Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro

Christian Thomas from SoundGuys highlights the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro as a solid flagship offering with notable strengths and some clear limitations. The earbuds impress with effective noise cancellation, a comfortable fit, and a high IP57 rating that suits active users and those in moist environments. Unique features like Auracast and advanced Samsung-exclusive codecs enhance the experience—but only for Samsung phone owners, making the product feel somewhat ecosystem-locked. The sound signature is described as bass-heavy and dark, which may appeal to fans of older or acoustic music but can muddy more modern, bass-intense tracks without EQ adjustments. Battery life meets expectations, and the charging case is compact and convenient. While the earbuds improve on their predecessor and offer competitive value at $249, the review advises non-Samsung users to consider alternatives like Sony or Apple models due to feature restrictions. Overall, the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are a capable but somewhat niche choice, best suited for Samsung ecosystem loyalists.

David Carnoy from CNET highlights the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro as a refined evolution of their predecessor, blending a sleeker, more premium design with subtle but meaningful performance upgrades. While the shift to a stem (or “blade”) design may disappoint fans of Samsung’s earlier stemless models, the new earbuds fit more comfortably and offer improved sound clarity, bass extension, and balanced mids with minimal distortion. Carnoy praises their top-tier transparency mode and strong voice-calling capabilities, especially in challenging environments, though he notes the noise cancellation, while respectable, still trails behind Apple, Sony, and Bose’s best. Battery life remains unchanged and somewhat modest compared to competitors. The review emphasizes that while the improvements aren’t revolutionary, the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro deliver a polished, well-rounded experience that’s especially appealing to Samsung and Android users, earning a CNET Editors’ Choice recommendation. However, upgrading from the Buds 3 Pro may not be essential unless the new design strongly appeals.

John Higgins from The Verge highlights that the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro offer meaningful improvements over their predecessor, particularly in sound quality and noise cancellation, delivering a more balanced and consistent audio experience. Priced at $249.99, these earbuds retain the strengths of the Buds3 while addressing prior issues like overly emphasized vocal frequencies. However, Higgins emphasizes a significant limitation: the Buds4 Pro’s full feature set—including hi-res audio, advanced voice controls, and seamless device switching—is largely restricted to users within the Samsung Galaxy ecosystem. Outside of Galaxy devices, functionality is reduced to basic audio and ANC toggling, which may disappoint users on iPhone, Windows, or gaming platforms. While the review conveys measured enthusiasm for the product’s technical enhancements, it also conveys a cautious tone about its ecosystem lock-in, making the Galaxy Buds4 Pro a compelling choice primarily for Galaxy phone owners.

Harry McKerrell from What Hi-Fi? highlights the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro as the brand’s best-sounding wireless earbuds to date, delivering clear, refined audio with excellent detail and spaciousness. The review expresses genuine enthusiasm for their crisp, agile performance, especially when paired with a recent Samsung flagship device that unlocks the proprietary hi-res SSC UHQ codec, significantly enhancing sound quality. While the Buds 4 Pro offer a strong feature set—including improved water resistance, a distinctive design, and effective noise cancelling with adaptive modes—the reviewer notes some limitations: only three ear tip sizes are available, which may affect fit for some users, and the buds don’t quite match the dynamic expressiveness and rhythmic nuance of class leaders like the Sony WF-1000XM6 or AirPods Pro 3. Overall, the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are praised as a solid, well-rounded choice, particularly for Samsung devotees seeking detailed sound and seamless integration within the Samsung ecosystem.

Erin Bashford from Tom’s Guide highlights the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro as a sleek, well-designed update delivering industry-leading sound quality that rivals the AirPods Pro 3, Sony WF-1000XM6, and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Gen 2. She praises their dynamic bass, clarity, and impressive ANC performance, noting the earbuds’ ability to block out nearly all external noise. The review emphasizes the seamless integration with Samsung Galaxy devices, especially newer models, unlocking AI features like Interpreter and Head Gestures, though these ecosystem locks may limit appeal for some users. Bashford appreciates the improved design and tactile charging case button, while acknowledging the earbuds’ slight static hum with ANC on and the lack of groundbreaking new features compared to the previous generation. Overall, she recommends the Buds 4 Pro as a top-tier choice for Samsung users seeking premium sound and comfort, though she suggests existing Buds 3 Pro owners may not find an urgent need to upgrade.

