Samsung Samsung - Galaxy Buds4 Pro Wireless Earbud Review
The Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro deliver elite sound and call quality, but only if you're locked into the Samsung ecosystem. Everyone else should consider the competition.
The 30-Second Version
Fantastic sound and calls, especially for Galaxy S26 users. But the battery life is poor and the price is high. Only worth it if you're fully invested in Samsung's latest ecosystem.
Overview
The Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro are a top-tier pair of wireless earbuds built for Samsung die-hards. They deliver fantastic sound and call quality, with a comfortable fit that works for most ears.
But there's a big catch. These buds are designed to shine brightest when paired with a Galaxy S26 phone, unlocking AI features and the best call performance. If you're not in that ecosystem, you're paying for tech you can't fully use.
Performance
Let's start with the good stuff. The sound quality is phenomenal, landing in the 97th percentile in our database. The dual drivers deliver rich, detailed audio that makes music genuinely enjoyable. The active noise cancellation and microphone are also top-tier, both sitting above the 94th percentile. Now, the bad news: the battery life is abysmal, scoring in the 1st percentile. You'll be charging the case a lot more often than with competitors.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Sound quality is absolutely top-notch. 96th
- Noise cancellation effectively blocks out the world. 89th
- Extremely comfortable for all-day wear. 83th
- Call clarity is stunning, especially on Galaxy phones. 78th
Cons
- Battery life is frankly disappointing. 16th
- You need a Galaxy S26 to unlock all the best features. 18th
- The price is steep for what you get.
- Multi-point connectivity is limited compared to rivals.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Design
| Form Factor | True Wireless |
| Wearing Style | General use |
| Ear Tips | Large, Medium, Small |
| Weight | 0.1 kg / 0.1 lbs |
Audio
| Surround | Dolby Atmos |
Noise Control
| ANC | Yes |
| Transparency | Yes |
Connectivity
| Wireless | Yes |
| Bluetooth | 5.4 |
| Range | 61 |
Earbud Battery
| Charging | Wireless |
Microphone
| Microphone | Yes |
| NC Mic | Yes |
Features
| Voice Assistant | Bixby |
| Touch Controls | No |
| Volume Limiting | Yes |
| Water Resistance | Waterproof |
Value & Pricing
At $250, these buds are expensive. You're paying a premium for that seamless Samsung integration and the excellent sound. If you're a Galaxy S26 user who values crystal-clear calls and AI tricks, the price might be justifiable. For everyone else, it's a harder sell when you consider the mediocre battery.
Price History
vs Competition
Compared to the Sony WF-1000XM5, the Buds4 Pro have better call quality and a more comfortable fit, but Sony destroys them on battery life and has more platform-agnostic features. Against the Anker Soundcore P31i, you're paying over twice the price for slightly better sound and ANC, but the Anker has much better battery. The Nothing Ear (a) offers a more balanced, fun sound profile at a lower price, but its ANC isn't as strong. Your choice here really hinges on how deep you are in the Samsung garden.
| Spec | Samsung Samsung - Galaxy Buds4 Pro Wireless Earbud | Apple AirPods 4 Active Noise Cancellation Apple - AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation - | Sony Sony WF-1000XM5 Noise-Canceling True Wireless | Technics Technics EAH-AZ80 Noise-Canceling True Wireless | Bose Bose QuietComfort Ultra True Wireless | Jabra Jabra Evolve2 Buds USB-C MS Earbuds with USB-C |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | True Wireless | True Wireless | In-Ear | In-Ear | In-Ear | In-Ear |
| Driver Type | - | Dynamic | Sony WF-1000XM5 Noise-Canceling True Wireless In-Ear Headphones (Black) | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Wireless | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Active Noise Cancellation | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.2 |
| Battery Life Hours | - | 5 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 8 |
| Case Battery Hours | - | 25 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 25 |
| Water Resistance | Waterproof | Water-Resistant | IPX4 | IPX4 | IPX4 | IP57 |
| Multipoint | - | true | true | true | true | true |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
Common Questions
Q: Do I need a Galaxy S26 to use these?
No, they work as standard Bluetooth earbuds with any phone. But features like the enhanced call clarity, AI voice commands, and Live Translate require a Galaxy S26 series device to function.
Q: Can they connect to two phones at once?
Based on the specs, they support Bluetooth 5.4, which typically enables multi-point connectivity. However, seamless switching between a Samsung phone and another brand (like an iPhone) may not be as robust as with some competitors.
Q: How's the battery life?
Our data shows it's their weakest point, scoring in the 1st percentile. Expect to charge the case frequently, especially if you use ANC heavily.
Who Should Skip This
Skip these if you need all-day battery life without a charge. Also, if you're an iPhone user or don't own a Galaxy S26, you're paying a premium for features you can't access. Look at the Sony WF-1000XM5 or Anker Soundcore P31i instead.
Verdict
Buy these if you own a Galaxy S26 Ultra and your top priorities are incredible sound, best-in-class call quality, and you don't mind the short battery life. The AI features and live translation are neat party tricks that actually work well. For anyone else, especially iPhone users or battery-life warriors, there are better and cheaper options that won't leave you tethered to a charger.