Samsung galaxy buds 4 & buds 4 pro: a detailed review
Samsung unveils galaxy buds 4 and 4 pro: what's new?
It's Galaxy S26 day, but Samsung isn't stopping there! Alongside the new flagship phones, the company has officially announced the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro and Galaxy Buds 4, bringing a much-needed refresh to their popular earbud lineup. Samsung appears to have addressed many of the criticisms leveled at the Galaxy Buds 3, focusing on design, fit, and audio quality. Let's dive into the details of what's changed and what you can expect from these new earbuds.
Design refresh: sleek and comfortable
The most noticeable change is the redesigned aesthetics. The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro feature a sleek, flat stem design with a brushed metal finish, a significant departure from the previous models' triangular stems with LED lights. The Galaxy Buds 4 retain a more classic bud design, offering a comfortable fit for those who prefer an in-ear experience. The charging case has also been redesigned to be flatter, resembling the older Galaxy Buds 2 Pro case, making insertion and removal easier.
Improved fit and acoustics: data-driven design
Samsung claims extensive testing
went into crafting the new Buds. They utilized 100 million data points to optimize the fit and acoustics of the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro, simulating 10,000 virtual simulations with different ear types. This focus on fit is crucial, as many users have complained about previous Galaxy Buds models slipping out. The Galaxy Buds 4 also feature a redesigned fit for improved seal.Audio enhancements: better sound quality
The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro continue to utilize a dual-driver system, featuring a dynamic driver for the woofer (now 11mm, up from 10.5mm) and a planar driver (reduced to 5.5mm from 6.1mm). This combination aims to deliver a balanced sound profile. Samsung claims 50% less distortion, a significant improvement, although testing will be needed to confirm. The Galaxy Buds 4 stick with a single 11mm driver.
Noise cancellation and audio processing
The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro boast Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation 2.0, which dynamically adjusts the noise cancellation based on real-time sound. The Galaxy Buds 4 employ Adaptive ANC 1.0, switching between pre-set algorithms. Both models include Adaptive EQ, which analyzes your ear shape and listening preferences to optimize the sound. Dolby Atmos and 360 Audio support are included for a more immersive audio experience.
Call quality and connectivity
For enhanced call quality on Samsung phones, the Galaxy Buds 4 and 4 Pro leverage dual-band Bluetooth, supporting up to 16 kHz frequencies. This helps preserve important nuances in your voice. The earbuds also support LC3 codec for improved audio quality, which is beneficial for non-Samsung devices. Samsung phones offer the ability to choose between Bixby and Google Assistant. A new feature allows you to control ANC settings directly from the quick panel, similar to iPhones.
Battery life and features
The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro have a slightly larger battery (61 mAh vs. 53 mAh) but similar battery life: 5 hours with ANC on and 7 hours with ANC off. With the case, you get 26 hours with ANC and 30 hours without. The Galaxy Buds 4 offer 6 hours with ANC on and 9 hours with ANC off, and 24 hours with the case. A notable omission is the lack of multipoint pairing (connecting to two devices simultaneously). However, Samsung's ecosystem integration allows for seamless switching between devices logged into your Samsung account.
Pricing and availability
The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are priced at $249, while the Galaxy Buds 4 are available for $179. Pre-orders begin on February 26th, with availability starting March 11th. These earbuds promise a compelling combination of improved design, enhanced audio, and seamless integration within the Samsung ecosystem, making them a strong contender in the premium earbud market.