Eric Zeman from PCMag highlights the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 and Buds4 Pro as technologically advanced earbuds that deliver rich, detailed audio, especially when paired with Samsung’s latest flagship devices. He praises the Buds4 Pro’s dual-driver setup for deeper bass and crisper highs, as well as their support for high-quality codecs and adaptive noise cancellation features like voice and siren detection. However, Zeman notes a significant drawback in the fit and seal of the silicone eartips, which compromised noise cancellation effectiveness compared to Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 and Google’s Pixel Buds Pro 2. Battery life is solid but slightly shorter than competitors, and the charging cases are somewhat bulky. Overall, the Buds4 Pro shines as a strong ecosystem choice for Samsung users, offering superior sound quality and future-proofing, though its noise cancellation and fit may not suit everyone. The review balances enthusiasm for the audio performance with measured critique of comfort and ANC limitations.

Tom Bedford from TechRadar highlights the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro as a pair of earbuds that deliver exceptional sound quality and effective noise cancellation, placing them among the best he has tested. He praises the upgraded woofer for providing well-controlled, rich bass that complements mids and trebles without overpowering them, especially when paired with a Samsung phone that unlocks the full audio potential via the SSC codec. However, Bedford also points out several persistent issues carried over from the Buds 3 Pro, notably the proprietary ear-tip locking system that complicates tip replacement and the poor fit that causes the buds to slip during active use. While the earbuds excel in sound and ANC performance, their high price and ecosystem limitations make them a less compelling choice for non-Samsung users or those sensitive to fit problems. Overall, Bedford’s review balances enthusiasm for the audio improvements with measured criticism of design and usability flaws, resulting in a cautiously positive but nuanced assessment.

Tshaka Armstrong from Android Central highlights the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro as a strong contender in the wireless earbuds market, especially for Samsung phone users. Praising notable improvements in sound quality, active noise cancellation (ANC), and durability over the previous generation, Armstrong emphasizes the earbuds’ excellent clarity, enhanced bass, and the advanced SSC UHQ codec that delivers rich, detailed audio. The review also applauds the practical onboard voice and gesture controls, as well as the upgraded IP57 rating for water and dust resistance. However, Armstrong offers a measured critique, noting minor fit issues for some users, occasional touch control unresponsiveness during sweaty workouts, and the lack of true multipoint connectivity. While the live translation feature shows promise, it remains imperfect. Overall, Armstrong finds the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro to be a worthwhile upgrade for Samsung device owners, delivering a balanced mix of premium sound, smart features, and durability, though not compelling enough to justify upgrading from the immediate predecessor.

Billy Steele from Engadget highlights that the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 and 4 Pro continue Samsung’s trend of closely mirroring Apple’s AirPods, with notable improvements in design, sound quality, and feature sets while maintaining price points. The Buds 4 Pro stands out with superior audio performance thanks to its two-way driver setup, delivering rich bass and clear vocals across diverse music genres. Noise cancellation remains a mixed bag: the Buds 4 offer only modest ANC, while the Pro model provides a more effective, though not industry-leading, experience. Both models excel when paired with Samsung Galaxy phones, unlocking advanced features like voice detection and head gestures, but lose much functionality on other devices. Call quality is generally clear but can sound digitized in noisy environments. While Samsung has made meaningful strides, the review suggests the brand still trails Apple in hearing health and fitness tracking features, and that bigger innovations are needed for the Galaxy Buds to become must-have earbuds.

James Pero from Gizmodo highlights the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro as a solid, back-to-basics offering that excels in sound quality, fit, and active noise cancellation (ANC). He praises the earbuds’ refined design, comfortable fit, and impressive audio performance across genres, noting clear vocals, balanced bass, and effective adaptive EQ. The ANC and passive noise isolation work well in real-world noisy environments, complemented by useful features like voice detection and siren detection. However, Pero points out some shortcomings: call quality is only average, battery life is adequate but unremarkable, and the companion app feels bare-bones compared to competitors. He also notes the lack of groundbreaking or “wow” features, especially compared to Apple’s AirPods Pro 3, and the ecosystem lock-in that limits hi-res audio benefits to Samsung users. Overall, the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro deliver excellent fundamentals without pushing innovation, making them a strong choice for those prioritizing sound and comfort over cutting-edge extras.