Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 (Pro) hands-on

Alongside the Galaxy S26 series, Samsung also introduced two new pairs of wireless earbuds: the Galaxy Buds 4 and the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro. With this generation, Samsung clearly returns to a more distinct design identity.

While the Galaxy Buds 3 and Buds 3 Pro were technically strong products, their design language drew noticeable comparisons to Apple’s AirPods. That direction was met with criticism from parts of the community and even from within Samsung.

The Galaxy Buds 4 series feels like a conscious step back toward a more original and recognizable Samsung design.

Both the earbuds and the charging case have been completely redesigned. The Galaxy Buds 4 series now comes in a more square-shaped charging case, giving it a sturdier and slightly more modern appearance.

The Buds 4 and Buds 4 Pro are available in Black, White, and an online-exclusive Pink Gold version. The overall design feels premium while remaining lightweight.

Unlike the previous generation, which relied heavily on plastic, the new Galaxy Buds 4 series incorporates aluminum elements into the construction. This gives them a noticeably more refined and high-quality feel without adding unnecessary weight. Despite the more solid materials, the earbuds remain comfortable to wear, even during extended listening sessions.

Samsung states that it analyzed over 100 million ear shapes and conducted more than 10,000 simulations to optimize the fit of the Galaxy Buds 4 series. Whether or not you notice the engineering effort behind it, the result is clear: both models sit securely and comfortably in the ear.

There is one important design distinction between the two models. The standard Galaxy Buds 4 feature a more open design with a hard plastic structure. The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro, on the other hand, include silicone ear tips that seal the ear canal. This not only improves passive noise isolation but also contributes to a fuller and more immersive sound profile.

Samsung has made significant improvements to audio quality, especially on the Pro model. Larger woofers and tweeters allow for a more dynamic and powerful listening experience, with deeper bass and clearer highs.

Both models support 24-bit/96 kHz Hi-Fi audio, ensuring high-resolution playback for compatible content. In practice, the Buds 4 Pro deliver a noticeably richer and more detailed sound compared to their predecessors.

The earbuds are controlled via a small touch-sensitive panel located on the inner side of the stem. This allows you to pause or play music, skip tracks, and switch between different Active Noise Cancelling modes.

Speaking of ANC, Samsung has further improved noise cancellation this year. Background noise is filtered more effectively, making the Buds 4 Pro in particular suitable for use in busy environments such as public transport, cafés, or airports. The integrated ANC microphones also enhance call quality by reducing surrounding noise for the person on the other end of the line.

One of the most impressive improvements is the microphone performance. Samsung has significantly upgraded the microphone system in both models.

During calls and even while recording video, voices sound clearer and more natural. In crowded or noisy environments, the microphones do a strong job of isolating the speaker’s voice from background noise. In hands-on testing, the quality feels surprisingly close to studio-like clarity, especially compared to previous generations.

Samsung has also expanded the smart functionality of the Galaxy Buds 4 series.

A new head-tracking feature allows users to accept or reject calls by simply nodding or shaking their heads. This can be especially useful when your hands are occupied.

The earbuds can also be controlled using Google Gemini or the updated Bixby assistant. This enables voice-based commands, navigation prompts, and contextual responses directly through the earbuds.

A particularly useful feature for travelers is real-time in-ear translation. The Galaxy Buds 4 can translate conversations from foreign languages directly into your ear, helping bridge language barriers while abroad.

A long-requested improvement finally arrives with One UI 8.5. Galaxy users can now adjust Galaxy Buds settings directly from the Quick Settings panel on compatible Galaxy devices such as the Galaxy S26 series.

This means you no longer need to open the Galaxy Wearable app to switch ANC modes or adjust key features. A simple swipe down from the top of the screen provides direct access to the most important controls, making the experience faster and more seamless.

The Galaxy Buds 4 and Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are available for pre-order starting today at 179 euros and 249 euros, respectively, or 179 and 249 US dollars depending on the market.

Official sales begin on March 11. The Pink Gold version is exclusively available through Samsung’s official online store.