Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Review: The Earbuds That Steal the Show

Samsung galaxy buds 4 are the one of the best built for the Galaxy ecosystem, which provide a comfortable no-tip fit without sacrificing the smart audio technology and AI capabilities. When you listen to earbuds during long periods of time, such as when you are on a work call, commuting, working out, or even using background music all day long. The open fit is not as illogical as it may seem. It took me an hour to pay slight attention to them.

However, when you are a heavy commuter or a frequent flyer and require ANC to completely block out the world, then the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro still beats the odds. So, at $179, they are a very solid choice. And when you are moving out of Apple into Android, it feels remarkably easy to do so here, familiar design, superior specification in places, and intense Android integration.

Design and Build Quality

Samsung developed a clean design on this generation. The angular “blade” stem of the Buds 3 has been replaced by a flat-plane stem, with a brushed-metal surface. It is more sophisticated, pinches easier and appears much better. 

The case was also appropriately upgraded. The old vertical cradle has gone and in its place, there is a flat clamshell that has a transparent lid, thus you could have a quick look and make sure that the buds are inside without the need to pop it open. The actual button on the case remains. The glass lid is sensitive to fingerprints and scratches, and can be picked up with a bit of caution.

Performance in Real Life

It was actually the open fit that I first tried in a real life situation, as I sat at my desk, I did not need to tug out an earbud every time somebody passed by. That was all a saving grace to me. As a commuting or office computer, that sense of ambient awareness is not a flaw, but the core design philosophy and it is effective.

Samsung has clearly prioritized an enjoyable sound quality over strict accuracy. It has a warm low-end that is not muddy and vocals are crisp and well defined.

One minor problem that I have detected in the quality of the call was that, on the side of the people. I was calling, my voice sounded almost digitized. This was not a dealbreaker, but it was brought up on more than one occasion. The entire 16kHz super wideband upgrade can be enabled only on the Galaxy S26 series. The call quality on older Samsung phones and non-Samsung phones still remains strong, although not everything these buds are capable of.

Key Features with Benefits

Real Life Testing Results

The improved Bluetooth range is an element that I experimented with to a considerable degree. I left my phone on my desk and went round, office corridor, down a set of stairs, into the kitchen. The connection never broke down once. Using Bluetooth 6.1 on a Galaxy phone, the connection is immediate and the performance during the day significantly improved compared to older buds that I have used.

ANC is operational but constrained and I would like to be frank. I have tried it at five levels and holding it in place at maximum, gave the best results. The sound will still leak in with the open fit, but the sound will be competitive with AirPods Pro in certain areas. When you are testing them on a subway that is loud or on an airplane, have expectations.

The fact that the controls were touch controlled impressed me. The carved sensor area is a small detail, but it really counts. I did not make a mistake on the first day and activated the wrong gesture.

Battery Life

Battery anxiety isn’t something you’ll experience here. Six hours on single charge without ANC and five hours with active ANC is quite impressive in Galaxy buds 4. The case handles multiple top-ups before it needs a wall socket. 

Price and Value

I believe that Samsung got these at the right price of $179. You have Bluetooth 6.1, Galaxy AI features, decent sound and you actually have a better case design than the last generation. Samsung also included with it the inclusion of a $30 Samsung Credit in their own shop at launch, which further moderated the price downward.

Comparison with Rivals

Against the AirPods 4 ANC, Samsung wins on Bluetooth version, smart features, and the case design. Against the Sony WF-C710N, the Buds 4 wins on features but the Sony fights back with better ANC effectiveness and a $50 lower price, because it has a proper seal.

Quick Scorecard

Conclusion

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 provides a strong balance between quality and value. They came up with a solid sound which is comfortable for long listening sessions. This even introduced Bluetooth 6.1 before Apple even got his hands on. 

The biggest key feature is the open fit. No silicone seal means ANC has its limit. If you’re buying to block out noise, you’ll be disappointed. But if you prefer a more natural listening experience, or you’ve used AirPods and found the fit comfortable, the Buds 4 offers everything the AirPods 4 ANC does and then some, with deeper Android integration and better Bluetooth tech.