm, consumer-friendly sound with emphasized bass and clear mid-range. An enhanced Adaptive Equalizer and expanded EQ adjustment range via the Galaxy Wearable app allow for sound customization. The Galaxy Buds4 Pro, on the other hand, feature a reimagined dual-driver speaker system, comprising an 11mm bezel-less dynamic woofer and a 5.4mm planar tweeter. The bezel-less woofer design increases the effective speaker surface area by approximately 20%, resulting in deeper, more resonant bass and improved sub-bass extension, outperforming competitors like AirPods Pro 3, Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2, and Sony WF-1000XM6.

Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) also varies between the models. The Galaxy Buds4 come with ANC 1.0, providing a meaningful reduction in ambient drone and low-frequency rumble, suitable for public transport or offices. However, its open-fit design inherently means a noticeable ambient noise floor in very loud environments. The Galaxy Buds4 Pro steps up to Adaptive ANC 2.0, an upgraded algorithmic system that builds a real-time noise-cancellation profile tailored to the user's ear shape and earbud position. This dynamic recalibration offers more precise cancellation across various situations, narrowing the gap with industry leaders like the Sony WF-1000XM6. The Pro model also includes a Siren Detect feature to temporarily boost ambient sound for emergency vehicle alerts, enhancing safety.

A standout feature across the series is the deep integration with Samsung’s Galaxy AI ecosystem, positioning the earbuds as a hands-free portal to intelligent services. Both models introduce the Head Gestures feature, allowing users to answer incoming calls with a nod or decline with a shake of the head, ideal for hands-free call management during activities. Voice commands can directly launch AI agents like Google's Gemini (on both) and Samsung’s Bixby (on the Pro model) without needing to access a smartphone. This AI integration extends to seamless Quick Panel controls on compatible Galaxy phones, allowing adjustments to ANC levels and settings directly from the phone’s interface. Additionally, the Buds4 Pro specifically offer 360 Audio Recording for content creators to capture spatial, three-dimensional audio, and 360 Spatial Audio playback with head tracking for an immersive cinematic listening experience. It's crucial to note that many of these advanced AI and ecosystem features require a compatible Samsung Galaxy smartphone running One UI 8 or newer.

In terms of connectivity, both Galaxy Buds4 and Buds4 Pro support Bluetooth 6.1, a next-generation standard that dramatically improves connection range up to 984 feet (300 meters) and enhances signal reliability in dense wireless environments, surpassing competitors like Sony WF-1000XM6 and Apple AirPods Pro 3, which use Bluetooth 5.3. Auracast support is included, enabling reception of audio broadcasts in compatible public venues. Multipoint connectivity, allowing simultaneous connection to two devices, is available but performs most reliably within the Samsung Galaxy ecosystem, a limitation compared to the platform-agnostic multipoint of the Sony WF-1000XM6.

Battery life varies slightly: the Galaxy Buds4 offer 5 hours of listening time with ANC enabled, extending to approximately 21 hours with the charging case. The Galaxy Buds4 Pro provide 6 hours with ANC on (7 hours with ANC off) per earbud, totaling up to 26 hours with the charging case. Both models support USB-C fast charging. While these figures are adequate for daily use, they trail the Apple AirPods Pro 3 (8 hours ANC-on) and Sony WF-1000XM6 (8 hours ANC-on) in single-charge endurance, though the Buds4 Pro's larger case battery gives it a total runtime edge over Sony. Call quality in the Buds4 Pro is significantly improved with redesigned microphone placement and a new Super Broadband Call feature, which approximately doubles the frequency range of standard Bluetooth calls for more natural-sounding voices, combined with machine-learning-based background noise suppression. While excellent indoors, Sony's WF-1000XM6 still holds a slight edge in challenging outdoor conditions.

Ultimately, the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 series represents a compelling offering, especially for users within the Samsung Galaxy ecosystem. The standard Galaxy Buds4, at $179.99, offer a refined ergonomic design, robust Galaxy AI integration (including Head Gestures), Bluetooth 6.1, and hi-res audio support, making them a clear recommendation over competitors like AirPods 4 with ANC for Samsung smartphone owners. The Galaxy Buds4 Pro, at $249.99, are Samsung's best earbuds to date, featuring exceptional bass from the wider woofer, improved Adaptive ANC 2.0, an IP57 rating, and cutting-edge Galaxy AI features like 360 Audio Recording and dual AI agent support. For Samsung users, they match AirPods Pro 3 on price while delivering comparable sound, superior IP rating, longer total battery life, and next-generation Bluetooth 6.1. However, many of the advanced features—including hi-res audio, 360 Spatial Audio, multipoint, and seamless pairing—are heavily ecosystem-dependent. Non-Samsung Android users and iPhone users will find a stripped-down experience, for whom alternatives like the Sony WF-1000XM6 or AirPods Pro 3 might offer a more platform-agnostic or musically refined experience.