Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 and Buds 4 Pro – more integrated with the Galaxy ecosystem

Along with its flagship smartphone lineup this year, Samsung unveiled new wireless earbuds—the Galaxy Buds4 and Buds4 Pro. The update wasn’t so much a revolution in sound as it was a redesign, ergonomics, and deeper integration with the Galaxy ecosystem. After a quick hands-on, the overwhelming impression was that the company was fixing previous flaws rather than experimenting.

New design without “gaming” accents

The first thing you notice is the rejection of the aggressive triangular profile of the previous generation. The Buds4 Pro retain the stem, but its shape is more discreet, without sharp edges. The charging case has been reduced in size, is neater, and no longer creates confusion when inserting the earbuds: you no longer need to rotate them 180 degrees to insert them correctly.

The case looks simpler but neater. Visually, the new earbuds resemble the general design approach of open-back models with a stem, but Samsung retained its own elements—specifically, the metal insert on the stem of the Pro version. The company calls this element “Edge design.” The metal here is more of a decorative accent than a structural support, but it adds a sense of integrity.

The Galaxy Buds4 Pro remain in-ear earbuds with ear pads. The standard Galaxy Buds4 are open-back earbuds without silicone tips. For some users, this is a key consideration: some find the ear pads and deeper fit more comfortable, while others avoid in-ear models.

Design and Controls

The touch control panel remains on the stem. You can use it to adjust the volume, skip tracks, answer calls, and control noise-canceling modes. This is a typical approach for modern TWS devices, although the touch controls still require some getting used to—accidental touches are possible.

Both models are IP-rated for water and dust resistance (the Pro models traditionally have a higher rating). This means the earbuds are designed for everyday use, workouts, and city commuting in a variety of weather conditions.

Sound and Technical Features

According to Samsung’s official website, the Galaxy Buds4 Pro feature dual-driver speakers: one driver handles low frequencies, the other high frequencies. They support 24-bit audio (when paired with Galaxy smartphones), as well as Samsung’s proprietary Seamless Codec for low-loss signal transmission.

The standard Buds4 use a single-driver design, which is logical for a model without the Pro moniker. Technically, this means a less complex acoustic system, but upon first listening, the difference doesn’t seem dramatic. In everyday use—streaming music, video, and podcasts—both models deliver the level expected for their segment.

The Galaxy Buds4 Pro support active noise cancellation (ANC) with adaptive mode. The system analyzes ambient noise and adjusts the filtering level. There’s also a Transparency mode for conversations or city navigation. Interestingly, even the open-back Buds4 feature noise cancellation. Theoretically, the in-ear design should isolate sound better, but initial impressions suggest the difference between the Buds4 and Buds4 Pro in ANC isn’t immediately obvious without detailed testing.

For calls, both models use multiple microphones with machine-learning-based noise cancellation. During short demos, voices are transmitted clearly, without harsh artifacts, even in noisy environments.